WATCH: 2004 Ballingarry AFC v Rathkeale AFC Desmond League Playoff

Today’s soccer action is the 2004 Limerick Desmond League playoff between Ballingarry Afc & Rathkeale AFC.

With both sides level on points at the end of the season, a playoff would decide the title as the close neighbours were set to do battle.

Played on the 23rd of May at Clounreask, Askeaton.

When Ballingarry lifted the Premier Division trophy for the first, and so far, the only time in their history following their 1-0 playoff victory over Rathkeale on the 23rd of May 2004, it was without doubt their finest hour to date. What made it an even more remarkable achievement was the fact that season 2003/04 was their first back in the Premier Division after an absence of seven years, a period they spent in the 1st Division.

At one point during the season they trailed Rathkeale by a massive fifteen points but a run of games that saw them win twelve of their last thirteen matches, nine on the trot, saw them finish locked on 44 points with neighbours Rathkeale and a first ever Premier Division playoff against their rivals.

A huge crowd travelled to Clonreask for what developed into a highly entertaining game with the winner coming eight minutes from time. Scenes of unbridled joy greeted the final whistle before Niall Condron accepted the trophy from league chairman Michael Hanley.

Ballingarry AFC website match report