Newport slip up in Promotion scramble
SOCCER: Limerick District League Review
By Pat Sheehan
Premier ‘A’ League
The Premier ‘A’ League promotion dogfight took a further twist with the weekends results.
Going into Sunday’s action, Newport Town along with Star and Kilmallock were in a three-way tie just a point ahead of Moyross but with the top three all dropping points, Moyross were catapulted into top spot.
After going nine games unbeaten, Newport have wobbled of late, picking up just four points from their last five games. Their latest setback on Sunday saw them leapfrogged by Regional United into fifth spot.
First half goals by Dave Burke and Mark Shanahan put the visitors in control which they rarely looked like giving up. Newport’s response came deep in injury time through Conor Brett.
Newport Town: Stephen McCormack; Sean Bonfield; Pa Murtagh; Dave O'Brien; Christy O'Connor; Peter O'Sullivan; Eoin Looney; Sean Ryan; Brian O'Sullivan; Jamie Kavanagh; Callum O'Connell. Subs: Elliot Slattery; Luke Ryan; Killian O'Malley; Paul Ryan; Conor Brett
Division 1B
With the leading two teams, Ballynanty Rovers and Pike Rovers, not in action in Division 1B, third placed Nenagh AFC ‘B’ had the chance to close the gap in the promotion race but failed to take the points on offer as they went down 3-2 to Glenview Rovers.
The home side were out of the traps quickly and went on to open up a three-goal lead.
Diarmuid Fitzpatrick pulled on back with twenty minutes remaining and when Oisin O'Meara netted a second ten minutes from time, a draw looked on the cards.
However, solid home defence held on for the spoils.
Nenagh AFC ‘B’: David O'Keeffe, Alan Kelly, Jamie Spain, Steve Daly, J McLoughlin, Paddy Alonso, Dan Furey, Casey Finn, Robert Ipsalat, Dylan Kennedy, Jonathan Lawlor. Subs; Oisin O'Meara, Peter Ryan, Diarmuid Fitzpatrick, Kieran O'Donoghue, D McKenna-Kelly.
Oscar Traynor Trophy
Limerick District League reached the final of the Oscar Traynor Trophy following their 2-1 win over their Donegal counterparts on Sunday in Milebush, Mayo.
Extra-time was required to separate the sides but, in the end, Limerick posted a deserved win to set up a final with the Galway District League.
In an opening half where real chances were at a premium, Limerick had a great chance to take the lead midway through; good work by Conor Coughlan created an opening for Vinny Ryan but his effort was blocked on the line.
Limerick got the breakthrough just after the hour mark. Good work by sub Leon Daly and Ryan ended with the latter playing Leon Kirrane into the area where he was unceremoniously upended and from the resultant spot kick, Kieran O’Connell converted in style.
Limerick were unlucky not to have increased the lead when Josh McCarthy’s long kick was flicked on by Ryan to put Daly in one on one but a bobble at the vital moment gave the keeper the opportunity to save.
A rare lapse in the Limerick defence allowed Robb through and when he was tripped in the area, Harking tucked away the spot kick to level the game.
Extra time followed and a second yellow for O’Connell saw Limerick down to ten men. However, it had no effect as Limerick snatched the winner minutes later.
A good run and shot by Leon Daly saw the ball rebound to substitute Kai Joyce who gathered 25 yards out to deliver a beauty to the back of the net.
The final is set for Sunday, February 15th with the venue to be decided.
Limerick District League: Josh McCarthy (Fairview Rangers); Danny O'Neill (Fairview Rangers), Blake Curran (Fairview Rangers), Tommy Frawley (Regional United), Kieran O'Connell (Regional United), Jason Cross (Fairview Rangers), Shane Walsh (Ballynanty Rovers), Leon Kirrane (Ballynanty Rovers), Conor Coughlan (Aisling Annacotty), Oleg Vysochan (Fairview Rangers), Vinny Ryan (Ballynanty Rovers). Subs: Leon Daly (Pike Rovers), Kai Joyce (Janesboro), Shane O'Brien (Janesboro), Kyle Duhig (Pike Rovers), Daryl Murphy (Pike Rovers), Cian O’Brien (Regional United).