Limerick Desmond League

Last updated

Limerick Desmond League
Founded 1955
Country Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Confederation Munster Football Association [1]
DivisionsPremier Division
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Youth Division 1
Youth Division 2
Under 17 Division 1
Under 17 Division 2
Number of clubs58 (2017–18) [2]
Level on pyramid7–10
Domestic cup(s) FAI Junior Cup
FAI Youth Cup
League cup(s)Desmond Cup
Richard Hogan Cup
Riedy Cup
Website limerickdesmondfootballleague.com

The Limerick Desmond Football League (LDFL) is one of two association football leagues in County Limerick, along with the Limerick District League. Featuring amateur and junior clubs located west of the N20, the league also runs divisions at youth and Under-17 levels. [3] [4] Its top division, the Premier Division, is a seventh level division in the Republic of Ireland football league system. The name Desmond is historically associated with both Limerick and Munster, as it is derived from an anglicisation of the Irish place-name Deas-Mhumhna (meaning "South Munster"). [note 1]

Contents

The headquarters of the league are located at Mick Hanley Park in Clounreask, Askeaton. [5]

History

The league was founded in January 1955 following a meeting at the Desmond Castle, Newcastle West. It was agreed to call the league – the Desmond League and its founding members included – Killonan F.C., Newcastle West A.F.C., Tralee Dynamos and A.F.C. Askeaton. These four teams contested the first league championship which was won by Killonan. In it early years the league also included teams from County Kerry. In 1966 Joe Wickham initiated reforms that helped modernize the league and by 1969 it featured twenty teams. In 1971 Tralee Dynamos and Killarney Athletic left the Desmond League to become founder members of the Kerry District League. [6] [7] [8]

Recent[ when? ] seasons has seen the number of teams affiliated to the league and as a result, the number of divisions. The 2018/19 season saw the league reduced to three divisions (Premier Division, Division One, Division Two). The league also saw a number of club mergers. Killeany AFC merged with Bally Rovers to form Killeany/Bally Rovers FC. Also, Newcastle West Rovers and Newcastle West AFC merged to form Newcastle West Town. Adare United and Kilcornan merged at underage but at junior level AK United and Adare United remained separate entities.[ citation needed ]

In 2019/20, just three divisions of ten teams affiliated. Ferry Rangers, Ballysteen, Feenagh, Rockhill Rovers and Killeaney/Bally Rovers all withdrew from junior football. Mountcollins and a number of B teams took their place.[ citation needed ]

The league also entered the Oscar Traynor Trophy after a number of years absence.[ citation needed ]

League pyramid

The league forms a division based on the number of applications from clubs. The aim is to create divisions with an even number of teams, therefore the format can be subject to change each year. Below is the format for the 2023/24 season.

County LevelLeague(s) / division(s)
1Premier Division

8 clubs – 2 relegations

2Division One

8 clubs – 2 promotions, 2 relegations

3Division Two

8 clubs – 2 promotions, 1 relegation

4Division Three

5 clubs – 1 promotion

Source: [9] [10] [11]

Teams

Premier Division (as of 2024/2025 season) [12]

TeamHome town/suburbGround
Ballingarry A.F.C. Ballingarry, County Limerick Astropark Ballingarry
Breska Rovers A.F.C. Clarina, County Limerick
Broadford United Broadford, County Limerick
Creeves CelticNewbridge, County Limerick
Glin Rovers Glin, County Limerick
Newcastle West Newcastle West Ballygowan Park
Rathkeale A.F.C. Rathkeale
St. ItasAshford, Kileedy

List of winners by season

As of 2022, former winners included: [13] [ needs update ]

SeasonWinnerRunners-up
2021-22Abbeyfeale UtdRathkeale [14]
2020-21
2018-19Rathkeale [15]
2017–18Abbeyfeale UtdRathkeale
2016–17RathkealeBroadford Utd
2015–16Abbeyfeale UtdBroadford Utd [16]
2014–15Abbeyfeale UtdNewcastle West Rovers
2013–14Broadford UtdRathkeale
2012–13Newcastle West AFC
2011–12Broadford Utd
2010–11Abbeyfeale UtdShannonside F.C.
2009–10Rathkeale Newcastle West
2008–09 Newcastle West Abbyefeale Utd
2007–08 Newcastle West Glin Rovers
2006–07Abbeyfeale UnitedKildimo United
2005–06 Newcastle West Glin Rovers
2004–05Rathkeale Newcastle West
2003–04 Ballingarry Rathkeale
2002–03BroadfordRathkeale
2001–02 Newcastle West Broadford
2000–01Newcastle West AFC
1999–00Abbeyfeale Newcastle West
1998–99Rathkeale Newcastle West
1997–98FoynesRathkeale
1996–97Rathkeale Newcastle West
1995–96Rathkeale Newcastle West
1994–95RathkealeSt.Bens
1993–94AskeatonAbbey United
1992–93 Newcastle West Askeaton
1991–92 Newcastle West Villa Rovers
1990–91 Newcastle West
1989–90 Newcastle West
1988–89Rathkeale
1987–88Askeaton
1986–87Park Utd
1985–86Glin Rovers
1984–85Askeaton
1983–84Askeaton
1982–83Kilcolman Rovers
1981–82Askeaton
1980–81Kilcolman Rovers
1979–80Kilcolman Rovers
1978–79Kilcolman Rovers
1977–78Kilcolman Rovers
1976–77Shannon United
1975–76Broadford
1974–75Foynes
1973–74Foynes

Notes

  1. ↑ See also the Kingdom of Desmond and the Earl of Desmond

References

  1. ↑ "Details of Affiliated Leagues & Clubs 2015/2016". www.munsterfa.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  2. ↑ "List of Teams Affiliated to the Limerick Desmond Football League". www.munsterfa.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  3. ↑ "About Us". limerickdesmondleague.ie. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Stafford, Tom. "The Irish Football Pyramid – or lack of (part 1 - Munster)". extratime.com. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  5. ↑ O'Connor, Rory (29 March 2019). "Desmond League rename Clounreask HQ in honour of Mick Hanley". www.limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "About Us - History". limerickdesmondleague.ie. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Soccer in the Kingdom – a story of success and unprecedented growth". www.kerrydistrictleague.ie. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Killarney Athletic – Club History". www.killarneyathletic.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "League Tables - Limerick Desmond Football League". 24 August 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "League Tables 2023/24 Season - Limerick Desmond Football League". 14 August 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "League Tables 2022/23 - Limerick Desmond Football League". 8 September 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "League Table - Weekly Observer Premier Division (2024-25)". limerickdesmondfootballleague.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "List of Champions". limerickdesmondleague.ie. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  14. ↑ https://limerickdesmondfootballleague.com/2021-2022-season-honours/
  15. ↑ https://www.limerickleader.ie/gallery/sport/428845/slideshow-rathkeale-and-breska-secure-desmond-titles.html
  16. ↑ "Limerick Desmond Football League - Premier Division". ldfl.leaguerepublic.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
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