Limerick District League Round-up: Pike Rovers hold off Fairview Rangers in title race
AISLING Annacotty suffered the heartbreak of cup final defeat on Saturday when they fell at the final hurdle to Midleton in Fermoy.
This Munster Youths Cup final finished 1-0 to the Cork outfit.
Aisling, who made a very impressive run to the decider, came up just short on the day in a game that could have fallen either way.
As per usual in games of such importance the opening quarter proved a nervous encounter with both sets of players afraid to make a mistake.
Aisling settled earliest and had a couple of half chances. Dan Ryan went within a whisker of opening the scoring but his effort rebounded off the crossbar to safety.
The pace of Alex Keating and David Moloney was causing Midleton all sorts of problems as they struggled to cope with the Limerick side.
Just before half time Aisling were dealt a blow with the loss through injury of the influential Aaron Moffat.
The second half continued in much the same vein with two solid defences proving a big hurdle to get past.
Aisling were on target with a couple of headed efforts from Dan Ryan and Sean O’Hoadha but they failed to beat the keeper.
Midleton got the vital breakthrough ten minutes from time when, after soaking up Aisling pressure, a quick breakaway saw man of the match Cian Lambe deliver into the area where George Alamu’s one touch finish gave Mark Forde no chance.
Try as they might Aisling could not find an equaliser so it’s back to the drawing board for the Annacotty side with a league and cup still to play for in the coming weeks.
Aisling Annacotty; Mark Forde, Ben Moylan, Cathal Downes, Calum Murphy, Jack Dolan, Sean O'Hoadha, Cian Arthur, Daniel Ryan, Alex Keating, Aaron Moffat, David Moloney, Subs Andrew Kearney, Donnacha Hogan, Alex Fox, Sean O'Brien, Colm Kinehan, Sean Quinn, Jimmy Crowe
Premier League
Pike Rovers 3
Fairview Rgs and Pike Rvs produced a thrilling encounter at the Fairgreen when they shared six goals and the points in a game that kept the spectators rooted until the final whistle.
With a six-point deficit on their rivals, Fairview really needed to take three points to rein in the Hoops.
After an opening half hour that gave no indication of what was to follow, the home side took the lead. Conor Ellis raced onto Darragh Rainsford’s cross and when his shot was parried by Gary Neville, Conor Coughlan was on hand to poke in the rebound.
Pike were back on level terms within five minutes when Steven McGann gathered outside the area, skipped his marker and hit a rasping shot to the top corner.
In the second period, Shane Clarke put Pike in front when he headed in from Col Walsh O’Loughlin’s cross.
Fairview were awarded a penalty kick and the usually imperious Steven Bradley fired wide of the upright.
Pike’s joy was short lived as the home side levelled shortly after when Brian Aherne headed back across goal for Cian McNamara to force the Ball home.
Fairview sensed they had the upper hand but within a minute Pike were back in front when Walsh O’Loughlin crossed into the area. Jason Cross headed clear but the ball fell to Eoin Hanrahan who drilled a low struck volley into the bottom corner.
To their credit, Fairview did not throw in the towel and got their reward when Bradley was presented with another penalty kick and this time he made no mistake to make it 3-3.
Pike will be delighted with the draw as they carry their six point lead with five games remaining.
Fairview Rangers: Josh McCarthy; Jake Dillon; Jeffery Judge; Wayne Colbert; Jason Cross; Steven Bradley; Shane Duggan; Cian McNamara; Conor Coughlan; Conor Ellis; Darragh Rainsford, Subs: Jack Arra; Blake Curran
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Danny O'Neill; Sean Madigan; Adam Lipper; Pat Mullins; Colm Walsh O'Loughlin; Colin Daly; Kyle Duhig; Eoin Hanrahan; Shane Clarke; Steve McGann, Subs: Eddie O'Donovan; Robbie Williams; Shane Walsh
Nenagh AFC 0
Regional Utd 5
Regional Utd returned to winning ways with an impressive 5-0 win at home to Nenagh.
As the Dooradoyle side continue preparations for their upcoming MFA Cup final, they impressed as the goals were shared between Brian O'Connor, Willie Griffin, Eoin Duff, Andrew Cowpar and Ruairi Casserley.
Nenagh AFC: Cillian Fitzpatrick, Eoin Coffey, Lee Mowat, Bryan McGee, Mark McKenna, Colm Hayden, Eamonn White, Casey Finn, Adam Ryan, Aidan White, Diarmuid Fitzpatrick
Regional Utd: Rob Shier; David Cowpar; Eduardo Almeida; Ewan O'Brien; Ruairi Casserley; Luke Ryan; Joey Rushe; Oleg Vysochan; Brian O'Connor; Shane Carmody; Eoin Duff, Subs: Pat McDonagh; Willie Griffin; Andrew Cowpar; Rhys Foley; Kieran O'Connell
Aisling Annacotty 3
Ballynanty Rovers 0
Aisling Annacotty had the perfect preparation for their upcoming Lawson Cup semi final by posting an impressive 3-0 win over Ballynanty Rvs on Sunday.
