Complete Limerick District League weekend junior soccer round-up

MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP:

Regional United 2 Ballingarry 0

REGIONAL United were first into the fray at the weekend for Limerick District League’s remaining hopefuls in the Munster Junior Cup when they hosted Desmond League side Ballingarry in Dooradoyle.

It was a positive start with the LDL side advancing on a 2-0 scoreline. A goal in either half secured victory for the 2023 winners of the provincial tournament to take their place in the last 16 of the competition.

A horrible night weather wise did little to entice people from the warmth of their homes but the players must be commended on their efforts in trying conditions.

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The opening half started fairly even, although the home side’s height and physicality were causing the visitors problems particularly at set pieces.

The early pressure from Regional from set pieces saw them go close on a few occasions.

Adam Costelloe had the best effort for Ballingarry with a lovely curling effort from 25 yards that went narrowly wide.
Regional broke the deadlock ten minutes from the break when a clever pass from Ben O'Shaughnessy saw Brian O Connor guide the ball into the net from close range.

Some sustained pressure after, should have added to the Regional lead with close range scrambles but some last ditch defending particularly from centre back Adam Long kept the deficit to one at the break.

The second half continued in much the same vein but Regional were failing to turn the pressure into goals with chance after chance going abegging.

It took until the 87th minute before the home side scored the crucial second to ease the tension. Mushin Jelle played in Ryan Gilmartin who showed a great first touch and finish from just inside the box to seal the win.

Regional Utd: Adam Brennan; Sean Madigan; Tom Frawley; Andrew Cowpar; Jack O'Donovan; Ewan O'Brien; Eoin Duff; Kieran O'Connell; Muhsin Jelle; Ben O'Shaughnessy; Brian O'Connor. Subs: Alex Keating; Jake Power; Marcus Hogan; Ryan Gilmartin.

Ballingarry: Craig McInnes; Brian Sheehy; C McMahon; Adam Long; Aaron Smith; Josh Mulcaire-Quille; Eoin Lynch; Philip Pandong; Gary McInereny; Adam Costelloe; Adam Hickey. Subs: Naill Cahill; Brian O'Sullivan; K Long; J King; Stephen Kelly.

College Corinthians 0 Pike Rovers 5

PIKE Rvs overcame torrid weather conditions to seal their place in Last 16 of the
Munster Junior Cup following an impressive display down in Cork on Saturday afternoon.

During the warm-ups it looked like the worst of the Storm Claudia had passed by as it was clear skies and sunshine, but the weather took a turn for the worst once the game began.

Both teams had to deal with a stiff cross field wind accompanied by non-stop torrential rain on a very slick all-weather pitch.
Pike quickly got to grips with the conditions getting on the front foot and having great joy on the wings.

The deadlock was broken within the first 10 minutes when a dangerous Leon Daly corner saw Kyle Duhig being upended in the box and up stepped Steven McGann to send the keeper the wrong way.

McGann then doubled both Pike’s lead and his goal tally on the half hour mark with a superb volley on the edge of the box.
The non-stop running of Pike’s front line of Daly, Murphy, McGann and Morgan was causing Corinthians all sorts of problems while at the other end, Neville was a mere spectator as the back Pike back four were in total control.

The two-goal lead was increased inside fives Kirwan’s long throw fell to Dylan Murphy inside and he setup the unmarked Adam Lipper whose fierce strike from close range flew into the back of the net.

Duhig and Hough were winning the midfield battle closing down every promising attack by the home side and keeping Pike on the front foot.

Pike cleared the bench and got their fourth with 20 minutes to go from another set piece as Daly’s dangerous corner was met by Lipper who rose highest to head home. The home side to their credit did not give up and Neville pulled off two good saves in quick succession to ensure the defence kept a clean sheet.

The final goal of the game came 5 minutes from time as U17’s player Bryan Mambouana reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and calmly slotted home.

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Scott Kirwin; Eddie O’Donovan; Adam Lipper; Brendan O’Dwyer; Leon Daly; Dylan Murphy; Ruari Morgan; Steven McGann; Aaron Hough; Kyle Duhig. Subs: Aaron Murphy; Joe Murphy; Bryan Mambouana; Lee McGuire; Jack Croke.

