Limerick Desmond Football League

21/10/2026

21/10/2026

Oscar Traynor Interleague Trophy (Match Day 1)
Limerick Desmond
V
Limerick District,

Wednesday, October 21st

The Paddocks, Ballingarry

Kick off 7.45pm

Admission €10


We begin our Oscar Traynor campaign this evening when we host Limerick District under lights at The Paddocks, Ballingarry. The game kicks off on their superb astro pitch at 7.45pm. We would encourage all football supporters to show support for the team tonight.
Please note that Admission to the game is €10.

From the manager -
Ballingarry AFC are proud to be asked to represent the league in this seasons Oscar Traynor competition. In addition to the Ballingarry players we have been able to add a little strength from other clubs within the league and many with experience of playing at this level. Three of whom were involved last season, namely Andrew Ruddle, James Molyneaux and Jack Pierce.
It was late notice to get a squad together so first time meeting the extra players brought in will be on the night for their first time together.
Kevin Forde Manager.


Limerick Desmond Squad:
Edward Lynch (Ballingarry), Andrew Ruddle (NCW Town), Adam Long (Ballingarry), Mark Danaher (Ballingarry, Kieran Long (Ballingarry), Brian Sheehy (Ballingarry), Stephen Kelly (Ballingarry), Kevin Guina (Ballingarry), Jack Mullane (Ballingarry), Adam Shanagher (Ballingarry), Dylan Quirke (Abbeyfeale Utd) James Molyneaux (Broadford Utd), Josh Mulcaire Quille (Ballingarry), Philip Pandong (Ballingarry), Michael Molloy (Ballingarry), Tom Healy (Glin Rvs), Daire O’Shea (NCW Town), Brian Ahern (Broadford Utd), David Geary (Ballingarry), Eoin Lynch (Ballingarry), Jamie Forde (Ballingarry), Andrew Walsh (Ballingarry), Gary McInerney (Ballingarry), Seamus O’Carroll (Ballingarry), Dean Clancy (Ballingarry), Jack Pierce (Broadford Utd), Adam O’Kelly Broadford Utd).

Management Kevin Forde (manager), Toby Morgan, Andy Jones, Shane Markham.

