Limerick District League round-up as Aisling Annacotty claim Lawson Cup final win

LAWSON CUP FINAL:

Aisling-Annacotty 3 Nenagh 0

The prestigious Lawson Cup held centre stage on Saturday night in Jackman Park as yet again the Carey's Road venue was in immaculate order for this Cup final.

It was indeed a unique pairing for the final as newly crowned Premier Division champions Aisling-Annacotty took on Tipperary-based Nenagh as it was Aisling who were going for a major double in local football.

This was Nenagh's second appearance in Lawson final as they lost to Ballynanty in 2017.

Most if not all pundits had John Lysaght’s outfit Aisling/Annacotty installed as favorites before kick-off.

Nine minutes in, Tom Kidd was the creator for Premier Division champions Aisling as his sublime ball found Adam Foley who, in turn, cushioned the ball into the path of Leon Daly. His well-struck 14-yards effort forced an excellent save from Savage in the Nenagh goal. 

Minutes later, a quick-fire Aisling /Annacotty move involving Adam O'Regan, Paul Brennan and Kian Barry saw the latter's through ball punced on to by Theo Joyce. However, his effort whistled narrowly wide.

After this, Nenagh settled samewhat as their midfield trio of Conor McCormack, Said Ryan and Eamon White began to win vital 50/50s  and in doing so began to take a slight grip on this game.

In the 22^nd minute, Lee Mowat did well on the flank as he played Alan Sheehan in space. He is turn linked up with Cillian Scully whose snapshot forced an excellent save from the Aisling custodian.

Just on the half hour mark, Nenagh almost got their rewards when a neat one-two involving Kieran Barr and Eamon White saw Barr treading a superlative ball forward to Ryan Gilmartin who showed immense skill to get by his marker. Gilmartin's strike on goal from all of 25yards looked to have Joshua Coady beaten only for the ball to rocket off the butt of the upright to keep it scoreless.

Ninety seconds later Gilmartin was the provider for Daniel O'Meara who, from an acute angle, saw his effort skim just past the angle.

However, two minutes prior to the break it was all change as Aisling, who had not been too much in the game,  struck the all important opening goal. The Annacotty side forced a corner and from the resulting flag kick, Dylan Morrison's inswinger was not properly dealt with and the alert Kian Barry duly dispatched the ball to the net, much to the joy of the large Aisling following.

There was then a quick-fire response from the Tipp side when Cillian Scully shot just wide as Aisling/Annacotty maintained their very slender 1-0 half time lead.

On the turnover, it was Aisling who opened brightly as Raid Mouras raided down the flank before squaring the ball for Tom Kidd who, with the deafest of touches, put Theo Joyce away. However, a last-ditch tackle by Nenagh's Kieran Barr averted the danger.

At this stage of the second half the Aisling/Annacotty defence was pushing forward so much that Nenagh had few opportunities to create any openings of note.

Just prior to the hour mark a second goal seemed imminent when Paul Brennan's’ low drive saw Leon Daly's getting the slightest touch. However, Savage in the Nenagh goal, did well to turn the ball away for a corner that was cleared.

With the Premier League winners now firing on all cylinders and the midfielders well on top it seemed a second goal was definitely in the making. To their credit, Nenagh defender dug deep to keep it at 1-0.

Whatever hope the Tipp side had evaporated in the 81st minute as the leaders doubled their advantage when a slick ball from Adam O'Regan found Adam Foley. His precise centre found the in-running Leon Daly who slotted the ball past Savage.

Four minutes later, the Lawson Cup was about to join the Premier Trophy in Annacotty as a sublime free kick from Theo Joyce flashed to the net to seal the double for Aisling/Annacotty.

This was indeed an historic day for all in the club as winning the two major local trophies under the auspices of the LDL is a magnificent achievement.

It was really back after Christmas that they went on this terrific run and its now reaped dividends.

On the day, the winners had impressive displays from the likes of Adam O'Regan, Adam Foley, Theo Joyce, and Eliah Riordan. Those to impress Nenagh included Kieran Barr, Said Ryan, Ryan Gilmartin, and Colm Hayden.

After the game, LDL chairperson Ger Smyth presented the Lawson Cup to the winning captain Adam Foley.

