Limerick District League Review
By Pat Sheehan
The promotion battle in the Premier ‘A’ League is turning into a thrilling battle with the leading three sides all posting impressive results on Sunday, including Newport Town who defeated Kilmallock 5-1.
Leaders’ Newport had the perfect start when Jay Ryan took advantage of the visitor’s insistence on playing the ball across their back line to blast Newport in front within a minute of kick-off. Kilmallock responded well to such a devastating start and were back on level terms when Jack McGuire struck an equaliser.
The visitor’s joy was short-lived as Newport regained the lead two minutes later when Elliot Slattery’s free kick into the area picked out Brian O’Sullivan at the back post to apply the finishing touch.
The half time break did not help Kilmallock as Newport added to their lead after the restart. A long kick out by goalkeeper Seamus O’Regan picked out the speedster Jay Ryan and when he was upended in the area, Brian O’Sullivan converted the resultant penalty kick. Jay Ryan claimed his second when he took possession in midfield, ran straight at the target, and finished well for a superb goal.
Newport were still not done, and the final action saw Brian O'Sullivan claim his hat trick when he rose highest to head in Dave Ryan’s corner kick.
Newport Town: Seamus O'Regan; Kevin O'Brien; Diarmuid O'Riordan; Peter O'Sullivan; Elliot Slattery; Pa Murtagh; David Ryan; Sean O'Brien; Jay Ryan; Brian O'Sullivan; Dan Egan.
Kilmallock: Sean Hamm; Paul Moloney; Shane Lyons; John Heffernan; Barry Sheedy; Jack Barry; Kyle Tierney; Mark Hayes; Paul Doona; Tommy Heffernan; Jack McGuire, Subs: Jason Heffernan; Bjorn Downes; Paudie Sheedy; Dylan O'Connell
Hyde Rangers and Geraldines lie two points behind the Tipperary side following wins over Moyross and Athlunkard Villa respectively.
Division 1B
Leaders Caherconlish played out an eleven-goal thriller with Newport Town ‘B’ before bagging the points. Pat Gallagher 2, Sean Bonfield, Nathan Hartigan and Dylan Ryan for Newport and Mark Ryan 2, Aaron Power 2, and Shane Henry for Caherconlish had the sides level at 5-5 with time virtually up. Unfortunately, an own goal in the final minute gave Caherconlish three priceless points.
Division 2A
Division 2A is another exciting location with a number of teams who would not look out of place higher up the leagues.
Leaders Nenagh AFC ‘B’ continued on their merry way with a 2-0 win over Murroe.
Diarmuid Fitzpatrick broke the deadlock when he scored direct from a corner kick and the same player scored a beauty for number two, latching onto a superb through ball from Darragh McDonnell to finish impressively. It could have been more when Darragh McDonnell rattled the crossbar from long range and the follow up saw Tommy Martin’s scissors kick also rattle the frame.
Under 17
In the Under 17 League Newport moved second in the table thanks to a 4-1 win over Herbertstown. Shane Flanagan scored twice while Evan Moran and James Moloney were also on the mark for the winners.