Limerick Desmond League 2018/19

[sportsfanatic]

Bad sportsmanship from Granagh not to play the fixture when broadford had a slight chance to force a playoff (very slight that is) but then again I suppose it is nearly July and Munster final day.

I heard League have requested an extension from FAI until end of July to finish cups and then restart season late September early October to give teams a break. Good if true.

[fanaticfan]

I heard the league want the quarter final tie between abbeyfeale and newcastle west to be played on Wednesday night.

[Abbeyman]

Bad sportsmanship from Granagh not to play the fixture when broadford had a slight chance to force a playoff (very slight that is) but then again I suppose it is nearly July and Munster final day.

I heard League have requested an extension from FAI until end of July to finish cups and then restart season late September early October to give teams a break. Good if true.

Hardly unexpected , Granagh can hardly put out a team if Limerick hurlers are playing a league match not to mind the Munster final .
Ludicrous fixing matchs the day of munster final in limerick .

[Shearer]

It's sad that there's anger over the final round of Football games being on four hours prior to a final in a different sport but not an eye batted at games on Friday directly clashing with the only Senior Football team in the region.

[PatRooney]

Any truth in the O Shea brothers signing for Creeves Celtic next year?

[Yorkshire rose]

Fair comment Shearer

[Ballistinianlad]

Something like this (Granagh walkover) was always going to happen.
Athea should be annoyed too. They could have forced a play off with shountrade but shountrade agreed a draw in their last match which put athea out of it. Hardly fair

[Soreloser]

Absolutely Flabbergasted that the league Management having told all and sundry that they could not change their rules and put 3 refs on abbeyfeale games a few weeks ago then ignored their rules about all teams in premier division playing their last games on the same date by switching Abbeys last game to a different date to all other teams.
Kinda suggests that the somebody within abbey club has more power than is being let on.

[Soreloser]

It's sad that there's anger over the final round of Football games being on four hours prior to a final in a different sport but not an eye batted at games on Friday directly clashing with the only Senior Football team in the region.

Well said Shearer

[fanaticfan]

The premier league is gas. KB vs kildimo was called a 1-1 draw but granagh gave rathkeale a walk over and were deducted 3 points. So if kb played kildimo and beat them then they would forced a playoff to stay up. Well done to KB 😂😂

[Johnnie C]

KB's last 3 league games were all agreed 1-1 draws which was bizarre when they had a chance of staying up. You'd assume though that they simply couldn't get a team together for the games.

[Shearer]

There's been talk of KB splitting with a good while now and it will probably come to fruition.
The one thing I'll say is will both clubs be put into the second division?

[Gazza29]

Big weekend for Desmond League football starting tonight. Abbey should have more than enough for NCW tonight before setting up a mouth watering clash between 2 of the last 4 champs on Sunday. Glin going for their 3rd final in 4 years

[last man back]

I see big change in limerick league for next season with league splitting into top 6 and bottom 6 after one round of games. I think Desmond league needs some sort of revamp to freshen things up

[Foxynob44]

Last man back I agree with you thats a good idea, it would help make games more competitive & lessen the chance of walkovers especially in the 2nd half of the season, would it be similar to how division two worked this year in the desmond league?.

[The Enforcer]

Last man back I agree with you thats a good idea, it would help make games more competitive & lessen the chance of walkovers especially in the 2nd half of the season, would it be similar to how division two worked this year in the desmond league?.

I would be 100% against it unless teams play each other 3 more times once the division is split or else if only playing each other 3 times a season that the 3rd game is at a neutral venue. The big teams don’t lose at home eg this season Broadford won all their games at home while Abbey and Rathkeale won them all bar 1. Therefore home advantage is huge so if teams played each other 3 times a season the teams that get more home games is at a huge advantage

[Shearer]

I would be 100% against it unless teams play each other 3 more times once the division is split or else if only playing each other 3 times a season that the 3rd game is at a neutral venue. The big teams don’t lose at home eg this season Broadford won all their games at home while Abbey and Rathkeale won them all bar 1. Therefore home advantage is huge so if teams played each other 3 times a season the teams that get more home games is at a huge advantage
To be fair, both the split and the uneven number of games thing have been done throughout Europe and even as close to home as the top tier of the football pyramid either side of the border with little issue.
So the first stage where sides play the other nine teams once, it's a case of either 4 home and 5 away or vice versa.
The championship phase has you playing four other teams twice, therefore 4 at home and 4 away.
So worst case scenario you've 9 away and 8 home, best case is it's the other way around. Yeah you'll have to play some teams twice away and that sucks, and some years Cork City were away to Dundalk twice when they were fighting it out at the top of the league and other years it was the reverse. Luck of the draw.
The main takeaway is that it'll make it more competitive and improve the standard of the league. A Rathkeale player won't learn anything thumping the team at the foot of the table, nor will the player playing for the side getting thumped.