20/10/2026

Inter-League Youths Trophy
NARROW DEFEAT FOR LIMERICK DESMOND YOUTHS
Cork Youth League ………………………………………………………….3
(E. Murphy McKeon 29, D. Kelly 54, D. O’Flaherty 57)
Limerick Desmond League ………………………………………………2
(D. Buckley 83, Z. Bennis 90 + 4)
Heavy defeats have been the lot of the Limerick Desmond League in their visits to the Cork Youths League for several years, but last Saturday’s encounter in the excellent artificial pitch of Midleton AFC was different, a narrow 3-2 defeat showing that Limerick Desmond have reason to look forward to their remaining group encounters, against Limerick District and Clare, with a degree of optimism.
Limerick Desmond’s two goals came late, but Desmond were worthy of a respectable scoreline after a battling performance, particularly in the first-half when they matched the hosts for speed, drive and organisation.
On the green carpet under the completely blue sky, both sides started at a fast pace. The first chance fell to Limerick Desmond in the 7th minute when Dylan Buckley’s corner was headed over by Yuriy Stashchak. The Newcastle West player tried to turn creator in the 20th minute, slipping a pass through to Brooklyn Delahunty, who was just beaten in a race to the ball by keeper Cantwell.
Having largely failed to threaten the Limerick Desmond defence in the opening quarter, the second quarter began with a couple of early signs of increased threat from Cork. Keeper Ed Lynch had to parry away a corner and Kelly fired narrowly with an instep volley.
Therefore, it was not against the run of play when the home team opened the scoring in the 29th minute with an excellent goal. Alade sped along the left wing before passing inside to Kelly who laid the ball back to midfielder Murphy McKeown, who rifled unstoppably into the top right-hand corner from 20 yards.
Limerick Desmond’s response was admirable, and they created two chances in the next five minutes. Kelly worked hard to earn a shooting opportunity sixteen yards out but then fired over and that was followed by an excellent move, with Stashback and Delahunty transferring the ball from left to right to Kelly who was leaning back when he fired over.
Working hard throughout the pitch, Limerick Desmond limited the highly-rated Cork side to just two more chances in the remaining minutes of the half, Alade firing straight at Lynch, who later advanced smartly to smother at the feet of Kelly.
Manager Thomas Kiely and his management team of Declan Normoyle and Niall O’Connor were obviously not happy to be behind at half-time but they couldn’t fault their charges for the effort they had shown. The players continued in that vein at the start of the second-half but then were rocked by a soft Cork goal in the 54th minute, Barrett’s non-threatening cross met with a sidefoot volley to the back of the net by Kelly. Worse was to come three minutes later, with O’Flaherty finding the net with an excellent 20-yard free-kick.
Memories of recent drubbings at the hands of Cork came to the fore at this stage. The home team did have a couple of chances to increase their lead but failed to do so, which meant that life was breathed back into the contest when Dylan Buckley, who played a captain’s part throughout and was outstanding in the last fifteen minutes, pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when he took a pass from Sean O’Flynn and wrongfooted a defender before drilling expertly into the bottom right corner. Buckley almost repeated the act a minute later, but this time his shot was less well-directed and was easily dealt with by Cantwell.
Springing strong players from the bench, Cork looked comfortable again until Limerick Desmond reduced the deficit to the minimum when Buckley’s corner was headed to the back of the net by substitute Zack Bennis. Unfortunately, that was four minutes into injury-time and there wasn’t time to complete what would have been a famous comeback.
Limerick Desmond’s remaining group games are at home to Clare on the 14th of November and away to Limerick District on the 12th of December. The top two will qualify from the group and, based on the performance in Midleton, Limerick Desmond have every chance of doing so.
Limerick Desmond: Edward Lynch (Ballingarry), Ben Hough (Ballingarry), Cian Barry (Dromore Utd), John Ross O’Reilly (Breska Rvs), Cory Byrne (NCW Town), Sean O’Flynn (Broadford Utd), Luke Costelloe (Glin Rvs), Yuriy Stashchak (NCW Town), Tiarnan Kelly (NCW Town), Dylan Buckley, capt (Glin Rvs), Brooklyn Delahunty (Dromore Utd).
Subs used Gavin Rushe (Askeaton-Kilcornan) for Hough 55 mins, Kacper Marek (NCW Town) for Delahunty 65 mins, Jer Mulvihill (GB Rvs) for Costello 68 mins, Zach Bennis (Dromore Utd) for Marek 78 mins, Jack White (Broadford Utd) for Byrne 78 mins.
Also, Andrew Johnson (Shountrade), Iarla Killeen (NCW Town), Billy Gavin (Breska Rvs), Michael Asonte Amoah (NCW Town)

Cork: N Cantwell, M Keeshan, D O’Flaherty (capt), M McCarthy, D Sadowski, C McCarthy, S Barrett, E Murphy McKeon, D Kelly, R Whelan, E Alade.
Subs used L Waters for Barrett 68 mins, R Cremin for Alade 68 mins, C Tait for Sadowski 69 mins, T Collins for Whelan 69 mins, O Verdonschot 77 mins. Also, J McCarthy, I Kennelly.
Referee David Finnegan. Referee Assistants Daniel Daunt, David Hickey.

11/10/2026

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Limerick Desmond Preview of Premier Division 2026-27
COIS SIONNA DESMOND CREDIT UNION

PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW 2026/27

This season it will be the turn of Ballingarry to defend the premier division title they won last season after a gap of twenty plus seasons.

Ballingarry
Management: Kevin Forde (manager), Toby Morgan, John O’Grady
Key Players: Josh Quille, Philip Padong, Jamie Forde
Last Season Finish: Premier Division Champions

It’s hard to win any division but even harder to retain it which will be the aim of Ballingarry in the season ahead. They have begun well in terms of the league cup where they topped their group with three wins to reach the semi-finals while they also progressed in the MJC with a four nil win away to St Itas
In terms of their squad there are no great changes in personnel. Adam Shanagher has resumed with Ballingarry after a couple of seasons away from the game and that will be a big boost for the defending champions. On the reverse of this Aaron Smith has left to Cappamore Celtic. Joshua Mulcaire-Quille will be a key player in midfield as while Philip Pandong. Good things are expected from Jamie Forde in his first full season at The Paddocks. Dean Clancy will again captain the side and also possess players of quality like Kieran Long, Gary McInerney, Brian Sheehy while David Geary and Eoin Lynch always carry a threat up front.
Ballingarry used the 2024-25 season as a good learning curve for what was a young side to used this to good effect to win the premier division last season. Another year older now and they will be one of the teams to beat this season.

