Complete Limerick District League round-up as FAI Junior Cup takes centre stage

FAI JUNIOR CUP

Mungret Regional 3 Holycross 3
(Mungret won 4-3 on pens aet)

THE FAI Junior Cup kicked off this weekend with results more or less going to script.

Premier side Mungret Regional were pushed all the way in their home clash with Division 1A side Holycross before progressing thanks to a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win.

The home side took the lead through a Cian McNicholas penalty on thirteen minutes but the visitors were back on level terms ten minutes later, again from a spot kick, courtesy of Niall O’Riordan.

Adam Lyons scored a minute later to put Holycross into the lead and with 25 minutes remaining O’Riordan scored again as the Premier side looked in trouble.

An immediate response saw Kieran Long reduce the deficit to one and the same player equalised ten minutes from time to send the game to extra time.

READ NEXT: Limerick champions Ballybrown celebrate All-Ireland Junior 'B' hurling series final victory

With no further goals, penalties were required to separate the sides and Mungret keeper Daniel Doyle came up trumps with two good saves to see his side through.

Mungret Reg: Daniel Doyle; Conor Myers; Mark Barrett; Aaron Long; Darragh Killian; Mark Patterson; Kian Barry; Conor Madden; Hamza Selman Celik; Kieran Long; Cian McNicholas. Subs: Danny McCarthy; Evan Barrett; A Hamarneh; Sean O’Sullivan; Gavin Mellerick; Conor O’Leary.

Nenagh AFC 5 Athlunkard Villa 4

THE ONLY all-Premier clash in the FAI produced a nine-goal thriller, with Nenagh edging out visitors Athlunkard Villa to progress.

Nenagh’s started brightly and took the lead when Dylan Morrison scored after ten minutes. Villa responded well and turned the game around thanks to goals from Lorcan Feeny and Sean Markham both created by Diarmuid Grimes.

Adam Ryan levelled the game at 2–2 but a minute later Danny Taylor restored Villa’s advantage. With the half time whistle pending Colm Hayden scored to ensure the sides went in all square at the break.

Two own goals in as many minutes midway through the second half put Nenagh 5-3 ahead but to their credit Villa never gave up, and a strike from Famara Kassama set up a tense finale. Nenagh held firm to secure the victory.

Nenagh AFC: Oisin Conacur; Colm Hayden; Saeed Ryan; Kieran Barr; Lee Mowatt; Pa Steed; Adam Brennan; Dan O’Meara; Dylan Morrison; Adam Ryan; Daniel Connolly. Subs: Matt O’Gorman; Aaron Cusack; Eoin Coffey; Bryan McGee; M Manley; B Tracey.

Athlunkard Villa: Robert Power; Ben Dillon; Donie Curtin; D Grimes; Dave Frawley; Shane Cope; John Keogh; Lorcan Feeney; Sean Markham; Danny Taylor; Famara Kassama. Subs: TJ McDonnell; James Frahill; Cillian Scully; Colin Nolan; Omar Darboe; Darragh Peters.

Fairview Rgs A 3 Star Rvs 1

HOLDERS Fairview Rgs qualified for round three of the competition but were made earn their passage against a hard-working Star Rvs XI at the Fairgreen on Sunday.

When Darragh Rainsford put the home side ahead after five minutes you feared the worst for the visitors. More so when the were reduced to ten men two minutes later.

However dogged defending kept them in the tie and five minutes from half time Willon scored for Star to send the sides in level at the break. Rainsford scored again midway through the second half to restore Fairview’s lead and on 73 minutes Yoyo Mahdy secured the win.

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Danny O’Neill; Blake Curran; Ryan Bowden; Jake Dillon; Jeffery Judge; Shane Duggan; Josh McCarthy; Darragh Rainsford; Brian Aherne; Adam Dore. Subs: Yoyo Mahdy; Oleg Vysochan; Cian McNamara; Thomas O’Connor.

Newport 1 Regional Utd 2

REGIONAL Utd stalwart Kieran O’Connell delivered the goods again on Sunday with both goals in a 2-1 win over Newport.

The long serving midfielder is on a hot streak in front of goal of late and he put Regional ahead on the half hour mark after good work by Eoin Duff.

