Complete Limerick District League junior soccer round-up

OSCAR TRAYNOR TROPHY

Limerick District League 0 Wexford District League 1

LIMERICK DL’s hopes of bringing the Oscar Traynor Trophy back to Shannonside were dashed on Sunday afternoon when they fell to an extra-time goal against their Wexford counterparts.

The visitors brought a big crowd to Jackman Park to add to the occasion and they were rewarded for their efforts as they leave town with the coveted trophy.

Defeat was hard to swallow for home side, particularly in the manner of defeat with an own goal separating the sides.

The game never lived up to it’s pre match billing with both sides struggling to pick out their men with passes in key areas.

Maybe the occasion got to both sides, as caution was preventing either side from pressing with intensity.

That said, both sets of defenders were very good keeping any real chances to a premium.

The first effort of note saw Etan Vickers latch onto a ricochet to get in on goal but his chip over the advancing Gary Neville was just too high of the crossbar.

At the other end Tommy Frawley delivered a couple of promising crosses but Wexford keeper Jason McGuire all too easily came to gather.

Just before the half hour mark, Adam Lipper was in the perfect position to clear off the line from Paul Brennan’s shot at the back post.

With the first half coming to a close Conor Coughlan played a good pass to put Vinny Ryan free of the Wexford defence but as he prepared to shoot, Reece Murphy came storming in with a superb saving tackle.

After the restart, a good overlap by Joey Rushe saw him deliver to the back post where Ryan volleyed on goal but desperate defending by the visitors blocked the effort.

Ryan turned creator shortly after teeing up Kieran O’Connell for a shot from the edge of the box that was well saved by McGuire.

Lipper came to Limerick’s rescue again late in the game when he cleared Wexford sub, Raphael Abidoye’s effort off the line.

Limerick’s best chance saw Adam Foley tee up his Aisling colleague, Joel Coustrain but from six yards, McGuire pulled off a fine save.

McGuire denied Coustrain again in the first period of extra time at the other end Todd Hynes tried his luck from distance forcing Neville full length to turn out for a corner.

From the resultant kick, the towering Gary Delaney rose at the back post and his header squirmed under Neville, and Lipper, in his attempt to clear knocked the ball into the net.

Limerick threw caution to the wind for the final few minutes, Coustrain had a swivel and shot that rolled wide of the upright, Murphy headed off the line to keep Foley’s corner kick out and they had a good call for a penalty for challenge on Lipper, but it was not the home side’s day.

Limerick DL: Gary Neville, Tommy Frawley; Joey Rushe; Adam Lipper; Eliah Riordan; Leon Daly; Kieran O’Connell, Shane Walsh; Vinny Ryan; Ewan O’Brien; Conor Coughlan. Subs: Joel Coustrain, Adam Foley; Conor Carew; Dylan Murphy.

Wexford DL: Jason McGuire, Conor Casserly, Todd Hynes, Gary Delaney, Reece Murphy, Ethan Vickers, Ryan Busher, Alan Rhodes, Eoin Rhodes, John Peare, Paul Brennan. Subs: Raphael Abidoye, Glen O’Brien, Stephen Kinsella, Luke Greene, Ian Sinnott.

MUNSTER SHIELD TROPHY

HOPES of another all-Limerick Munster Shield final were dashed on Saturday evening when Star Rvs fell 2-1 to Tramore.

The home side took a two-goal lead before Arron Nunan pulled one back but try as they might they good not get a second.

There was some good news however as Herbertstown won their semi-final beating Slievenamon Celtic 2-0 at the Tipperary venue.

Kevin Meade and Kieran McCarthy were the ‘Town scorers and no doubt Star will be briefed before their final date with Tramore.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Janesboro 1 Geraldines 3

TWO games in the Premier League on Sunday put a new slant on the battle to avoid relegation.

Geraldines recorded a superb 3-1 win at Geraldines to open up a five point on their survival rivals Newport.
Scoreless at the break, Conor Keane fired ‘Dines in front five minutes after the restart.

Cian Fitzgerald made it 2-0 when he curled a shot direct from a corner kick to the roof of the net.

Shane Clarke pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining but it was the visitors who got the crucial third late in the tie when Keane scored his second of the day.

