IN FRONT of a bumper attendance at a pristine Jackman Park, Fairview Rangers toppled Aisling Annacotty 2-0 to win the 70th edition of the prestigious Lawson Cup.
For Paul Danagher’s side, the goals arrived in either half courtesy of Conor Ellis and international Conor Coughlan.
Fairview’s Wayne Colbert was a deserving recipient of the Man of the Match accolade, presented to him by Declan Considine (Ant and Decs Sports Bar), while captain Shane Duggan received the trophy from Limerick District League Chairman Ger Smyth.
Duggan dedicated the win to James Flanagan, a club stalwart who died unexpectedly, and long before his time, earlier this year.
Fairview Rangers: Josh McCarthy, Jake Dillon, Shane Tracy, Jason Cross, Wayne Colbert, Steven Bradley, Shane Duggan (captain), Cian McNamara, Conor Ellis, Conor Coughlan, Brian Ahern, Jack Arra, John Mullane, Craig Madigan, Darragh Rainsford, Aaron Savage, Fintan O’Kelly, Aaron Hough, Callum Murphy.
As usual, the Team of the Season – announced following a public vote – has produced plenty of debate.
Premier League XV 2022/23: Gary Neville (Pike Rovers), Tommy Frawley (Regional United), Pat Mullins (Pike), Adam Lipper (Pike), Shane Duggan (Fairview), Steve McGann (Pike), Steven Bradley (Fairview), Colm Walsh-O’Loughlin (Pike), Darragh Rainsford (Fairview), Eoin Duff (Regional), Gbadebo Habideen (Ballynanty Rovers).
Lower Tier: Josh Sheehan (Coonagh United), Aaron Long (Mungret Regional), Niall Earls (Coonagh), Gary Griffin (Carew Park), Conor Myers (Mungret), Darren Butler (Charleville), Gordon McKevitt (Coonagh), David Conway (Mungret), Donal O’Connell (Charleville), Bradley McNamara (Janesboro), Gary Ward (Charleville).
In the Desmond League, the Premier League playoff – Broadford United v Rathkeale – is pencilled in for Mick Hanley Park, Askeaton on Friday (7pm).
Both teams finished the regular season with 13 wins, three draws and just two losses apiece from 18 matches played.
Rathkeale were ahead on scoring difference, but such are the competition rules in the West Limerick League, a playoff will decide the destination of the title. For the record, Breska Rovers finished a remote third.
On the senior front, Treaty United entertain Cobh Ramblers in the First Division of the League of Ireland at the Markets Field on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).
After a terrible run – three defeats on the bounce – Tommy Barrett’s outfit earned a welcome point with a 1-1 home draw against Wexford on Bank Holiday Monday night. Treaty fell behind in the game’s infancy but managed to tie-up the contest through a well-executed penalty goal from Mark Ludden inside the closing quarter.
