Soccer: AFTER their FAI Cup heroics on Sunday, it’s back to league action for Treaty United when they entertain Wexford Youths at Markets Field on Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm).
Irrespective of the outcome, Tommy Barrett’s side have already secured a coveted promotion play-off spot.
In light of their tremendous run and ultimate commendable performance in a slender 2-1 FAI Cup loss to Derry City at a packed Brandywell Stadium, Treaty are most deserving of an anticipated rousing reception when they run-out onto the famed pitch in Garryowen.
It was with their heads held high that brave Treaty amateurs left Foyleside, having battled back from an early two goal deficit to pull one back through sharpshooter Enda Curran (a penalty at 28 minutes) and remain in the hunt for the rest of the journey.
On the junior scene, there’s a quality Tuohy Cup fixture this Thursday night at 7pm, when Carew Park host Fairview Rangers – an outfit who impressed in a 3-0 (goals from Jason Cross, Steven Bradley and Conor Coughlan) away to Pike Rovers in the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday.
In the shock of the round, Nenagh AFC stunned Aisling Annacotty winning 5-nil away. Scores came courtesy of Eamon White, Ryan Gilmartin (a stunning strike from 30 yards), Alan Sheehan, Aidan White, and Matthew Spain.
Desmond League outfit Newcastle West Town registered a signification 6-4 away victory to Kerry side Abbeydorney/Causeway Athletic, with Ray Brouder scoring the pick of the goals from the half-way line.
Rugby: WITH back-to-back wins, Young Munster are brimming with confidence in the top-flight of the Energia All-Ireland League.
In their latest outing, the Cookies turned around a 10-3 interval deficit to win 23-10 at UCD. Conor Hayes was the star of the show with a 13-point haul, with tries arriving from the returning captain Alan Kennedy and Munster hooker Chris Cosgrave.
Young Munster next host Lansdowne at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday week.
Elsewhere in Division 1A, Shannon suffered a home defeat to Cork Constitution and Garryowen fell to Terenure College in Dooradoyle.
Racing: TOM Rudd and his team are putting the final touches to their preparations for Sunday’s JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Steeplechase (Grade A) at Greenmount Park.
Joseph O’Brien’s Busselton – winner of last month’s Kerry National at Listowel – heads an exceptionally strong field.
Also entered are plenty from leading yards such as Willie Mullins (who provides possible favourite El Barra, and is looking to land his fourth National at Limerick), Henry de Bromhead, and Gordon Elliot, and a number too from local handler Eric McNamara of Beechmount Stables in Rathkeale.
“I am delighted with the strength in depth of entries in this year’s National,” said Rudd.
“The team are working flat out to ensure that the track and facilities are in top condition for the National and we are really looking forward to welcoming racegoers for a wonderful day of jumps racing.”
The opener is timed for 1.50pm, while the feature on an excellent seven-race National Hunt card is due off at 3.35pm, a three-mile race worth an impressive €90,000.
At 5.20pm, the action inside the rails concludes with the €10,500 Limerick Post 2-mile contest.
Camogie: IN FRONT of an exceptionally large attendance at Ballyagran’s Paddy Carroll Park, Adare overcame near-neighbours Croagh/Kilfinny, and atrocious weather conditions, in a lavishly entertaining Limerick Intermediate camogie final.
Adrift by three points at the interval, the eventual winners put in a solid closing half, helped greatly by the game’s outstanding player, All-Star nominee Caoimhe Costello, and Aislinn Connolly, herself the winner of back-to-back All-Stars (2010/’11) during her time with Galway and current RTÉ pundit on The Sunday Game, to come through 1-8 to 2-3.
Sophie O’Callaghan was the victorious captain.
And, Galbally are the new Junior champions after a win over Blackrock/Effin in Martinstown.
Gaelic Games: BRUFF and Monaleen will contest the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final, following respective semi-final wins over Newcastle West and Effin.
In an absorbing contest, which necessitated extra-time at Paddy Carroll Park in Ballyagran, Bruff – whose management team includes Cork legend and three-time All-Star Jerry O’Connor – squeezed through with timely goals from Kyle Dillon, Paul O’Riordan, and Josh Keating.
Monaleen were six-point winners in Fedamore.
At Intermediate level, both semi-finals take place next Sunday: Granagh/Ballingarry v Na Piarsaigh, Clarina at 1pm and Croagh/Kilfinny v Pallasgreen, Claughaun at 3pm.
In the Intermediate Football Championship, Dromcollogher/Broadford bettered St Senan’s in the semi-final on Sunday and will now take on Na Piarsaigh in the decider the weekend after next.
