Last Sunday the Limerick Desmond Schoolboys/Girls League held the U/8 finals which were played at the splendid grounds of Askeaton AFC. The weather was fine for the most par as again the supporters came out in big numbers with eight finals down for decision and all present were treated to a football extravaganza. The action on the field was non stop and at all times played in a very sporting manner throughout. Of course there were winners and losers on the playing field but really every single player that participated were winners in their own right and this is what it’s all about. The following is a breakdown of the results and a brief report on each –
U/8 Division 1 League Final
Abbeyfeale Utd (1) 3 own goal, Colm Cleary (2)
Broadford Utd (0) 2 Brian Ahern (2)
The division one league final was a real cracker between two evenly matched sides with Abbeyfeale Utd just edging out Broadford Utd by the odd goal in five. This was a game where both defences dominated, especially in the first half and it was ironic that the only goal of the first half came when a shot by Morgan Scannell took a wicked deflection off a defender and went just inside Brian Stacks left post. Broadford took the game to Abbeyfeale on the resumption and about sis minutes into the second half got a deserved equalizer when Brian Ahern found the net with a clinical finish. Abbeyfeale responded and within a minute were back in front with a Colm Cleary goal and five minutes later Colm got his second of the game and it looked like that was it. Great credit to Broadford for keeping their heads and didn’t give up and with two minutes left were right back in it when Brian Ahern fired home a great free kick to set up a grand stand finish but resolute defending by Abbeyfeale saw them hold out to win a great game and great credit is due to both sides for the exciting brand of football they gave us.
Abbeyfeale Utd: Luke Scannell,Jamie Quirke, Liam Collins, Gearoid Hartnett, Eliah Riordan, Morgan Scannell, Shane O’Connell, James O’Connor, Colm Cleary, Gerard Scannell, Eoghan O’Connell, Robbie Walsh.
Broadford Utd: Brian Stack, Michael Brennan, James Molyneaux. Brian Ahern, Sean Duggan, Jack Pierce, Shane McCarthy, Killian Cahill, Michael Barrett, Jack Mullane.
Referee Pat O’Connor.
U/8 Division 1 Shield Final
Newcastle West (4) 7 Daniel Normoyle (3), Brian Nix (2), Bryan Mortell (2)
Ballingarry (0) 0
In the division one shield Newcastle West proved too good for a plucky Ballingarry side who in fairness didn’t play that badly but on the day found West just that bit too strong. Newcastle West were well on their way by halftime with a Daniel Normoyle hat trick and Brian Nix had them four nil ahead and in the second half Nix added a second while sub Bryan Mortell netted himself a brace.
Newcastle West: Oisin Enright, Shane O’Mahony, Conor Walker, Brian Nix, Daniel Normoyle, Alan Shanahan, Andrew Mortell, Dylan Singh, Jody Woulfe, Bryan Mortell.
Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, Adam Long, Kieran Storin, Pierce Kirwin, Luke Flynn, Darragh Casey, Bryan Mulqueen, Jeremy O’Connor, Grace Mullane, Mathew Cronin.
Referee Sean Hartnett.
U/8 Division 2 League Final
Kilcornan (1) 4 Michael Keating, Cathal Downes (2), Conor Arthur
Bally Rvs (0) 0
A real close game was expected in the division two league final but on the day it was Kilcornan that brought their scoring boots with them to finish convincing winners against Bally Rovers. At half time there was only a goal in it, that coming from Michael Keating but in the second half Kilcornan created good chances and this brought three further goals, a brace from Cathal Downes and a fourth from sub Conor Arthur. A disappointing week then for Bally who were pipped by Shountrades late, late extra time winner in the eights cup final.
Kilcornan: Aaron Cummins, Jack Neilan, Kevin Walsh, Sean Hanly, Cathal Downes, Adam Nash, Michael Keating, Joey Rushe, Cian Enright, Conor Arthur.
Bally Rvs: Shane Cregan, Aoife Cregan, Conor Hannigan, Paddy O’Callaghan, Johnny O’Sullivan, Michael John Ambrose, Zack Behan, Paul O’Donnell, John Whelan, Paudie Griffin.
Referee Pat O’Connor.
