Two Limerick teams secure Bowl semi-finals spots at Kennedy Cup at UL

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THE three Limerick sides were back in action this Wednesday evening at the Kennedy Cup in UL as they battled it out in the quarter-finals. 

Limerick Desmond, Limerick District and Limerick County all finished second in their respective groups in the U14 interleague competition, resulting in them competing for the Bowl silverware. 

Limerick County were drawn against North Dublin (NDSL) in their semi-final game. 

NDSL caught County by surprise and got off to a quick start scoring a goal in the first two minutes of the match. 

However, Limerick County battled on in the first-half getting plenty of shots on target, but none hitting the back of the net keeping NDSL 1-0 up. 

However, into the second half and Murroe’s Rían Horgan slotted a goal for Limerick County after 55-minutes to level the game and send the quarter-final to penalties. 

County then held their nerve and won their game by 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to send them through to the semi-finals. 

In a local Limerick derby, Desmond was paired with District  in another quarter-final with a Bowl semi-final spot up for grabs.

Desmond enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening quarter, but District did well in defence to keep them at bay. 

Both sides struggled to get shots off with defence being a major feature in the first-half and the score remaining 0-0.

However, Limerick District’s Michael Omojoefodun scored two consecutive goals near the end of regular time to put his team ahead.

However, a resilient Desmond side responded with goals from Michael Kirby and Brooklyn Delahunty to level the game at 2-2. 

The Limerick rivals were then involved in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out but it was Limerick District that pulled through in the end, 4-5, to book their place in Thursday's Bowl semi-final at the Kennedy Cup at UL.

Limerick District will now face local rivals Limerick County in the Bowl semi-finals at UL tomorrow, Thursday, with a 5pm kick-off.

In the other Bowl semi-final, which takes place at 3pm, the South Belfast League will face the Cavan Monaghan League.

The final of the Bowl competition will take place at UL on Friday.

Results:

Limerick County 1 NDSL 1

(Limerick County win 4-2 on pens)

Limerick Desmond 2 Limerick District 2 

(District win 5-4 on pens)

Squad Details: 

Limerick District:  

Players: Jake Carmody, Dylan Kett, Aaron McNamara, Ruairi Bulman (All Fairview Rangers), Jack O’Donoghue, Ken Griffin, Adi O’Meara, Uchenna Obi Kabi (All Aisling Annacotty), Cian Robertson, Michael Omojoefodun, Daithi Mullins, Nathan Robinson (All Regional Utd), Brian Moroney, Shane Moloughney (All Lisnagry), Darragh Kirwan, Colin McNamara (All Caherdavin Celtic), Ruaidhri Mitchell (Corbally Utd), Michael Carey (Mungret Regional), Mduduzi Ncube (Limerick FC), Bryan Mambouana (Pike Rovers). 

Management: Manager Noel O’Connor; Assistant Manager Aidan Ryan; Physio Barry Heffernan; GK Coach JJ Hartigan; Coach Sean Heagney.

Limerick County: 

Players: Shay McCarthy, Gavin O’Brien, Ronan Collins, Joshua Wormald (All Kilmallock), Paddy O’Dwyer (Herbestown), Conor Reardan, Kevin Kearns, John O’Riordan, Ronan Connelly, Dan Barry (All Holycross), Bryan Nagy, Jamie O’Toole (All Charleville), Ben Corbett, Sam Mitchell (Knockainey), Eoin O’Connell (Cullen), Calum Compton (Galbally), Conor O’Mahony (Croom), William Ryan, Rian Horgan, Donagh Horgan (All Murroe) 

Management: Manager Noel Corbett; Coach Adam Reardan; Coach Peter Kearns; Coach John Connelly; Goalkeeping Coach Andrew Wormald; Sports Injury Therapist PJ Mahony. 

Limerick Desmond: 

Players: Zach Bennis, Cian Barry, Brooklyn Delahunty, Thomas McMahon (All Dromore Utd), Rowan Collins, Eamon O’Sullivan, Charlie McCarthy, Michael Kirby, Andrew Johnson (All Shountrade AFC), Mikolaj Pater, Matthew Walshe, Tiarnan Kelly (All Newcastle West Town), John Ross O’Reilly, Eoin Hennessy, Ryan Foley (All Breska Rovers), Sheagh Mulvihill, Dylan Buckely (All GB Rovers), Aaron Murphy (Abbeyfeale Utd), Ben Hough (Creeves Celtic), Sean O’Flynn (Broadford Utd). 

Management: Manager Niall O’Connor; Assistant coach Tommy O’Connor; Coach Kevin Taylor; Goalkeeping Coach Jason Quinn; Physio Alan Loftus.