Desmond League round-up: Dromore defeat Abbeyfeale in Division One League Cup final

AS predicted a close contest came to pass in the Division One League Cup Final last Saturday night at a wet and misty Mick Hanley Park, with the weather conditions prevailing throughout the contest. 

It finished Abbeyfeale Utd 0 and Dromore Utd 0 after extra-time but Dromore Utd won 5-4 on penalties.

The game started off with a couple of off sides for both teams along with good spells of possession. The first chance fell to Dromore with a good low cross from Evin Kelly was intercepted and held well by keeper Matthew O’Connor. On twenty-five minutes a big chance came from Abbeyfeale, good play down the right hand side lead to a cross from Cathal McCoy which was met by Adam Barry who connected well but only missed wide to the near post. Ten minutes later an exchange of shots from both sides, centre forward Evin Kelly firing just over the bar from the edge of the area followed by a Caleb Martins throw in which found Cathal McCoy whose snapshot was wide of the goal. Five minutes to the break a thirty-yard free kick from Adam Barry on the right hand side was punched away by Dromore keeper James Ranahan. Between then and half time both sides had corners but all were effectively dealt with. Half time 0-0. 

Into the second half and it was Dromore who would fire the first salvo when Jake Higgins got off a shot from the edge of area only to find the side netting. Abbeyfeale then had a corner kick from Jack Quinlivan cleared off the line after the Dromore keeper dropped the ball from the in swinging corner. Evin Kelly went close with a snap shot just outside the box after some nice play down their left. A big chance for Abbeyfeale came a Dylan O’Connor free kick from twenty-five yards that curled in beautifully and which was cleared away at the second time of asking. A quick corner by Jack Quinlivan saw him lay a one two with Jamie Dore before sending in a cross which picked out McCoy whose shot deflected away for another corner. Full time 0-0.

And so onto extra time. Good link up play between Mullane and O'Connell saw the latter get a cross in but there was no support coming through to possibly get a shot on target. Soon after a cross from the right by Barry was easily gathered by keeper Ranahan.

Into the second period of extra time and sub Dylan Quinn shot over the bar following a throw in. Dromore had a number of corners but no goal accrued from these. A free by Dylan O’Connor after a foul on Quinn was straight into the keepers arms. Full time 0-0.

Now we faced penalties with both sides scoring their opening three attempts, Abbeyfeale went first with Conor Mullane, Adam Barry and Eoin O’Connell doing the business as did Ryan Kelly, Jake Higgins and Ethan O’Brien for Dromore. Jamie Dore fired over the bar before Mathew O’Connor saved Ciaran Barry’s spot kick but Barry scored after the penalty was retaken. Dylan O’Connor made it 4-4 thus leaving Evan Guinane to win it for Dromore which he duly did.

There was some great displays from both sides with Dromore’s Shaun Barry getting the man of the match while both Abbeyfeale centre halves were outstanding throughout. Adam Barry and Dylan O'Connor were tireless workers over the course of the game. A great battle fell between Conor Mullane and Jake Higgins with both players pushing each other all the way over the course of the final. There was nothing much between the sides who will meet again in the league in the future. Abbeyfeale probably had the better of the possession but chances in this match were always only really half chances so both sided can hold their heads up high with good football played in though conditions.

Dromore Utd: James Ranahan, Ben Higgins, Ciaran Barry, Shaun Barry, Cian O’Neill, Ethan Browne, Ciaran Galvin, Ryan Kelly, Evin Kelly, Patrick Roche, Jake Higgins. Subs used Cian O’Sullivan (for Roche), Ethan O’Brien (for E Kelly), Tiernan Meaney, Evan Guinane (for Meaney). Also, Barry Walsh.  

Abbeyfeale Utd: Mathew O’Connor, Caleb Martens, Conor Mullane, Cathal Woulfe, Oisin Woulfe, Adam Barry, Dylan O’Connor, Dylan Quirke, Jack Quinlivan, Cathal McCoy, Jamie Dore. Subs used Dylan Quinn (for McCoy), Eoghan O’Connell (for Quinlivan). Also, Evan Copps, David Roche.

Referee Ger O'Connor. Referee Assistants Eugene Noonan, Mike Murphy

Munster Youths Cup 4th Round

Broadford United qualified for the last eight of the Munster Youths Cup after a hard fought 2-1 victory over much fancied Douglas Hall of Cork. The  away side started the brighter but were limited to chances due to a well organised Broadford United side. Adam Collins made two great saves over the half and a shot from Douglas Hall midfield on fifteen minutes hit the top of the crossbar. On eighteen minutes Broadford opened the scoring, a great delivery from Sammy Egan saw the inrushing Adam O’Kelly react the quickest and produced a great finish from a tight angle. Broadford were very well organised at the back with Sean O’Flynn and Charlie Finn marshalling everything.

Four minutes from half time Douglas Hall equalised from a corner with a free header at the back post but two minutes later their scorer received a straight red card. Half time 1-1. 

