Junior Cup second round takes focus with wins for Breska Rovers and St Ita’s

There were a host of games played across a number of divisions over the weekend.

It was back to provincial cup action this weekend with Munster Junior Cup and Shield taking centre-stage. There was also the first outings in league action in Division’s one, two and three.

The Munster Junior Cup witnessed four away wins while the inaugural Munster Junior Shield competition had a brace of away victories. This competition, which sees sides outside the top two tiers in all junior leagues in Munster, saw just four of the 15 eligible sides register. 

Meanwhile there was FAI U17 action played on Saturday afternoon.  

McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup 2^nd Round
Ballingarry AFC 1-4 Breska Rovers
As was the case in the same competition 12-months ago, Breska Rovers eased beyond an inexperienced Ballingarry outfit at the Paddocks. When Sean Healy fired them in front inside five minutes, there was little looking back. It was 2-0 at half-time as Keith Punch netted. Further efforts from Josh Moloney and Karl Buckley put the Clarina men in-line for a first win of the season. Ballingarry replied through youngster Colin Bresnihan. 

Rathkeale AFC 0-0 Glin Rovers (Glin Rovers win 6-5 on penalties)
In a tense and tight contest, Glin Rovers exercised their Desmond Cup penalty demons when taking the victory and progressing to the next round. It’s a third clean sheet of the season for keeper Mike Stack – who proved the hero. He saved the decisive penalty, in sudden death to see Rovers progress. They host Breska in round three.  

Broadford Utd 2-2 Newcastle West Town
Newcastle West also progressed, thanks to spot kicks, this after an entertaining 2-2 tie with Broadford United. Killian Lynch had given the hosts an interval lead before Newcastle West tied this one via Aaron Mullane. Alan Power thought he had one it for United but Ray Brouder scored a late leveller. In the extra twenty minutes, Newcastle West missed a penalty, sending it off target but the corrected this in the shootout, and will now play St. Ita’s, away, in round three. A 2-1 penalty shootout success in large thanks to Andrew Ruddle, saving three. Ray Brouder and Scott Hurley both scored for the winners.  

Athea Utd 0-3 St. Itas
The visitors took another Premier Division scalp, this time away to Athea United. Although United will cite a number of key absentees, credit must goto Ita’s who’ve progressed to the third round, which is a nice achievement for the Division One outfit. Goals from Sean Curtin, TJ Kelly and Tony McCarthy sent the light blues through to face another Premier Division side.  

McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Shield 2^nd Round
Shountrade 1-4 Breska Rovers B
Goals from Adam Kellett, Cian McGregor and a brace for Barry Adams put Breska Rovers into the next round. The visitors led 1-0 at the interval with a 44^th minute Kellett free-kick separating the sides. Level nearing the hour mark, Breska dominated the closing stages and pulled clear.  

Feenagh v Dromore Utd B (W/O to Dromore United B)
Feenagh conceded this clash before Sunday had arrived – Dromore United advance to a meeting with Breska Rovers B. The winner of that tie will enter the fourth round – the open draw. 

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Group B 
Askeaton-Kilcornan B 1-0 Glantine B
Askeaton Kilcornan B sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Cup with a second victory over Glantine B. An own goal proved decisive in this contest.

Weekly Observer Division 1 
Granagh Utd 2-1 Shannonside
Shannonside may have been fancied to maintain their impressive form early in the season, but fell to an opening league day loss to Granagh United. It is just the tonic for United, who got off to a flying start TJ Tierney and Alier Ajoung putting them two to the good after just 15 minutes. Shannonside, who finished as runners up in this division last year, pulled a goal back through Declan Lane’s penalty just after the hour mark.

Weekly Observer Division 2 
Ballingarry B 0-1 Newcastle West Town Reserves
No stranger to the scoresheet, Saoirse Joyce proved to be the match winner between the battle of the B’s in the Paddocks.

Knockaderry AFC V Abbeyfeale Utd B
Knockaderry got off to the ideal start with a 2-0 victory over a depleted Abbeyfeale United B. Second half goals from Ronan Keating and Eddie Foley helped the boys in green claim the three points. United had just nine players but battle gamely throughout.  

Weekly Observer Division 3 
Glantine 1-6 Carrig Celtic
The opening game of the bottom tier went the way of the visitors on Sunday evening. Despite trailing 1-0 at half-time, Celtic coasted to the three points, with goals from John Byrnes, Kieran O’Connor, Seanie King, Seanie Dwyer, Denny Greaney and Callum Coughlan.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1^st Round
Askeaton-Kilcornan B 3-1 Athea Utd
A Des Downes double and a Jak Doran effort had Askeaton-Kilcornan in firm control at half-time, and they eased into the second round despite a Josh Quilter effort for Athea, who were playing their first, and now only, youths game of the season having withdrawn from the league.  

FAI U17s Cup 2^nd Round
Ballingarry AFC 2-5 Killarney Athletic
Kerry outfit Killarney Athletic eased into round three following victory against Ballingarry. Trailing 4-0 at half-time and then 5-0, Ballingarry must be credited for pulling a brace of goals back late in the contest. 

Feenagh 1-3 Avenue Utd
Clare side Avenue enjoyed their trip to west Limerick, running out 3-1 winners in a tight contest against Feenagh.  

Bridge Utd W/O Kilcolman Rovers
Bridge United of Clare received a walkover from Kilcolman Rovers.

Broadford Utd 0-1 Askeaton-Kilcornan
Zach Birdthistle netted the only goal of the game, in the second half, to maintain his rich goal scoring form.

Dromore Utd 1-1 Newcastle West Town (NCW win 4-2 on pens)
Og had Dromore United 1-0 up at half-time

FAI Youths Cup 1^st Round
Abbeyfeale Utd 2-3 Shountrade
A brace from Diarmuid Keating and a further Ewan Murray goal saw Shountrade prevail against Abbeyfeale United in the rescheduled FAI Youths Cup clash at Riverside Park.