Limerick District League weekend junior soccer round-up

Lawson Cup Semi-Final:

Aisling Annacotty 1-1 Fairview Rgs (Aisling win 5-4 on pens aet)

AISLING Annacotty followed up their success in capturing the Premier last week by advancing to the final of the coveted Lawson Cup following a penalty shoot-out win over Fairview Rgs on Tuesday evening.

We were waiting to see how Aisling would respond to a good weekend of celebrations but they were well tuned in from the off.

They took the lead after just three minutes through Adam Foley.

Fairview were rocked and the loss of Thomas O’Connor on the half hour mark did not help.

However, replacement Josh Quinlivan made an immediate impact and his goal on 39 minutes sent the sides in level at the break.

Both teams had chances to win in play but respective goalkeepers proved best when tested.

Penalties ensued and Aisling keeper Josh Coady made a crucial save on Fairview’s last kick to seal the win. Aisling will face either Janesboro or Nenagh in the final

Aisling Annacotty: Josh Coady; Raid Mouras; Adam O'Regan; Tom Kelly; Eliah Riordan; Tom Kidd; Adam Foley; Kian Barry; Adam Costello; Theo Joyce; Leon Daly, Subs: Darren Coughlan; Fiachra Cotter; Shane Donegan

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Blake Curran; Conor Kavanagh; Jason Cross; Thomas O'Connor; Shane Duggan; Jeffery Judge; Adam Dore; Kane Connolly; Kevin Barry; Jake Dillon, Subs: Josh Quinlivan, Shane Tracey

ROUND-UP:

In the Premier A League, Hyde Rgs won their final game at Athlunkard Villa 5-0 to secure their place in the Premier League for next season.

It capped a superb season for Derek Walsh’s side who annexed the divisional Cup a few days earlier.

It’s over 30 years since Hyde Rgs last graced the top flight so they can enjoy their break before starting preparations again.

Hyde striker Ben Kennedy completed a brilliant season for him, scoring twice against Villa to bring his tally for the season to 34 goals.

Evan Shine, Ben O’Shaughnessy and Dylan Bourke completed the scoring.

Goals from Paul Doona (2) and Tommy Heffernan had Kilmallock three goals ahead at Janesboro but the Champions bounced back to win 4-3 thanks to scores from Thomas Clarke, Shane O’Brien, Eoin Tucker and Dara Shine.

The Premier League finished up on Thursday when Ballynanty Rvs and Regional Utd played out a scoreless draw and Charleville beat Coonagh 2-0.

In the Division 2A Lipper Cup, favourites Herbertstown found arch rivals Kilmallock B once again a stern test. However, they emerged 3-2 winners in a tight game.

David Hannon, Jake Leamy and an own goal accounted for the winner’s goals.

Meanus also progressed thanks to a 4-1 win over Aisling Annacotty C. Sean Daly (2), Patsy Punch and Mike Punch scored for the winners; Alex Keating replied.

Goals from Mark Tuite, Ollie Plunkett and Leonard Casey Plunkett gave Abbey a 3-1 win at Croom Utd.

DIVISION 1B CUP FINAL: 

Aisling Annacotty D 1 Newport B 0

Aisling Annacotty D’s completed the League and Cup double to round off a memorable season for the side.

A heart-breaking defeat in the final of the Munster Shield would have floored most sides but Ryan Harris’ charges bounced back in style, showing huge character to complete the double.

Aisling went into the tie as favourites but they learned from earlier experiences that the favourites tag does not give you any advantages and they were well prepared for whatever challenge came their way.

In the end a rather dour affair was decided by Diarmuid Hegarty’s extra time goal but the Champions always seemed to be in control of the tie.

Aisling were on top for much of the game and but for a wonderful performance by Newport keeper Craig O’Connell, the game would not have reached extra time.

In the early minutes Dara Neville free kick into the danger zone saw Jason Lipper win his challenge with the keeper but his effort to put the finishing touch was thwarted by a last gasp clearance by Joe Shanahan.