Adam Foley, Paul Brennan and Joel Coustrain were on the mark for the winners.
Aisling Annacotty: Brian O'Connor; Raid Mouras; Mike Green; Eliah Riordan; Richkov Boevi; Tony Whitehead; Tom Kidd; Sean Ezekannagha; Adam Foley; Joel Coustrain; Paul Brennan, Subs: Edward Ward; Mikey Conlon; Cormac Noonan
Ballynanty Rovers: Stephen McNamara; Liam Byrnes; Aaron Power; Thomas O'Connor; Josh Adams; Aidan Hurley; Eddie Byrnes; Brendan O'Dwyer; Gbadebo Habideen; Conor Keane; Cian Fitzgerald, Subs: Thomas Byrnes
Charleville 5
Carew Park 1
Charleville increased their lead in the bottom six of the Premier League with a 5-1 win at home to Carew Park.
Goals from James Horgan (2), Gary Ward, Paudie Murphy and Donal O'Connell gives the Cork side a six-point gap on the chasing pack.
Charleville: Dylan O'Donoghue; Eoin O'Connor; James Horgan; Dion Curtin; Darren Butler; Joe Kavanagh; Jack Callaghan; Donal O'Connell; Gary Ward; Paudie Murphy; Luke Doyle, Subs: Colin Quaid; Jason O'Hara; Gavin Mullins; Eoin Clifford; Sean McCormack
Carew Park: Evan Moloney; Francis Kett; Lee Boyle; Gary Griffin; Cian Lynch; Pat Boyle; Evan Lynch; Dean McNamara; Kieran Hanlon; Jonathan Grant; Danny McCarthy, Subs: John Connery; Jamie O'Sullivan; Darragh Walsh.
Mungret Regional 1
Coonagh Utd 0
Mungret posted a precious win in the Premier League to move six points clear of the drop zone.
A goal from substitute Hamza Selman Celik on the hour mark proved the match winner.
Mungret Reg: James Roche; Mark Patterson; Aaron Long; Conor Myers; Sean O'Sullivan; Eoin Kelly; Richie Burke; David Conway; Kieran Long; Pat Aherne; Cian McNicholas, Subs: Darragh Killian; Hamza Selman Celik
Coonagh Utd: Josh Sheehan; Luke Doherty; Colm Kenny; Joey Sheehan; Andrew Leydon; Ronan Ryan; Chris Kaya; Gordon McKevitt; Daniel Ikoghode; Ger Myles; Sean Hartney, Subs: Elvis Chekwube; Kieran Simmonds.
Round-up
Ballynanty Rvs B were crowned Division 3A champions on Saturday evening taking the title in fine fashion hitting Lisnagry for six goals without reply.
The title looked out of Ballynanty’s reach as Brazica led the table with a couple of games to go but when the Brazilian side slipped up, Balla pounced to make it back-to-back league crowns.
A brace each from Neil Wallace and Eddie Radcliffe and one apiece from Dean O' Brien and Barry Quinn set the Balla celebrations in motion.
The Division 1A Cup final will be contested by Star Rvs and Ballylanders after the weekend results.
Star Rvs caused a big shock beating high flying Caherdavin Celtic by the odd goal in three. Ben McLoughlin and Jordan Boland netted for Star, Danny McInerney replied for Celtic.
Rob McLoughlin scored the only goal of the game for Ballylanders in their win over Regional Utd B.
Division 2A will go down to the final game with Corbally leading Nenagh B by a point.
Corbally Utd B did what was required of them by beating Charleville 2-0 to retain top spot. Eoin O’Neill and Scott Fitzgerald scored for the winners.
In Division 2B Herbertstown ran up a big score on Dromore Celtic to move within three points of leaders Croom, with one game remaining. Harry Fox, Killian Reale, David Curtin, Mike Whelan, Mike Leahy, Joe Fogarty and Oisin O Grady were the goalscorers.
Fairview Rgs moved to the top of the table in the U17 Division One with a 6-1 win over Nenagh thanks to scores from Jibril Sheehan, Conor Egbulam, Jack Nash (2), Ben O’Mahony and Rory Watts.
Midweek round-up
The top two in the Premier League both won on Thursday evening in preparation for their weekend clash.
Leaders Pike Rovers defeated Regional Utd with a confident display in the Pike field.
Adam Lipper fired the Hoops in front before Shane Clarke doubled the lead by half time.
Clarke completed the scoring with his second of the evening.
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Danny O'Neill; Sean Madigan; Adam Lipper; Pat Mullins; Colm Walsh O'Loughlin; Colin Daly; Kyle Duhig; Eoin Hanrahan; Steve McGann; Shane Clarke.
Regional Utd: Rob Shier; Joey Rushe; Eduardo Almeida; David Cowpar; Ewan O'Brien; Luke Ryan; Filip Mostowy; Brian O'Connor; Kieran O'Connell; Eoin Duff; Ruairi Casserley.
