Nenagh and Newport find the early going tough

The Limerick District League season kicked off over the last week with two Tipperary sides competing in the Premier League.

Newport Town's promotion last season sees them join Nenagh AFC in the top flight for the first time in their history.

Cillian Fitzpatrick, aided by brother Oisin, will again guide Nenagh who look to build on their sixth-place finish last season. The return of goalkeeper Aaron Savage after a number of years with Fairview Rangers is sure to have a huge positive effect on a very young squad.

Newport Town will be led by Dave Ryan and David O'Brien and will focus in the main on the squad that brought them to this level. With a conveyor belt of talent coming through yearly, a good first year could be the start of a long berth in the top-flight.

Another Tipperary side, Lough Derg will ply their trade in the Limerick Leagues this season following their switch in the close season. They will enter the leagues in Division 3B and will also have youth representation.

Premier League

Pike Rovers 3-0 Nenagh AFC

Champions Pike Rovers, parading the same squad that brought them success last season proved too strong for Nenagh in their League opener on Thursday.

The Hoops showed no sign of apathy as they ran in three goals without reply. Eoin Hanrahan, Nathan O’Callaghan, and Adam Lipper scored to seal the win.

Nenagh AFC: Aaron Savage; Eoin Coffey; Colm Hayden; Conor McCormack; Kieran Barr; Ryan Gilmartin; Eamon White; Aidan White; Adam Ryan; Cillian Scully; Kieran O'Brien. Sub: Jonathan Lawlor

Geraldines 3-2 Newport Town

Newport Town’s first taste of Premier football ended in disappointment on Thursday when they went down 3-2 to Geraldines in Garryowen.

The sides were scoreless at the break but goals from AJ Moloney, Craig Collopy and Rob Lowe put the home side well in command.

To their credit Newport never gave up and got some consolation when Eoin Guilfoyle's shot was deflected for an own goal and Drew McLean marked his debut with a goal to reduce the to one. That was as good as it got for Newport as 'Dines held out for the points.

Newport Town: Harry Ryan; Elliot Slattery; Pa Murtagh; Drew McLean; Christy O'Connor; Daniel Ryan; Dan Egan; Cillian O'Shea; Jay Ryan; Christy Doyle; Brian O'Sullivan. Subs: Eoin Guilfoyle; Conor Brett; Luke Ryan; Eoin Looney

Newport Town 0-1 Pike Rovers

Newport Town pushed champions Pike Rovers, right to the final whistle before going down by the narrowest of margins in their first ever home game in the top-flight in Derryleigh Park on Sunday

After a disappointing opener, Newport were determined to put up a better showing and had achieved their goal by half time when the sides were scoreless.

Eoin Hanrahan scored the only goal of the game with nineteen minutes remaining, but the visitors had to endure a nervous close as Newport chased the equaliser.

International goalkeeper Gary Neville made a fine save to deny Jamie Kavanagh and recovered to make an even better block when the rebound fell to Jay Ryan.

Newport Town: Harry Ryan; Eoin Guilfoyle; Pa Murtagh; Christy Connors; Drew McLean; Darren Collins; Joe Shanahan; Dan Egan; Jay Ryan; Brian O'Sullivan; David Ryan. Subs: Jamie Kavanagh; Conor Brett; Luke Ryan; Christy Doyle

Carew Park 5-2 Nenagh AFC

Nenagh AFC took the lead on their visit to Carew Park on Sunday when Alan Sheahan’s goal sent into the dressing room in front. However, a hug response by the home side saw them run in goals by Jake Leamy, Bradley McNamara, Aaron Nunan, Leon Johnson, and an own goal to take control of the tie. Aidan White scored a second for Nenagh, but it was only a consolation.

Nenagh AFC: Aaron Savage; Eoin Coffey; Colm Hayden; Conor McCormack; Kieran Barr; Ryan Gilmartin; Alan Sheehan; Eamon White; Aidan White; Adam Ryan; Kieran O'Brien. Subs: Cillian Scully; Jonathan Lawlor; Matt O'Gorman

Division 1B

Newport Town and Nenagh AFC ‘B’ sides were in action with mixed fortunes.

Goals from Jordon Clancy (2), Conor Brett and Jamie Kavanagh helped Newport ‘B’ to a 4-0 win over Parkville, but Nenagh fell by 3-0 to Castle Rovers.

Division 3B

Newcomers Lough Derg opened their LDL life with a 3-2 win over Newtown Rangers ‘B’. Goals from James Frahill (2) and Daniel Fogarty did the damage. Graham Power pulled back a couple of goals, but it proved just short.

Nenagh AFC ‘C’ beat the returning Caledonians 3-2. Kiefer O'Brien, Liam Hogan, and Emmanuel Masina scored for Nenagh.

Youths

In Youth Division 1, Jamie Long and Mattie Walsh were on the mark for Murroe at home to arch rivals Newport Town, but they fell on a 4-2 scoreline. David O'Brien (2), Adam Power and Evan Moran scored for the winners.

In Division 2, Nenagh AFC, fielding a first youths team in five years, opened with a win beating Caledonians 4-0 thanks to efforts from Mark Manley, David Flynn, Daniel Connolly, and Sean Morrissey

Under 17

In the Under 17 League, Nenagh AFC scored a 4-2 win at Shelbourne thanks to a hat-trick from Daniel Connolly. Ryan Clifford made up the tally.

Oisin Rowan and William Qaide Bennett scored for Lough Derg, but they went down 3-2 to Regional United.