Limerick District League junior soccer round-up: Double delight for inter-league sides

LIMERICK District League qualified for the final of the Munster Section of the Oscar Traynor trophy on Saturday evening when they made the trip to Ennis and defeated the Clare District Leaue 4-2.
Conor Coughlan proved the hero of the hour netting a hat-trick for the winners who now will meet the Munster Senior League in the provincial final.
Limerick were very good in the opening quarter.
After five minutes Kieran O'Connell headed just over the bar before Leon Kirrane saw his shot well saved by Clare keeper Shane Cusack from Oleg Vysochan’s delivery.
The visitors took when Leon Kirrane unlocked the Clare defence with a superb pass to play Conor Coughlan through on goal and he showed great composure with a near post finish.
Limerick doubled their lead ten minutes later when Shane Walsh & Kirrane weaved their way through the Clare midfield and the latter teed up Darragh Rainsford who unleashed a powerful low shot into the back of the net.

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An injury to Shane Walsh on the stroke of halftime resulted in a change of formation at the break and this led to a momentum swing that brought the home side back into the game.
Clare had their first attempt of note on 53 minutes but Scott Kirkland's effort was saved by Josh McCarthy.
Two minutes later the home side got a lifeline when Kirkland’s delivery picked out Mununkum at the back post, his header fell to Naa Nnejibuke who blasted home from 8 yards.
The game was back to level pegging 20 minutes from time when Eoghan Thynne made a great run inside the Limerick box and his shot fell to Kyle Kirby who steered it home to set up a nervy end to the game.
The introduction of O'Brien, Murphy and Daly had an instant impact and Limerick went back in front following good play down the left-hand side by Curran and his delivery into the box was met by the unmarked Coughlan to tap home.
Coughlan completed his hat-trick less than ninety seconds later as the ever-impressive Rainsford drifted past his marker and pulled the ball back Aisling man to score and secure Limerick's passage to the Munster final.
Clare: Shane Cusack (Newmarket Celtic), Kyle Kirby (Bridge United), Cathal Cullinan (Newmarket Celtic), Harvey Cullinan (Newmarket Celtic), Sean O'Callaghan (Avenue United), Scott Kirkland (Bridge United), Aaron Rudd (Newmarket Celtic), Eoghan Thynne (Avenue United), Naa Nnejibuke (Avenue United), Conor Finucane (Avenue United), Jack O'Halloran (Bridge United). Subs used; Johnson Manunkum (Fairgreen Celtic), Dean Hegarty (Newmarket Celtic), Charlie Morrison (Shannon Town), Adam Kilker (Tulla United), Eoghan Gough (Shannon Town).
Limerick: Josh McCarthy (Fairview Rangers), Danny O'Neill (Fairview Rangers), Blake Curran (Fairview Rangers), Kieran O'Connell (Regional United), Adam Lipper (Pike Rovers), Shane Walsh (Ballynanty Rovers), Kyle Duhig (Pike Rovers), Leon Kirrane (Ballynanty Rovers), Conor Coughlan (Aisling Annacotty), Darragh Rainsford (Fairview Rangers), Oleg Vysochan (Fairview Rangers). Subs used: Vinny Ryan (Ballynanty Rovers), Leon Daly (Pike Rovers), Kai Joyce (Janesboro), Shane O'Brien (Janesboro).

Limerick District League opened their Inter-County Youth campaign in Jackman Park on Wednesday evening with a hard-earned 2-1 win over near neighbours, Limerick Desmond League.
The home side did well to come back from a goal down to progress to the Munster Final where they will play the Clare DL.
The visitors put up a fine showing. They have some superb players and caused the home side plenty of issues. However, but for their goalkeeper Edward Lynch, the home side could have been out of sight before Oscar Fitzgerald’s winning strike five minutes from time.
Limerick were the first to threaten when Zak McInerney’s header was cleared off the line by Kieran Long just after kick off.
Minutes later, Long was in the right position at the other end when he ran onto Daniel Magner’s lay back and from outside the box he drilled a low shot to the bottom corner to put the visitors in front.
The home side responded immediately and levelled the tie when Oisin Healy picked up a clearance outside the box and powered past a couple of defenders before shooting home from an acute angle.
Magner and the excellent Jake Higgins forced good saves from Sam Casey in the home goal and at the other end Lynch saved from Cathal McNamara before Mike Omojoefoden went within inches of putting the home side ahead.
The work rate of Joe Murphy in the middle of the park was immense and he was keeping the LDL on the front foot. He forced a save from Lynch and then rolled the ball agonisingly wide of the far post.
The visitors finished the first half on the front foot. Magner and Higgins combined well for the latter to smash a shot off the upright and Darragh O’Donoghue fired over from a good position.
Limerick introduced Aisling’ Oscar Fitzgerald at the break and he made an immediate impact forcing a save from Lynch following good work by Healy.
A good run from McInerney created an opening for Fitzgerald but a last gasp challenge by the impressive Alex Smith saved the day.
Another good run by McInerney saw him race from half way to get in on goal. His shot was saved by Lynch and the keeper followed up with an even better one from Fitzgerald’s rebound effort from close range.
With extra time on the cards, Bryan Mambouana’s cross from the right reached Joe Murphy outside the box. He fired a ball across goal for the inrunning Fitzgerald to apply the finishing touch to secure the win.
District: Sam Casey (Aisling Annacotty), Jack Croke (Pike Rovers), Jack Meaney (Pike Rovers), Dion Lynch (Aisling Annacotty), Cian O’Haodha (Aisling Annacotty), Oisin Healy (Pike Rovers), Chad Molloy (Fairview Rangers), Mike Omojoefoden (Fairview Rangers), Cathal McNamara (Pike Rovers), Joe Murphy (Pike Rovers), Zac McInereny (Fairview Rangers). Subs: Ben Kiely (Aisling Annacotty), Oscar Fitzgerald (Aisling Annacotty), Bryan Mambouana (Pike Rovers), Sean Downes, Eoin Williams (Aisling Annacotty), Rory Hanly (Holycross), Dion Begley.
Desmond: Edward Lynch, Luke Hourigan, Kieran Long, Ryan Alymer, Alex Smith, Jack Morrissey, Max White, Jamie Quinn, Daniel Magner, Jake Higgins, Darragh O’Donoghue, Subs, Darragh Cahill, Ryan Ruttle, Jack White, Jack McBride, Andrew Walsh, Tomas Ahern, Volod Stasychak, Mark Sheehan