Broadford United
Management: Willie O’Brien (manager), Gary Egan, Jim Neenan
Key Players: Adam O’Kelly, Michael Brosnan, Jack Pierce, Brian Ahern, Tiernan O’Flynn
Last Season Finish: Runners up Premier Division

Broadford Utd have been one of the more consistent sides in the top flight having finished in the top two for the majority of the past ten seasons and last season was no different but it could have been better. They were involved in one of the closest title races in recent seasons with Ballingarry with the pivotal game being the ones between the sides in Cove Park on May 14th which ended in a dramatic three all draw. Ballingarry in many peoples minds effectively winning the league that night with Eoin Lynch’s stoppage time equalizer maintaining his sides two-point cushion. Both sides won their penultimate games the following Sunday before Ballingarry clinched the title with victory away to Breska Rovers.

Broadford last won the title back in 2023 but have won three in a row Desmond Cups in the same time frame and no doubt will be determined to wrestle back a league title come next May. Josh Keane Quinlivan was outstanding last season but has now gone to Salthill Devon but counteracting this is the sighing of Jamie Keane from NCW Town while Brian Ahern is back in his home colours having had a very successful stint with Fairview Rangers.
Broadford have always given youth its chance and this is reflected positively with the progression of players like Sean O’Flynn, Tiernan O’Flynn, Jack White, Michael O’Kelly and Ollie Stokes who have played in all of the games so far this season. Add in experienced players like Michael Brosnan, Jack Pierce, Joe McAuliffe and Patrick Stack should give them a good platform going forward in the months ahead.

Glin Rovers
Management: Tony O’Neill (manager), Shane Culhane, Christy McSweeney, Ajay Behan
Key Players: Tom Healy, Gary Culhane
Last Season Finish: Third in Premier Division

Another side with another new manager, Tony O’Neill, a man with a wealth of managerial experience in Kerry comes across the border to replace Mike Costello who is the new manager at The Vales. Glin were going for a three in a row last season but had to give way to a more consistent Ballingarry to eventually finish third behind the side from The Paddocks and Desmond Cup winners Broadford Utd. Certainly the loss of Tommy Culhane and Paul Sheehan didn’t help in that regard. A key player missing this season will be Ajay Behan who will be out for the season but he will be involved in assisting manager Tony O’Neill

Tom Healy who has a season and a half under his belt with Glin will wear the captain’s armband, an experienced player beyond his young years and will be a key player for Rovers. Mike Stack in goals, and the Culhane brothers Gary and Tadhg Culhane are still going strong while John Wallace and Conor Shine are dependable defenders. Jack Sheehan will be important for Glin in midfield alongside his skipper while James Broderick, and Zack Behan have plenty pace up front. Add in youngsters Luke Costello and Dylan Buckley, both with very promising futures ahead after making the step up to junior football for the coming season. Incidentally both have recently been selected for the Limerick Desmond Inter League youths squad. If Glin can gel this youth into their squad, they should have a good season though the absence of Brian Donovan will need to be overcome.

Dromore United

Management: Barry Walsh (manager), Paul O'Keeffe, Evan Consdine
Key Players: Ryan Kelly (captain), Shaun Barry, Paudie Hartigan, Ciaran Galvin.
Last Season Finish: 4th in Premier Division

This is Dromore Utd’s fifth season in the league and their second as a premier division side having had a steady debut season when finishing fourth. It is a hard task for any promoted side but Dromore proved a hard team to beat given their energy and work rate. They had a dream first season when winning the Desmond Cup on penalties as a division one side against Glin Rovers while also reaching the blue riband final two seasons later against Broadford Utd. Their division one league title came after an unbeaten league campaign with twelve wins and two draws and six points ahead of Askeaton Kilcornan.