Janesboro: Aaron O'Sullivan; Shane O'Brien; Cian Arthur; Tony Burns; Kai Joyce; Aaron Murphy; Brendan O'Dwyer; Aodh O'Hanluain; Shane Clarke; Conor Artur; Graham Bourke. Subs: Colin Doody; Lee O'Donnell.

Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Jonathan Moran; Dave Power; Scott McEvoy; Jason Mullins; David Healy Lawlor; Cian Fitzgerald; Tony Mambuana; Pat Whelan; Conor Keane; Shane Dillon. Subs: Alan Keane; John Mullane; Joe Keane; Brooklyn Tracey; John Ryan.

Hyde Rgs A 4 Newport 2

While ‘Dines were picking up full points at ‘Boro, Newport lost again which sees them with an uphill battle to claw their way to safety.

Alex Keating continues to catch the eye for Hyde and he scored another two on Sunday, one of which was a spectacular effort.

However, the gloss was taken off of that strike somewhat when Conor Madden scored a stunning bicycle kick in another fine season for one of the most consistent performers in the local leagues over the last decade.

Dylan Bourke completed the scoring for the home side while Brian O'Sullivan struck two penalty kicks for a disappointed Newport XI.

Hyde Rgs A: Sam Guerin; Lee Hartigan; Alex Kiely; Dylan O'Byrne; Dave Thompson; Tadhg Doran; Conor Madden; Eoin Sheldon; Evan Shine; Alex Keating; Calum Murphy. Subs: Dylan Bourke; Jon Somers; Ger Nash.

Newport: Seamus O'Regan; Eoin Looney; Pa Murtagh; Drew McLean; Elliot Slattery; Peter O'Sullivan; Conor Brett; Aaron Coleman; Christy Doyle; Jamie Kavanagh; Brian O'Sullivan. Subs: Ciaran Carey; Darren Collins; Jimmy Fyffe; David Ryan

ROUND-UP:

In the Open Cup semi-final, a huge crowd attended TUS on Sunday morning when the Northside derby saw Ballynanty Rvs host Moyross B.

The game was on a knife-edge until the 75th minute when Eddie Radcliffe blasted through a crowded goalmouth. Ryan Earls made sure of the win with the crucial second goal to set up a final date with Fairview Rgs C.

In the Premier A league, Corbally Utd’s hopes of pipping Athlunkard Villa for the title were dashed when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Regional Utd B. Darren Hanley scored for Corbally.

Charleville came out tops in their local derby with Kilmallock by the odd goal in three. Donal O'Connell and Aaron O'Connor scored for the winners.

Keelan Corbett scored both goals as Prospect beat Fairview Rgs B 2-0 while Southend and Aisling Ann B ended 2-2 in Southill. Gareth Grant and Jamie Hogan scored for the home side; Gavin Freeny and Cathal Downes replied.

In the Div 1A Cup, Ballylanders caused a surprise with a 2-1 win over Granville Rgs.

Declan O'Connor and Scott Ryan scored for the county lads; Zak Sheehan netted for Granville.

Noah Patterson netted for Holycross but they crashed out to Aisling Annacotty D thanks to scores from Liam Danaher and Tom Canty.

In the league, Murroe beat Caherconlish 2-1 to keep their promotion hopes alive  .  .  . barely. A foul on Nathan O’Shea in injury time presented Anthony McInerney with the chance to win it which he did by converting the spot kick, Adrian Ruyan also netted for the winners.

In the Division 1B Cup, Shelbourne were pushed all the way before edging out Patrickswell 4-3. Inan Cullen, Brian Fitzgerald, Rory Cullen and Paul McDonagh were the winning scorers.

Keith Mawdsley scored for Newport in a 1-1 draw with Mungret Reg before emerging winners in the penalty shoot-out, as did Glenview over Lisnagry after the sides finished scoreless.

In the Division 2A Cup, Kilmallock B impressed in a 4-0 win over neighbours Charleville. Cian Barrett and Paudie Sheedy netted two apiece for the winners.

Coonagh Utd B hit Cappamore B for six through Ger Hodkinson (2), Darragh Cunningham, Aodhan Keane, James Hodkinson and Theo Egan.

