Compiled by Adrian Cooke
FAI Junior Cup – Fourth Round
Two out of the three North Tipp’s representatives were in action this weekend and both secured their passage into the last 64 of the national competition. Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ welcomed TSDL side Cashel Town to the VEC venue and ran out comfortable 5 – 1 winners with a clinical display in front of goal. The home side exploded into the game and raced into a 3 nil lead at half time thanks to a Marky Walsh brace and a Danny Ryan strike, which had all but sealed the tie. Celtic were soon 4 up courtesy of Jimmy Hynes and not long after an own goal compounded Cashel Towns woes to make it 5 nil. Cashel had a penalty saved by Aidan Herlihy but did get on the score sheet late in the game but it wasn’t to be their day as the Hoops advance. TSDL Premier League stalwarts Peake Villa travelled to Fanure to face Streamstown ‘A’ who were full of confidence before this fixture, and after winning the contest it was plain to see why. In a game where the first half was a cagey affair with both defending well and not committing too much in the attacking third saw it remain nil all at the break. However the second half produced a barrage of goals which no doubt left the match official with plenty of work in compiling his match report. The Thurles side broke the dead lock in the 54th minute, but Villa had barely settled themselves before the game was level thanks to the prolific Wally Kirwan. Villa were rocked by this goal and Streamstown kicked on to take the lead with a well taken goal from again from Kirwan minutes later. However, there is no doubting the pedigree of Peake Villa who rallied and in the 69th minute levelled the game. Both sides couldn’t be separated in normal time and extra time ensued and produced the most exciting 30 minutes of football to be seen at the Fanure venue in many years. Villa raced in to a 4 – 2 lead in the first couple of minutes of extra time as the hosts couldn’t settle after an epic second half in normal time. Buoyed by a large home support, Streamstown hit their guests for four unanswered goals thanks to a double from Paul Doyle and strikes from Craig Phealan and man of the match Craig Byrne. A huge result for the club, which sees them into the open round draw for the first time in their club history.
Premier League
Thurles Town breathed life into their league campaign with a merited 4 nil win over Coughjordan ‘A’ at the Greyhound Stadium Sunday morning. Town were keen to get all three points against a Cloughjordan side who would have considered themselves to still be in the picture for league silverware before this fixture. The threat of a relegation dog fight appears to have spurred on Town as they took the lead through Caley Maher after he was set up by Tommy Brophy who caused Cloughjordan a headache throughout the game. It remained 1 nil at the break, mostly thanks to a strong defensive performance from the Thurles rear guard. Paraic Fogarty put some well needed day light between the sides with another fine strike from distance. Town now had the bit between their teeth and made sure of their first league win of the season with a late brace from Christy Burke, which also sees them move out of the relegation zone as they over take Sallypark ‘A’ who fell to a 4 – 3 defeat against Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ in Latteragh. Clodiagh, this seasons surprise package in the Premier League, took the lead from the penalty spot through Paul Doyle, but only saw his effort cancelled out shortly afterwards when a header David Keogh was adjudged to have crossed the line despite the visitors objections. It remained level at the break and it was Clodiagh who went ahead early in the second half thanks to a superb strike from Shane O’Dwyer who finished off a well worked team goal. Clodiagh then experienced a torrid ten minutes which saw them concede twice as David Keogh and Dan Keogh both capitalised on some wayward defending to lead 3 -2 with twenty minutes to play. It could have been 4 – 2 but the Drombane side had the woodwork and Adrian Cooke in goal to thank to keep the deficit at a minimum. Brian Carroll settled the visitor’s nerves after he poked home from close range when Sallypark failed to clear a corner. With ten minutes remaining, Paul Doyle grabbed the winning goal and his second on the day when he clinically slotted home when he found himself one on one with the home ‘keeper. Sallypark pushed hard for the equaliser but couldn’t breach the Clodiagh defence who now find themselves third in the table. Nenagh AFC ‘A’ continue to stay top of the Premier League in a top versus bottom battle as they made it a league double over Lough Derg ‘A’. The Brickfield side didn’t have the game all their way as the form guide may have suggested as Town only ran out 2 – 1 winners in a tightly contested encounter. Mark Cahill and Mark McKenna were both on the mark for Nenagh and Thomas Grace slotted home a penalty for Lough Derg who remain rooted to the bottom of the table as we near the mid-way point of the season. Roscrea United ‘A’ put their recent managerial woes behind them as they travelled to BT Harps ‘A’ and won out 4 – 2 to maintain their second place in the league. Roscrea were a goal to the good at half time and turned in strong second half performance scoring three more which was too much for the strikes from Christy Moore and Sean McCormack for BT Harps who slide down the table and will be looking to make the most of their games in hand.