Newport bounced back and levelled two minutes before the break through Callum O’Connell. Defences were well on top and it looked like we were heading for extra time when Regional were awarded an injury time penalty kick. O’Connell kept his nerve to convert and send his side through.

Newport: Jimmy Fyffe; Killian O’Malley; Callum O’Connell; Christy O’Connor; Peter O’Sullivan; Darren Collins; Pa Murtagh; Aaron Coleman; Brian O’Sullivan; Ciaran Carey; Paul Ryan. Subs: Dave O’Brien; Luke Ryan; Jamie Kavanagh; Sean Bonfield; Eoin Looney; Elliot Slattery; Conor Brett.

Regional Utd: Cian O’Brien; Sean Madigan; Tom Frawley; Ewan O’Brien; Joe Lavin; Eoin Duff; Kieran O’Connell; G Cobbs-Sarko; Dylan Kelly-Higgins; John Forson; P Carmody. Subs: Alex Keating; Jack Flanagan, Mark Sheehan.

Ballynanty Rovers 4 Parkville 1

BALLYNANTY Rvs advanced as expected against near neighbours Parkville at Ballynanty Park on Sunday.

Two early goals from Kane Connolly took the sting out of the tie and while Joe Kiely pulled on back, Leon Kirrane netted to restore Balla’s two goal advantage.

Parkville battled gamely and Balla struggled to break them down until the final minutes when Eddie Byrnes put an added gloss on the scoreline.

Ballynanty Rovers: Tommy Holland; Adam O’Regan; Calum Kiely; Adam Costello; Josh Adams; Leon Kirrane; Eddie Byrnes; Vinny Ryan; Jamie Greaves; Kane Connolly; Gavin Hehir. Subs: Shane Walsh; Cian Lynch; Kevin Laffan; Thomas Byrnes; Alex Kiely; Dallgunn Amgalen.

Corbally Utd 6 Charleville 2

Corbally overcame a potential banana skin in style with the visit of Charleville to Athlunkard.

Shane Cox put Corbally in front with an early goal but the visitors levelled through Jason Collins ten minutes later. Two goals from Sean Kiely had Corbally in control by the break and after the restart Eoghan Carr put the home side further ahead.

Aaron O’Connor pulled one back for Charleville but Kiely completed his hat trick and Eoghan O’Connell also netted to secure Corbally’s win.

Corbally Utd: Rob Madigan; Fionn O’Regan; Shane Cox; Eoghan Carr; Michael White; Rhys Barry; Eoghan O’Connell; Sean Connolly; Sean Kiely; Alan Doherty; Dave Thompson. Subs: Ethan Hannon; David Madigan; Barry O’Sullivan; L O'Sullivan; Liam O’Flynn; Adrian Finnin

Lough Derg 0 Aisling Annacotty 8

LOUGH Derg will be forgiven for hoping the never see Aisling again.

Last week’s 9-0 defeat was followed up by an 8-0 loss on Sunday in the FAI.

Adam Foley was tormentor in chief with four goals, Sean Ezekannagha bagged a hat trick while Joel Coustrain made up the tally.

Aisling Annacotty: Charlie Lane; Jamie Halpin; David Moloney; Sean O’hAodha; Conor Carew; Jack Aherne; Donnacha O’Leary; D Brennan; Sean Ezekannagha; Adam Foley; Sean Oyibo. Subs: Alex Cuddy; Oscar Omorodian; Raid Mouras; Joel Coustrain; Cian Finucane.

Brazuca 0 Janesboro 8

JANESBORO also hit eight without reply when they played Brazuca in UL.

Josh Toomey and Aodh O’Hanluain scored two apiece along with Graham Bourke.

Substitute M Lynch also scored a double with Shane Clarke completing the scoring.

Janesboro: Aaron O’Sullivan; Ryan Mawdsley; Gavin Carrick; Shane O’Brien; Eoghan Burke; Josh Toomey; Kai Joyce; Graham Bourke; Aodh O’Hanluain; Fionn O’Leary; Rubin McCarthy, Subs: M Lynch; Shane Clarke; Adam Finn; E Brady.

Summerville Rvs 2 Murroe 1

SUMMERVILLE Rvs recorded a win over a very good Murroe side to progress in the national tournament. Scoreless at the break, Kyle Molloy put Rovers in front five minutes after the restart from a penalty kick.