Div 2B leaders Herbertstown B beat Mungret Reg C 2-0 with Nick Hayes and David O'Connell on target while Lough Derg beat Athlunkard Villa B 5-0. Goals came from Daniel Fogarty 3, Cian McAuley and Jay Collins.

Fairview Rgs C took sole lead of Division 3A following a 3-0 win at Holycross B. Sean Meagher (2) and Cian Donnelly were on the mark.

Goals from Sean Joyce, Conor Brennan, Kieran Foley, Morgan Conroy and Daniel Reddan saw Caherdavin Celtic B past Castle Utd on a 5-1 scoreline.

Goals from Alex Mcnamara (2) and Cian Malone helped Athlunkard Villa C to a 3-0 win over Croom Utd B.

A brace of goals from Liam Hogan gave Nenagh Ca 2-0 win over Newtown Rgs B while Newport hit Patrickswell B for three without reply courtesy of Ciaran Darcy, Johnny Ryan and Eoin McLoughlin.

In the Youth Premier League, there is a three-way tie at the top but Pike Rvs have games in hand on Fairview and Holycross.
The Hoops took on Regional Utd who beat them in the Ger Ryan Cup final on Tuesday but on this occasion made no mistake winning 3-0 courtesy of Aaron Cusack, Shane Finucane and Scott Connolly.

Nenagh AFC held Holycross scoreless while Lough Derg and Mungret Reg also tied 3-3. Liam O'Shaughnessy (2) and Matt Ryan scored for the Tipperary side.

The big game in Youth Div One saw Caherconlish beat leaders Kilmallock to open up the title race. Goals from Paul McDonagh and George Barry saw Shelbourne keep their challenge on course with a 2-1 win over Pike Rvs B.

Terry Harty, Dean Nolan and Craig Dillon netted for Carew Park in a 3-0 win over Geraldines while Murroe with goals from Evan O'Grady 2, Ben Ryan 2 and Pat Sheehan beat Aisling Annacotty B 5-2.

GER RYAN CUP FINAL:

Regional Utd 2 Pike Rvs 2 (Regional won 11-10 on pens aet)

REGIONAL United were crowned Ger Ryan Cup champions on Tuesday evening following a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Pike Rvs at Jackman Park

Pike, after a superb win in last weekend’s MFA semi-final, went into the tie as favourites but also well aware that Regional have proven a difficult side to get the better of this season.

So it proved again, with the Reds taking a lead inside three minutes. There followed a thrilling encounter with some superb performances and admirable effort on both sides. After extra time it was level at 2-2 and the resultant penalty shoot-out produced a nail biting 11-10 win for Regional.

The winners were superb throughout the team on the night, but a couple brought it to a different level. Captain, Gideon Cobbs-Sarko led by example at the heart of defence.

In the middle of the field Mark Barrett was always in the thick of the action and ever willing while alongside him Jonah Murphy’s reading of the game was sublime, and he has the silken skills to go with it.

Pike will be obviously disappointed, but they did not play poorly and just lost out on the lottery of penalties.

Jack Croke, Jamie Mitchell, Aaron Cusack, Cameron Walsh and Shane Finucane were always prominent.

Regional had the dream start when the speedy Conor O’Longaigh seized on a stray pass to race through from halfway and fire past Mariuz Palen to open the scoring.

Shortly after Barrett received the ball 40 yards from goal and looked up before hitting a beauty that crashed off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Pike played their way back into the tie and got back on level terms midway through the half when Cameron Walsh played Shane Finucane away on the left and the winger cut inside and hit a low shot through a crowded goal area into the bottom corner.

Regional responded well and restored their lead on the half hour mark. Barrett played the ball wide for Murphy who delivered into the area where Ryan Scanlon used his physique to good advantage to force the ball home.

Pike emerged from the break on the front foot and gained parity on 64 minutes. Walsh was again involved, and his pass saw Aaron Cusack skip outside his marker to fire into the corner.

Barrett went close with another shot from a free kick that struck the butt of the post and wide.

At the other end a snapshot by Finucane was also kept out by the post.

Extra time followed with both sides having a chance to win it. In the first period, a superb free kick from Cusack smacked off the crossbar from 35 yards.

With a minute to play Murphy raced into the area to get to the end of Scanlon’s cross but his shot from six yards was superbly saved by Palen.