Division 1
There seems to be no stopping league leaders Holycross this season as they made it ten wins from ten league games with a resounding 7 nil against an understrength Borroway Rovers side in Glenbane. Jo Jo O’Meara returned to scoring ways with 4 goals for his side to accompany strikes from Daniel Corbett, Kyle Denny and Fionn McCarten. Nenagh AFC ‘B’ continue to stay in touch with Holycross as they remain in second place with a convincing 4 nil over a Moneygall side that can’t seem to get going this season, but still remain outside of the relegation dog fight below them. Willie Darcy continues to score with ease as he notched up another hat trick. Cillian Fitzpatrick was also on the mark with a well-placed header. Rearcross ‘A’ and Arra Rovers played out an entertaining 2 – 2 draw when it was a victory both sides demanded in their struggle to avoid relegation. Rearcross took the lead after 15 minutes through Greg Kennedy, a lead they held until the 76th minute when Arra were awarded a penalty which was slotted home by John Hogan. The visitors were ahead 6 minutes later when John Sheedy scored and looked to be certain of all three points before Liam Ryan popped up for the home side with another late equaliser to share the spoils.
Division 2
Kilcommon earned a vital three points as they overcame bottom side Cloughjordan ‘B’ on a 3 – 1 score line. Eamonn Naughton continues to help his side retain Division 2 status with a brace, the second being from the penalty spot. Tom Keane made sure of all three points for Kilcommon with a late strike. Donal Costello was on the mark for the visitors who have an uphill struggle to lift themselves off the bottom of the table and their task is all the more difficult as their next match sees them play away to BT Harps ‘B’ who remain in second place with a 5 – 4 win over Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’. Harps raced in to a 5 – 1 lead at half time thanks to Willie Kavanagh with a hat trick, and James Kavanagh bagging a brace. Clodiagh will take some heart from the game as they turned in a spirited second half performance scoring 3 unanswered goals to worry the nerves of the visitors. However, time ran out for the Drombane side who now find themselves firmly stuck in a relegation battle. Roscrea United ‘B’ continue to stay ahead of BT Harps ‘B’ by the minimum point at the summit of the second division with a spirited 4 – 3 win away to Portumna Town whose good form in the early stages of the season seems to have abandoned them. The hosts were one goal down after just 7 minutes only to equalise through a superb effort from Garry Curran, who just before half time put his side in the lead with a well taken penalty. The flow of the game was changed early in the second half when both sides were reduced to ten men. Roscrea came back into the game after weathering some great attacking play from their hosts as they levelled matters in the 51st minute. Garry Curran was yet again on the mark to complete his hat trick and out his side in front, but yet gain Roscrea levelled with 20 minutes remaining. With honours even looking inevitable, the league leaders grabbed a late winner with only 1 minute remaining and will count themselves lucky to return home with all three points. Nenagh AFC ‘C’ moved out of the relegation zone with a convincing 3 nil win away to league high fliers Ballymackey. Paddy McInerney opened proceedings on the day after he slotted home from a light angle. It was soon after 2 nil when Dean Morrissey scored a penalty after a handball infringement in the Ballymackey area. All three points were guaranteed with a late strike from Dylan Sheehan as Nenagh caught their hosts with a counter attack.
