Munster Senior League round up: Midleton pip College Corinthians to title on final day

The 2023/24 Munster Senior League season has come to an end and Midleton were the big winners as the Magpies pipped College Corinthians to the Premier Division title by two points on the final day.

The team was managed by former Cork City defender Kevin Murray, and they made it a double by defeating Carrigaline United in the O'Connell Cup final. 

The Magpies squad is filled with former League of Ireland players. Their goalkeeper is Shane Hallahan, formerly of Treaty United, and Jake Hegarty is one of many to have worn the claret and blue jersey of Cobh Ramblers. 

This is Midleton’s first Premier Division title since 2018, and their third success overall at this level. 

Rockmount were the other big winners as they lifted the Beamish Stout Senior Cup by defeating Ringmahon Rangers on penalties at Turner’s Cross.

This more or less completes the set for Eddie Kenny, the coach that took over from Cork soccer legend Billy Cronin in 2022. 

The manager oversaw the club winning two FAI Intermediate Cups, two Premier Division titles, as well as the Tom Hand Cup, O’Connell Cup, and Keane Cup. The Beamish Cup was the other that got away, and Rockmount won that at Turner’s Cross. 

There was no three-peat for the north-siders in the FAI Intermediate Cup as they were beaten by Ringmahon Rangers in the competition’s semi-finals.

That game brought together possibly two of the best amateur teams in the country. On one side, wearing a yellow and green jersey, were former League of Ireland players Cian Leonard, Bradley Walsh, and Cian Murphy. They faced a Ringmahon side containing former Cork City goalkeeper Eric Grimes and Ethon Varian, who had spells with his home-town club and Bohemians. 

Anthony McAlavey, who won the First Division with Waterford in 2017 also represented the Ringers. 

There was no senior national cup to go with the Donie Forde Trophy won by Ringmahon Rangers. They lost to Glebe North in the FAI Intermediate Cup final at Weavers Park, the home of Drogheda United. 

UCC came through a tough season and managed to stay up by beating Riverstown in a play-off game at Mayfield Park.

They will be joined in the Premier Division next season by St Mary’s and Leeds AFC, which sets up a number of north-side derbies.