Team Lightning vs Brazuca Legends
Following the Black Swans huge win vs Bluestreak last week, Team Lightning knew just one point from their final two games would be enough to clinch the league title. Easier said than done however as 3rd placed Brazuca and 2nd placed Bluestreak stood in their way. With both teams aware of the stakes, a measured start to the game saw both Brazuca and Lightning work their way into the tie. A goal in the 22nd minute saw Lightning settle. A diag ball found Wobbler at the back post. Wobbler knocked the ball down and Craig Mads was on hand with the acrobatic finish right into the top corner. Lightning managed the game from here and tried to avoid taking any unnecessary risks. Brazuca, never afraid to play to football, continued to probe and try to work their way up the pitch. Things got nervy in the 47th minute when Brazuca found the equaliser. A tense final quarter followed as interested observers from Bluestreak hoped the Brazilian boys could find a winner, With Brazuca pushing on, a Lightning through ball in the 54th minute was met by the on rushing Brazuca keeper. The keeper got to the ball ahead of the Lightning striker, but a half clearance found its way to a Lightning player 35 yards out. The Lightning man was just about able to get a strike away and with the keeper way off his line, it was the Brazuca defender trying to rush back to make a goal line clearance. With too much ground to make, the hapless defender could do nothing but look at the ball drop into the Brazuca goal and Lightning looked to have one hand on the trophy. One more goal was added by Lightning to put a gloss on the final scoreline of 3-1. Despite having success in post-league formats and a couple of Cup wins in recent seasons, this is Lightning's first league title.
The Black Swans vs Barely Athletic
Both teams were looking to keep their good start to 2024 going with Black Swans recording a win vs Bluestreak and Barely getting the best of Cutters in the previous week. Barely started the better of the two sides and grabbed a one goal lead when the Barely forward's shot found the top corner. The Swans kept plugging away and were thankful to get the equaliser to bring the sides level going in at half time. At the start of the second half, a ball bouncing around the Barely box was eventually knocked in and the Swans had the lead. The Swans were composed for the remainder of the game, and despite threatening the final third a few times, Barely weren't able to find another goal. Swans added one more and ran out 3-1 winners.
Cappaquigley Athletic vs Polonia Limerick
Cappa never quite found their way into this game and Polonia hit the front with a goal in the 8th minute. It went from bad to worse for Cappaquigley when Polonia doubled the lead in the 11th. Polonia never let this lead slip and despite pulling back a goal, Polonia added two more. Cappa got their second of the match in the 52nd minute to give a glimmer of hope but the Polish held out resolutely to deny Cappa any way back into the game. 4-2 Polonia the final score.
Wembledines vs Cutters
A fast start from Cutters caught Wembledines on the hop and the Clonlara contingent found themselves one ahead in the 11th minute thanks to Cathal Murphy. With pressure in the box and lots of bodies to wade through, Murphy managed to find the crucial touch to turn the ball in. A great goal in the 18th from Micheal O'Loughlin gave Cutters a nice cushion. Wembledines weren't going anywhere however and pulled one back. Micheal O'Loughlin was on the scoresheet again and Cutters looked to marching towards al three points. In the final ten minutes, Wembledines looked threatening. A lovely touch and take down by the Wembledines striker was let down by the resulting shot which was directed right at the keeper. A shot dragged wide minutes later was another chance gone begging for Dines. A goal finally came in the 56th minute and Dines looked like they could pull off an unlikely comeback. With shouts from the Cutters sideline of 'keep the ball', the Cutters looked to play smart and run down the clock. The final whistle went and Cutters had their win.