Busy times in Limerick county soccer

Bill Hayes rounds up all the local soccer action from the Limerick county leagues

ROUNDUP

Charleville U-10 C had an easy win over Kilteely in the White league with goals from Alex Goodison, Joey Herbert, Daniel Heffernan and a double for Seanie Hehir.

Croom Utd and Cappamore Celtic drew 2-2 in the Orange group, Shane O Carroll and Evan O Donnell were on the mark for Croom for whom Scott Sheerin, keeper, Jake O Connor and Jamie Sexton were best. PJ Hogan and John Kennedy replied for Celtic who had their stars in Liam O Donnell and Sean Whelan.

St David’s preserved their unbeaten record in the 12s first division with a 3-0 victory over Knockainey, on target for the Saints were Joyce Jacks, Seanie Landers and Mike Sean Nash. Others to shine for the winners were Kieran O Donnell, Danny Cunningham and Jason O Brien while Brian Buckley was outstanding for Knockainey.

In the U-13 boys first division, there was 10 goals scored as Rathkeale played Ballylanders with the home team grabbing 7 through Andrew Meade, Travis O Reilly and prolific duo Brian Keating (3) and Dylan Lynch (2) accomplished up front.

In the U-13 first division shield, Knocklong overcame Hospital on a 3 - 1 scoreline; Killian Lyons (2) and Darragh Keogh were the home goalscorers.

In the U-15 premier shield, Charleville B drew with Knockainey with Conor Slevin and an OG accounting for the Reds goals. Pallas Utd had doubles from Cathal Shanahan and Ciaran Kelly as they hosted Ballylanders in the same competition.

Herbertstown ran riot in the U-14 premier league against hapless Cappamore, scoring an avalanche of goals. Starman David Hannon struck 5 times, Ryan Mawdsley and Conor O’Grady were on target twice, Patrick McDonagh, Muiris Rowesome, Daniel Hurley and Paul O Heney brought the grand total to an awesome 14.

Herbertstown U-16s were not as extravagant in their win over Meanus. Adam Coleman scored a fine goal in the first half and Luke Bolger added extra industry when introduced at halftime. Joseph Lonergan doubled the advantage 10 minutes after the restart. Meanus keeper repelled the Town till late on when Adam Coleman got the security goal and his second. Tops for the Town were Darren Roche and Kevin Wixtead.

CHARLEVILLE REACH MUNSTER YOUTHS SEMI-FINAL

Charleville reached the Munster Youths cup semi-final fixed courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Fairview at Moatville and await the winners of Abbeyfeale and Waterford Bohemians. This team won the national Troy Cup five years ago, one of the few to escape the Dublin monopoly and they have remained a fine side and a provincial semi-final is a deserved reward. Gary Ward was the hero curling a free around the wall on 60 minutes and following a corner Gary and Jeremy Bridgeman got a touch before a defender deflected in the winner in the final minute after Fairview’s Mark Long headed parity on 75 minutes. Charleville were well served by Mark O’Halloran, Dean Copps and Kieth Dundon and man of the match Gary Ward. Team; Matt Roche, Paul Moloney, Brendan Murphy, Gavin Mullins, Jeremy Bridgeman, Darren Casey, Keith Dundon, Mark O Halloran, Dean Copps, Danny Morey, Gary Ward, Sean McCormack, Alan McCourt, Jamie Moloney, Chris Kenny, Dean Foley, Dylan Lee, Darren Butler and Andrew Morrissey

Charleville U-10 B win first boys title of the season

A 1-1 draw with St Patrick’s was enough to secure the point needed to win the league with one game left to play. This was a well contested game by two evenly-matched sides in very heavy underfoot conditions. The visitors were ahead at the interval and some fine goalkeeping from Mark Buckley kept the home side in the game. When a Cian Ryan shot rebounded Ciaran O Sullivan in the right place at the right time blasted home the all important equalizer. The Charleville boys cleverly kept possession to run down the clock in the final minutes. There will be a presentation of medals after next week’s game at Rathkeale at 12noon.

Meanus U-17s win at Annacotty

Although travelling with only 10 players, Meanus must be congratulated for taking all three points against Aisling/Annacotty on Sunday afternoon after a gallant battle against the odds. It was scoreless at halftime but shortly after the resumption Billy Hogan split the home defense with a glorious through ball and Conor Burke ghosted in to steer the ball inside the post. Five minutes later William Moloney was fouled in the penalty area and Conor Burke struck coolly his second from the spot. Aisling also converted a penalty but Eamon Hogan’s boys held on bravely for victory. Team; S O Connell, D. Cregan, A. Neylon, T McCarthy, M. O Donnell, W. Moloney, B. Hogan, G. O Connell, R. Punch and C. Burke. Meanus are away to table toppers Herbertstown on Sunday and support will be welcome.

HANLEY SEALS VICTORY FOR BRUFF

Combatitive left back for Bruff Steven Hanley made a foray into the Cappamore half late in this game and scored a rare goal to give the home team a 4-1 lead and the points in this top versus bottom clash in Division 2A of the Junior leagues. This was a teak tough encounter at Bruff on Sunday morning and chances were scarce in the first half, the best fell to Simon Delaney and his snap shot was well saved by Pakie Kiely. Paddy Kelly has had a prolific first season with Bruff and he opened the scoring after the break, Johnny Barrett was the visitors most likely scorer driving over from a good position earlier and leveled shortly after from the spot. Bruff were in the ascendency thereafter and Kiely made a fine

double save to keep Bruff at bay. Paddy Kelly struck again and was robbed of his hattrick when a defender handled his goal bound shot and got the inevitable red card.

Simon Delaney converted the spot and then Steven Hanley made his late intervention with a deserved final goal. Best for Bruff were Demitri Shatsila, Cian and Colin Madden and Declan Hayes. Shane O Gorman, David Duggan and Shane Ryan worked tirelessly for the visitors

GOODSON CUP CROOM UTD 2 MUNGRET/REGIONAL 3

This game started brightly but as the conditions deteriorated, the game lost its flowing football and became a test of endurance. In those early exchanges, the visitors were impressive and Sam Ward broke the deadlock on 11 minutes. The best player on view was Clyde O Connell, an amalgam of pace, vision and skill and a wonderful left foot made it 2-0 after 14 minutes and keeper Shane O Connell could not be faulted and Dean Shinners cleared off the line as Mungret were well on top. In the second half Clyde over carried after racing clear but made amends when netting his second with 10 minutes remaining. Dylan Moloney and Jamsie Fitzgerald scored two late goals for Croom and in a last desperate onslaught may have forced extra time but the visitors deserved their glory. Simon McSweeney shone at full back for the visitors, who had other notable performances from Adam Storan, Jay McKillian, Brian Barry and Jack Lynch. Darragh Farrell, Eoghan Cregan and Adam Costello were best for Croom.

Croom Utd - Shane O Connell, Adam Costello, Darragh Farrell, Mark O Kelly, Nathan Kirrane, Dean Shinners, Eoghan Cregan, James Fitzgerald, Daniel Harty, Dylan Moloney, Danny Harty, James Culhane and Nigel Cregan

Mungret/Regional - Jake Hackett, Simon McSweeney, Killian Brouder, Jack Lynch, Adam Storan, Josh Adams, Clyde O Connell, Stephen Scanlon, Jay McKillian, Brian Barry, Sam Warde, Mark Prendergast, Alex Mason, Darragh Curran, Darragh Linehan and Ennis Haxhig.