Limerick Desmond League - FAI Cup previews

There are six Limerick Desmond League teams left in the FAI Junior Cup 3rd round, which takes place on Sunday.

At least two of them will progress to the fourth round, the last round before the competition goes to the open draw, as there are two all-local ties. In the other two games, Kerry Premier A sides provide the opposition.

Ballingarry (Premier) v St. Brendan’s Park (Kerry Premier A)

This is the fourth time this season that St. Brendan’s Park will have faced a Limerick Desmond side. They won 3-0 at home to Broadford United in the first round of the Munster FA League Champions Trophy, while they recorded away victories against Carrig Celtic and Pallaskenry in the first two rounds of this competition.

Ballingarry go into the tie as Premier Division leaders, having overtaken Newcastle West after their 3-2 victory away to Newcastle West Rovers last Sunday. With players such as Francis Kiely, Denis Kelly, Marcus Moore and Darragh O’Grady in good form and being able to welcome back goalkeeper Patrick Kenrick, defender Colm Kiely and striker Kevin Forde, Ballingarry have a decent chance of capitalising on home advantage but the vote still goes to the reigning Kerry Premier A Champions to continue their dominance over Limerick Desmond sides.

Forecast: St. Brendan’s Park.

Classic FC (Kerry Premier A) v Rathkeale (Premier)

Classic FC were promoted to the top flight in Kerry last season and are currently in the bottom half of the table.

Rathkeale had a disappointing day last Sunday when they were well outplayed by Killeaney in a 1-0 away defeat. Their chances of victory in Tralee haven’t been helped by the fact they will be without their first and second choice goalkeepers, Johnny Mooney and Colin Barry, and centre-half David Mooney. B-team goalkeeper, Brendan Carmody, is expected to deputise between the posts.

Rathkeale have formidable attacking players in the likes of Davy Lyons, Alan O’Shea and Steven Power but, in light of the defensive uncertainty surrounding Sunday’s selection, the verdict goes to the hosts.

Forecast: Classic FC

Killeaney (Premier) v Broadford United (Premier)

Broadford United’s league form, with only one defeat, is far superior to Killeaney, who have lost four league games, including a 2-0 defeat away to Broadford. Everyone expects Broadford to finish well ahead of Killeaney in the Premier Division table come the end of the season but the beauty of Cup matches is that it’s all about what happens on the day.

For Killeaney to beat Broadford in any match, circumstances have to be in their favour. They are certainly favoured in terms of team selection, due in no small part to what transpired in the County Senior Football replay between Newcastle West and Drom-Broadford last Friday evening. As readers will be well aware, Newcastle West lost in extra-time, which meant that Jamie Lee and Dara Woods, who had been focusing exclusively on football, are now available for selection again. With Shane Fitzgerald and Sean Neville also expected to return, Killeaney expect to be at full-strength.

Broadford, on the other hand, will be without Mike Clancy, Gary Egan, Micheal Brosnan and player-manager Ray Lynch, all of whom will be playing with Drom-Broadford on Sunday against Cork Champions, Castlehaven, in the Munster Club Championship in Clonakilty. Things could become worse if goalkeeper Gearoid Greaney and Seamsus Brosnan, subs for Drom-Broadford, also opt for the football. What’s more, GAA commitments may also deprive Broadford of Newtownshandrum hurler, John Paul King, and Feenagh man, Brian Hannigan.

The loss of at least four key players represents a major test of Broadford’s strength in depth. This was a test that they passed with flying colours when they won 5-0 at home to Newcastle West Rovers on the day of the draw County Football.

Killeaney will represent a stiffer test but, allowing that they don’t suffer any injuries on the day, I think that Broadford’s starting eleven will be strong enough to prevail.

Forecast: Broadford United.

Abbeyfeale United (Premier) v Newcastle West (Premier)

This is the second of at least four meetings between Abbeyfeale United and Newcastle West this season as they have also been drawn together in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup and they have to meet once more in the League, Newcastle West having recorded a lucky 1-0 away victory in the first clash on the opening evening of the season.

Following the defeat of the Newcastle West footballers to Drom-Broadford, Paul Slater and Eddie Brouder should be able to welcome back Donncha Woods, Mike O’Keeffe and the Quilligan brothers, Mike and Thomas Quilligan. Noel Murphy, another member of the football panel, should return in goals, allowing Keith Power, who deputised in the memorable 5-5 draw away to Ballingarry, to play outfield. If all these players do return, it will be hard to prevent Newcastle West from maintaining their unbeaten record in all competitions this season.

Abbeyfeale United were unlucky not to get at least a point when they entertained Newcastle West at the end of August and they can be expected to provide even tougher opposition on this occasion as they will be able to include excellent midfielder, Joe Kelliher, who was unavailable until Fr. Casey’s were knocked out of the football at the end of September. Managers Tony Stout and Peter McGill expect to have a full panel on duty, including top scorer, Barry Sheehy, who is serving a league suspension but is available to play in the FAI Junior Cup and Munster Junior Cup.

Trailing Newcastle West by seven points, with a game more played, Abbeyfeale United will be underdogs on Sunday but they also bore that tag in the second round and overcame it to win 2-1 away to Clare kingpins, Newmarket Celtic, thanks to a brace from Sheehy.

I think that this game is a toss-up. Home advantage could be significant but Newcastle West will be able to point to the fact that they have won in Riverside already this season, without being at their best and without talisman Tony Quaid, who was suspended. Abbeyfeale’s defence looks more secure but Newcastle West might have greater strength in attack, especially if Daniel Power and Seoirse Joyce are paired together up front. The midfield match-up has all the appearance of an even battle.

Toss the coin. Heads for Newcastle West, tails for Abbeyfeale. It’s heads.

Forecast: Newcastle West