Division 3
Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ made it three wins from their last three league outings with a narrow 1 nil victory over neighbours Rearcross ‘B’. The game itself was a tightly contested encounter with chances at a premium throughout. The home side had Sam Kulczycki to thank after he made a number of fine saves to ensure parity in the game. Niall Shanahan scored the game’s only goal and it was a worthy match winning goal as he spotted the Rearcross ‘keeper off his line and lobbed him from all of 40 yards. Clodiagh held on for the victory despite some late pressure from their visitors and now see themselves jump to fifth position in the league. Bottom side Ballywilliam United earned a merited point as they held Shannon Rangers to a 2 all draw. It was 2 nil to the visiting Roscrea side at half time, but Ballywilliam did miss a penalty early in the half. The hosts left it late to get on the score sheet as Damien Brady scored in the 75th minute to reduce the deficit and parity was restored 5 minutes later after Ballywilliam were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area which was slotted home by Stephen Murray. Run away league leaders simply had too much firepower for an under strength Templetouhy side as they set a club record with ten wins in a row. Billy Corcoran opened Gurtagarry’s account on the day, followed by a brace from free scoring Paddy Pio O’Rourke in addition to Paul Ryan scoring on his club debut. Barnane stay clear of the relegation battle underneath them as they overcame Streamstown Celtic ‘B’, who still remain one place above their hosts. Barnane were off to a flying start as they took the lead after Streamstown put the ball in their own net courtesy of Fritz Cruz. It was soon level as Barnane could do nothing to stop a fine Kevin King solo goal. Brian Kennedy restored Barnane’s lead with a fine finish at the front post. Murty Grimes failed to convert from the spot shortly afterwards but parity was restored when Mark McGinn took advantage of some impressive build play from Kevin King to see it level at the break. Barnane took the lead again with another fine strike from Kennedy to seal their fourth win of the campaign and leave some breathing space between and the teams placed below them. Sallypark ‘B’ remain in fourth spot as they overcame Lough Derg ‘B’ in Clarisford last Sunday and put a dent in the hosts title fading title challenge. Jamie Stuart put the hosts in the lead after just 8 minutes which they only lead for 4 minutes as they conceded a penalty which was slotted home. It was soon 2 – 1 to the visitors as Sallypark took the lead for the first time in the game. With 30 minutes left in the second half Keith Stritch levelled the game with a fine solo goal. Not long after Lough Derg were reduced to ten men and Sallypark scored the game’s winning goal with 20 minutes remaining. Sallypark endured some heavy pressure in the remaining stages of the game to hold out for another merited victory. Ballymackey ‘B’ travelled to Borrisokane ‘B’ and will feel they left valuable league points behind them and they spurned a two goal second half lead. It was all square at the break at 1 all with Danny Butler scoring for the home side and Baga Cahill for the visitors. Ballymackey raced in to a 3 – 1 lead in the second half thanks to strikes from Colin Hall and Gary McCarthy, but it was a lead it they couldn’t hold on to as second placed Borrisokane scored three late goals to grab the three points. Danny Butler completed his hat trick and John Doyle also got in on the action to help their side stay firmly in the promotion hunt.
Youths Division
The weather played a part in a number of Youth fixtures being postponed and only three fixtures went ahead this week. Holycross Youths secured their first win of the campaign as they overcame a spirited Lough Derg Youths side in a nine goal thriller in Glenbane last Saturday afternoon. The home side were two goals down early in the first half but reduced the deficit thanks to a Fionn McCartan goal. Again Lough Derg restored their two goal advantage in the second half. Neil Condon then scored for the hosts to once again reduce the score line, but Lough Derg scored a fourth to leave it 4 – 2 with 20 minutes remaining. Holycross then rallied and scored two quick fire goals from Ger Mockler and Sean Stakelum to leave it all square and with time running out, McCartan grabbed his second and the games winning goal to end a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Arcroney Youths and Birdhill Youths played out an entertaining 1 all draw in a game which sees Ardcroney stay joint leaders in the Second Division. Jack Delahunty was on the mark to cancel out an early Ardcroney strike. Ballymackey Youths had too much firepower for Cloughjordan Youths as they ran out comfortable 6 nil winners thanks to goals Denis Haverty, James Clifford and four goals from John O’Connor.