Kennedy Cup final heartache for Donegal U-14s at hands of Limerick 

Limerick Desmond League are 2025 SFAI Kennedy Cup champions after they defeating Donegal at the University of Limerick on Friday.

Goals from Dan Healy and Precieux Malonga ensured that the Limerick side would be taking home their first ever Kennedy Cup and it was richly deserved. 

The opening half was a cagey affair with both sides acutely aware of what was at stake. Defences were on top for the vast majority of the half but the ever-lively Precieux Malonga posed a constant threat threat throughout for Desmond and almost gave his side the lead mid-way through the first half but dragged his effort just wide of the post. 

Windy conditions dictated a lot of the play in the opening half with both sides opting for the long ball route at times, asking questions of both sets of defences and invariably both Donegal's and Desmond's back four stood firm. The sides went in at the break locked at 0-0. 

It was always going to take a bit of magic to break the deadlock and that bit of magic came from the right boot Dan Healy. The midfielder took aim from a long-range free kick and his strike never deviated off track, rifling his effort into the bottom corner, advantage Desmonds.

Healy's strike ramped up the level of intensity in the game with both sides loosening the shackles as the half wore on. Donegal began to pour more players forward with each attack but the Limerick Desmond defence stood firm, as it had done all game. 

With minutes left on the clock and the game still in the balance, the next goal was always going to be crucial and it came the way of the side from the Treaty County.

With time running out and Donegal in all out attack mode, a long ball clearance found its way to Malonga who headed the ball down to himself on the half-way line before dribbling the ball into the box and taking it around the Donegal goalkeeper, finishing smartly into the back of the net. A goal that was well deserved for Malonga for his constant pressing and tigerish intensity throughout the game. 

Limerick Desmond: Michael Giltenane (Shountrade), Kian Brosnahan (Abbeyfeale), Adam Mulqueen (Ballingarry), Harry Smith (Breska Rovers), Darragh O'Connor (Newcastle West Town), Ronan Magner (Abbeyfeale), Darragh Collins (Newcastle West Town), Dan Healy (GB Rovers), Precieux Malonga (Newcastle West Town), Joey O'Regan (Shountrade), Kyle Smith (Abbeyfeale), Joseph Carr (Newcastle West Town), Liam Gibourne (Newcastle West Town), Sean Walsh (Creeves Celtic), Conor Mullenger (Newcastle West Town), Eamon Kirby (Adare), Conor Geary (Shountrade), Jimmy Mullane (GB Rovers), Dan Phillips (Newcastle West Town), Stephen Pierce (Broadford Utd)

Management: Dean Maune (Rathkeale), Caragh Kelly (Kilcolman Rovers), Alasdair MacInness (Ballingarry), Tom Healy (Glin Rovers)

Donegal: Donegal Team: Kieran Carr (Mulroy Academy), Conn Boyle (Illistrin FC), Tom Erskine (Donegal Town FC), Zach Coll (Gweedore Celtic), Daragh McGinley (St. Catherine's FC), Tom McElwaine (Illistrim FC), Aaron McGowan (Cappry Rovers), Darragh Edwards (Illistrim FC), Daimhin Harkin (Lagan Harps), Jamie McGee (Gweedore Celtic), Davyn McGlynn (Illistrin FC), Kurt Obanor (Bonagee United), Dylan Curley (Bonagee United), Micheál Breathnach (Gweedore United), Jake Monaghan (Donegal Town FC), Josh Brennan (Donegal Town FC), Cayal Cafferkey (Lagan Harps FC), Dylan McFadden (Donegal Town FC), Sean Enright (Glen Rovers), Alex McGeever (Gweedore Celtic)

Management: Marshall Laird (Manager), Patrick Carr (Coach), Michael McGlynn (Head of Delegation), Patricia McGinley (Physio), Fergus Monaghan (Kitman)