U/8 Division 2 Shield Final
Athea Utd (2) 6 John Sexton (3), Ryan O’Connell (2), Micah O’Connell
Carrig Cel (2) 4 Jordan Ryan (3), John Hayes
There was plenty drama in this derby game between Athea Utd and Carrig Celtic with the outcome in doubt right up until the final whistle. Carrig got a great start when a close range finish from Jordan Ryan had them ahead and within two minutes they had doubled their lead with a fine strike from John Hayes flew into the top corner. Athea didn’t panic and soon after John Sexton had reduced the deficit and it got better when the same player got a second for United and at the break it was all square. In the second half it was Athea that started the better and they went in front for the first time when Micah O’Connell low shot found the bottom right corner. Back came Carrig and Jordan had the sides level again and it was again all to play for. We werent finished with the goals yet and two quick fire goals from Ryan O’Connell looked to have put Athea in a good position but the game wasn’t over yet as Jordan completed his hat trick to leave the game finely balanced. The turning point of the game probably came when Carrig nearly made it five all, Darren Ward being very unlucky to see his effort come back off the crossbar. Then with a minute left Sexton took the ball down the right before firing to the net from the edge of the area to give Athea a dramatic win.
Athea Utd: Micah O’Connell, Ryan O’Connell, Andrew O’Riordan, David O’Connor, Ciara O’Shea, John Sexton, Sean Lane, Seamus Leahy, Jack O’Connor, Grace Ryan.
Carrig Cel: Darren Ward, Amy O’Shea, Gavin Lynch, Shane King, Cian Ward, John Hayes, Jordan Ryan, Leon Quinn, Shane O’Reilly, Thomas Murphy.
Referee Sean Hartnett.
U/8 Division 3 League Final
Granagh Utd (3) 4 David Riordan, Sam O’Sullivan (2), Gearoid Lynch,
Shountrade (0) 1 Mark Hayes
The division three league final saw something of a surprise when Granagh Utd got the best of favourites Shountrade in a very entertaining contest. It has being a great season thus far for Shountrade who won all their league games as well as winning the eights cup in Athea on Bank Holiday Monday but on this occasion it was Granagh who took their chances to record a great win. Granagh started quite well and it was David Riordan who put them ahead and not long after Sam O’Sullivan increased their lead when he headed home in fine style. Shountrade were not out of it by any means and with Mark Hayes having another fine performance they had chances but the Granagh defence, with Dan Herlihy and Shane Collins to the fore werent going to give anything away too easily. However Shountrades task became that bit more difficult when Gearoid Lynch extended his sides lead just before half time. Shountrade needed a good start to the second half but it was Granagh that scored again to put them well on their way thanks to Sam O’Sullivans second goal of the game. Shountrade did get pull one back through Mark Hayes but by then the game was as good as over and it was Granagh that emerged with the cup.
Granagh Utd: Denis Sheehy, Dan Herlihy, Shane Collins, Jason Kenny, Gearoid Lynch, Sam O’Sullivan, David Riordan, Ciara English, William O’Regan, Sean Murphy.
Shountrade: Gareth Sparling, Robert Moloney, Sean Connolly, Mark Hayes, Diarmuid Hartnett, Pat Lenihan, Gavin O’Shaughnessy, Ciaran O’Keeffe, Gearoid Hartnett, Nessan Leahy.
Referee Pat O’Connor.
U/8 Division 3 Shield Final
Adare Utd (3) 4 Cathal O’Neill (4)
Askeaton (0) 1 Sam Duggan
Adare Utd lifted the division three shield after a four one win over Askeaton last Sunday afternoon with the difference between the sides being Cathal O’Neill who scored all his sides four goals. Early exchanges were even enough with both sides striving for supremacy with Cathal O’Neill and Joe Sweeney of Adare having a great tussle in the middle of the park against AJ Maune and Paul Shaughnessy but gradually the Adare duo gradually got on top and once Cathal got the opening goal they never looked back. By half time Adare were three up with a display of clinical finishing and early in the second half they added a fourth. Askeaton to their credit kept playing positively and were rewarded with a good goal from Sam Duggan but by then the game was effectively over and it was Adare that would go on to claim the shield.