Ringmahon Rgs 0 Aisling Annacotty 5

AISLING Annacotty made light of the venue change and heavy weather as they produced a dominant 5–0 win over Ringmahon Rangers in St Colman’s Park, Cobh, to march on in the Munster Junior Cup.

Originally fixed for Ringmahon’s home ground, the tie was moved to the astroTurf surface in Cobh due to an unplayable pitch.
On paper it remained a

Ringmahon ‘home’ game; on the pitch it was anything but, as Aisling took control from the first whistle and never really let go.
From the outset Aisling played with real intent, pinning Ringmahon back and dictating the tempo. Their press was aggressive and coordinated and the Cork side rarely threatened Aaron Curtis’ goal.

Further up the pitch, Joel Coustrain and Conor Coughlan posed constant problems. Coughlan repeatedly weaved through challenges, drawing fouls and dragging defenders out of shape, while Coustrain showed all of his quality in the pockets, linking play and turning under pressure.

The breakthrough came on 15 minutes. Joel Coustrain, who was superb on the day, gathered on the right and rolled his marker brilliantly to put Edmonds O’Sullivan through for his first goal for the club.

Aisling didn’t ease off and were rewarded again when Seanie Ó hAodha split the defence with a clever through ball. Donnacha O’Leary timed his run perfectly and produced a smart finish to make it 2–0 on 28 minutes.

O’Leary was involved again before the break turning provider when he squared the ball across the box for the onrushing Conor Coughlan, who made no mistake with the finish for 3–0.

By this stage, Aisling were well on top, and only a fine save from the Ringmahon keeper from an Adam Foley free kick prevented further damage before half-time.

The home side upped the tempo after the restart and despite being a mere spectator, Curtis produced an excellent block from Oran Ross and Davy Maloney was on hand to block on the line and preserve the clean sheet.

As the half wore on, Aisling regained control and Osas Omorodian crossed for Sean Oyibo but for the Ringmahon goalkeeper saved superbly. Oyibo was not to be denied as he turned the ball home with four minutes remaining.

Deep into stoppage time, Aisling added the gloss their performance deserved. Sean Ezekennagha drove down the left, beat his man and cut the ball back perfectly for Joel Coustrain to fire in for a goal that his performance deserved.

Aisling Annacotty: Aaron Curtis; Raid Mouras; David Moloney; Sean O'hAodha; Alex Cuddy; J Aherne; Donnacha O'Leary; Edmonds O'Sullivan; Joel Coustrain; Adam Foley; Conor Coughlan. Subs: Paul Canny; Oscar Omorodian; Joey Rushe; Sean Oyibo; Sean Ezekannagha.

Tramore 3 Nenagh AFC 1

NENAGH faced a difficult assignment away to leading Waterford side Tramore and put up a brave effort before crashing out on a 3-1 scoreline.

The home side took the lead inside ten minutes through Sam Sheppard.

Nenagh responded well and got back on level terms midway through the half courtesy of Pa Steed.

Sam Sheppard restored Tramore’s lead midway through the second half and his replacement Charlie Binions scored the all-important third goal ten minutes from time.

Nenagh AFC: Carl Williams; Colm Hayden; Craig Hilmi; Kieran Barr; Bryan McGee; Pa Steed; Matt O'Gorman; Saeed Ryan; Dan O'Meara; Dylan Morrison; Daniel Connolly, Subs: Mike O'Gorman; Conor Hannify; Adam Ryan; Aaron Cusack

Geraldines 4 Peake Villa 4 (Geraldines won 4-3 on pens aet)

What a result for Geraldines! The Candy stripes posted the result of the weekend with a penalty shoot-out win in Tipperary against a superb Peake Villa side.

Few gave ‘Dines much hope going into the tie but Joe Keane’s side matched their opponents stride for stride and took the lead midway through the half when Kian Mitchell’s inswinging corner kick went directly into the net.

The goal snapped Villa out of their slumber and goals from Hennessy and McGuire saw them go in at the break ahead.
The home side seemed content to hold what they had in the second half and it looked like they might have done enough until Jon Moran’s late shot was deflected to the net by Kevin Barry to send the game to extra time.

The Limerick side suffered a blow when reduced to ten men shortly after the start but Leon Johnson struck a beauty from the edge of the box to give Dines the lead. The same player made it 4-2 when played through after good work by Kevin Barry and Scott McEvoy.

