Fairview Rangers celebrate Premier Division glory on dramatic weekend in Limerick DL

PREMIER DIVISION:

Fairview Rangers 2 Aisling Annacotty 0

FAIRVIEW Rangers are Premier League champions 2024/2025!

Twenty-two years since their last Premier league success, ‘the Blues’ got that monkey off their back on Sunday morning when a 2-0 win at home to Aisling Annacotty sealed the deal.

There will be little argument that Rangers have been the best side in the league this season and are worthy champions.

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Needing a point to ensure they could not be overtaken at the top of the table; Fairview took the lead midway through the opening half when Oleg Vysochan’s free kick into the six-yard box caused panic in the visitor’s defence and Brian Aherne pounced to knock the ball over the line.

To their credit, Aisling ensured the winners would not be given things easy and were creating a couple of chances to keep Fairview on tender hooks.

All that changed however in the second half when a good run and ball into the box by Adam Dore saw Josh McCarthy challenge and when the loose ball fell kindly, Vysochan finished from close range to the delight of the home fans.

On the final whistle, Mike O’Regan, of the Limerick District League, presented the Fran Mulally trophy to Fairview captain Shane

Duggan who spoke highly in praise of his coaching staff and the volunteers at the club who have made their facilities the envy of the country.

Fairview had a disappointing season in 2023/24 but didn’t panic. They added Mike Shile to the coaching team and things clicked into place.

Their only defeat of the season was in their second game to Janesboro but they have been impressive since.

They were neck and neck with Pike Rvs for most of the campaign but in their best performance of the season they beat the Hoops 5-1 and took charge thereafter with their perfect mix of experience and youth combining perfectly.

Captain Shane Duggan leads by example and demands a lot from those around him. Jeffery Jude, Conor Kavanagh and Danny O’Neill also added vital experience.

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Luckily for the Blues, an injury to talisman Darragh Rainsford at such a crucial point in the season seem to coincide with the return to full fitness of Gbadebo Habideen who has been a revelation in recent games.

Goalkeeper, Josh McCarthy, Jason Cross and Blake Curran as well as Josh McCarthy, whose dad Kevin was an ever present in the 2003 team, are the future of the side while

Jake Dillon and Brian Aherne have also had superb seasons.

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Jake Dillon; Brian Aherne; Conor Kavanagh; Jason Cross; Shane Duggan; Jeffery Judge; Cian McNamara; Adam Dore; Josh McCarthy; Oleg Vysochan. Subs: Aaron Hough; Gavin Mellerick; Rueben McCarthy; Shane Carmody.

Aisling Annacotty: Charlie Lane; Adam O'Regan; Cathal Downes; Alex Cuddy; Eliah Riordan; Conor Carew; Tom Kidd; Adam Costello; Adam Foley; Raid Mouras; Willie Armshaw. Subs: Andrew Kearney; Alex Sidorov; Sean Ezekannagha.

Fairview Rangers path to the LDL Premier Division title:

A Hyde Rgs A W 3-0 Brian Aherne 2, Jake Dillon
H Janesboro L 1-2 Danny O'Neill
A Carew Park W 2-0 Jeffery Judge , Oleg Vysochan
H Mungret Reg W 3-1 Adam Dore, Jeffery Judge, Jason Cross
A Ballynanty Rovers W 3-0 Brian Aherne, Cian McNamara, Adam Dore
H Pike Rovers D 3-3 Brian Aherne 2, Oleg Vysochan
H Regional Utd W 2-1 Darragh Rainsford 2
H Geraldines W 5-0 Brian Aherne 3, Adam Dore, Josh McCarthy
A Nenagh AFC W 2-1 Brian Aherne, Darragh Rainsford
A Aisling Annacotty W 3-1 Brian Aherne 2, Conor Kavanagh
A Regional Utd W 1-0 Adam Dore
H Newport W 4-0 Darragh Rainsford 2, Oleg Vysochan, Jeffery Judge
A Mungret Reg W 3-0 Brian Aherne 2, Jason Cross
H Hyde Rgs A W 2-1 Cian McNamara, Josh McCarthy
H Carew Park W 1-0 Forfeit
A Geraldines W 2-0 Oleg Vysochan 2
A Pike Rovers W 5-1 C McNamara 2, A Dore, G Habideen, D O'Neill
A Janesboro W 2-0 Josh McCarthy, Oleg Vysochan
H Nenagh AFC D 1-1 Josh McCarthy
H Ballynanty Rovers W 1-0 Gbadebo Habideen
H Aisling Annacotty W 2-0 Brian Aherne, Oleg Vysochan

ELSEWHERE, Pike Rovers did what they needed to do to keep their slim hope alive beating Janesboro 4-1. Eoin Duff scored three with Eoin Hanrahan also netting for the winners. Shane Clarke replied for Boro.

Alex Keating, Dylan O'Neill and Calum Murphy were on the mark for Hyde Rgs in a 3-1 win at Ballynanty Rovers.

