2018/19 Munster Senior League Review

Eleven months and seven trophies later, UCC closed off the 2018/19 Munster Senior League season on Saturday afternoon, overcoming Avondale United 2-1 in the O’Connell Cup final. Goals from Matt McKevitt and Thomas O’Donovan sealed the title for UCC, after a year which saw both teams dominate the domestic scene.

UCC claimed the top prize, when they lifted the Munster Senior League title last May. Facing a three way stretch for the title on the final day of the season, just three points separated UCC, defending champions Cobh Wanderers and Rockmount. A rapid fire UCC eased into a three goal lead at Ringmahon Rangers, sealing the title after less than forty minutes. After their 2013/14 win which was won due to an illegible player and 2016/17 season which finished in a title deciding win over Cobh Wanderers, UCC’s title was further cushioned by three points as third placed Rockmount beat Cobh 3-2 on the night.

The college also created history, by completing their first ever treble in last week’s O’Connell Cup victory. It is an achievement however, unique only to UCC as the Collingwood Cup began the wave of success last February for Noel Healy’s side.

Meanwhile, Avondale United put aside an abysmal league campaign; which saw just three league wins and a regulation scare of two points between them and the bottom two, as they would capture a cup treble of their own. After former Cork City and Waterford striker Mark O’Sullivan netted the winner in the FAI Intermediate Cup final, The Dale next secured the Keane Cup; seeing off Cobh Wanderers 2-1 at Turners Cross. Avondale rounded off the season in the most dramatic of circumstances, in a 4-3 cup final thriller against UCC to lift the Beamish Stout Senior Cup.   

Avondale’s cup heroics have also seen them qualify for the 2019 Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup first round proper. The Dale; who previously reached the quarter finals in 2014, as a reward for reaching the Intermediate Cup quarter finals, entered the qualifying rounds of the cup. 

Ringmahon Rangers also had their share of the honours, winning the Donie Forde Trophy at Turners Cross last April, overcoming Avondale 2-0.

The final piece of silverware between the sides, was the Munster Senior Cup. Midleton of the Premier Division ran the farthest, seeing passed Carrigaline United and Mayfield United before losing out 3-1 to Cork City at Turners Cross.

At the other end of the table, basement side Mayfield United and Leeds AFC were relegated to the Munster Senior League First Division. They will be replaced by First Division winners St. Marys AFC and runners up Carrigaline United in the autumn.