Not so spectacular last season where preserving their top flight status was the key objective which they achieved with five wins and four draws from the fourteen league games. Like last season they have struggled in the league up with only one point from the three group games and also out of the MJC with defeat away to Glin Rovers.

Dromore have the same core panel as last season with Darragh Walsh their only new signing (as a free agent). Darragh last played for Pike Rovers a couple years ago but been in Australia for the past two years. Currently Dromore are down seven of the panel due to other commitments but no doubt will plough on.

Newcastle West Town

Management: Noel O’Donnell (manager), Noel Murphy, Ray Brouder, Brendan Moloney, Mike Keogh (goalkeeping coach)
Key Players: Daire O’Shea, Shane Stack, Yuriy Stashchak.
Last Season Finish: Fifth Premier Division

Last season Town started poorly and were eliminated from the League Cup where the finished bottom of their group, now twelve months later they have topped their group and into the semi-finals after winning all their group games. A big contrast too with regards to the Munster Junior Cup where they won their opening game 2-0 away to Rathkeale.

Last season they gave youth its opportunity and this has continued into this season with some of last year’s youths side making an easy transition up to junior football. Shrewd management giving these players game time at a good pace. In addition, Town have some new faces and some familiar ones back. Noel O’Donnell is their manager having managed Athea Utd last season, Daire O’Shea is a new signing from Athea, Joey Healy is back from Glin Rovers while Shane Stack is back in the Town colours having returned from Australia while Ian Corbett and Bryan Nix are also back playing. All of last season’s squad still involved with the experienced Andrew Ruddle, Mike O’Keeffe and Thomas Quilligan will have big roles to play.

Askeaton/Kilcornan

Management: Gary Manning (manager), Declan Moane, Pat Fitzgerald
Key Players: Alan Ryan, Ray Kelly, Sean Downes
Last Season Finish: 6th in Premier Division

Askeaton/Kilcornan preserved their premier division status on the last day of the season with a home win over NCW Town and won’t want to repeat this in the coming season so more consistency will be required. The very experienced Alan Ryan will definitely be a key player for them, a defender with Oscar Traynor experience will be vital, as will Ray Kelly while Sean Downes is a rolls royce of a forward as is Ken O’Donoghue who should be among the goals. Oisin Healy, a new signing is a class act at centre back but Munster Rugby might have the call on him during the season. 18 year old Darragh Taylor is also a fine prospect and Mark Doolin (19) is back playing juniors for the first time since injury.
On the down side Matt Moane is out injured for the season while Jamie O’Sullivan is stepping back from soccer for a year. Cormac O’Keeffe, Zach Birdthistle, Tom McCarthy and Evan Costello have dropped down to the B’s

It was a tough task to stay up last season after coming up from division one and with only fourteen league games a good start is really very important.

Rathkeale
Management: Dean Maune Alan Doyle, Gary White,
Key Players: Sean O’Shea, Alan O’Shea, Jack Hennessy, Andrew White, Jack Keogh
Last Season Finish: Division 1 Champions

Rathkeale were very disappointed to lose their premier division status in the 2024-25 season but bounced back in style to win division one and an immediate return to the top flight. Like Dromore Utd the previous season, their division one campaign also came after an unbeaten league campaign with twelve wins and two draws, four points ahead of Athea Utd and Abbeyfeale Utd, the latter getting promotion after a playoff. Not only did they win division one but added the League Cup and Riedy Cups for good measure

Experience is everything in the premier division and the O’Shea brothers Sean and Alan won’t be found wanting in this regard. Andrew White in midfield and Jack Keogh up front will be big players as well. Jack Hennessy returned from Broadford Utd midway through last season and he will be a big addition to their pool of players. In the off season Creeves Celtic players Tommy Dillane and Jack O’Sullivan have made the short trek to Holycross while
Andrew Meade moved from Ballingarry which gives manager Dean Maune some further options. The only one to leave was goalkeeper Brendan Carmody who has joined Shountrade for the coming season.

The sky blues struggled in the league cup, finishing third and are also out of the MJC with a two nil loss at home to NCW Town, yet to field a settled side a factor thus far. They will need some positive results in the early stages of the league if they want to challenge Ballingarry and Broadford Utd.