Villa threw caution to the wind and pulled one back through Keith Cahill. In the final moments Ronan McGuire scored a last gasp equaliser to send the tie to spot kicks.

The visitors were not be denied and a couple of saves by keeper Jose Zaquieu paved the way for a 4-3 win and progress to the last 16.

Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Jonathan Moran; Eoin Hanrahan; Aaron Grant; Scott McEvoy; Ousman Darboe; Tony Mambuana; Kian Mitchell; Kevin Barry; Alan Keane; Cian Fitzgerald. Subs: Jake Leamy; Leon Johnson; G Ronan; Shane Dillon; Dave Power.

MUNSTER JUNIOR SHIELD

Waterloo 2 Herbertstown 2
(Waterloo won 3-2 on pens aet)

MUNSTER Junior Shield holders Herbertstown bowed out of the competition on Saturday when they went down on a penalty shoot-out at the hands of Cork outfit Waterloo AFC.

The Cork side were something of an unknown quantity and were favoured with home advantage but ‘Town would have been expected to prevail, so there is huge disappointment that they will not get the chance to repeat last year’s success.

Things looked bight when Kevin Meade put the visitors ahead after just ten minutes but the game was a real dogfight and the visitors levelled the tie 15 minutes from time through Ronan O’Brien.

Extra-time followed and the home side crept in front through Lorcan Clinton.

However, Mike Ryan restored parity for Herbertstown. Penalty kicks were required to separate the sides and the home side held their nerve to go through.

Herbertstown: Dylan O’Sullivan; Killian Reale; Jack Horan; Darragh O'Sullivan; Keith O’Connor; Darragh Carroll; Sean O’Dea; David Hannon; Kevin Meade; Bradley McNamara; Devon McNamara-Leamy, Subs: Mike Ryan; Jamie Ryan; Tyrique Leamy.

Ballynanty Rovers B 5 Lakewood Athletic 1

BALLYNANTY Rvs B, the inaugural winners of the competition in 2024, gave the appearance of a side who could well repeat the feat, when they eased past Cork side Lakewood Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Balla’ opened the scoring after seven minutes when a super corner kick from Derek Daly was powered into the net with a header from Ryan Earls.

Just before the half hour mark a fine pass from Arron Nunan down the left hand put Jamie O’Sullivan away and he finished with his weaker foot at the near post.

Nunan made it 3-0 before the break when he was on hand to put the finishing touch to Dara McNamara’s delivery.
Things continued in the same vein after the restart Nunan grabbed his second and Balla’s fourth after good work by David Donnan.

A cushioned pass from Dara McNamara into the path of Derek Daly resulted in Balla’s final goal and while the visitors pulled one back through Holmes, it proved a mere consolation.

Ballynanty Rvs B: Ger Meehan; Ronan Ryan; Lee Ryan; Calum Waters; Ryan Earls; Jamie O’Sullivan; Aaron Nunan; David Donnan; Dara McNamara; Derek Daly; Greg Daly. Subs: Dean O’Brien; Neil Wallace; Kevin Nolan; Lee Boyle; Darragh Hughes.

Aisling Annacotty D 3 Crosshaven 2

AISLING Annacotty D, runners up in 2024, progressed to the last 16 of the Munster shield thanks to a 3-2 win against a good Crosshaven side.

The Cork side took the lead through Mulcahy midway through the opening half. Aisling regrouped at the break and on 50 minutes, Sean Reeves Wasik’s delivery into the area was palmed away by the keeper, but Diarmuid Hegarty was on hand to finish.

Aisling took the lead just after the hour mark when Manni Ajuong and Rhys Foley combined to tee up Alan Nicholas for a precise finish.

Ten minutes later, Aisling made it 3-1 when Tommy Canty’s cross was headed home by Evan O’Neil.

The home side pulled one back with six minutes remaining through Crawford and may well have pulled it out of the fire but for a superb save by Aisling keeper Jack O'Brien in the final moments.

Aisling Annacotty D: Jack O’Brien; Eoin Madigan; Sean Reeves Wasik; Jamie Collins; Rhys Foley; Alan Nicholas; Alan Rossiter; Danny Coyne; Evan O’Neill; Diarmuid Hegarty; Manni Ajoung. Subs: Calum Ryan; Tom Canty.