Midway through the half a cross-field pass by Kyle Brogan was chased by Sean Reeves Wasik and his snap shot struck the side netting.

At the other end Conor Brett cut inside on the left wing but his well struck shot was well held by Ed Doyle on the Annacotty goal.

The second half continued in the same vein with Newport unable to provide the required service for striker Brian O’Sullivan.

Lipper and Alan Nicholas were creating plenty of opportunity but O’Connell in the Newport goal was up to the challenge time and again.

The decisive moment came after an hour when Newport were reduced to ten men. This sparked the game into life.

The introduction of young Cathal Downes for Annacotty and the extra man helped them gain control of the tie but to Newport’s credit they could not be broken down and the game finished 0-0.

Extra time followed and with just four minutes played Aisling got the winner when Diarmuid Hegarty headed powerfully home from Dara Neville’s corner kick.

In a frantic final two minutes. Aisling keeper Ed Doyle made a stunning save to deny the impressive Killian O’Malley and give Annacotty a league and cup double.

Aisling Annacotty D: Ed Doyle; Diarmuid Hegarty; Dara Neville; Kyle Brogan; Padraig Hartnett; Conor Fleming; Sean Reeves Wasik; Liam Danaher; Jason Lipper; Alan Nicholas; Manni Ajuong. Subs: Brian O'Sullivan; Mike Dunphy; Cian O'Brien; Cathal Downes; Ronan O'Mahoney; Evan O'Neill; Cathal Humphries; Pat O'Kane.

Newport B: Craig O'Connell; John Barry; Chris Carmody; Joe Shanahan; Killian O'Malley; Jamie Kavanagh; Sean Bonfield; Aaron Coleman; Conor Brett; Brian O'Sullivan; Ben O'Sullivan. Subs: James Collopy; Jack Noble; Pat Gallagher; Ciaran Carey; Darragh Meany; Colin Coleman; Dave O'Brien; Stephen McCormack.

DIVISION 3A CUP FINAL:

Geraldines B 2 Moyross B 2 (Moyross win 5-4 on pens aet)

JACKMAN Park saw it’s biggest crowd of the season for the Division 3A Cup final when Moyross turned the tables on league champions Geraldines after an exciting penalty shoot-out.

The huge crowd were treated to an exciting battle with both sets of players giving their all.

On the field it was 100 miles an hour in the early stages with neither side getting a moment in possession.

Geraldines were first to find a breakthrough midway through the opening half. Will O’Neill started and finished the move when he gathered on hallway, played inside for Shane Water whose pass to David Healy Lawlor was played into the path of the overlapping O’Neill who fired in from an acute angle.

The game was back on level terms before half time when Sean McGill ball in behind the ‘Dines rearguard picked out Tyrone Fitzgerald who let bounced across him before hitting a sweet volley to the corner of the net.

The second half was an end-to-end affair where either side could have snatched it. Extra time was needed and an action packed period followed.

Moyross looked like they had snatched it when Martin Duggan raced through onto another pass from McGill and the striker calmly slotted past the advancing O’Shea to score.

To their credit ‘Dines never gave up and got their reward deep in injury time when Scott Connolly rose highest at a corner kick to powerfully head home to send the game to penalties.

Moyross keeper Jody Llewelyn saved twice to ensure the Power Cup headed northside.

Geraldines B: Pat O'Shea; Paudie Reale; Clifton Carey; Brooklyn Tracey; Jason Mullins; John Keogh; Eddie Lee; David Heay Lawlor; Will O'Neill; Shane Waters; Dean McNamara, Subs: Joe McNamara; David Considine; David Crowe; Paul Campbell; David Hurley; Scott Kelly; Alex Sheehy; Glen Bussoli.

Moyross B: Jody Llewelyn; Korey Browne; Anthony Quinn; John Mitchell; Dean Quinn; Sean McGill; Kane Troy; Tyrone Fitzgerald; Lee Quinn; Antone Moran, Antone Stanners; Subs: Martin Duggan; Adam McInerney; Calvin Kennedy; Jamie Ryan.