THERE was 56 goals across 13 junior games as the Desmond League returned. It was fast approaching almost seven months since the last competitive game was played in Limerick’s second junior soccer league.
However, it seems that players and all of those involved will have to halt their competitive football with the government moving the country to new Covid-19 restrictions. No football is likely to be played until late October, at the earliest.
On the field of play, games across all four divisions took place with Premier Division wins for Broadford United, Rathkeale and Glin Rovers.
Four goals from Jamie Keane were added to by Sean Brosnan and Colm Ryan to give Broadford United an impressive victory over Carrig Celtic. Seanie King had leveled for Celtic but young striker Keane fired his side to an opening day win.
Sheagh O’Connor and Zach Behan were on target for Glin Rovers who nicked a victory away to Kilcornan. Paudi Hartigan’s strike looked to be enough for Kilcornan to register a point before a late Behan strike gave Rovers the narrow win.
Rathkeale registered a home win over Granagh United. Pa Ahern, no stranger to the score-sheet added to Seamus Mangan’s opener. The Champions off the mark.
There was a share of the spoils in Riverside Park, as a late penalty from Seoirse Joyce cancelled out a first half goal from midfielder Dylan Quirke. Newcastle West were left to regret some missed chances though, like many games this weekend, the strong winds played havoc on proceedings.
In Division One Breska Rovers continued their form of last season, overturning a 1-0 deficit to defeat a stern Creeves Celtic side 2-1. Creeves led on 43 minutes with a goal off the season contender. Nigel Mann pulled the Clarina side level before Josh Fitzgerald scored the winning goal from close range, all in the final quarter.
Pallaskenry were the big winners of the weekend, scoring six away to Newcastle West Town Reserves, to win 6-3. Rory Cullen (2), Ciaran Barry, Brian Howard, Ryan Kelly and player/manager Kevin Madden were all on target.
Elsewhere, a late Paul Fitzmaurice strike was enough for St. Ita’s to take all three points away to Kildimo United.
In Division Two, Athea United signaled their intent, defeating neighbours Abbeyfeale United B, 4-0. Brothers Kevin and Darren Murphy were on target while Sean Ryan and Ronan Hayes made Athea the very early pace setters.
Askeaton led 2-0 early on against Breska Rovers B. Sam Duggan scored a cracker from 20 yards, before Jordan O’Connnell headed home for 2-0. However, Ian O’Leary and Leonard Coughlan had the hosts level at the break. O’Leary doubled his tally with a header before Askeaton got a deserved point through Sean Whelan.
Glin Rovers netted six times at home to Glantine. A brace from Ger Riordan as well as goals from Cian Culhane, Edward Mulvihill, Aidan Mulvihill, had Glin in control, while Jonny O’Sullivan’s penalty made it a handsome start to the season for the second string.
In Division Three, all sides were returning to the league or starting from scratch. Feenagh were the big winners, 4-0, over Shannonside B. Noel Geary and Thomas O’Sullivan gave Feenagh a commanding half-time lead. Luke Ryan made it 3-0 shortly after the interval before Ryan added his second, from the penalty spot, to cap a fine team display.
Granagh United B left it late, and had enough to see off Kilcornan B. Craig Mawson cancelled out the hosts opener, which came from Ryan Fitzgibbon. A late deflected strike from Gavin Cotter proved to be the winner.
Darragh Ranahan and Tomás Sheahan were on target as Ballysteen marked their return to football with a narrow win away to Ballingarry B. Paul O’Callaghan scored for the hosts.
Results:
Weekly Observer Premier Division:
Abbeyfeale United 1-1 Newcastle West Town
Broadford United 6-1 Carrig Celtic
Kilcornan 1-2 Glin Rovers
Rathkeale 2-0 Granagh United
Ballingarry v Adare United (OFF)
Weekly Observer Division One:
Creeves Celtic 1-2 Breska Rovers
Kildimo United 0-1 St. Ita’s
Newcastle West Town Reserves 3-6 Pallaskenry AFC
Shountrade v Rathkeale B (OFF)
Shannonside v Knockaderry (OFF)
Weekly Observer Division Two:
Athea United 4-0 Abbeyfeale United
Breska Rovers B 3-3 Askeaton AFC
Glin Rovers B 6-3 Glantine
Weekly Observer Division Three:
Ballingarry AFC B 1-2 Ballysteen
Granagh United B 2-1 Kilcornan B
Shannonside B 0-4 Feenagh
Youths Division One:
Ballingarry AFC 7-3 Newcastlee West Town
Askeaton 1-3 Braodford United
Youths Divison Two:
Breska Rovers 1-3 Killeaney AFC
Pallaskenry 2-1 Kilcolman Rovers
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