DIVISION 1A O’HALLORAN CUP FINAL:

Pallas United 2 Star Rvs 1

PALLAS United were crowned Division 1A O’Halloran Cup champions on Friday evening when they beat Star Rovers after extra time in an entertaining final at Jackman Park.

Brothers Vinny and David Ryan were being hailed by the Pallas fans after their goals saw them overcome newly promoted Star Rvs XI.

As predicted, there was always going to be little to separate these sides but the county side just edged it to record a deserved win.

It was evident early on that Rovers were going to have their hands full keeping the Ryans at bay but they defended admirably. However, ten minutes before half time they were breached.

From a quick breakaway Mike Ryan gathered, looked up to spot Vinny Ryan peeling away from his marker and played a fine ball over the defence for the Oscar Traynor striker to control the ball before blasting home from 15 yards.

The second half saw the play open up more and Arron Nunan was just wide from an acute angle early on.

Star keeper Guilherme Texira was off his line to deny Vinny Ryan and Phelan in quick succession and then some neat footwork created an opening for David Ryan but he fired into the Star side netting.

The hard working Ryan Guedes went close with a volley and a header, both narrowly over the top.

Pallas’ looked like they would hold out but with two minutes remaining Emmet Hehir’s inswinging corner kick caused consternation in the Pallas defence and Kevin Doherty bundled the ball over the line.

Pallas had a great chance to win it with seconds to go. Vinny Ryan played Conor Phipps in on goal. His shot forced a wonderful save by Texira but David Ryan, following up put the rebound wide of an open goal.

It was short lived disappointment for the striker as minutes later he scored what proved the winner in the first period of extra time.

A powerful run by Robbie O’Donnell created the opening and Ryan, using his pace, got between defender and goalkeeper to poke the ball home.

With time running out Star threw caution to the win and Keith Curran’s long throw fell to Jake Downey whose shot struck the crossbar and from the rebound Nunan headed just wide.

Pallas Utd: Shane Pearse; Darragh Gammell; Chris McMahon; Alan Cosgrove; Brian O'Leary; Mike Ryan; P Phelan; Ryan Mawdsley; David Ryan; Vinnie Ryan; Robbie O'Donnell. Subs: Conor Phipps; Duane Carroll; Kevin Barry; Declan O'Connor; Andrew Hartigan; Darren Roche; Joe O'Keeffe.

Star Rvs: Guilherme Texira; Tyrone Price; A Vijandran; Fernando Dos Santos Willon; Kevin O'Doherty; Adam Quinlivan; Cael Gaffney; Jordan Boland; Aaron Nunan; Emmet Hehir; Ryan Guedes Subs: Keith Curran; Jake Downey; Conor Monahan; Jordan Nunan; Shaun Lyons; Miguel Valera; Conor Joyce.

ROUND-UP:

IN THE Division 1B Cup semi-finals, Newport beat Glenview 4-2 to progress to the decider. Adam Power scored three for the winners with Dave O’Brien also finding the target.

They will play Shelbourne in the final after the Greens edged out Croom by the odd goal in three. Harry Cowton and Adam McGlynn scored the winning goals.

The race for the Division 2A League title continues. Balla B beat Brazuca United 4-0 which means they need two wins to be crowned champions. Wesley Mulqueen scored a hat trick with Ryan Earls also netting.

Kilmallock B keep their hopes alive following a big win over Mungret Reg D. Sean Maguire, Dylan O'Connell, Conor Hanley, Joe Hay, Dave Todd, Thomas O'Shea and Dylan Brazil shared the goals.

Caherdavin B qualified for the Div 3A Cup final following a penalty shoot-out win over Athlunkard Villa C.

Goals from Christian Kerley and Aaron Lynch had Villa well in control but a good comeback with scores from Danny Reddan and David Rafferty sent the game to penalties where Celtic proved more accurate.

Pike Rvs B completed the League and Cup double in the Under 17 Div One league when they beat Geraldines in a play-off for the tile.

Things looked bleak for Pike when two penalty kicks, both converted by Ryan Phillips, had ‘Dines 2-0 ahead.

However, a fine headed goal by Cathal McInerney reduced the deficit before the break. After the restart a quick double by

Dylan Kett tilted the tie in Pike’s favour and when Dan Quirke tacked on a fourth after the hour mark it sealed the issue.

In Youth Division 1, Shelbourne continued a great run for the club when they captured the title following a 6-2 win over Geraldines. Leon Morton and Brandon Mambuana netted for the Dines but scores from Adam McGlynn (2), James Doherty, Paul McDonagh, Michael Duggan and George Barry saw Shels through.

In the Youth Premier Cup, the final will be contested by Pike and Corbally following the weekend results.

Pike beat Regional 5-0 thanks to scores from Scott Connolly (2), Cameron Walsh, Pa Steed, Scott Connolly and Shane Finucane. In the other semi-final, a Sean Kiely goal saw Corbally advance at the expense of Mungret Reg.