Limerick District come up short in Bowl final after excellent week at Kennedy Cup

LIMERICK District Schoolboy League (LDSL) came up short in their bid to claim some silverware at UL on Friday afternoon after going down 2-0 to the South Belfast Youth Football League in their Bowl final at the Kennedy Cup.

A goal in either half for South Belfast proved the difference between the sides in this Bowl final which was played in wet, greasy conditions.

It was a disappointing end to what has been an excellent week for the LDSL side, which claimed a 10th-place finish overall, at the Kennedy Cup this week.

District had showed admirable composure to win three of their games on penalty shoot-outs, including two against local rivals, Limerick County and Limerick Desmond in the knock-out stages, and so secure their place in Friday's Bowl final.

The opening half was extremely tight with Limerick District making most of the running in the game. The opening goal was always going to be crucial and it fell to the Belfast side on 29 minutes when Rory Magee fired his side into a 1-0 interval lead just two minutes after District had come within a whisker of opening the scoring from a free-kick with hit the side-netting.

South Belfast then took a grip on the game in the 39th minute when the in-form Zak Magowan added their second goal of the game. It was Magowan's sixth goal of the week at UL.

District fought bravely in a bid to find a goal which would have brought them back into the contest. However, South Belfast held firm and maintained their two goal advantage until full-time.

After the game, Limerick District manager Noel O'Connor, although disappointed with the result, was proud of how his side had performed through the week at UL.

"When you are in a final you obviously want to win it. We knew that South Belfast were the best team of that tier. They play a lovely brand of football.

"We did our homework, I felt we really nullified them, particularly in the first half. They seem to get very frustrated with what we were doing. There wasn't a lot of chances, but we looked kinda the more dangerous team certainly on the break.

"They saw goals change matches and certainly that first goal had a big impact on us.

"Overall, this week, the players have learned so much. It is a high level, no doubt about it. I know that more than anyone.

"The amount they have learned in terms of their organisation, what they should be eating, how they recover, they have made friends for life and they have won three penalty shoot-outs in a row.

"This is the first time I have managed since 2019. Look, as you know, I have been involved at a high level, we have managed in the League of Ireland, won trophies. When I was in Cork we played in Europe so I have been to all those places and I have to say I really always enjoy the challenge of the Kennedy Cup week."

Elsewhere, on the final day of the Kennedy Cup, Limerick County lost out 3-2 to Cavan Monaghan in their play-off game to claim a 12th place finish in the 30-team tournament.

County hit the front with a goal from Brian Nagy on 10 minutes. However, the Ulster side hit back with three goals, including one form the penalty spot to lead 3-1 at the interval.

To their credit, Limerick County were right back in the contest in the 39th minute when Ben Corbett scored. However, Cavan Monaghan held onto their one goal advantage to claim victory.

Meanwhile, Limerick Desmond suffered a 2-0 defeat to the North Dublin Schoolboy League in their play-off game, ending up in 14th spot overall. The Dubliners scored a goal in either half to claim victory.

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.