Strong start to Oscar Traynor for Limerick District League
John Lysaght’s side earned a 5-2 win over their Limerick Desmond counterparts in Ballingarry
IT WAS a great start to the Oscar Traynor Trophy campaign for a new-look Limerick District League selection when they travelled to Ballingarry to take on near neighbours the Desmond League in the opening group-stage fixture.
Limerick made the perfect start to the contest, with Vinny Ryan setting up Joel Coustrain to open the scoring after 23 minutes.
Ten minutes later, Ryan was on target himself, finishing off good work by Adam Foley to double the visitors' advantage.
The home side got themselves back into the game two minutes before half-time when Dean Clancy converted a penalty to leave the score at 2-1 at the interval.
The Desmond League made a number of changes shortly after the restart, and the moves paid off when Jamie Ford took advantage of a lapse in the visitor’s defence after 48 minutes to bring the home side level.
However, Limerick regained the lead just three minutes later when Cian Fitzgerald’s cross struck the butt of the upright and Felipe Mostowy blasted in the rebound from close range to make it 3-2.
With 20 minutes remaining, full-back Pádraig Murphy’s fine run gown the right ended when he centred for Coustrain to fire in to extend Limerick's lead to 4-2.
Things got even better for the visitors with ten minutes remaining when brothers Cian Fitzgerald and Adam Foley created the opening for James Fitzgerald make it 5-2 and round off an excellent opening-night performance from the Limerick District League.
Manager John Lysaght was forced, due to a number of different circumstances, to select several players new to this level of football. However, they gave a great account of themselves in an excellent team performance.
Limerick’s next game will be against the Clare League who defeated the North Tipperary League 1-0 in their opener.
Limerick District League: Gary Neville, Pádraig Murphy, Adam Costello, Jack O'Donovan, Seán O'Haodha, Cian Mitchell, Adam Foley, Cian Fitzgerald, Joel Coustrain, Vinny Ryan, Philippe Mostowy, Substitutes: Leon Kirrane, James Fitzgerald, Conor Myers, Isaac O'Sullivan and Danny Taylor.