Aisling/Annacotty: Joshua Coady, Raid Mouras, Adam O'Regan, Eliah Riordan, Dylan Morrison, Tom Kidd, Adam Foley, Paul Brennan, Theo Joyce, Kian Barry, and Leon Daly. Subs: Darren Coughlan, Seam Ezekannagha, Cathal Downes, Fiachra Cotter, David Brennan, Andrew Kearney, Shane Donegan.

Nenagh: Aaron Savage, Lee Mowat, Colm Hayden, Kieran Barr, Conor McCormack, Eamon White, Said Ryan, Alan Sheehan, Daniel O'Meara, Ryan Gilmartin, Cillian Scully. Subs: Mathew O'Gorman, Adam Ryan, Eoin Coffey, Kieran O'Brien, Oisin Conacur, John O'Meara, Daniel Connolly.

Herbertstown with the three trophies the side won this season, after claiming the Division 2A Cup along with League and Open Cup victories

DIVISION 2A CUP FINAL:

Herbertstown 6 Abbey Rvs 0

THE final game of the current LDL season took place in jackman Park on Sunday morning as the 2A Lipper Cup was up for grabs.

Herbertstown, as Div 2A League winners and recently crowned Open Cup victors, were going for a unique treble as they faced an Abbey Rovers side who in recent months had shown great improvements as their results would show.

But they faced a bang in-form Herbertstown outfit who having been ultra impressive this season.

Nine minutes in and it was Abbey who created the first opening when Adam Barry set up Leonard Plunkett who saw the netminder doing well to save his effort.

Moments later another Abbey opening was created as Adam Kelly's long ball was flicked on by Dean O'Brien to the in-running Mark Tuite. However, his effect flew narrowly wide.

It was then that the treble chasing outfit began to string some impressive phases of play together as Micheal Whelan, David Hannon and Keith O'Connor all beginning to win vital ball. David Hannon, in the 26th minute, saw his low drive fly narrowly wide.

It was Abbey who needed to strike first but that did not happen as in the 39th minute Herbertstown took the lead as the impressive Keith O'Connor, with a perfect delivery of a free-kick to the back post, found Oisin O Grady who headed firmly to the net.

Whatever chance of an Abbey recovery was dealt a blow right on the stroke of half time when Keith O'Connor's corner was flicked away by the Abbey goalkeeper only for Oisin O'Grady to fire a firm effort back into the six yard box and the alert Mickeal Ryan finished with ease.

The second half was not too long on and it was 3-0 to ‘the Town’ when Micheal Leahy linked up with Kevin Meade, who in turn played a quick-fire ball into David Hannon. Once in the area, Hannon finished it off with some aplomb.

A couple of minutes later, Herbertstown made it 4-0 from the penalty spot through Kevin Meade.

Further goals from Michael Ryan and Timmy O'Keeffe saw it finish 6-0 to Herbertstown who notched up a brilliant hat-trick of trophies as the Div 2A Leage and Cup all made their way to the County side.

In this treble winning squad, there was history as back in 1999 they achieved the same treble of trophies.
One must give ample praise to Abbey who gave it their all but, on the day, came up against a side in-form as those to shine for Abbey included the likes of Killian Healy, Dean O'Brien, Ollie Plunkett, and Mark Tuite.

As for the winners Herbertstown, they had impressive showings from Michael Leahy, Jamie Ryan, David Hannon, and Darragh O Sullivan.

After the game both Adrian and Marion Lipper were there to present the new Lipper Trophy to the winning captain Oisin O'Grady.

Herbertstown: Dylan O'Sullivan, Killian Real, Micheal Leahy, Jamie Ryan, Darragh O'Sullivan, Micheal Whelan, Oisin O'Grady, Keith O'Connor, Kevin Meade, David Hannon, and Micheal Ryan. Subs: Ian Finn Harry Fox, Cian O'Kelly, Jake Leamy and Kieran McCarthy.

Abbey Rovers: Cathal Keogh, Adam Kelly, Alan Lyons, Killian Healy, Adam Barry, Dean O Brien, Brian Purcell, Ollie Plunkett, Leonard Plunkett, Stuart Barry, and Mark Tuite. Subs: Wayne O'Keeffe, Liam Fallon, and Christopher Keane.

With that the curtain has fully descended on the 2034/24 LDL season.