Abbeyfeale Utd

Management: Eoghan Kelly (manager), Joe Flaherty, Paudie Enright, Scott Fitzgerald.
Key Players: Oisin Woulfe, Caleb Martens, Dylan Quirke, Jamie O’Connor, Conor Mullane
Last Season Finish: runners up Division 1 after a playoff

Like Rathkeale last season, Abbeyfeale Utd were disappointed to lose their premier division status in the 2023-24 season but after two seasons in division one are glad to be back in the top flight. In order to get promotion Abbeyfeale needed a playoff win in extra time against Athea Utd, the side who were also relegated with Abbeyfeale in 2024.
This season Abbeyfeale Utd will be managed by former player Eoghan Kelly. They have some players back after stints with other clubs, Dylan Quirke is back from Killarney Celtic while Paudie Smith and David Mullins have returned from playing in Cork. On the reverse of the coin Adam Barry has left to play in Limerick.
They will look to inspirational skipper Conor Mullane to lead them from midfield as well as another club stalwart Jamie O’Connor. Mark Lane will be in goals in the early games of the season while in front of him the likes of Oisin Woulfe and Caleb Martens will marshal their defence. The return of Quirke from Kerry is naturally a big boost for the Fealesiders. Olan Quigley and Dylan Murphy are also players that give everything to the clubs cause.

To date Abbeyfeale have finished third in their league cup group while they won three one away to Askeaton Kilcornan in the MJC.

11/10/2026

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Limerick Desmond Leagie Results 9-11 October

McCarthy Insurance Group MFA Shield 2nd Round
Abbeyfeale Utd B 0 Dromore Utd B 1

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Division One League Cup Group B
Granagh Utd 4 Feenagh 2
St Itas 4 Athea Utd 4, St Itas won on penalties

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Division Three League Cup Group A
Athea Utd B 1 Ballingarry C 7
Feenagh B 3 St. Itas Reserves 0

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Division Three League Cup Group B
Broadford Utd B 2 Adare Utd 4

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Premier Division
Abbeyfeale Utd 0 NCW Town 1
Ballingarry 4 Glin Rvs 1
Rathkeale 4 Dromore Utd 0

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Division One
Creeves Celtic 2 Breska Rovers 4

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Division Two
Shannonside 0 Blackhill FC 4
Glantine/Mountcollins Utd v Breska Rovers B, W/O to Glantine/Mountcollins Utd

YOUTHS RESULTS

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1st Round
Ballingarry 1 Shountrade 6
Glantine-Mountcollins Utd 1 Rathkeale 4

FAI U17s Cup 2nd Round
Bridge Utd 4 Dromore Utd 3

Munster Youths Cup 2nd Round
Newcastle West Town 3 Rathkeale 1
Breska Rovers 0 Dromore Utd 4
Broadford Utd 9 Ballingarry 0
Abbeyfeale Utd 2 Creeves Celtic 0

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Youths Division Two
Shountrade 2 NCW Town B 3

01/09/2026

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Limerick Desmond fixtures 5-13 Sept and Desmond Youths Cup draw

06/08/2026

The Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Limerick Desmond 2026-27 season kicks off next Thursday with Youths fixtures. The junior season will begin on the weekend of 6 September.
Best of luck to all teams in teh season ahead.
See below for Youths fixtures for Thursday 13 August.
Day Date/time Venue Competition Match
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 Pallaskenry Youths Division 1 Dromore Utd - Broadford Utd
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 TBC Youths Division 1 Newcastle West Town - Ballingarry AFC
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 Pairc Eas Geitne Youths Division 1 Askeaton/Kilcornan AFC - Feenagh AFC
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 Ballyhahill Youths Division 2 GB Rovers - Newcastle West Town B
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 The Vales Youths Division 2 Athea Utd - Creeves Celtic
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 Rathkeale Youths Division 2 Rathkeale AFC - Glantine/Mountcollins Utd
Thursday 13/08/2026 at 1900 Tervoe Youths Division 2 Breska Rovers - Shountrade AFC

08/07/2026

(l to r) League Vice-chairman Joe Hogan, FAI President Paul Cooke, Limerick City and County Council Príomh Comhairleoir Tom Ruddle and Limerick County TD Richard O’Donoghue.