On the hour mark substitute Cillian O’Shea scored to level the tie but with seven minutes remaining Jamie Cross struck the winner for Summerville.

Shelbourne 2 Croom 0

SHELBOURNE carried their good form into the FAI Junior Cup with a 2-0 win over Croom Utd at the LPYMA grounds on Sunday.

Good work by Brian Fitzgerald created the opening for George Barry to break the deadlock on 65 minutes. Croom continued to be a threat and the contest was not sorted until Inan Cullen’s last-minute goal killed off the challenge.

Moyross 5 Prospect Priory 2

MOYROSS v Prospect was evenly poised until Adrian Power’s delivery saw a defender score an own goal to put Moyross ahead.

Just before the break Jay Ryan added a second for the home side. Jamie Hogan pulled one back for Prospect midway through the second half but the home side finished strongest, adding scores from Stephen Hannon, Lee Quinn and Andrew Leydon.

Shane Byrne scored a second for Prospect.

TUOHY CUP SEMI-FINAL

Fairview Rgs 6 Regional Utd 0

FAIRVIEW Rgs reached the final of the Tuohy Cup with a surprisingly easy win over reining champions Regional United at Jackman Park on Wednesday evening.

The league leaders were untouchable on the night as they over ran the opposition, who were obviously still hurting, physically and mentally. From last weekend’s agonising Munster semi-final defeat to Coachford.

The Blues took just seven minutes to break the deadlock when good work by Darragh Rainsford ended with Yoyo Mahdy netting the first of a hat-trick of goals.

Jeffery Judge teed up Cian McNamara for a second four minutes later and after twenty minutes Darragh Rainsford put the contest to bed from Oleg Vysochan’s pass.

Any hopes of a United recovery were dashed ten minutes after the restart when Mahdy grabbed a second. Mahdy turned provider after the hour mark when Josh McCarthy applied the finish and with five minutes remaining Mahdy completed his hat trick and Regional’s misery with the final score.

Fairview now await the winners of Tuesday other semi final between Aisling and Geraldines with the final penciled in for Monday March 16 at 7pm in Jackman Park.

Fairview Rgs: Aaron Savage; Danny O’Neill; Blake Curran; Thomas O’Connor; Jake Dillon; Jeffery Judge; Shane Duggan; Cian McNamara; Yoyo Mahdy; Darragh Rainsford; Oleg Vysochan. Subs: Josh McCarthy; Adam Dore; David Lynch; Jack Duggan.

Regional Utd: Cian O’Brien; Sean Madigan; Jack O’Donovan; Ewan O’Brien; Joe Lavin; Eoin Duff; Kieran O’Connell; Muhsin Jelle; G Cobbs-Sarko; Alex Keating; Dylan Kelly- Higgins. Subs: Jake Power; John Forson.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Pike Rovers 1 Geraldines 2

GERALDINES recorded a rare win in the Pike Field on Sunday when Tony Mammbuana’s late goal secured a 2-1 win over the home side.

The points won give Geraldines a seven-point cushion from the danger zone and current tenants Corbally. Geraldines took the lead two minutes before the break.

A good break by Jonathan Moran saw him trade passes with Cian Fitzgerald before blasting home from the edge of the box.
Pike responded immediately and Dylan Murphy bundled in Leon Daly’s cross to send the sides in level at the break.

With a share of the spoils looking likely, Leon Jonson delivered a corner into the danger zone, Former Pike favourite Kevin Barry let fly and his shot was deflected to the net by Tony Mambuana to the delight of the visiting fans.

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Brendan O’Dwyer; Ethan Joyce; Robbie Williams; Eddie O’Donovan; Daniel Cullen; Leon Daly; Jack Croke; Dylan Murphy; Aaron Murphy; Joe Murphy, Subs: Conail Stapleton; Bryan Mambouana; Aaron Hough; Jack Meaney; Jamie Mitchell.

Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Jonathan Moran; Scott McEvoy; Jack O'Doherty; Eoin Hanrahan; Gareth Ronan; Ousman Darboe; Tony Mambuana; Cian Fitzgerald; Aaron Grant; Leon Johnson, Subs: Alan Keane; Denis Brophy; Kevin Barry.

ROUND-UP

THERE was no luck for Limerick sides in national and provincial action.

