AK reach Desmond Cup semi-final as weather wreaks havoc

Frank Nelligan rounds up all of last weekend’s action in the Desmond League.

The heavy rain on Sunday caused a much reduced Limerick Desmond League programme, with only five games going ahead and eight called off.

Having beaten Premier Division side, Kildimo United, in the 3rd round, Division 2 title challengers, AK United, reached the semi-finals of the Desmond Cup with a 5-0 victory away to Division 1 promotion hopefuls, Breska Rovers. After a scoreless first-half in terrible conditions, Blaine Collins opened the scoring soon after the interval. He went on to score a hat-trick to put AK 3-0 ahead. Further goals came from Martin Nunan and Niall Maher.

PREMIER DIVISION

Ballingarry greatly improved their prospects of remaining in the Premier Division when they won 3-0 at home to Newcastle West. They got off to a super start when Kevin Forde opened the scoring after just 58 seconds. The real turning point of the game came in the 25th minute when a Newcastle West defender conceded a penalty and was sent off as the last man back. Francis Kiely converted and Dean Clancy put the icing on the cake with a late goal.

DIVISION 1

In Division 1, Pallaskenry came from a goal down after five minutes to win 2-1 at home to Rathkeale B. Ger Garvey equalised on the half-hour and Seidel Rafael scored the winner in the 80th minute.

DIVISION 1 LEAGUE CUP

Athea United will have a home tie against Carrig Celtic in the semi-finals of the Division 1 League Cup after being given a walkover by Askeaton.

DIVISION 2 LEAGUE CUP

Creeves Celtic set up a home semi-final against Ballysteen in the Division 2 League Cup after winning 2-1 away to Adare United. Jamie Ruttle scored both Creeves goals, one in each half. Adare pulled a goal back with a late penalty.

YOUTHS DIVISION 1 CUP

Having already qualified for the Desmond Youths Cup Final, GB Rovers stayed on course for a Cup double when they secured a home semi-final against Abbeyfeale United in the Youths Division 1 League Cup by winning 2-1 at home to Askeaton.

The sides were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Jack Cregan scoring the GB goal. Eoin O’Connor, one of GB’s most consistent players over the season, scored the extra-time winner .

YOUTHS DIVISION 1

Rathkeale will be crowned Youths Division 1 Champions if they take at least a point from their last game, away to Askeaton, their only remaining challengers.

They ruled Abbeyfeale United out of the equation with a resounding 6-2 home victory on Saturday. Rathkeale went in front in the 2nd minute with an own goal.

Abbeyfeale were 2-1 ahead by the 21st minute thanks to super strikes from Cillian Cotter and Michael Danaher. Rathkeale regained the lead with a strong finish to the first-half, Aaron Smith converting a penalty and Seamus Keating capitalising on a defensive error.

The home team looked every inch champions in the making in the second-half and pulled away with another goal from Keating and two from Smith for his hat-trick.

YOUTHS DIVISION 2

Youths Division 2 looks like it will go to a play-off after the joint leaders, Athea United and Broadford United, played out a scoreless draw.

Both teams play their final league games on Saturday, Athea away to Pallaskenry and Broadford away to Feenagh.

Shannonside FC came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away to Carrig Celtic, whose goals were scored by Colm Copse and John Hayes.