Munster Junior Cup progress for Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale

There was another goal-laden weekend of action in the Limerick Desmond League. There was FAI progress for Newcastle West Town, while Abbeyfeale United and Rathkeale will represent the league in round four of the Munster Junior Cup.

Ballingarry and Ballysteen took bragging rights and two lower division cup finalists were confirmed.

FAI Junior Cup 3^rd Round
Newcastle West Town 4-1 Kilcornan
With this game moved from The Demense to Woodfield, Newcastle West didn’t make the same mistake as last weekend. The Town ran out comfortable winners, having let two points drop to the same opposition last weekend. Dylan Singh opened the scoring on 25 minutes from the penalty spot and doubled the lead just before the break, after a swift counterattack. Jamie Keane made it 3-0 after 45 minutes.

The reply didn’t come for Kilcornan this week, and there was to be no comeback like last weekend. Noel Callanan made it 4-0 before Kilcornan netted a consolation through Rob Carrig. The visiting keeper, Patrick Ivess, saved a penalty late in the contest, his second penalty save of the contest.

Killarney Athletic 9-1 Broadford United
It was a disappointing afternoon for Broadford in the Kingdom, at the hosts simply proved too strong. Jack Hogan’s 44^th minute effort was of scant consolation for last seasons Premier Division runners-up.

Munster Junior Cup 3^rd Round
Breska Rovers 1-2 Abbeyfeale United
Abbeyfeale United became the first Desmond League side into the fourth round, when seeing off Breska Rovers. The League winners were in Clarina last week and got a more competitive clash from Rovers this time out.

The opening goal arrived from Barry Sheedy inside the opening post, he finished first time from a right wing cross. Breska replied well and were level around the 30 minute mark, as Karl Buckley was fouled. Ethan Keyes slotted the penalty for a level game.

A right wing cross was turned into the Breska net by a defender for the pivotal winning goal, as Abbeyfeale just did enough to take the win.

Rathkeale AFC 3-2 Creeves Celtic
Rathkeale will join Abbeyfeale in the ‘out of town’ stage, namely the fourth round, after a hard fought local derby win over Creeves Celtic. Rathkeale hammered the same opposiotn earlier in the season but didn’t have it as easy this time around.

Michael Mulcahy opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, before the visitors equalised. But, Mulcahy was on hand to restore the lead just before the interval. Creeves would equliase early in the second half. Despite a missed penalty, Rathkeale continued to create openings and found the winner when Timmy Hogan raced in behind and finished for a late winner.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Granagh United 1-2 Ballingarry
Ballingarry are up and running in the Premier Division, with a hard-fought win over neighbours and rivals, Granagh United. Bizarrely, it was the first time in 48 days that Granagh had taken to the pitch. Having given two walkovers in the League cup, and been thumped in their other three games this season, they were competitive here.

Goals from Eoin Lynch and Cian McGoey did the damage as Ballingarry got a welcomed three points. Sandwiched in between those goals was a goal from Damien Donovan, the first goal for Granagh in 2022/23.

Weekly Observer Division 1 League Cup Semi Final
Dromore United 6-1 Shountrade
The Desmond League’s newest club and latest merger became the first team into a cup final, when winning in Clounreask last Thursday. These sides drew 2-2 in Shountrade in a recent league game but there was little chance of a tight game. Oran Kelly, Evin Kelly, Eoin Muvihill and Ciaran Deegan were all on target. Overall, Dromore appear to have a young side, who are clearly on the hunt for silverware. They await their opponents in the final, which may be played prior to Christmas.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup Semi Final
Glin Rovers B 1-1 Mountcollins AFC (Mountcollins win 3-2 on pens)
Last Friday evening, Mountcollins qualified for the Division Two league cup decider, with a penalty shootout win over Glin Rovers B. For Rovers, they were hoping to this final but despire an Ed Horan goal, they couldn’t hold on. That goal was quickly cancelled out by a fine strike from Tom McCarthy.  Goalkeeper James Brouder saved three spot kicked to help the men in red and white advance.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Athea United 4-0 St. Ita’s
Two sides in decent form clashed at the Vales on Sunday morning and the home side would run out easy victors. A brace from the formidable Kevin Murphy was added to by Andrew O’Riordan and Andy Ahern.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Ballingarry B 4-2 Glantine
The hosts won out, 4-2 with goals from Jamie Ryan, a brace from Francis Kiely and a David Hanlon effort. They won both halves 2-1 to take the points.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Dromore United B 1-6 Ballysteen
This top of the table clash dished up probably the surprise scoreline of the weekend. With the near neighbours clashing in Pallaskenry, it was the visitors who emphatically took the spoils. Captain Paul O’Shaughnessy netted four, with Mark Ranahan and Tomás Sheehan also on target, from the penalty spot.