Breska and Rathkeale advance in Limerick Desmond League's Premier Division League Cup

DESPITE the poor weather threatening many of the pitches around Limerick, the majority of the Limerick Desmond League fixtures survived last weekend.

League Cup action was once again prominent as the four semi-finalists in the top table were confirmed. Meanwhile, in the tiers below, the semi-final pairings are known while there was some league action also.

The Premier Division League Cup Group A concluded with perhaps one of the most surprising scorelines of the season thus far. Defending league champions Broadford were eliminated by Breska Rovers, after a 5-1 home defeat. Rovers were full value for that result, and had the points wrapped up before the hour. A 13th minute strike from Scott Quaide sent them on their way before Karl Buckley well felled by the home keeper.

The resulting penalty saw Mark Moroney double the lead. In the interim, the ball had been cleared off the Breska line but United were struggling to worry James Purcell in the Breska goal. It was 3-0 soon after the interval when Quaide turned provider for Buckley who curled home. The striker soon added a second before his replacement, Leigh Doolan, made it five. Killian Lynch netted a consolation.

Breska’s win was only of value to them if Creeves Celtic failed to win. With time up in Broadford, Creeves were hunting a winner but it didn’t come – meaning Glin Rovers win the group on seven points, with Breska second on four points. A 2-2 draw in Glin denied Creeves who end the group phase with two draws and a first round loss. Level 1-1 at half-time, after Celtic skipper Tommy Dillane and Ajay Behan traded goals.

Robbie Hanley found the net to put Creeves in the driving seat but Glin rallied and fouled a leveller thanks to Gary Culhane. Glin won the insignificant penalty shoutout (4-2) and will be in the last four for a second consecutive season.  

The pairings at the other side will be Athea United and Rathkeale. This after Rathkeale shared the points with Newcastle West, 2-2, but crucially cannot be caught having won the tie-breaker shootout. Athea and Rathkeale will play in their delayed round three clash, to decide who wins the group. Athea (6 points) need a draw to set up a meeting with Breska, while the side who finishes second will face Glin.

Rathkeale did trail on home soil, when Dylan Singh put Town in front – but goals from Michael Mulcahy and Chris Carey turned the result on its head midway through the second half. Aaron Mullane did find a late equaliser but there was a penalty shooutout loss – after two recent successes for Newcastle West. Their attention will turn to league action while they are still in both the FAI and Munster competitions.

The maiden Premier Division league game, between Abbeyfeale United and Athea United was postponed.

In the second tier, there was one outstanding league cup tie which was merely played for placings. Already through, Dromore United and Ballingarry played out an entertaining six-goal draw. Five of the goals came in the first half, with Sean Hartigan, Oran Kelly and Ciaran Deegan putting Dromore ahead on three separate occasions. United 3-2 in front at half-time.

With the majority of the goals in the first half, the best was in the second stanza. Team captain, Dean Clancy scored a scintillating 30-yard free-kick to level this game up again. The subsequent shootout saw all 22 players take spot kicks before Dromore edged it, 8-7.

This means that Shannonside will face Ballingarry while Dromore United are set to meet Askeaton Kilcornan. These ties are set for early in November – as with all semi-finals, they are to be played at Mike Hanley Park.

The Division One league tie of Askeaton-Kilcornan and Glin Rovers B fell victim to the weather.

In Division Two League Cup Group B, Shountrade v Ballysteen and Knockaderry versus Abbeyfeale United B were both postponed. There was one game played in this Division, as Newcastle West Town Reserves claimed a second win, again away from home, against Mountcollins. A 2-1 success came largely thanks to a Prince Moyo double.

In Division Three, there was one outstanding cup tie in Group B. This saw Dromore United complete four wins from four with a 4-0 win over Askeaton Kilcornan B. Ethan O’Brien (2), Davey Collins and Thomas Kiely ensured United win the group. The semi-final pairings will see Dromore United B face Glantine while Breska Rovers B will clash with Askeaton Kilcornan B.

There was one league game in the bottom tier, as Seanie King and Barry O’Connor traded strikes which left Carrig Celtic and Breska Rovers B tied 1-1. Celtic held a half-time lead and top the table at this very early stage.

Meanwhile there was also some youths action last weekend. First up was a Desmond Youths Cup 1st round clash, which saw Newcastle West defeat Granagh United 5-3 after extra-time. Cathal Hayes netted a hat-trick while Diarmuid Lyons and Josh Joyce were also on target. They eventually pulled clear having been pegged back three times in the 90 minutes.

In the FAI Youths Cup second round, Zach Birdthistle fired in a hat-trick to see Askeaton Kilcornan beyond Dromore United on Saturday. Joining them in the next round will be Granagh United who showed tremendous fightback to recover a 3-0 deficit to defeat Shountrade 4-3, after extra-time. Adam Hourigan, Darragh O’Carroll and Luke Hourigan netted to force the extra period, before Jack McMahon fired home the winner on 95 minutes. Shountrade had raced into the three goal lead inside 30 first half minutes.

There was also a domestic tie, with Glin Rovers claiming a first leg win in the Division Two semi-final, over Feenagh. A 3-2 win may not be enough but the dynamic of having a goal lead for the return leg is surely a new concept for these young players. Conor Fitzgerald, Caolam Moriarty and Aidan Healy were all on target.

This coming weekend, subject to pitch inspections, will see a return to the Munster Junior Cup and Shield. Glin Rovers will entertain Breska Rovers, in an all Premier Division clash – Glin have already defeated the Clarina side in the League Cup, 2-0. Surprise package St. Ita’s welcoming Newcastle West Town. Kieran Shanahan, Town manager, will view it as a homecoming against his local club. The winners of both these games will go into the open draw.

In the Munster Shield, Dromore United B welcome Breska Rovers B to Kildimo, with the winner progressing to the open draw. There is also two Premier Division ties, as Creeves Celtic meet Rathkeale and Broadford United begin their defence at home to 2021/22 winners, Abbeyfeale United. There are four other ties in the lower divisions.