Limerick Soccer - Record breaker in Ballingarry

Frank Nelligan rounds up the action from the Limerick Desmond League last weekend

Colm Kiely broke the Ballingarry club appearances record when he lined out against Broadford United B in the first round of the Desmond Cup last Sunday. The game marked Kiely’s 364th appearance for the first team, beating the long-held record of James “Alex” Higgins. The occasion was marked before kick-off when both teams formed a guard of honour and Kiely was presented with a trophy by club president, Moss Doody. Kiely’s brothers, Francis, Padraig and Kevin have also given great service to the club as between the quartet they have made over 700 appearances for the A-team. Great credit is due to Kiely for his magnificent achievement and also to club Secretary, James Clancy, for his meticulous record-keeping.

Of course, Kiely is far from finished yet and that also applies to his brother, Francis, who was on the scoresheet as Balllingarry won 6-0 against Broadford B. The other goals were scored by Kevin Forde (2), Padraig O’Reilly, Denis Kelly and Eoin Ryan.

Of the three other first-round games, there were 5-0 home victories for Abbeyfeale United and Feenagh. Abbeyfeale were 3-0 up at half-time in their Saturday night game against Adare United, the goals scored by Pakie O’Connor, Chris Smith and Joe Kelliher. In the second-half, both Joe Weir and TJ Lane got on the scoresheet.

Feenagh’s goals against Creeves Celtic B came from Peter Harty (2), a Ronan Gilbourne penalty, John O’Gorman and Billy O’Sullivan.

Division 4 title hopefuls, Shannonside FC B, didn’t have it so easy away to Carrig Celtic B, coming from behind at half-time to win 3-1. Keith Enright headed the sides level two minutes after the restart and same player put the visitors in front on the hour when he volleyed home from a cross by Francis Riordan. Victory was assured when Kevin Doody scored a breakaway goal in injury-time.

Premier Division League Cup

Broadford United set up a Premier Division League Cup quarter-final tie at home to Abbeyfeale United when they won 2-0 in their first round game against Shannonside FC. Micheal Brosnan volleyed the opener midway through the first-half and Joe McAuliffe scored the second on the hour, finishing from inside the box after a pass from Liam O’Shaughnessy, who had run with the ball virtually the entire length of the field.

Division 3 League Cup

The Division 3 League Cup Final will be contested by Knockaderry and Athea United B after both came through successfully from the semi-final second legs. Knockaderry drew 1-1 away to Ferry Rangers, for whom Kevin Enright opened the scoring in the second-half, and that was enough to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Athea United B were leading 4-2 after their first leg against Ballingarry B and they stretched that advantage with a 3-0 home victory. Steven McEnery scored the only goal of the first-half, Mark Horgan doubled the lead midway through the second-half and McEnery scored again in the 68th minute.

Premier Division

Newcastle West are back on top of the Premier Division, two points ahead of Ballingarry, after their 2-1 victory away to Newcastle West Rovers. Tony Quaid scored a goal in each half and Adam Collins netted a consolation goal in the 90th minute.

Glin Rovers moved five points clear of the relegation zone when Edmond Horan’s fifth minute goal earned a 1-0 win away to Killeaney, who remain in the bottom two and now face an uphill battle to retain their Premier Division status.

Division 2

Pallaskenry stretched their advantage at the top of Division 2 to nine points with a comprehensive 6-1 victory away to Creeves Celtic, whose goal was scored by Seamus Mangan.

Newcastle West B moved up one place to fourth after winning 4-1 at home to Abbeyfeale United B.

Division 4

Shountrade are four points clear in the race for the Division 4 title after winning by the odd goal in five away to Glin Rovers B, whose promotion hopes are now receding.

Adrian O’Sullivan and Darren Curtin were the Bally Rovers scorers in their 2-2 draw at home to St. Ita’s B.

Desmond Youths Cup

Newcastle West enjoyed a comfortable 6-0 victory at home to Bally Rovers in the first round of the Desmond Youths Cup. Matteus Pakulski scored two goals in each half and Lukasc Tanzcuk scored one goal in each half.

Askeaton advanced to the quarter-finals when two late goals earned a 4-2 victory away to Creeves Celtic, whose goals were scored by James Mangan and Cormac O’Shea.

Seamus McCarthy twice put Glantine ahead at home to Breska Rovers but it was 2-2 after extra-time and Breska won 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out. Glantine’s prospects weren’t helped by having a player sent off in the 75th minute.

Youths Div 1 League Cup

Abbeyfeale United qualified for the semi-finals of the Youths Division 1 League Cup in dramatic fashion, winning 7-6 on sudden-death penalties after a 3-3 draw, the Abbeyfeale goals coming from Jack Breen and Jamie O’Connor (2).

Youths Division 1

Broadford United and Newcastle West Rovers remain deadlocked at the top of the Youths Division 1 table after a 3-3 draw. With goals from Damien Lacy, Darragh Kiely and Kallum O’Donoghue, Broadford led 3-1 with just five minutes remaining. Then, Kieran Guinea, who had also accounted for Rovers first goal, pulled a goal back and Shane Stack equalised with the last kick of the game.

Youths Division 2

Pallaskenry collected maximum points for the first time in Youths Division 2 when they were given a walkover by intended visitors, St. Ita’s.