[fanaticfan]

Abbey beaten on penalties by Glin after 2-2 draw

[Langerdan007]

To be fair, both the split and the uneven number of games thing have been done throughout Europe and even as close to home as the top tier of the football pyramid either side of the border with little issue.
So the first stage where sides play the other nine teams once, it's a case of either 4 home and 5 away or vice versa.
The championship phase has you playing four other teams twice, therefore 4 at home and 4 away.
So worst case scenario you've 9 away and 8 home, best case is it's the other way around. Yeah you'll have to play some teams twice away and that sucks, and some years Cork City were away to Dundalk twice when they were fighting it out at the top of the league and other years it was the reverse. Luck of the draw.
The main takeaway is that it'll make it more competitive and improve the standard of the league. A Rathkeale player won't learn anything thumping the team at the foot of the table, nor will the player playing for the side getting thumped.

All well in good Shearer when it is just "luck" of the draw - You'd want Stokes, Kennedy, Crowley overseeing it!!!

[Shearer]

The league went all out putting in provisional fixtures last week, and fair play to them, but they could have made a better job of the Premier Division League Cup.

Abbeyfeale losing in the Desmond Cup should've been taken into consideration, in which case they could have provisionally put in place:
Granagh Vs Abbeyfeale on Thursday July 11.
Granagh/Abbeyfeale Vs Glin on Tuesday July 16.
Final on week ending July 21.

Not rocket science.

[Gazza29]

The league went all out putting in provisional fixtures last week, and fair play to them, but they could have made a better job of the Premier Division League Cup.

Abbeyfeale losing in the Desmond Cup should've been taken into consideration, in which case they could have provisionally put in place:
Granagh Vs Abbeyfeale on Thursday July 11.
Granagh/Abbeyfeale Vs Glin on Tuesday July 16.
Final on week ending July 21.

Not rocket science.

It looks like Abbeys exit from the Desmond cup ensured that league cup final could now be on the 20th. I’m not sure what outcome would mean that it’s on the 27th

[Shearer]

Mountcollins entering a team next season.

[sexyfootball]

Fair Play to Glin... great result for them!
The definition of a cup team who on their day are a match for anyone in the league, should be a good final!

Abbey could potentially end the season trophyless should they fail to win the League Cup!!
Granagh maybe fancy their chances of a bit of silverware, Glin on for a potential double & should they get that far NCW Town in the final who are surely due a win over Abbey...

[Gazza29]

Any predictions on Fridays game. It will be a good end of season for one of these teams

[Johnnie C]

Good to see Mountcollins back, think the 09/10 season was their last campaign.

[noconnor16]

AGM notices sent out today for 24th July, 2 motions to vote committee back in block

[Shearer]

AGM notices sent out today for 24th July, 2 motions to vote committee back in block
And one of those two clubs previously sent out a statement in support of John Delaney.

[Johnnie C]

Scoreless at half time in cup final. Nothing between the sides. Glin a threat at set pieces. Decent crowd.

[noconnor16]

And one of those two clubs previously sent out a statement in support of John Delaney.

League gave clubs no notice to send in any motions. Wonder will there be resignations on the m/c.

[Shearer]

If you went to any of the three games on in Clounreask in the last six days you'll have got your money's worth.
The phrase "great advertisement for Football" is thrown around every now and then, but the Desmond Cup Final this year (and every other year) never fails to disappoint. A fantastic game of football and a great crowd, a tough loss for Glin but a fantastic one for Broadford who've gotten a trophy to reward themselves for another one of those big undefeated runs they seem to go on every year.

Big win for Creeves Celtic last night beating Pallaskenry on penalties after being down 2-0 at half-time in the Hogan Cup Final. It's probably gone under the radar but they've gotten four trophies in two seasons and are on course for a treble in the League Cup Final to make it five, as well as back-to-back League and League Cup doubles.