The second half began with Broadford playing a lot on the counter attack with Sammy Egan orchestrating a lot of their attacks. Ollie Stokes got in for a great chance on the hour mark but was deemed to have fouled a defender in the process. Douglas Hall were very dangerous from set pieces, especially corners where Adam Collins did very well on a good few occasions. On seventy-five minutes Adam O’Kelly chased what was a lost cause, rounded the keeper and went down in the process but play was waved on. As the game ticked towards the ninetieth minute and extra time looming, cue the Broadford winner. On eighty-six minutes. The home side won a corner, the out swinging corner by Adam O’Kelly was met with a bullet of a header from the on rushing Charlie Finn which was celebrated by the big home support on the day. Broadford defended really well for the remaining four minutes as well as the three added on for stoppages to see out a fantastic win. 

They are now in the hat for the Munster quarter-finals, the draw for which will be made in the new year.

Referee Eoin Barrett. Referee Assistants Pat O'Connor, Pat O'Donnell.

Oscar Traynor Trophy

The Limerick Desmond league secured their passage to the semi-final of the Munster section of the Oscar Traynor competition with a fully merited 1-1 draw away to neighbours Limerick District at Jackman Park last Sunday afternoon. We travelled with a strong panel of players in the knowledge that to qualify we had to better the result of Kerry (who were playing Clare in Tralee at the same time). Knowing this, we set our sights on trying to win the game and while much of the game was scrappy at times, we did have the better of the chances in the opening half. District had the majority of possession it has to be said, particularly in the second period but our shape was solid while the work rate and aggression were both excellent. By the end of the game then, knowing that Clare were well in control in the other game, we had to be disciplined in our defending and structure in general to ensure that we saw the game out without much incident. Limerick Desmond were aggressive from the start with high pressing and creating a number of chances with fluid play where Keith Punch was influential in the middle of the park entre of the pitch breaking up many District attacks.

The opening moments of the game were shared with both sides threatening each other with attacks from out wide in particular before the home side opened the scoring on twelve minutes when a deep cross went to the back post where their winger was unmarked and his free header back across goal where it deflected off one of our defenders and past the helpless Andrew Ruddle in goal.

Limerick Desmond kept to their game plan and were getting some great joy down our left and from such a situation we equalised three minutes later. Ballingarry man David Geary was getting at his man at every opportunity and it was from one of these raids that we levelled. Dylan Moloney and Micheal Brosnan combined to set David free down his side and he squared to Pa Ahern who took one touch to set himself before shooting low past the keeper.

We continued to attack at every chance and in the space of the next ten minutes had three great efforts to take the lead, each time narrowly failing to hit the net. Two were saved by the Limerick keeper, Jake Powers effort from the edge of the box being tipped around the post with the resultant corner kick headed against the crossbar by Joe McAuliffe. Then a world class save from the home keeper after Micheal Brosnans curler from twenty-five yards expertly finger tipped away from the top corner.

Limerick District took over at this stage and began to pin us back, creating a couple of good chances in the process. Andrew had to gather at the second attempt late in the half and Limerick also had a shot from a cut back blaze over. We were happy in all honesty to get into the dressing room all square as we were beginning to show signs of trouble as the game wore on.

At the break the management changed the formation slightly and refocussed our efforts and in fairness, while the game rather descended into a battle in the middle third of the park, we were still able to create a couple of good chances to score. Ruddle was commanding in goal while Jack Sheahan and Pa Ahern were both unlucky with chances, the latters shot dragged across goal and inches wide. We introduced a number of fresh legs off the bench in the second period to help the cause. Darren Murphy came on for Jake Power on the right wing, Jack Pierce on the left for David Geary and Kevin Guina also came on late on to replace the injured Pa Ahern who had put in a mighty shift up front. Limerick forced a few late corners that we dealt with comfortably and Andrew Ruddle also had to come off his line smartly to block a shot, Alan Ryan clearing the loose ball away to safety.

All in all, a very good result for the Limerick Desmond League, one that sets us up for a Munster semi-final away to the Waterford District League on or before the weekend of January 5, 2025. Last Sundays performance was wonderful advert for the game locally and getting out of the group was a fantastic achievement considering we lost our opening game four one away to Kerry on November 10 in Tralee.

Limerick Desmond: Andrew Ruddle (NCW Town), Alan O'Shea (Rathkeale), Dylan Moloney (NCW Town), Joe McAuliffe (Broadford Utd), Alan Ryan (Askeaton Kilcornan, Keith Punch (Breska Rovers), Jake Power (NCW Town), Michael Brosnan (Broadford Utd), Pa Ahern (NCW Town), Sheehan (Glin Rovers), David Geary (Ballingarry). Subs used Darren Murphy (Athea Utd) for Power, Jack Pierce (Broadford Utd) for Geary, Kevin Guina (Creeves Cel) for Ahern. Also, Kevin Mee (Creeves Cel), James Molyneaux (Broadford Utd), TJ Kelly (St Itas).

Referee Stephen Rooney. Referee Assistants Edward Darcy, Mark Kennedy.