Limerick Desmond League weekend soccer round-up

ST ITA'S have once again provided the shock in the Munster Junior Cup as they claimed progression to the fourth round – after seeing off a third Premier Division side on the trot.

They will be joined in the hat for round four by Breska Rovers who had a workmanlike 3-0 away victory over Glin Rovers.

St Ita’s, who’ve been a Division One team for a number of years, had to concede home advantage prior to kick-off with Ashford unplayable. Played in the Demense, where Newcastle West hold a strong record, it took a Tony McCarthy goal to decide this clash. His 30-yard lob, arrived just moments prior to the half-time whistle.

The second half saw a siege on their goal but Sean Richards was unbeatable in the visitors goal. After claiming away wins to Abbeyfeale United and Athea United this is arguably the best of the lot, as they move into the last 32.

Alongside Ita’s will be Breska Rovers. Having eased into round three after a 4-1 away win over Ballingarry, they repeated the trick on the road against Glin Rovers. Leading 1-0 at half-time, thanks to Scott Quaide, the Clarina side went up a gear in the third quarter which saw Sean Coughlan double the lead.

There was a late Karl Buckley strike to add further gloss. Glin will rue a couple of key misses early in the tie, when they enjoyed the better of proceedings.

Meanwhile, in the Munster Shield, a competition for sides outside the top two tiers across Munster, Breska Rovers B progressed to the fourth round. They will be the sole representative for the Limerick Desmond League after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Dromore United B. Barry O’Connor (penalty) and Barry Adams gave Rovers a slender, 2-1, interval lead.

Adam Gibbs had netted the United goal. Ben Adams then made sure of the result when netting his sides third, they also had a second penalty missed but it mattered little.  

There was the first League game of the season played in the Premier Division which saw last years runners-up, Rathkeale, well beaten away to Creeves Celtic. A 3-0 scoreline was reflective of Celtic’s dominance as they maintain their strong league form which saw them stay up in the Premier Division in their first ever season.

Goals from James O’Connor and Eoin McEnery had them two-nil ahead at half-time and McEnery repeated the trick before the hour mark to seal the points. This league season promises to be an open one, with arguably no side looking consistent enough to be branded as league title favourites.

The meeting of Broadford United and Abbeyfeale United was postponed with Broadford currently installing floodlights in Cove Park.

In Division Two, Feenagh and Shountrade was postponed while Mountcollins received a walkover from Abbeyfeale Untied B. The one game that did take place saw Ballingarry B claim the three points away to Knockaderry.

Evan Lenihan had netted the opener for Knockaderry but goals on 75 and 87 minutes from Brian Fitzgerald and Alan Cronin saw the visitors claim a sweet victory.

There was two games in the bottom tier. Glatine A defeted Glantine B, 3-1. Aaron Fitzgerald put the B’s into an early lead but Hessler O’Connor, Colm Barrett and Chris Scannell’s penalty were enough for a more experienced A team to prevail. They’ve now claimed six points from their opening three games and have a cup semi-final to look forward to.

The other clash, saw Kilcolman Rovers and Askeaton-Kilcornan B share the points in a 2-2 draw. Tyrique Harte netted a brace, including a second-half penalty in a very open game in Ardagh.

On Saturday last, there was a handful of Youths games. In the Division One Shield, Eoghan Sheehan, Shane Daly, Sean Long and Luke Corrigan were all on target for Kilcolman Rovers as they shared a 4-4 draw with Shannonside. Crucially, Kilcolman won the first leg and prevail 6-4 on aggregate.

In Youths Division Two, there was two semi-finals down for decision. David Mulvihill netted for Glin Rovers in a 2-2 draw away to Feenagh, and, having won 3-2 a week earlier, Rovers move into the final with a 5-4 aggregate win.

Their opposition will be Breska Rovers or Granagh United. A 2-1 away win for Granagh has them in the driving seat ahead of the second league. Leading scorer Oran McNicholas put Breska ahead but Jack McMahon and Cian McDonagh’s penalty flipped this result late on. An exciting looking second leg awaits.

Shountrade received a walkover from Glantine in the Youths Division Two shield semi-final. This gives them a 3-0 advantage ahead of the second leg.

Looking ahead to this coming weekend, there are two FAI Junior Cup ties. Fairgreen Celtic (Clare) welcome Rathkeale to town while Newcastle West will face Askeaton Kilcornan in Clounreask on Monday 6th. The culmination of the Division Two League Cup group phase is scheduled as too are two Premier Division ties, three in Division One and a full round of three games in Division Three.