The resultant spot kicks just added to the drama with both sides taking 12 kicks. Regional keeper Conor Crowley pulled off a fine save on Pike’s 12th to secure a memorable win for the Dooradoyle club.

Regional Utd: Conor Crowley; Paul Carmody; Conor Cawley; George Lloyd; Gideon Cobbs-Sarko; Mark Barrett; Jonah Murphy; Steven Barry; Conor O'Longaigh; Ryan Scanlon; Conor Ryan. Subs; R Mullins; C Murphy; A Blake; A Cobbs-Sarko; Cian O'Donovan; A Murphy

Pike Rvs: Mariuz Palen; Jack Croke; Jack Meaney; Jamie Mitchell; Sean McCallig; Pa Steed; Aaron Cusack; Scott McGuire; Cameron Walsh; Calum O'Hanlon; Shane Finucane. Subs: Scott Connolly; Finn Morrison; Ethan Joyce

MID-WEEK ACTION:

IN midweek action there was one Premier Lague tie with Nenagh staging a remarkable recovery to come from two goals down with seven minutes remaining to take the points at home to Janesboro.

Two goals from Shane Clarke had ‘Boro well in control before Mike O’Gorman reduced the deficit. Dylan Morrison equalised and in the final minutes an own goal gave Nenagh the spoils.

Nenagh AFC: Adam Wallace; Colm Hayden; Saeed Ryan; Kieran Barr; Bryan McGee; Mike O'Gorman; Adam Ryan; Conor McCormack; Dan O'Meara; Nathan Kelly; Dylan Morrison. Subs: Coilin Doris; Daniel Connolly; Nichita Caaciuc.

Janesboro: Aaron O'Sullivan; Shane O'Brien; Graham Bourke; Shane O'Sullivan; Tony Burns; Dion Lynch; Conor Artur; Shane Clarke; Aaron Murphy; Kai Joyce; Calum O'Connel. Subs: Adam Melichi; John Hehir; Aodh O'Hanluain.

IN THE Premier A League, there was great celebrating in Lee Estate when Athlunkard Villa secured their place in next season’s top flight for the first time in their storied history.

It has been a long time coming and ‘everyone’s second favourite team’ will be welcomed with open arms by all.

A 1-1 draw with Caherdavin Celtic secured the point needed to get over the line. Danny Taylor was the Villa goalscorer.

In Division 1B, Herbertstown look like they will be hard to haul in so the chasing Shelbourne and Croom may be battling it out for second place.

Both picked up wins on Thursday. Croom Utd beat Kilfrush 3-1 thanks to an AJ Moloney hat trick.

Rory Cullen scored the only goal of the game for Shelbourne at Lisnagry while Glenview Rvs edged out Newport B 2-1. Frank Lang scored twice for the winners. Keith Mawdsley replied for Newport.

It’s a three-way tie at the top in Division 2A and two of those sides were in action on Thursday. Balla B beat Abbey Rvs 3-1 with scores from Wesley Mulqueen (2) and Neil Wallace.

Joint leaders Brazuca United took the points in a 4-2 win over Aisling Annacotty C, Wesley Gabriel (2), Victor Gontijo and Guilherme Augusto.

Jack O'Donnell and Jack Leonard netted for Cappamore B but they were pipped by Newtown Rovers with scores from Nabil Kassam, Graham Power and Rob O'Grady.

It was the same result when Coonagh Utd B hosted Hyde Rgs B. Aodhan Keane nabbed a couple for the home side but goals from Craig Casey, Jamie McNamara and Ger Nash won the points.

It’s as you were in Division 3A with the top two winning easy. Fairview Rgs C beat Caherdavin Celtic B 4-1 with goals from Niall McNamara (2), Cian Donnelly and Dean Kirwin.

Joint leaders Prospect Priory B hit Nenagh C for seven courtesy of Brinn Holmes (3), Leon Johnson, Reece Kelly (2) and Jeff Dore.

Goals from Christian Kerley (3), Alex McNamara (2), and Aaron Lynch saw Athlunkard Villa C past Newtown while Shelbourne B beat Patrickswell B 3-1. Kasper Kucz and a double from Thami Langa did the damage.