Creeves and Rathkeale advance in Limerick Desmond Cup ties

THERE was quarter-final places up for grabs in the Desmond Cup in the weekend action. Two of the last-16 clashes were all Premier Division ties, as Rathkeale and Creeves Celtic progressed to the last eight.

Rathkeale, beaten in the semi-final last year, edged beyond Abbeyfeale United, 1-0, on home soil. In a super tight contest, Jack Hennessey popped up with the winner in the second half. Breska Rovers B or Abbeyfeale’s B team await in the last eight.

Creeves Celtic progressed when managing a 1-0 win over their own against Newcastle West Town in the Demense. Having lost out to the same side in the league last month, Celtic ensured they got back to winning ways. Kevin Meade’s second half effort sending Celtic through.

Their opposition will be Broadford United, who eventually saw off the challenge of Askeaton Kilcornan, 5-2. Easing into a 3-0 lead, thanks to Alan Fitzpatrick, Seán Brosnan and Jack Pierce, United were dragged back into a contest thanks to Kenneth O’Donoghue and Colm O’Flaherty. This scoreline remained either side of the break before Michael Brosnan and Adam O’Kelly killed any hope of a huge comeback.

Glin Rovers needed a pair of late goals to get over Division Three’s Carrig Celtic. An own goal put the Premier side ahead, but Celtic tied the game nearing half-time. But John Wallace and Gary Culhane’s penalty ensured the 2023 runners-up are in the last eight.

Glin will meet Breska Rovers, who had a 4-0 win over Askeaton Kilcornan B on home soil. Mark Moroney, Scott Quaide, Leigh Doolan and an own goal accounted for the scoring, which all came in the first half.

Holders Dromore United and Newcastle West Town Reserves will have to do it all over again, this after a 2-2 draw – the pitch in Pallaskenry became unplayable, which saw the referee call a halt. Newcastle had been reduced to 10 at this stage.

In a re-fixed first round clash, Granagh United had too much for Glin Rovers B. Paudie Murphy, Con Dillon, Dan Shelton debutant Adam Hourigan got on the scoresheet, while in reply came a penalty from Cian Culhane. Neighbours Feenagh await in round two.

In the Riedy Cup first round, St. Ita’s received a walkover from Ballysteen. In the second round ties, Shannonside got the better of Abbeyfeale United, 3-0, while Ballingarry B shaded a derby clash with Feenagh, 2-1. The latter was played at league headquarters, Mick Hanley Park, Clounreask.

There was a handful of league games played. In Division One, Ballingarry moved four points clear at the top, and nearer to promotion with a 5-1 win over Rathkeale. Adam Hickey, Mark Danaher, Eoin Lynch, Aaron Smith and Mike Molloy were all on target.

In Division Two, Mountcollins collected maximum points with a 5-1 win over Shountrade. In the bottom tier, the meeting of Dromore United B and Breska Rovers B was postponed while Glantine were defeated 3-1 by Kilcolman Rovers.

In Youths football, the headline news was Broadford United progressing to the Division One League final, thanks to a 5-4 aggregate win over Dromore United – the second leg, finished 2-2. However, at the weekend, Broadford fell to a 5-1 away loss to Askeaton Kilcornan in the League Cup.

In the Division Two Cup, Glin Rovers won 5-0 away to Breska, while Division Three League Cup saw Ballingarry trounce Rathkeale, 9-0, and Shountrade got better of Athea United, 3-1. In U17’s Desmond Cup first round, Breska Rovers had too much for Rathkeale, 6-1.