Limerick District League Premier Division title race goes to last day of season

Limerick District League Premier League Games:

THE Premier League will go down to the last match of the season on Saturday evening when Pike Rvs host Fairview Rgs.

Tuesday evening’s action saw the leading two pick up full points but neither side had an easy ride. Pike just edged out Regional in a five goal game in Dooradoyle while Fairview Rgs edged out Ballynanty Rvs thanks to an early goal from Conor Ellis. 

Pike, who lead their rivals by one point, had Colm Walsh O'Loughlin to thank for keeping their advantage intact. The winger was brilliant on the night, scoring two stunning goals as well as being taken down in the area to present Shane Clarke with a spot kick which he converted in style.

Walsh O'Loughlin was scintillating and he opened the lead early on after waltzing past a couple of challenges, cut inside and fired into the top corner. 

Another mazy run ended with him being tripped in the box and Clarke blasted in the resultant penalty. Pike were coasting but a momentary lapse saw Kieran O’Connell pounce to reduce the deficit.

After the break, Regional went in search of an equaliser and got their reward when that man, O’Connell was in the right spot to deflect the ball past Gary Neville. 

Pike were rattled and but for a superb save by Neville from Eoin Duff, they would have fallen behind.

Regional were reduced to ten for the last quarter and looked like they would hold out until Clarke sent Walsh O'Loughlin away on the left and in a near replica of the opener he struck a crucial winner.

Fairview knew they would not get things easy away to Ballynanty Rvs and there was much delight when Irish International Conor Ellis fired them ahead in the opening minutes.

That proved to be the only goal of a tight game so now it’s all eyes on Saturday’s fixtures with the Blues needing a win to win the title.

 
Healy-Webb Premier A Cup Final

Newport 2 Fairview Rgs B 1
Newport made amends for slipping up in the run-in for the Premier A League by capturing the Healy-Webb Cup by virtue of a 2-1 win over Fairview Rgs at Jackman Park on Tuesday evening.

A goal within four minutes by Brian O’Sullivan put Newport on their way and when Jay Ryan doubled the lead midway through the half the win look on.

However, Paudie Walsh pulled one back before half time to make things less comfortable for the Tipperary side, but in the end they held out for a memorable win for the club.

Newport had the perfect start when a penalty kick inside four minutes presented Brian O’Sullivan with the opportunity and he made no mistake to put Newport in front. 

Newport had Fairview on the back foot in the first quarter and made it count on 23 minutes when Eoin Looney sent Elliot Slattery free and he put a fine ball across the six-yard box where top scorer Jay Ryan rose highest to head home. 

Fairview responded well and went close to pulling one back when Craig Madigan’s shot was well saved by Newport keeper Seamus O’Regan.

Eight minutes from the break Christy Doyle picked out Jay Ryan who was denied a second goal by the upright and an immediate breakaway saw Christian Mubiala’s clearance reach Shane O’Brien and he crossed into the area where Paudie Walsh headed in to make it 2-1.

Just after the restart Aaron Hough and Shane O'Brien combined to set up Zak Sheehan but O’Regan was again to the rescue for Newport.

With twenty minutes remaining Fairview were reduced to ten and with Slattery and Peter O’Sullivan bossing things at the back, Newport held on to capture the beautiful Healy-Webb trophy.

Newport: Seamus O'Regan; Eoin Looney; Pa Murtagh; Elliot Slattery; Peter O'Sullivan; Sean O'Brien; James Lynch; Cillian O'Shea; Jay Ryan; Christy Doyle; Brian O'Sullivan. Subs: Killian O'Malley; Jimmy Fyffe; Dan Egan; Luke Ryan; David Ryan; Harry Ryan.

Fairview Rgs B: Bobby Tier; Dean Kirwin; Riann O'Connell; Christian Mubiala; Craig Madigan; Dean Shinnors; Aaron Hough; Shane O'Brien; Paudie Walsh; Igor Vasylenko; Zak Sheehan. Subs: Kyle Mullins; Ben O'Shaughnessy; Tyrique McNamara; Matt Tepou; Leon Johnson; Cael Gaffney.