Glin and Athea set up unique Limerick Desmond League Premier Division Cup final pairing

ATHEA United and Glin Rovers will contest the Limerick Desmond League Premier Division Legaue Cup final in January, after they came through tight semi-finals last week.

Elsewhere, Shountrade annexed the first silverware of the 2023/2024 season, while Broadford United were second best against Clare champions Newmarket Celtic. As could be expected in winter, the weather played havoc with fixtures, especially on Sunday.

Athea United took a 2-1 victory in the aforementioned Premier Division League Cup against Breska Rovers. Daire O’Shea and Nigel O’Connor were the scorers for Athea – the opener from the winger on 15 minutes while they doubled their lead 10 minutes after the interval.

Breska did create more openings, particularly in the first half. Karl Buckley and Leigh Doolan went closest but the struggled to really breakdown a well organised Athea rearguard. Athea’s resistance was broken late on, when Seán Healy netted after 94 minutes, as the game quickly ended.

Earlier in the week, there was plenty of drama as Glin Rovers got some revenge for losing last seasons final, against Rathkeale. A 2-1 success for Sean Normile’s men brings them to yet another cup final. They had an opener from John Wallace and that looked to be enough for much of the game.

The drama really went up a notch when Mike Stack, Glin’s keeper was dismissed for verbals with 15 minutes remaining. Midfielder Paul Sheahan donned the gloves for the closing stages.

His clean sheet was smashed in stoppage time, as Seamus O’Carroll pulled Rathkeale level. Sheahan acquitted himself well between the sticks but the hero on the night was Gary Culhane, who fired in the winner.

Despite playing with 10-men, Glin netted the winner from a free-kick to book a final place. They’ll sweat over the availably of Stack with Sheahan needed outfield.

In the Munster FA Champions Trophy, Newmarket Celtic had too much for Broadford United at Cove Park. A 5-0 margin was probably a fair reflection of the gulf between the sides on the day, as current Clare and FAI Junior Cup holders Celtic showed their class.

There was a quartet of games down for decision in Division One. On Friday, Jason Sheehan’s double helped plucky St. Ita’s to a 2-1 victory away to Ballingarry. David Geary had netted for the home side.

On Sunday, Shannonside, Granagh and Dromore United also picked up away wins. Home advantage generally appears important but strangely all four went the way of the away sides. Shannonside turned a 2-0 deficit around.

Kenneth O’Donoghue had Askeaton Kilcornan in control with a brace, but Alan Moroney, then Adam Bennett and Aidan O’Malley all scored in a crazy six-minute period, in the final quarter. It is an early dent in the Askeaton title bid.

Dromore United finished strongly to take three points away to Glin Rovers B. Evin Kelly put United ahead at half-time, he added two more as Luke O’Keeffe helped them pull away from a new look Rovers B.

Granagh United, thanks to goals from Ed Sheehy, Steve Mahony and TJ Tierney took a 3-1 away win against Rathkeale B. Oscar Markham replied for Rathkeale. Both sides were in need of the points but it was United who were deserving winners.

In Division Two, Shountrade against Mountcollins and Knockaderry’s clash with Feenagh were both postponed.
The one surviving game, between Newcastle West Reserves and Ballysteen more than made up for it. A 7-4 win for Ballysteen gets them up and running for the season.

The Division Three champions had five different scorers Paul O’Shaughnessy and Danny Neville each got a double while Tomás Sheahan, Pakie Neville and Darragh Ranahan also netted as they came from 3-1 down to win comfortably in the end. Charlie Power, Josh Joyce, Prince Moyo and David Piedzia all found the net for Newcastle West.

In the bottom tier, Colm Barrett fired Glantine to a 1-0 win away to leaders Carrig Celtic to tighten up the top few places in Division Three. Askeaton Kilcornan B had too much for Glanitne, 5-0. Alex Ryan (2), Nick Boyce (2) and Chris Kelly on the scoresheet for the winners.