ON THE local awards front, popular Pat Mullins of Pike Rovers was named Limerick District (LD) Premier Division Player of the Season, while Arran Grant (Geraldines) collected the equivalent in Premier A.
Similar awards were presented to Gary Ward of Charleville (Premier Division, lower tier), Danny McInerney of Caherdavin Celtic (Division 1A), Paul Buston of Patrickswell (Division 1B), Eoghan Carr of Corbally (Division 2A) and Oisín O’Grady of Herbertstown (Division 2B).
Fintan O’Kelly of Fairview Rangers was chosen as Youth Division One Player of the Year.
Not surprisingly, Seán Russell of Regional United was announced as Manager of the Year, while John McNamara was adjudged to have been the best referee this season.
McGettigan’s of Lower Mallow Street professionally hosted the awards ceremony.
In the Desmond League, awards were presented to Michael Brosnan of Broadford United (Premier Division), Kevin Murphy of Athea United (Division 1), Jamie Murphy of Glantine (Division 2), and Paul O’Shaughnessy of Ballysteen (Division 3).
The Youths Player of the Season was named as Jack Hogan, Broadford United.
A Merit Award was presented to the ever-helpful John Hogan of Pallaskenry AFC.
Staying in the west, Broadford United surprised Rathkeale 2-0 in the Premier Division play-off final in front of a very fine crowd at Mike Hanley Park, Askeaton. Both goals arrived inside the opening ten minutes, courtesy of man of the match Jack Pierce and captain Seán Brosnan.
Remarkably, Broadford have now won five finals in as many seasons at Desmond headquarters.
The final was well refereed by Ger O’Connor.
In senior, Treaty United are on a break weekend in the First Division before a tricky outing away to third-placed Athlone Town on Friday June 23.
Following a fourth loss inside five games to Cobh Ramblers (1-0) at the Markets Field last time out, Tommy Barrett’s side have slipped down to eighth position and are seriously adrift of a coveted play-off position.