Anything but a win for Fairview at home to Ballynanty Rvs would have killed off their hopes of overtaking Pike. Darragh Rainsford put the home side in front, but Conor Keane levelled before half time.
Conor Ellis struck the winner for Fairview on the hour mark.
Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy; Jake Dillon; Blake Curran; Wayne Colbert; Jason Cross; Steven Bradley; Shane Duggan; Jeffery Judge; Cian McNamara; Conor Coughlan; Darragh Rainsford, Subs; Conor Ellis; Jack Arra
Ballynanty Rovers: Stephen McNamara; Liam Byrnes; Aaron Power; Thomas O'Connor; Josh Adams; James Fitzgerald; Aidan Hurley; David Donnan; Eddie Byrnes; Gbadebo Habideen; Conor Keane.
In the Premier A League, it's as you were at the top of the table. With promotion know settled, (Geraldines and Newport will play Premier football next season), all attention is who will be crowned champions. Geraldines were made fight hard for their 2-0 win at Hyde Rgs A. Kane Connolly struck a brace for Dines.
Newport also won 2-0 at home to Athlunkard Villa. Christy Doyle scored both goals.
In Division 1A, Summerville took a huge step to clinching promotion thanks to a 2-0 win over Kilfrush. Evan O'Grady and Ryan Keane were on the mark.
A David Corbett hat trick gave Caherconlish a 3-0 win over Newport B to keep the pressure on Patrickswell at the top of Division 1B.
In Division 2B Herbertstown A beat Coonagh B 4-1 to put them in the driving seat for promotion. Oisin O'Grady (2), Mike Whelan and David Hannon were on the mark for 'Town.
The battle for the Division 3B title will go down to the wire after the top two played out a 1-1 draw to remain locked together at the top.
Dylan Meehan scored for Granville Rgs B and Paudie Reale netted for Geraldines B.
The Youth Div Three Cup Final finished Holycross 2 Caledonians 0
Holycross completed a league and cup double on Tuesday when they added the youth Division Three Cup to the League title secured last weekend.
Top scorer Daniel Walker once again proved the ‘Cross hero scoring two second half goals to win the tie.
The winners did not have things all their own way and in fact played second fiddle for most of the opening 45 minutes.
Cals were excellent in the opening half, particularly in the back four where Lewis Healy and Michael Ohanya gave notice that are future Premier League players.
They kept a rampant Holycross side at bay although the League champions never panicked and a much improved second half performance won the day.
Cals were pumped up for the encounter and an early shot from Kyle Molloy forced ‘Cross keeper Sean Kennedy into a double take.
At the other end Barry Callinane let fly inside the area but a bevy of Cals defenders combined to keep the effort out.
A ball over the top by Molly put Scott O’Sullivan free but he was just off target and the same player went close again with a diving header from Craig Dawson’s delivery.
The hard-working Wesley Mulqueen dug the ball from a couple of defenders and swivelled before shooting just over.
The last action of the first half saw the Champions give notice of their threat when the skilful Adam Cusack delivered into the area where Ben Compton’s glancing header flew just wide.
Within minutes of the restart Holycross took the lead. A simple ball over the top saw the speedy Walker leave his marker for dead before poking the ball past the advancing Cals keeper David Brown.
Cals responded well with efforts from Mulqueen and O’Sullivan, but Holycross tacked on a second to kill the tie, again Walker’s pace doing the damage before finishing in style.
Holycross: Sean Kennedy; Stephen Clancy; Thomas Duggan; Pat Mooney; Jack Hogan; Shane Heffernan; Barry Callinan; Ben Compton; Daniel Walker; Adam Cusack; Rory Reale, Subs: Ben Gunning; Shane Gunning; Cailan Fealy; Cian Marrinan
Caledonians: David Brown; Craig Whelan; Lewis Healy; Craig Dawson; Michael Ohanya; Adam McInerney; Scott O'Sullivan; Jay Quirke; Wesley Mulqueen; Kyle Molloy; Alex Lee, Subs: Aaron Considine; Rob Rooney; Oran Malone; Lee Nolan; Craig Kiely; Jake Sheedy; John Collins
Meanwhile the Youth Division 2 Cup Final finished Newport A 1 Regional Utd 0.
Having put 20 goals past Regional in their three previous outings, Newport went into Thursday Youth Division Two Cup final as unbackable favourites.
However, it proved a much different affair this time out with the Dooradoyle club showing grit and determination before being pipped by a last-minute goal.
With time running out and extra time looming, Sean Chitedze let fly with a shot from outside the box that struck the upright as it hit the back of the net.
It was cruel luck for Regional but few would argue that Newport were deserving winners.
Newport; K Hogan, Darragh Meaney, Cathal Lenihan, Chris Egan, Joe Shanahan, David O'Brien, Ciaran Carey, Aaron Coleman, Conor Brett, Sean Chitedze, Jamie Kavanagh, Subs, Mike Carey, Ryan Madden, Alex O'Neill, Mike Kennedy, Eoghan Flynn, Adam Power, Adam O'Connor