Premier League

Athlunkard Villa 2
Geraldines 1
Focus in the Premier League this weekend was on the bottom half where a couple of games were scheduled.
Athlunkard Villa registered a crucial win to open up a six-point safety buffer zone following a last gasp win over Geraldines.
Villa took the lead when John Keogh set James Frahill free and his cross was finished off by Danny Taylor.
Dines got back on level terms on the stroke of half time when Jake Leamy converted a spot kick after he had been fouled in the area.

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The visitors had the home side under pressure for much of the second half but some solid defending kept the tie level.
With time running out and a draw looking the likely outcome, a long clearance was picked up by Famara Kassama who used his pace to get in on goal and apply the finish to guarantee his side the three points.
Athlunkard Villa: Robert Power; Darragh Peters; Donie Curtin; Dave Frawley; Ben Dillon; John Keogh; Shane Cope; Lorcan Feeney; James Frahill; Danny Taylor; Famara Kassama, Subs: TJ McDonnell; Klorane Tabot Ndip; Glen Mitchell; Omar Darboe; Cillian Scully.
Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Denis Brophy; Eoin Hanrahan; Aaron Grant; Scott McEvoy; G Ronan; Tony Mambuana; Kian Mitchell; Jake Leamy; Kevin Barry; Leon Johnson, Subs: Alan Keane; Cian Fitzgerald; David Healy Lawlor.

Corbally Utd 0
Nenagh AFC 3
Nenagh leapfrogged Corbally out of the drop zone when they recorded a 3-0 win when the sides met on Sunday.
The scoreline is rather harsh on Corbally who had an even share of possession but the Tipperary side proved more clinical when the chances presented.
Nenagh took the lead after ten minutes when Danile Connolly’s ball into the area was headed into his own net by a Corbally defender.
Corbally were hit on the double a minute later following a superb move by the visitors.
A move started at left full back ended with Dan O’Meara playing the ball across goal for Daniel Connolly to apply the finishing touch.
Corbally went chasing the game but found the visitors back four a solid obstacle.
With four minutes remaining, Bryan McGee played a ball over the top for O’Meara to race through and get the better of the keeper to make it 3-0 for three valuable points.
Corbally Utd: Rob Madigan; Fionn O'Regan; Shane Cox; Eoghan Carr; Liam O'Flynn; Michael White; Eoghan O'Connell; Sean Connolly; Rian Barrett; Alan Doherty; Dave Thompson, Subs: David Madigan; L O'Sullivan; Robert Clancy; Ethan Hannon; Barry O'Sullivan.
Nenagh AFC: Carl Williams; Colm Hayden; Lee Mowatt; Kieran Barr; Bryan McGee; Adam Brennan; Aaron Cusack; Saeed Ryan; Dan O'Meara; Dylan Morrison; Daniel Connolly, Subs: Craig Hilmi; Conor Hannify; Adam Ryan; Matt O'Gorman; Ciaran O'Reilly.