One thing I will say that disappointed me is the lack of a programme or team sheet for the Desmond Cup Final. I've no problem with paying €10 in to it because any less would be doing it a disservice, but considering the gate they brought in it probably wouldn't cost €20 to print off a barebones programme.
I think there's a lot of money-making opportunities missed by clubs to sell lotto tickets or golden goal tickets at the Final, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Even though there was a great crowd at the Desmond Cup Final, there's so much room for growth with even a small bit more promotion. There's been launch nights done for finals before that have been more like box-ticking exercises, but a bit of emphasis on things like that, a photoshoot that you see done outside the Woodlands every month with the gaa, so much potential. I'd consider the Hogan Cup a big deal, it's deserving of a bigger crowd than just supporters of both clubs and I think that is something that needs to be driven home.

I'm not going to go on any longer because I've gone on long enough, but what I'm saying is that this league is a good product that's worth promoting to a wider audience. I'll complain about the league on here but I'll be just as quick to praise it, because it really is worth fighting for.

[westernflow]

Your point is well made Shearer. And I agree with so much of it.

However to suggest the printing costs would be that low? No way. Would cost a bit more for 150+ programme sheets.

Also I must note that the league has to do much more before they can do such things. For example the two youths cup finals in March didnt even have medals for the players. And also there was little on live 95 as I perhaps the PRO is away.

[Cruyff]

Your point is well made Shearer. And I agree with so much of it.

However to suggest the printing costs would be that low? No way. Would cost a bit more for 150+ programme sheets.

Also I must note that the league has to do much more before they can do such things. For example the two youths cup finals in March didnt even have medals for the players. And also there was little on live 95 as I perhaps the PRO is away.

With regards to the printing, €20 would do 200 black and white A4 copies for you in the library in Newcastle.
10 cent a sheet, still a 99% mark up to €10.

And to be honest, even if the printing costed €50, or even €100, the cost of it is not the point.

It's the value and apprecation of doing it is what matters...

Obviously westernflow I'm not having a go at your point, I'm moreso adding to the previous posters point, and you're dead right about the radio, West Limerick radio could surely be there. Or Facebook live, or anything really...

[westernflow]

Ok. Well in fairness the league did have a stream of the div 1 cup final. So something advanced has been done. I wonder could they have double headers when there is cup finals.. and have some sort of food etc available and make it appealing.. I wonder what is done around the country. They should target neutrals and let the clubs push it themselves

[Ballistinianlad]

A major effort for the Desmond cup final should be made by the committee. Get a good programme. Have company’s place ads in it for a few Bob. Interview with both managers and captains. A page on the history of both teams and a team sheet page. Not that hard to do in fairness.
Last year there was a launch night I believe for the hogan cup and Reidy cup final, were they scrapped this season

[twotouch]

Any word on the agm?

[twotouch]

AGM 24th confirmed. Heard Gary Enright Desmond player of the year. Great achievement for him and has been fantastic over d last 3 years

[westernflow]

Reidy Cup had a launch this year. Shountrade and AK.

When will next season be pencilled in for? This season runs until end of July, I cant envisage a start to next season in only 4 weeks.

[last man back]

I’ve heard it will be end September before next season starts, however that depends on outcome of DL committee/ referee talks

[Shearer]

A good two nights in Clounreask.
Creeves Celtic deserving League Cup winners to complete a treble, while Newcastle West Town had a super win tonight in the Premier League Cup Final and could've won by more. Fair going to beat Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale on the way.

[Langerdan007]

Did Abbey finish the season trophyless??

End of September...where you hear that last man back?? are these discussions between the relevant parties likely to be soon???

[sexyfootball]

Did Abbey finish the season trophyless??

They won the Fair Play Award? :eek:

Great Result for NCW Town in fairness was at the game and although Abbey had the bulk of the possession NCW Town were the deserving winners and could possibly have won by more (a few cahnces on the break as Abbey pushed for an equaliser).

