Limerick District League weekend junior soccer round-up

MUNSTER SHIELD FINAL:

Ballynanty Rovers ‘B’ 3 Aisling Annacotty ‘D’ 3
(Ballynanty win 2-0 on pens, aet)

IN ONE of the most dramatic games ever played in Jackman Park, Ballynanty Rvs B staged a ‘Lazarus-like’ comeback to be the first team to put their name on the newly instigated Munster Shield trophy.

In an amazing game, Aisling led 3-0 just after the hour mark and you felt it was only going to be a case of how many goals they would score.

But with a typical Ballynanty Rvs never-say-die attitude the Blues somehow clawed their way back into the game to record a most unlikely win.

The large number of fans who left before the end should be given a break, as it never seemed probable that Balla’ could do it. However, the team kept plugging away and while all played their part they had some real warriors on the night.

David Donnan picked up the Man-of-the-Match award with a superb performance in the middle of the park. He never saw anything as a lost cause and the Aisling players will be seeing him in their sleep tonight.

Up front, Kevin Nolan was excellent again. Up against a rock-solid back four and with little service at times, he kept the Aisling defence on guard all night.

The experienced Balla back four were dogged throughout and the goals they conceded would have beaten any defence.

You have to feel sorry for Aisling. Rightly going into the tie as favourites, they played to the script and were very good for 90 minutes. It is hard to blame them for falling into the trap of thinking the game was won, but once that belief was shaken, they struggled to get their change track.

Jason Lipper marked a fine performance with two brilliant goals, while Padraig Harnett and Liam Danaher also caught the eye for the runners-up.

Understandably, both sides were nervous coming into the fray which didn’t allow for too much flowing football but Aisling showed within two minutes the threat they posed when Kyle Brogan fired just over from Dara Neville’s corner kick.

Ten minutes later Alan Nicolas provided a good cross from the right and Jason Lipper arriving late, headed just over the top.
Balla’s lone threat in the opening half saw Dean O’Brien hold off his marker but he fired his shot from a wide angle across goal and wide of the far post.

Aisling broke the deadlock four minutes from the break from a free kick on the edge of the area. Goalkeeper Eoghan Sherlock was unsighted by his own defender’s efforts to clear and Dara Neville’s delivery travelled to the back of the net.

The half time break did little to change the shape of the game although Jamie O’Sullivan went close with a shot from an acute angle shortly after the restart.

Aisling added to the lead with a super goal. Liam Danaher picked up from Neville and played a ball over the defence for the in-running Lipper to volley the dropping ball to the back of the net.

It that goal was good, Lipper’s next trick was even better. A quick breakaway from a Ballynanty corner kick saw Alan Rossiter evade two tacklers to play a cross field pass to Lipper 20 yards out and the striker hit a beauty to the top corner and we thought it was game over.

However, with 15 minutes remaining Balla were thrown a lifeline when Sherlock floated a free kick from his own half into the area. Kevin Noal forced a flick on and true to the family name Ryan Earls was in the right spot to get a touch past Aisling keeper Ed Doyle.

Despite the goal, Aisling never looked in trouble but when Jamie O’Sullivan scored an injury time goal, blasting home from an acute angle, we wondered, “Could it be possible”?

We found out two minutes later. A foul on O’Sullivan at half way and Balla smelled blood. Every player went forward in hope.

Sherlock delivered into the area, Ken Meehan headed on and fittingly Donnan arrived at the back post to head in, kicking off delirious celebrations. It proved the last act of the 90 minutes so extra time followed.

Balla’ began the extra minutes reduced to ten men but Aisling also had a player red carded in extra time to even up things. Neither side was willing to risk it in extra time so penalties were called for. Balla’ went first and missed their first two kicks. Aisling could not take advantage as they also missed, Sherlock saving one.

Kevin Nolan then scored as Aisling missed again. When Ryan Earls scored, Aisling needed to score to avoid defeat but once again Sherlock came up trumps to seal a memorable victory.

After the game, Noel Hanley, of the MFA, presented the Shield to Balla captain Ryan Earls.

The Munster FA should take huge credit for coming up with the idea of the tournament which had proven a big success all across the province. On another note, Kerry Referee Mark Griffin had a very good outing.

