Hat-trick of wins for Limerick sides in Kennedy Cup at UL

THE three Limerick sides made winning starts to the New Balance SFAI Kennedy Cup tournament at UL on Monday evening.

The Limerick District and Schoolboy League (LDSL) scored a hard fought 2-1 come from behind victory over local rivals North Tipperary in their Group 4 opener at UL’s North Campus.

Meanwhile, the Limerick Desmond Schoolboy League, who claimed a fifth-place finish in the 32-team competition in 2017, recorded a convincing 3-0 success over the Wcklow League in Group 2.

Not to be outdone, the Limerick County Schoolboy League scored a thrilling 3-1 victory over a fancied Kildare side in Group 7.

Despite dominating long periods of the opening half, Limerick District found themselves 1-0 down after 20 minutes after the hosts conceded an own goal.

The LDSL continued to trail 1-0 at half-time. However, the Limerick city side drew level three minutes after the re-start when, Aisling Annacotty’s Ciaran Coulter had a well struck effort was parried by the North Tipp keeper only for Coulter’s alert club mate Darragh Murray to finish the ball into the net.

The Limerick winner arrived in the final minute of normal time when Corbally United centre forward Cian Specht showed great composure and a deft finish to flick the ball into the net for a precious winner.

Next up for Limerick District is a meeting with the Midlands League on Tuesday morning at 10.30am.

WATCH: Limerick District Schoolboy League have 'goal disallowed for foul on keeper. LDSL continue to trail North Tipp 1-0 in @SFAIreland #KennedyCup Group 4 at @UL @Limerick_Leader @LimkLeaderSport @NBFootball pic.twitter.com/xMm1y2HDZW

— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) June 11, 2018

Limerick Desmond got their 2018 Kennedy Cup campaign off to the best possible start when overcoming the Wicklow League.

Granagh Utd’s Paudie Murphy fired the Desmond League into a 1-0 half-time lead when netting from the penalty spot just after the quarter hour mark.

Two second half goals from Dean Quaid, of Kilcolman Rovers, sealed an impressive win for the West Limerick outfit.

Limerick Desmond are back in action at 10.30am on Tuesday when they face the Clare League at the North Campus in UL at 10.30am.

The Limerick Desmond Schoolboy League lead Wicklow League 3-0 mid-way through second half in @SFAIreland #KennedyCup at UL @Limerick_Leader @LimkLeaderSport #LLSport

— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) June 11, 2018

The Limerick County Schoolboy League got their campaign off to the ideal start when edging past Kildare by a two-goal margin.

Owen O’Sullivan, of Galbally Utd, fired the Limeirck side into a 2-0 lead with goals in either half.

Kildare reduced the lead to 2-1 with a goal from Ruadhan Kane, before substitute Dion Curtin, of Charleville Fc, came off the bench to grab a stunning clinching goal.

Next up for Limerick County is a meeting with South Dublin at 12.30pm on Tuesday.