NCW Town went up 1-0 inside 20 minutes when Paudie Kinehan scored a header from a cross after good initial closing down of the defenders by Seoirse Joyce, the ball fell to Paul Downes who crossed for Kinehan to head home.
Abbey came into the game then and played the rest of the ball for the remainder of the half.
Their pressure finally told with Ray Lynch getting a brilliant equaliser.
Some neat play in midfield led to a nice 1-2 on the edge of the box with Lynch to the right of the goals smashing a great drive into the roof of the net.
Abbey started the second half on the front foot and had the ball in the back of the net for a second time maybe 10-15 mins into the second half but it was ruled out (for off-side I think).
Game died down a small bit then but with about 20 left the ball rebounded around the Abbey box and Joyce shot home into the bottom right corner.
Abbey huffed and puffed but bar Dillon bombing down their left hand side a few times there was no real threat and NCW held on comfortably.

The rest of the Desmond League may see this as karma for Abbeyfeale to not win a trophy this season... hopefully the outstanding issues with Abbeyfeale, the DL committee and the referees can be resolved over the next week or so and we can look forward to Rathkeale, Broadford, Abbeyfeale & Newcastle West Town all dueling for the Premier Division next season.

[robotwarsfan]

Anything from last night??

[Johnnie C]

Issue with referees remains to be solved. 18/19 season got finished due to a temporary fix. Provisional start date of September 15th for new season and August 31st for youths (assuming issue with referees resolved).

[Shearer]

Gary Manning involved with Kilcornan for the forthcoming season.
Was being head-hunted all over Limerick by some top clubs.

[Ballistinianlad]

So back to square one with the referees is it?
Any changes on the top table?

[Shearer]

A total of 39 walkovers this season consisting of 21 Junior and 18 Youths.
10 of the 21 Junior walkovers came following the post-ref strike.
Bit of issues formatting this that might have messed up some parts so if its a case that the numbers don't add up let me know as the original did to the best of my knowledge.


Junior Walkover Count

Premier Division:
Granagh United - 1

Premier Division League Cup:
KB United - 1
Granagh United - 1

Division One:
Feenagh - 2
Shountrade - 1

Division Two:
Rockhill Rovers - 3
Broadford United B - 2
Ferry Rangers- 1
Abbeyfeale United B - 1
KB United B - 1

Richard Hogan Cup:
Rockhill Rovers - 1
Ballingarry B - 1

Desmond Cup:
Ferry Rangers - 1
Athea United - 1

Division Two League Cup:
Broadford United B - 1
Ferry Rangers - 1
KB United B - 1

Total:
Rockhill Rovers - 4*
Ferry Rangers - 3*
Broadford United B - 3**
Feenagh - 2*
KB United B - 2**
Granagh United - 2**
Abbeyfeale United B - 1
Ballingarry B - 1
Athea United - 1
Shountrade - 1*
KB United - 1

Total: 21

* Each asterisk indicates number of walkovers that occurred post ref-strike.
Youths & Under-17's Walkover Count

Youths Division One:
Rathkeale - 2
NCW Town - 1
Askeaton - 1

Youths Division Two:
Ferry Rangers - 2
Mountcollins - 2
Shannonside - 1

Youths Division Two League Cup:
Ferry Rangers - 1

Desmond Youths Cup:
Rathkeale - 1
NCW Town - 1
Mountcollins - 1
Ferry Rangers - 1

Munster Youths Cup:
Abbeyfeale United - 1

Under 17's Desmond Cup:
Rathkeale - 1
Ballingarry - 1
NCW Town - 1

Total Walkover Count:
Rathkeale - 4
Ferry Rangers - 4
NCW Town - 3
Mountcollins - 3
Abbeyfeale United - 1
Ballingarry - 1
Askeaton - 1
Shannonside - 1

Total Youths Walkovers - 15
Total Under-17's Walkovers - 3
Total Walkovers - 18

[noconnor16]

So back to square one with the referees is it?
Any changes on the top table?

No changes, voted back in block.

[Ballistinianlad]

My god the youths don’t make for great reading at all. Seems to be a major issue. Is it the Saturday match days?

[Langerdan007]

I would say the Saturday match day is part of it - also much harder keeping young fellas interested with the extra distractions out there - what options have you fixtures wise though? Friday night???

[Gazza29]

With the season down to start on September 15th, are teams going to try and have a 6 week preseason as most would normally do or will teams have a shorter preseason this year. Is anyone back already and have anyone played any games. I would have thought that every team was back this time last year