12-05-2025
Brilliant Bree United beat Shamrock Rovers to claim Division 3 crown
Bree United secured the Division 3 crown in fine style with a 3-0 victory over fellow title-challengers Shamrock Rovers in Macmine on Sunday.
The hosts, managed by Wayne Dunne, Gavin Sludds and Enda Byrne, went ahead early in the second-half when Craig McDonald played in Anthony Butler, who fired the ball to the net.
McDonald was again the provider as Butler grabbed his second just before the hour mark, drilling a confident finish to the bottom corner of the net.
Substitutes Dylan Dalton and Larry Sludds combined to put the icing on the cake in injury-time, with the latter lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to kickstart the title celebrations.
Bree United: Eric Kennedy; Craig McDonald, James Parle, Danny Fortune, Kevin Ring; Tommy Kennedy, Shane Murphy, Philip Walsh (capt.), Tony Ryan; Noel Roche, Anthony Butler. Subs. – Billy Dunne for Kennedy (60), Dylan Dalton for Murphy (66), Larry Sludds for McDonald (90+4), also Liam Rossiter, Luke Carr, Noah Goucher, Garret Doran.
Shamrock Rovers: Ryan Price; John Murphy, Seán Miller, Dillon Shannon; Stephen Wallace, Kyle Foley (capt.), Rickey Dwyer, Cian O'Connor; Anthony Murphy, Dapo Abidoye. Subs. – Raphael Abidoye for Wallace (52), Eddie Black for D. Abidoye (64), Killian Murphy for Foley (74), also Gerry Wall, Brendan Power, Darren Redmond, Ryan McCarthy.
Referee: Seán Grant.
Oylegate United ensured they remained in the title race until the final day of the season with a 5-2 away win over Killenagh Wanderers on Wednesday evening.
Jamie Ronan, Pierce Murphy and Richard Murphy scored for the winners, while two own goals added to their tally. Seán Óg Doyle and Oisín O'Loughlin hit the back of the net for the visitors.
However, with Bree sealing the deal on Sunday it meant Oylegate had to be content with runners-up spot.
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Meanwhile, Duncannon and Killenagh Wanderers shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw in Ryan's Park on Sunday.
Barry Molloy gave the hosts the lead shortly before the break, but Seán Óg Doyle levelled matters seven minutes after the interval.
Division 3A
Ferns United and Gorey Rangers are tied in third place in the Division 3A table after both picked up victories on Sunday.
John Breen, Jonathan Whelan and James Lawlor got second-half goals for Ferns as they overcame Taghmon United 4-1 in Clone. Jack Power had given the visitors the lead midway through the opening half.
Gorey Rangers ran out comprehensive 8-2 winners over Crossabeg AFC in Altura Credit Union Park. Caleb Byrne-Murphy and Brendan Morris bagged doubles for the home side, while Darragh Molloy, Jordan Kennedy, Conor Travers and Daragh Canavan chipped in with a goal apiece.
Johnny Coughlan netted both goals for Crossabeg.
Rory Goff scored a last-minute winner for Glynn Barntown as they finished the season with a victory as they edged out Enniscorthy Town 2-1 in Pearse Park.
Adam O'Donnell fired the home side in front in the 18th minute, but Dylan Lyne equalised shortly before the interval.