In the Munster Youth Cup semi-final, Fairview lost 2-1 to Leeside Utd in Cobh on Saturday evening. The Cork side led 2-0 when Fairview pulled one back through a Chad Molloy penalty late in the game.

Pike Rovers were in FAI Under 17 action, away to top Dublin side St. Joseph’s AFC. The Hoops have it their all but fell to a 4-0 defeat.

In Division 1A, leaders Herbertstown moved seven points clear following a 7-0 win over Caherconlish. Former Pallas striker, David Ryan scored four times for his new outfit with Bradley McNamara, David Hannon and C Higgins also obliging.

At the other end of the table Ballylanders eased their worries with a 3-0 win over Aisling Annacotty D. Rob McLoughlin, Shane O’Donoghue and Josh Aherne were the winning scorers.

The top of the table clash in Division 1B produced a thriller on Saturday evening when Pike Rvs B beat leaders Ballynanty Rvs B 4-3 to set up a thrilling run in.

David Donnan gave Balla the lead after ten minutes but Logan O’Byrne levelled the tie six minutes later.

Balla’ restored their lead almost immediately through Derek Daly but the Hoops battled back again and levelled through Dylan O’Neill.

In first half injury time David Healy Lawlor tilted the tie in Pike’s favour. An own goal midway through the second half increased Pike’s advantage but Aaron Nunan’s penalty kick set up a thrilling finish. Pike held on to take three vital points. Pike now trail Balla by eleven points but have four games in hand on the leaders.

Steve Daly and Dylan Kennedy netted for Nenagh B but they went down 3-2 to Lisnagry who had scorers in Niall McGrath, Adam Stuart and AJ Gray. Paul O’Brien, Pat Kirby and Jason Gillane scored for Patrickswell while Josh Sheehy (2) and Mike O’Keeffe obliged for Kilfrush in a 3-3 draw.

In Division 2A, goals from Nick Hayes 2 and Liam Bermingham helped Herbertstown B to a 3-0 win over Cappamore.
Leonard Casey Plunkett scored both in Abbey’s 2-1 win at Castle Rvs while Moyross beat Newtown 3-1. Wayne Collin, Leon Fitzgerald and John Mitchell scored for the winners; R Delgado replied.

Fairview Rgs B go top in Division 2B following their 2-1 win over Murroe B. Jordan Kelliher and Ethan O’Sullivan scored for the leaders.

R Phillips was on target for Geraldines bit they fell 4-1 to Summerville with scores from Martin Fitzgerald 2, Darragh Slattery and Stephen Scanlon.

Murroe C’s 3-3 draw with Castle Utd ensures they will be promoted this season. Jack Donnelly scored a hat trick for the leaders. John Heffernan, D Barry and Shane Philpott replied for Castle.

CJ Considine netted a brace for Ballynanty Rvs C but they fell 4-2 to Knockainey whose scores came from Brian Blackwell, Rory Reale, A Buckley and David Hannigan.

Braoin Cleary and Riley Smith Coonan were on the mark for Lough Derg B in their 2-2 draw with Moyross for whom Anton Moran and Danny Sheehan obliged.

In the Under 17 Premier League, Holycross fell to their first defeat going down 5-4 to Caherdavin Celtic. Ali Zaidi, Yevhen Teliatnikov, D Barry and C Donnelly obliged for Holycross but a C McNamara double as well as K Lelito, Dean Graham and an own goal gave Celtic the win.

Aisling Annacotty A closed the gap with a 5-0 win over Fairview Rgs courtesy of goals from P Edroso, Aaron Guerin, Ewan Coulter and two from S Moloughney.

In Division One, leaders Charleville beat Pike Rvs B 2-0 with scores from Gabriel Sousa Araujo and Jamie O’Toole. Goals from S Wallace 2, O Shanahan, G O’Shaughnessy and G McWey helped Lough Derg A to a 5-3 win over Aisling Annacotty B for whom Dion Phayer, Tadhg Fitzpatrick and Mark O’Donnell netted while Newport beat Corbally Utd. S Murphy scored the only goal.

In Division 2, leaders Herbertstown beat challengers Caherconlish 4-2. Ben Corbett, Robbie Keogh, and D Mulcahy 2 accounted for the winning scores. Mike Koyce and Ryan Mannion replied.