Adare Utd: Adam O’Callaghan, Gavin Collins, Daniel Toomey, Cathal O’Neill, Joe Sweeney, Cian Kirwin, Mike Keane, Aaron Leahy, Aaron O’Sullivan, Emmet Moore.
Askeaton: Kevin Barry, Cormac O’Keeffe, Alan McGrath, AJ Maune, Paul Shaughnessy, Sam Duggan, Alex Ryan, Tomas Sheahan, Stephen Smith, Sean McMahon.
Referee Sean Hartnett.
U/8 Division 4 League Final
Creeves (4) 8 Dylan Moloney (3), Darren Kearns (2), Kevin Guina (2), Rory Forrestal
Shannonside (1) 1 Luke Danaher
The opening league final last Sunday was the division four final between Creeves and Shannonside and both sides gave it their all but on the day it was Creeves that proved stronger and they lifted the league cup. They got a dream start when Dylan Moloney curled a beauty into the top corner but moments later Shannonside were level when Luke Danaher drilled a low shot from outside the area into the bottom corner. Creeves were soon back in front when Darren Kearns forced the ball home from a corner and the same player soon made it three one before Kevin Guina concluded the first half scoring. The second half saw Shannonside try hard but found Creeves in good form and further goals from Kevin Guina, Rory Forrestal and Dylan Moloney (2) and it’s the Newbridge side that claim the league cup
Creeves: Patrick Gallagher, Sean Brosnahan, Aaron O’Connor, Dylan Moloney, Kevin Guina, Darren Kearns, Darragh Buckley, Rory Forrestal, Aiden Brouder, Sean Kenny.
Shannonside: Oisin Finucane, David Walsh, Luke Danaher, Tom Murphy, Killian O’Donnell, Jamie Mullane, David McDaid, Josh O’Rourke, Jake Moroney, Christopher Barrett.
Referee Pat O’Connor.
U/8 Division 4 Shield Final
Pallaskenry (0) 3 Adam Gibbs (2), Aaron O’Donovan
St Itas (0) 2 Ben Mulcahy, Jason Culhane.
(aet).
This was the only one of the finals on Sunday to go to extra time and as this suggests it was a close game and it was with both sides having chances to win it in normal time and in added time but on this occasion it was the hoops that got over the line first. It was scoreless at the break but was really down to the two goalkeepers, namely Tommy Kelly-Kiely for Pallaskenry and JJ Kelly for St Itas both of whom made some really good saves. The second half saw Ben Mulcahy break the deadlock for Itas but in form Adam Gibbs had the sides level not long after. Pallaskenry had a great chance to go in front for the first time when they were awarded a penalty but the ball went over the crossbar. This miss looked to have being decisive as Itas went back in front when Jason Culhane showed a cool head to pick his spot. It was very much looking like Itas wee going to do it but Adam Gibbs showed his eye for goal with his second of the game in the closing stages. Extra time was tense as both sides had chances and for a while penalties were looking very likely until Aaron O’Donovan turned super sub with a last gasp winner for the hoops.
Pallaskenry: Tommy Kelly-Kiely, Phillip McKenna, Michael Cuddihy, Adam Gibbs, Ciaran Barry, Oran Kelly, Rory Cullen, Aaron O’Donovan, Conor Bourke, Alex Downey.
St Itas: JJ Kelly, John Hennessy, Jack Long, Eamon Carmody, Valerie Shanahan, Lauren O’Brien, Fergal Lane, Ben Mulcahy, Jason Culhane, Shane Harnett
Referee Sean Hartnett.
THANKS
Last weekend was a very successful day for the Limerick Desmond Schoolboys League and the committee would like to thank the following for their assistance, especially Askeaton AFC who hosted the finals and it must be said that the Askeaton venue was in top class condition. To the two referees Pat O’Connor and Sean Hartnett for doing a very professional job throughout the day,
To all the parents, relations and supporters who came out in huge numbers, to cheer on their teams and made for a great atmosphere with their flags, banners, etc.
Lastly but most importantly to all the kids who played and gave it everything for the honour of their club, they were truly sporting ambassadors and definitely the stars of the future. It was a joy to witness and we look forward to hearing their names well into the future. Well done again to all who participated.