Shelbourne 6 Villa FC B 5

SHELBOURNE and Waterford side Villa FC played out an eleven-goal thriller that was just edged by the home side.

Two goals inside six minutes by Ger Johnson put Shels in control but M Walsh pulled one back for the visitors shortly after.
Johnson completed his hat trick on 28 minutes but a brace of goals by Niall McCabe and D Griffin had the sides level by the break.

The visitors conceded an own goal just after the restart but levelled through McCabe on the hour mark.
Daniel Collins and Adam McGlynn scored to give Shels a two-goal advantage.

It was needed as McCabe completed his hat trick to make it a one goal game but Shels held on for a memorable result.

Shelbourne: Aidan Burke; Conor McGuane; J Doherty; Matt DeCourcey; Andrew Egan; Eric Carr; Jack McNamee; Colm Cassidy; Ger Johnson; Alan Carr-France; Daniel Collins. Subs: Inan Cullen; Adam McGlynn.

Granville Rgs 2 Coachford B 1

Granville progressed in the Shield following a hard-earned win over a fancied Coachford side.

Granville took the lead just before half time when good work down the line from Callum O Hanlon put Nathan Walsh away and his cross saw Cameron Walsh take a good touch and finish well.

The visitors levelled the tie just on the hour mark through J Martin but two minutes of ill discipline saw the visitors reduced to nine.

With time running out Josh Kiely played a great ball through to Craig Downes who unselfishly teed up Cameron Walsh for the winning goal.

Granville Rgs: Vinny Browne; Lee Hartigan; Evan Lynch; Lee Downes; Dylan O'Byrne; Brian Dillon; Cameron Walsh; Nathan Walsh; Craig Downes; Darragh Reddan; Calum O'Hanlon. Subs: Conor McNamara; Will O'Neill; Darragh Carey; Josh Kiely

Murroe 6 Dingle Bay Rvs 1

Murroe proved much too strong for Dingle Bay Rovers in the early kick off on Sunday as they eased top a 6-1 victory.

Brian Quinn put Murroe on their way after ten minutes and on the half hour mark his brother Liam doubled the home advantage.

Liam Quinn converted a spot kick on the verge of half time to kill off the game as a contest.

After the restart Jamie Long, Cillian O'Shea and Killian Quaide tacked on further goals to complete the scoring.

Murroe: Jack O'Sullivan; Kalum O'Shea; Brian Quinn; Dylan Ryan; Liam Quaid; Brian Mackey; Darren Dunlea; Nathan O'Shea; Jamie Long; Liam Quinn; Cillian O'Shea. Subs: Killian Quaide; Evan Walsh; A Woodland; L Hartnett

Abbey Rvs 0 Bandon 3

Abbey Rovers put up a brave fight before bowing out to a good Bandon side.

The Cork side had their homework done on Abbey and ensured double markers for their danger man Leonard Plunkett throughout.

The game was end to end when Jack L'estrange broke the deadlock with a good goal.

Abbey went in search for the equaliser but found visiting keeper S Grundza a formidable opponent.

The visitors created a number of openings but Jordan Guerin was dominant for the home side.

As the game wore on the home side were forced to take chances and paid the price when James Campbell doubled the lead on 77 minutes.

With time running out Brian O'Donoghue completed the scoring for the visitors.

Abbey Rvs: Colm Pearse; Killian Healy; Adam Ingle; Jordan Guerin; Conor O'Brien; Dean O'Brien; K Kane; Stuart Barry; Bryan Purcell; Leonard Casey Plunkett; Paul Campbell. Subs: Liam Fallon; L Blackhall; Lee Hughes; Cian O'Connell.

ROUND-UP:

IN THE Munster FA U17 Cup, Goals from David Rowland, J Landers, R Gaffney, W Meehan and M O'Shea saw Newport past Murroe B on a 5-2 scoreline. John Blackwell and C Connolly replied for the losers.

Murroe A also crashed out after a penalty shoot-out with Mungret Regional. Danny Quirke, Bryan Mbounana, E Byrne, Preston Humphries, Aaron McNamara, R Bourke, Dylan Browne, Sean Dunphy and D Kirwin were the scorers. Pike Rovers were much too strong for Caherconlish.