Three Desmond League sides progress in FAI Junior Cup

With the weather taking a turn for the worse across the county, there was a good run with all bar one game getting played this weekend. Three of the five Desmond League sides progressed in the FAI Junior Cup with Kilcornan also progressing last weekend. There was also a clash of two Premier Division league hopefuls, between Abbeyfeale United and Rathkeale. The League Cup group phase has nearly concluded in all Divisions, bar the Premier Division after the weekends action.

FAI Junior Cup 2^nd Round
Shannonside 0-1 Killarney Celtic
Shannonside opted to move their FAI Junior Cup clash to Saturday evening and played on Manor Fields Astro, Adare. Celtic, who were quarter-finalists in 2020, did enough to sneak a win. Trpimir Vrjicak on target after 20 minutes.

Breska Rovers 2-3 Shannon Town
Clarina outfit Breska Rovers suffered their first defeat of the season with a home loss to Clare Premier Division outfit, Shannon Town. Conceding three goals from set pieces didn’t help their cause. Jack Moroney had made it 1-1 with a fine free-kick but Shannon quickly established a 3-1 lead. Substitute Ethan Keyes’s goal meant Shannon were pushed right to the last whistle.

Broadford United 3-0 Fenit Samphires
There was more Kerry opposition on Limerick soil when Fenit Samphires visited Cove Park. Hosts Broadford were somewhat comfortable in the end but they were tied at half-time. A brace from Ray Lynch and Liam O’Shaughnessy’s goal was enough for the men in maroon to secure safe passage.  

AC Athletic 4-6 Newcastle West Town
Kerry side AC Athletic pushed Newcastle West Town late in this contest. It was 2-0 to the Limerick side at half time with Jake Power and Ray Brouder’s penalty putting them in control. The home side halved the deficit before Power quickly made it 3-1. He then completed his hat-trick and the game looked over. The goals kept coming and the hosts had two back to make it 3-4 within 3 minutes. It was 4-4 and the shock result was still on, but Darragh McCarthy put the Magpies ahead once again. Ray Brouder sealed the win with a goal from around 50 yards.

Shannon Hibernians 1-2 Dromore Utd (AET)
Goals from Ryan Kelly and Ciaran Deegan gave Dromore United a second win in this competition. Having seen off Ballingarry with ease in the first round, Billy O’Sullivan’s charges backed that up with a win over Clare opposition.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Abbeyfeale Utd 0-2 Rathkeale AFC
A Michael Mulcahy brace was the difference at Riverside Park as Rathkeale inflicted a league defeat on Abbeyfeale United. Having gone the entirety of last season unbeaten to secure honours, this comes a major set back for Abbeyfeale. Rathkeale will be buoyed by this, and having already progressed in the League Cup to the last four, they’ll be hoping for a productive spell heading into winter. United still have two Munster competitions upcoming, with Breska Rovers (Munster Junior Cup) and St. Michael’s (Champions Trophy) the opposition.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group B
Glin Rovers 4-1 Creeves Celtic
Glin ended the group phase with a 100% record after a fourth win. The hosts used their experience and quality in the trying conditions. Goals from Paul Sheehan, Shane Culhane and a brace from Sheagh O’Connor did the damage. Creeves focus will now turn to league action.  

Weekly Observer Division 1
Newcastle West Reserves 2-3 Rathkeale B
It was the battle of the B’s in which Rathkeale prevailed. Niall Linehan and Colin Barry were on target for Rathkeale B in a first half that ended 2-2. Barry O’Riordan came up with the winner in the second half.

St. Itas 2-4 Askeaton
St. Ita’s were beaten at home by Askeaton. Pete Harty, Niall Barry and Sean Whelan had them 3-1 ahead at the break. It was 3-2 before Stephen Smith sealed the points the visitors. The hosts had Paul Fitzmaurice and Paul Begley on the scoresheet.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Mountcollins AFC v Abbeyfeale Utd B – Postponed

Weekly Observer Division 3
Dromore United B 3-1 Carrig Celtic
Dromore continued their fine form with both A and B teams picking up great results so far. This continued for their Bs, who move to nine points from three league games with a 3-1 win over Carrig Celtic. David Collins, Sean Staff and a penalty from Alan O’Donnell did the damage.

Ballysteen 5-1 Shannonside B
Ballysteen kick-started their league campaign with a facile win at home to Shannonside. The winners had five different goalscoreres. Tomás Sheehan, Cillian Ferris, Paul O’Shaughnessy, David O’Shaughnessy and Luke Gamell made it an enjoyable Sunday for the men in green. Luke Danaher accounted for the sole Shannonside goal.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup, Group A
Glin Rovers B 6-1 Knockaderry
Glin booked their place in the semi-finals over a struggling Knockaderry. Their goals came from six different sources as Ed Horan, Ger Stack, Cian Culhane, Ger Riordan, Eoin Wolfe and Johnny Sullivan all found the net.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup, Group B
Ballingarry B 1-2 Glantine
Glantine got their first win of this group stage at the final opportunity. Despite the result, Ballingarry progress as group winners with Mountcollins advancing in second place.

Weekly Observer Division 3 League Cup, Group B
Breska Rovers B 6-1 Feenagh
Breska Rovers second string booked their place in the semi-finals with a win at home to Feenagh. Conor O’Neill, Cillian Cliffe, Lee Doolan, Tom Clancy and Evan McGregor had them 5-1 up at the interval with the visitors reduced to 10 when conceding a penalty. Doolan added a second early in the second half. Rovers top the table with Ballysteen finishing second.