ROUND-UP
The Premier A League is turning into a real thrilling promotion. The weekend’s result leaves just three points between the top seven sides.
On Saturday evening Regional Utd B beat joint leaders Kilmallock 3-1. Jack Flanagan scored for the winners along with a brace from the league's top scorer, Gerry Fitzpatrick.
Kyle Tierney replied for Kilmallock.
The result made Sunday’s game between Newport and Moyross even more important. Luke Ryan gave Newport the lead midway through the half but Adrian Power levelled before the break.
Conor Brett restored Newport’s lead just after the restart but with 20 minutes remaining Jay Ryan equalised for Moyross. Cian Power scored the winner for Moyross eight minutes from time.
Donal O'Connell, Gavin Mullins and Kian Smith were on the mark for Charleville but they fell 5-3 to Aisling Ann B whose scorers were Peter Hempenstall, T Jasinski, Eoghan Brady, Sean Ezekannagha and Ben Kiely.
Shane Power, Trevor Daly, Craig Reddan, Jamie O'Carroll and Jake Vaughan were on the mark for Summerville Rvs in a 5-1 win over Southend.
In Division 1A, Shelbourne are three points clear at the top thanks to a 4-1 win at home to Caherconlish. Eric Carr netted twice for the winners with Adam McGlynn and an own goal making up the tally. Paudie Wixted replied for Caherconlish.
Holycross moved menacingly into third spot with a good 4-3 win at Aisling Annacotty. Alan Nicholas, Jamie Collins and Alex O'Donoghue scored for the home side. Adam Lyons, Sean O'Riordan, Rian McNamara and Pat Mooney accounted for the winning scores. Goals from Ryan Deere and Paddy Quinlan gave Cappamore the spoils in a 2-1 win at Corbally Utd B. Niall McCarthy replied.
Ballynanty Rvs B maintained their three-point lead in Division 1B following a hard earned 2-1 win over Newport B on Saturday evening. Aaron Nunan scored both for Balla with Conor McHugo netting the Newport reply.
On Sunday, Pike kept pace with a 4-2 win at Glenview. Josh Page and Sean Keane scored for Glenview but a Logan O'Byrne double along with David Corbett and Andre Cassio gave Pike the spoils.
Jack McNamara and Paul O'Brien scored the goals in Patrickswell’s 2-0 win at home to Lisnagry A while Croom and Mungret drew 3-3. Scorers were James Martin, JT Tierney and Josh Shinnors for Croom, Ben O'Leary, M Galvin and an own goal for Balla.
In the Mungret Shield, Nenagh B travelled to Waterford but came up a cropper, going down 4-1 to De La Salle. Nenagh B scorer was Dylan Kennedy.
Brazuca United closed the gap on leaders Hyde Rgs following their comfortable victory over Castle Rovers. Rafael Henrique claimed a hat trick for the winners with Christian Baldassi, Matheus Jacome and Guilherme Augusto were also on the mark.
Dean Quinn was also a hat trick scorer, for Moyross B with team mate Anton Hayes also on target. However, Coonagh Utd claimed the spoils scoring six. Ralph Leonard (3), Cian Moloney (2) and Josh Neill were the winning scorers.
Newtown Rovers and Meanus drew 1-1. Kieran Wall and Tom Joyce were the respective scorers.
Division 2B leaders Caherdavin Celtic B kept their title charge on course with a 6-0 win over Geraldines B. Simon Fitzgerald (2), Kevin McNamara, Edwin Saju, Mark Ryan and Daniel Reddan were all on the mark.
Fairview Rgs C beat Mungret Reg C to leapfrog them into second place. Inter county youth player Chad Molloy scored four with Darren Keogh and Stephen Gallagher for the winners. Aled Harkin and Liam Reilly netted for Mungret.
Summerville Rvs B kept intact following a 3-0 win at Murroe B. Al Amin Obasa, Lloyd Woulfe and Chris Quinn goals secured the win
Moyross C beat Balla C 5-0 in Division 3A. Colm O'Mahoney, Glen Woodland, Anton Moran (2) and Keith Colbert scored the winning goals.
In the Youth Premier League there were easy wins for joint leaders Holycross and Aisling over Mungret and Geraldines respectively.
Goals from Conor Hayes 2, James McCarthy, Bryan Nagy, D Barry and Ronan Connolly eased Holycross to victory over Mungret Reg for whom A Hamarneh replied.
Oscar Fitzgerald scored six for Aisling against Dines. Ben Kiely and Cian Finucane also netted with Adam O'Connell replying for Dines. N Robinson and Melvyn Dazie scored for Regional Utd but they conceded seven to a rampant Fairview Rgs XI.
After a four-goal haul for the juniors in the morning, Chad Molloy bagged another three for the youths in this one. Fionn Reid, Zak McInerney and a Darren Keogh double completed the rout.
Jed Robinson was on the mark for Shelbourne but they fell 4-1 to Murroe. Alex Woodland (2), Luke O'Sullivan and Dylan Barry were the winning scorers.
Division One leaders Pike Rvs were held to a draw at Kilmallock. Ronan Collins scored for the home side, Aaron McNamara replied for Pike.
Caherconlish gained ground on the leaders with a 4-0 win over Corbally Utd. Evan Martin (2), Mike Koyce and Conor O'Dwyer were the goal scorers.