Weekend round-up of Limerick District League junior soccer action

Division 1A Cup final:

TWO of the form sides met on Thursday evening in the Division 1A Cup final at Jackman Park as 2023 winners Ballylanders took on Regional ‘B’ who had finished runners-up to Southend in this League.

The boys from county Limerick were hoping to achieve back-to-back cup wins but for most pundits this was always going to be a 50/50 affair. And that's the way it turned out.

On what was a beautiful evening for football at the well manicured Carey's Road venue, the opening exchanges were brisk with some feisty exchanges.

Once the game settled down, it was the holders who carved out the first opening when Bob Ryan with a sublime through ball that was latched on to by Cianan Kiely who, from the angle of the area, hit a crisp effort that Vincent Browne in the Regional goal did well to turn away for a corner that bore no fruit.

Moments later, at the opposite end, a swift and brisk move involving Alan Connors, Steve Gleeson and Rory Phelan saw the latter’s quick-fire ball find Morgan Hanley and his thumping effort just flew past the angle.

After these chances the two well-marshalled defensive lines kept tight tabs on their opposition front players. It was in the final 10 minutes of the half that the two teams almost broke the deadlock.

Firstly, in the 38th minute, the Bally’ boys, with a brisk move involving Tom O'Dwyer, Declan O'Connor and Willie Coffey, before O'Dwyer’s ball was drilled narrowly wide by Eamon O'Mahoney.

In the 43rd minute, a move started by Steve Gleeson saw his probing ball flicked on by Eoghan Killian to the on-running Moran Hanley whose effort just skimmed the upright to leave the final scoreless at the break. Four minutes into the second half and the deadlock was broken as Regional took the lead when Ben Carew’s long clearance was flicked on by Jeff Mannion to the unmarked Oran Flanagan who cut in from the right and drilled a terrific effort into the six yard box and a Ballylanders defender had the misfortune to knock the ball past his own netminder.

Within 90 seconds, Ballylanders will wonder as to how they did not get level when Patrick Lennon's quick fire ball from defence found Bob Ryan who, in turn, quickly shifted it out wide to Padraig McGrath.

McGrath did well to get inside his marker before conjuring up an effort that hit the butt of the upright before rolling along the goal line and was cleared by Steve Gleeson.

After this, Regional's defensive line stood firm dealing with what came their way. Victory was sealed for Regional in the 89th minute as Alan Connors set up Mark Shanahan who quickly found Eoghan O'Donovan free and he finished clinically to leave Regional 2-0 winners in what was a cracking cup final.

Among those to impress for the winners were Vincent Browne, Steve Gleeson, Alan Conor and Roary Phelan, while Ballylanders had Tom O'Dwyer, Pete Lane, Willie Coffey, and Declan O'Connor who impressed.

Regional B: Vincent Browne, Oran Flannagan, Steve Gleeson, Ben Carew, Alan Connors, Mark Shanahan, Eoughan Killian, Rory Phelan, Carron Downey, Morgan Hanley, and Jeff Mannion. Subs: Eoghan O'Donovan, Josh Adedeji, Mine Uwatse, Sean Ryan, Micheal Mannion, Al-Amid Obasa, Mark Reeves.

Ballylanders: Mark O'Callaghan, Tom O'Dwyer, Peter Lane, Declan O'Connor, Padraig McGrath, Eamon O'Sullivan, Bob Ryan, Willie Coffey, Eamon O'Mahony, Danny Freman, Ciaran Kelly. Subs: Dan Blade, Seanie Ryan, Rob McLoughlin, Robbie Devany, Dylan Heenan, Patrick Shanahan, Robert McInerney, Kieran O'Callaghan.