Ballynanty Rvs B: Eoghan Sherlock, Ryan Earls, Grant Murphy, Ken Meehan, Dean Cronin, Calum Waters, David Donnan, Dean O'Brien, Kevin Nolan, Ger Higgins, Jamie O'Sullivan. Subs: Barry Quinn, Ger Meehan, Dessie Fitzgerald, Dan Daly, Lee Boyle, Neil Wallace, Thomas Hourigan

Aisling Annacotty D: Ed Doyle, Alan Nicholas, Dara Neville, Kyle Brogan, Padraig Hartnett, Conor Fleming, Alan Rossiter, Liam Danaher, Jason Lipper, Diarmuid Hegarty, Manni Ajuong. Subs: Sean Reeves Wasik, Ronan O'Mahoney, Evan O'Neill, Calum Ryan, Cian O'Brien, James Lane.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Fairview Rgs 1 Aisling Annacotty 2

AND then there were two!

Aisling Annacotty staged a superb comeback to beat Fairview Rgs in the crucial Premier League game at the Fairgreen on Sunday.

The result keeps Aisling’s title hopes well on track while at the same time all but ending Fairview’s hopes of League success.
The youthful visitors showed enough spirit to suggest they are in this fight to the end. They struggled to break down a solid Fairview backline but kept plugging away before getting their reward with a couple of late goals.

Once again Tom Kidd was a human dynamo all around the park while Eliah Riordan and Adam Foley also shone for the winners.
Fairview will be bitterly disappointed to lose when they had the game in their grasp. Their back four were rock solid for the most part while Liam Quinn was also prominent, particularly in the opening half.

Josh McCarthy gave Fairview the lead when he raced onto Brian Aherne’s cross to score from close range.

The same player was denied a second when his shot from inside the box was saved by Aisling keeper Josh Coady.
Aisling’s first real chance of note was midway through the second half when Kidd’s throw in fell at the feet of Paul Brennan but he lifted the ball over the bar.

Aisling were back on level terms 17 minutes from time. A foul on Brennan in the box presented Adam Foley with the opportunity to score from the spot which he did with aplomb.

The game turned full circle three minutes later from a Fairview attack, a quick breakaway by Thoe Joyce picked out Adam Foley and his clever pass send Sean Ezekannagha in on goal before calmly slotting past the home keeper.

Fairview were reduced to ten minutes later but they still eked out a good chance for an equaliser when Matt Te pou raced through and lobbed the advancing keeper, but watched agonisingly as the ball fell the wrong side of the post.

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Jeffery Judge; Blake Curran; Thomas O'Connor; Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan; Conor Kavanagh; Josh McCarthy; Liam Quinn; Brian Aherne; Adam Dore. Subs: Josh Quinlivan; Kane Connolly; Matthew Tepou

Aisling Annacotty: Josh Coady; Raid Mouras; Adam O'Regan; Eliah Riordan; Ciaran Jennings; Leon Daly; Fiachra Cotter; Paul Brennan; Adam Foley; Theo Joyce; Tom Kidd. Subs: Sean Ezekannagha.

Pike Rovers 2 Ballynanty Rovers 0

Leaders Pike Rvs kept their title charge on track with a 2-0 win over old rivals Ballynanty Rvs.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening 45 minutes but after the restart the home side started to take control.
Conor Coughlan opened the scoring with a superb first-time finish from Shane Clarke’s through ball.

Dylan Murphy grabbed the crucial second when he raced onto Eoin Hanrahan’s header over the top and tucked away 37th goal of the season (11 with Croom Utd).

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Darragh Hughes; Sean Madigan; Robbie Williams; Adam Lipper; Conor Coughlan; Steven Bradley; Colin Daly; Colm Walsh O'Loughlin; Shane Clarke; Dylan Murphy. Subs: Eoin Hanrahan; Kyle Duhig; Shane Walsh.

Ballynanty Rovers: Dermot Fitzgerald, Adam Costelloe, Cian Lynch, Jack McGarry, Liam Byrnes, Adrian Power, Thomas Byrnes, Cian Fitzgerald, Eddie Byrnes, Darragh Rainsford, Conor Keane. Subs: Aidan Hurley, Aaron Power, Sean Byrnes, Jack Horan, Shane Dillon.

Carew Park 2 Newport 1

With little but pride at stake in this one, Carew edged out the visitors by the odd goal in three. Goals from Pat Boyle and Danny McCarthy put Carew in control. Darren Collins pulled one back for Newport but that was as much as they could do.

