Glin Rovers book last four spot as Desmond League Cup action is back on the agenda

There was a return to the Limerick Desmond League Cup group football action this past weekend, with Glin Rovers’ progress the most notable outcome of the weekend. Meanwhile, there was at least one side in the three tiers below who progress to the semi-finals, which are due to be played this side of Christmas.


Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group A 
Glin Rovers 2-0 Broadford Utd  
In a tight contest, Glin secured their second two-nil victory of the campaign and all-but sealed their place in yet another semi-final. Gary Culhane found the breakthrough with an early second half penalty, before James Broderick sealed it with a quarter hour to play.  

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group B 
Rathkeale AFC V Newcastle West Town – OFF  
This game was postponed as a mark of respect due to the sad passing of former Newcastle West Rovers Chairman, Joe O’Brien. May Joe rest in peace.  
 
FAI Junior Cup 1^st Round 
Lifford Utd 2-0 Creeves Celtic 1300, Steel Rock Park, Ennis 
In this delayed FAI Junior Cup first round tie, Creeves Celtic were edged out in a tight affair at Steel Rock Park, in Ennis. Having lost home advantage last weekend due to poor weather, Celitc couldn’t find the breakthrough and were edged out by the Clare side.  

Weekly Observer Division One League Cup Group A 
Rathkeale B 2-8 Shannonside  
Despite this clash being level 2-2 at half-time, the visitors ran away with it to maintain their strong early season. Martin Fitzgerald, Adam Bennett (2), Dan Conroy (2), David McDaid (2) and Alan Moroney were all on target for the winners.  

Granagh Utd 0-4 Askeaton-Kilcornan AFC  
A Sam Duggan hat-trick and another strike from Patrick Ivess got Askeaton Kilcornan another three points, this time on the road. The new amalgamation of two historically strong clubs appears to be working and they are likely to be in the shake up for a number of honours this season. They battle of N69 rivals, Dromore United, Askeaton Kilcornan and Shannonside as well as Ballingarry could make Division One very exciting this year.  

Weekly Observer Division One League Cup Group B 
St. Itas 1-2 Dromore Utd 
St. Ita’s led 1-0 through a penalty, but Evan Guinanne tied this one at the interval. Tiernan Meaney would scramble home the winner from an Oran Kelly corner in the second half. This result ensures that Dromore’s clash with Ballingarry will be to decide who wins the group, with both already assured of a last four place.  

Weekly Observer Division Two League Cup Group A 
Newcastle West Town Reserves v Mountcollins AFC W/O by Mountcollins AFC 
Three points for NCW with Mountcollins yet to field.  

Feenagh 3-8 Ballingarry AFC 
A goal fest between these near neighbours saw Ballingarry’s second string take their third victory to win the group. Leading 4-2 at half-time, Ballingarry further stretched that margin in the second half in a very open game. Colin Bresnihan (2), Philip Padong, David Hanlon, Alan Cronin, Tiernan Fitzgerald, Stephen Browne and an own goal accounted for the eight goals.  
 

Weekly Observer Division Two League Cup Group B 
Abbeyfeale Utd B 2-2 Shountrade AFC (Shountrade 4-1 on pens) 
The evergreen Tommy Cahill headed the hosts in front in this one, in what was their first outing of the season. Shountrade took control and when they led 2-1 thanks to a penalty which also saw a home defender sent off, they looked well positioned for the victory. However, Kieran Wynne equalised for United late in the contest to get them up and running for this new season. Shountrade won the tie-breaker shootout, 4-1. 

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Group A 
Glantine 3-1 Kilcolman Rovers  
Glantine secured safe passage into the last four of the Division Three Cup with a home victory over Kilcolman Rovers. This was, for all intents and purposes, a quarter-final, with the winner taking all. Goals from Aidan O’Connor, Ricky Bokmane and Chris Scannell helped Glantine to a second win in three outings.  

Carrig Celtic 2-2 Breska Rovers B (Carrig won on pens) 
Despite trailing 2-0 early in the second-half, Breska Rovers B dug deep to level this clash and remain unbeaten. Carrig Celtic won the shootout, but it was fruitless with the home side already eliminated prior to kick-off. However, looking to build towards the league, Celtic found a goal from Denny Greaney and Seanie King, eitherside of the interval. Rovers replied through teenager Cian McGregor and Ethan Keyes’ fine effort. 

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Group B 

Dromore Utd B 6-3 Glantine B  
Most of the damage was inflicted by the hosts in the opening 45 minutes. They led 5-2 at the break, before sealing a second win of this group phase. Ethan O’Brien netted an impressive four while Gerry McKeogh and Aaron Donovan were also on target.  
 
Youths 
Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1^st Round 
Shannonside FC 9-2 Glantine 
Shannonside eased to victory at Mick Hanley Park on Thursday last, claiming a seven-goal margin of victory over struggling Glantine. Leading 5-0 at half-time, Shannonside tacked four more but lost their clean sheet. Killian Meade and Conor Duffy both netted a goal, while Darragh Griffin, Rob O’Donnell, Chris Walsh, Adam Bennett and Stephen Kearney also found the net.   

 
FAI Youths Cup 1^st Round 
Rathkeale AFC 1-4 Askeaton-Kilcornan AFC  
A fine win on the road for Askeaton Kilcornan with Zach Birdthistle’s treble added to by Sambulo Ngubane, to put them into the next round.  

Breska Rovers 4-7 Granagh Utd 
Clarina witnessed an end-to-end contest on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors getting over the line despite letting a two-goal lead slip. Trailing two-nil, Adam Kellett and James Smith tied this one up before Granagh assumed control. Late strikes from Tommy Lynch and James Coughlan weren’t enough to stop United advancing to round two.  
 
Shountrade AFC P-P Abbeyfeale Utd  
Ballingarry AFC P-P Dromore Utd  
Both the above were postponed due to unplayable pitches.