Nenagh progress in Munster on the double
Limerick District League Review
By Pat Sheehan
In a good weekend for Neagh AFC, both their ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams qualified for the open draw in their respective Munster Cup competitions.
Athlunkard Villa 1-5 Nenagh AFC
Nenagh AFC turned in a superb display when they beat Athlunkard Villa 5-1 to book their spot in the open stages of the Munster Junior Cup.
Dylan Morrison put the visitors ahead after ten minutes when he controlled Villa keeper Cian Purcell’s punched clearance on his chest before volleying to the top corner.
A rare slip by Lee Mowat was punished when Famara Kassama pounced to level just before the break.
The game was evenly poised when Nenagh regained the lead when Dan Connolly’s corner kick was powerfully headed home by Kieran Barr. Minutes later, Aaron Cusack did good work down the wing and squared to Connolly to make it 3-1
It got even better for the visitors when Morrison won the ball in midfield chipped it over the top for Connolly to run onto and finish. With time running out, Dan O’Meara held the ball up in the box before squaring to Morrison to put the icing on the cake.
Nenagh AFC: Carl Williams; Lee Mowatt; Craig Hilmi; Kieran Barr; Colm Hayden; Saeed Ryan; Matt O'Gorman; Pa Steed; Adam Brennan; Dylan Morrison; Daniel Connolly. Subs: Aaron Cusack; Declan O'Meara; M Manley
Nenagh AFC ‘B’ 2-1 Newport Town ‘B’
In the Munster Junior Shield, the two remaining Tippery sides were drawn together when Newport Town ‘B’ visited Nenagh AFC ‘B’ on Sunday.
A hard-fought cup tie saw a flurry of early goals followed by some teak tough defending by both sides.
Nenagh took the lead after eight minutes when Diarmuid Fitzpatrick pounced after good work from Kieran O’Brien and Joey McLoughlin.
Nenagh were still celebrating when Newport responded. Dan Egan hit an unstoppable long-range goal to quieten the home fans.
It took Nenagh two minutes to regain the lead when Marcin Kolkowski’s cross/shot deceived Newport goalkeeper Brendan Coffey to nestle in the net. After their early generosity, both defences tightened up and chances were at a premium.
As the game wore on Newport threw everything at Nenagh but solid defending ensured Nenagh’s passage into the Open Draw.
Nenagh AFC ‘B’: Taylor Duffy; Alan Kelly; Jamie Spain; Darragh McDonnell; Steve Daly; Marcin Kolkowski; J McLoughlin; Dylan Kennedy; Diarmuid Fitzpatrick; Cillian O'Gorman; Kieran O'Brien. Subs: Dan Furey; Jonathan Lawlor; Robert Ipsalat; Paddy Alonso
Newport Town ‘B’: Brendan Coffey; Chris Carmody; Jack Noble; Joe Shanahan; Conor McHugo; James Collopy; Darragh Meany; Dave Kirk; Nathan Hartigan; Dan Egan; Cillian O'Sullivan. Subs: Adam Power; Eoghan Flynn; Ben Noble; Phelim O'Reilly; Keith Mawdsley
Elsewhere in the Munster Junior Cup, former Nenagh favourite Ryan Gilmartin scored an extra time equaliser for Regional United who went on to beat Mungret Regional in a penalty shoot-out. Aisling caused a big surprise when they beat Fairview Rangers 3-2. Pike Rover and Geraldines also won to complete the LDL sides in the Open draw.