Carew Park: Jamie Stewart; Christian Mubiala; Scott Kirwin; Aaron Haugh; Pat Boyle; Jonathan Moran; Dylan Kelly Higgins; Danny McCarthy; Darren Butler; Logan O'Byrne; Pat Whelan. Subs: John Mullane; Gary Griffin; Darren Hanlon; Kieran Hanlon.

Newport: Seamus O'Regan; Eoin Looney; Pa Murtagh; Christy O'Connor; Drew McLean; Daniel Ryan; Darren Collins; Cillian O'Shea; Christy Doyle; Conor Brett; Luke Ryan. Subs: Brian O'Sullivan; Joe Shanahan; Jay Ryan.

ROUND-UP:

IT'S AS YOU you were at the top of the Premier A League with wins for the top three sides.

Leaders Kilmallock overcame a stiff challenge at home to Summerville, winning 3-2.

Barry Sheedy was the home hero with a hat-trick. Daniel Ikoghode and Emanuel Alfred were on target for Summerville.
Second placed Janesboro overran Aisling Ann B hitting six without reply. Liam O'Sullivan (2), Brendan O'Dwyer, Tom Clarke, Eoin Tucker and Hugo O’hAnluain accounted for the scores.

Goals from Jonathan Somers, Ben Kennedy and Ben O'Shaughnessy kept Hyde’s promotion hopes well intake in their game at home to Moyross.

At the other end of the table, Murroe are putting in a great spurt with two wins and a draw in their last three games.
On Sunday, Anthony McNamara (2), Jamie Long, Killian Quaide and David Rainsford scored in a 5-2 win over Athlunkard Villa.

Murroe are now just two points short of Prospect and safety after Corbally Utd put five past the Hyde Road club. Sean Kiely, Klorane Tabot-Ndip, Ian O'Donoghue, Oscar O'Donoghue and Jack Fitzgerald scored for the winners.

In Division 1A, Pallasgreen moved to within a point of leaders Southend when they defeated Cappamore 3-0. Bang in-form striker Vinnie Ryan scored all the goals.

Regional kept pace with the leaders with a 4-0 win at Patrickswell. Goals were courtesy of Eoghan O’Donovan (2) and Ciaran Downey (2).

Star Rvs impressed in a big win over Caherconlish. Jamie Greaves helped himself to a hat trick while Ryan Guedes, Alex Purcell and Frank Hogan also netted.

Corbally Utd took over top spot in Division 1B with a 5-2 win at Glenview Rvs. Peter Cregan and Jack McNamee were on the mark for the home side but goals from Darragh Reddan (2), Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Clancy and Cian Moore gives United a three-point advantage on Aisling D who were in cup action.

Lisnagry A edged past Castle Rvs thanks to scores from Danny Lipper and Gerry Fitzpatrick while goals form Cathal Woods (2) and Mike Nseka gave Mungret the points in a 3-1 win over Kilfrush.

In Division 2A, Herbertstown maintain a five-point lead on the chasing pack after a 3-2 win at Meanus. Kevin Meade, Oisin O'Grady and Mike Bob Ryan scored the winning goals.

A draw helped neither side trying to keep tabs with the leaders when Shelbourne and Pike Rvs B ended 1-1 in Shelbourne Park. Rory Cullen scored for the home side; Josh Shinners netted for Pike.

Croom Utd moved into second spot after beating Murroe B 5-1. Zach Hayes (2), TJ Tierney, Pa O’Connor and Stevie Twomey scored for United.

In Youth Division One, Newport A recorded a good win over Fairview Rgs. Ciaran Carey scored a double for the winners with Damien O'Brien and Adam Power also on the mark. Cameron O’Grady replied for ‘View.

A hat-trick from Ruiri Mullins and one from Ryan Scanlon saw Regional Utd edge past Murroe on a 4-3 scoreline.

In Division Two, Holycross maintain their five point lead after a 4-1 win over Charleville
Cialan Feeley scored two, Paudie Hennessy and Joe Teefy made up the winner’s tally.

Nenagh beat Corbally Utd 3-1 thanks to scores from Mark Manley, Daniel Connolly and an own goal.

Shelbourne won a high scoring game at Herbertstown on an 8-3 scoreline. Tomaz Garbat (2), Sam Shawyer (2), Daniel Collins, Kasper Kusiak, Niall McGuane and Louis Murphy accounted for the winning goals.

MID-WEEK ROUND-UP: