Desmond Cup games take centre stage in Limerick Desmond League action

THERE was a trio of Desmond Cup games as well as an important Premier Division clash last weekend, theses among a handful of Desmond League games which survived Storm Kathleen last weekend.

Glin Rovers and Broadford United progressed to the semi-finals of the Desmond Cup, where they will meet each other. It took a brace of Jack Sheahan goals to edge Glin beyond Breska Rovers in Clarina. His first, scrambled home from a corner kick, was on the hour mark, the second directly from a corner on the other wing, sealed the win.

Broadford United, who fell at the quarter-final stage last season, had no such troubles this time, seeing off Creeves Celtic 3-1 away from home. Leading 2-1 at half-time thanks to Jack Pierce and Brian Sullivan, it took a second from Pierce to shake off the Celtic challenge, whose goal was scored by Eoin McEnery.

Meanwhile, in a re-fixed last-16 tie, holders Dromore United prevailed 1-0 away to Newcastle West Town Reserves. Anthony Dabraynets free-kick was decisive, while the home side finished with ten men following a poor challenge on the United keeper.

Newcastle West’s first team moved top of the pile with exactly 50% of their games played. Joining Rathkeale and Creeves following a 4-1 home win over Athea United, the Magpies have slowly keep themselves in the title hunt. Goals from Jack Duggan (2), Dylan Moloney and Jake Power were enough against the basement side Athea. The visitors had cut the deficit to 2-1, when Danny Stack finished a penalty, after Shane Mulvihill was fouled.

Meanwhile, Ballingarry moved 10 points clear in the second tier, after a facile 5-1 away win against Glin Rovers. Aaron Smith (2), Eoin Lynch, David Geary, own goal were their goal scorers, with Ger Riordan in reply.

In Division Two, Shountrade and Abbeyfeale shared four goals equally, while Knockaderry collected a much needed 5-1 home win over Mountcollins. Carrig Celtic moved further clear at the top of Division Three, following a 3-1 home success against Dromore United B.