Limerick hurling star Aaron Gillane comes up trumps for Creeves Celtic

Three Premier Division games survived the winterish weather as Creeves Celtic, Rathkeale and Athea United picked up early league victories.

It rounded out a fine weekend for Limerick hurler Aaron Gillane, who returning to the green and white, this time of Creeves, netted the winner.

The new-look Premier Division, which contains eight teams for the first time, promises to be extremely open this season. Creeves, who now have six points after a pair of games, are one of a few sides who may fancy their chances for a tilt at the title.

Their 2-1 win away to Glin Rovers with strikes from James O’Connor and Gillane. The former briefly opening the scoring before a Tommy Dillane’s own goal levelled the clash after 12 minutes.

It took the introduction of Gillane, in the 70th minute to change this game. His last gasp effort proving sweet for the side in their second season at the top table.

There was a battle of 2022/23’s second and third placed teams, as Rathkeale edged out Breska Rovers, 2-0 in Holycross. Seventeen year-old John Fitzgerald is a welcome addition and his strike entering the final 10 minutes, was one to remember.

He picked out the top corner from a difficult angle outside the corner of the penalty area. Striker Seamus O’Carroll added the second in stoppage time, also from range. It was a game which could have went either way, but Rathkeale were perhaps marginally the better of the two sides.

The final Premier Division game pitted near neighbours, Athea and Abbeyfeale together in the Vales. Putting home advantage to good use, Athea United claimed the spoils with a deserved 2-0 victory.

It appears to be a tough year ahead for Abbey, who’ve not found near their best with a much changed panel from that which claimed the title in 2022.

Daire O’Shea, midway through the half, converted a cross before the second goal arrived twenty minutes from time. Darren Murphy, for the second week in a row, found his name on the scoresheet, assisted by sub Peter O’Connor with a neat pass.

There was one game which survived the weather in Division One, as Shannonside and St. Ita’s played out a 2-2 draw in Shanagolden. The visitors may be frustrated to have twice let a lead slip, but having shipped a heavy defeat to Avenue United seven days earlier, they’ll take some confidence from this result heading into a long league season.

Goals from Jack Long and Jason Sheehan came either side of Declan Lane’s successful penalty. The final say went to Dan Conroy, who rescued a point for the Shanagolden-Foynes outfit.  

In the bottom tier, Carrig Celic moved top to the pile, claiming a 2-1 home win over Glantine B. Goals from Seanie King and Cyprian Myska handed the winners an early two goal lead but the were just one ahead for the majority as Glantine pulled one back before half-time.

A scoreless second-half gave Carrig their second win in three, to move to seven points. Earlier in the week, Dromore United B progressed to the Division Three cup final, with a 3-0 win over Glantine A. Goals from prolific Ethan O’Brien (2) and Davey Collins proving the difference. Breska Rovers B and Askeaton Kilcornan B face off on Wednesday 22nd to see who will face Dromore United B.

In U18 football, Broadford United progressed to the last eight of the Desmond Youths Cup, with a 4-2 win over Breska Rovers. In the FAI Youths Cup, Bridge Celtic proved far too strong for Granagh United in Sixmilebridge, while Castlebar Celtic edged out Askeaton Kilcornan, 5-3, in Mayo.

These were third round clashes. The Youths Division Two Shield final will be between neighbouring clubs, Shountrade and Ballingarry.