Compiled by Adrian Cooke
FAI Junior Cup – 5th Round
There were mixed fortunes for the two representatives of the NT&DL left in this year’s competition which saw Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ progressing and Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ bowing out of the prestigious competition. Nenagh Celtic travelled to Sixmilebridge in Clare to face a fancied Bridge United side of the Clare District League who are second in their own Premier Division, and it was the hosts who took an early lead after 5 minutes when Alan Mulready pounced. Nenagh Celtic settled into the game after a nervy start and were level Craig Connolly levelled matters just before the break to see the game all square at the break. Nenagh Celtic dominated the early exchanges of the second half and took the lead through a stunning strike from Din Ryan who continues his fine form of late in front of goal. Nenagh Celtic defended well for the remainder of the game to book another away trip in the last 32 against whoever triumphs between Vale View Shankill or Rush and Shielton or Leeview F.C. Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ were also on their travels as they faced one of Kilkenny’s top sides in the shape of Evergreen F.C. It was a similar start for Streamstown as it was for Nenagh Celtic, with the hosts grabbing an early lead in the first minute. Despite the early setback, Streamstown matched their hosts throughout and were unlucky not to draw level as the woodwork came to the rescue of Evergreen on two occasions. With the game still up for grabs, it was the Kilkenny side that turned in an impressive final ten minutes by scoring three times to make it 4 nil, resulting in a score line that does not reflect how close the game was for the majority of the 90 minutes, however there was no taking away from the Roscrea sides impressive run in this competition.
Premier League
Nenagh AFC ‘A’ continue their charge towards retaining the Premier League title with an emphatic 5 nil win over BT Harps ‘A’ in Templemore last Sunday morning. Dan Dalton chipped in with a brace whilst Roy Creagh, Alan Kelly and Gary Kevin also found the net to see the Brickfields side go an impressive 12 points clear of second placed Roscrea United ‘A’ who fell to a 6 – 3 loss away to Cloughjordan ‘A’. The hosts took an early lead with Cian Darcy on target, but Roscrea levelled matters shortly afterwards with Brian Moloney scoring. However, Cloughjordan went in ahead at the break with Kevin Kennedy heading home a fine effort. It was all Cloughjordan for the majority of the second half with Cian Darcy completing his hat trick in addition to strikes from PJ O’Brien and a season first for Shane Quinlan. Roscrea did get on the score sheet in the second half thanks to a second from Brian Moloney and Marc Woods but it wasn’t enough to stop Cloughjordan putting the brakes on the Roscrea title charge. Lough Derg ‘A’ had a stop put their good recent run of form at Latteragh with hosts Sallypark ‘A’ getting an important 3 points with a 4 – 2 win to see them pull clear of the bottom placed sides. The deadlock was broken in the game when Mattie Ryan fired home a long range effort to the roof of the net. Orrie Quirke then added a quick fire brace for the home side before David Keogh added a fourth. David Hickey and John O’Connor grabbed the goals for Lough Derg who now remain in the bottom two, but will take plenty of confidence from the fact that at this stage of the season, only three points separate them and the two teams above them.
First Division
Borrisokane ‘A’ travelled to Thurles to face Borroway Rovers who were looking to put a stop to their slide down the table, but they couldn’t overcome a Borrisokane side who have continued their impressive form of late with a hard earned three points in an eventful match. Goals for the home side came from David Bourke and David McGuire but a double from Daniel Butler and a goal from Colm Larkin guaranteed the points to see Borrisokane remain fourth in the table. Brickfields was the venue for second placed Nenagh AFC ‘B’ and first placed Holycross ‘A’ in a game where the points were shared thanks to a 2 – 2 draw. The first half of this contest was a battle of wills with three penalties awarded leaving it 2 – 1 to the visitor’s at the interval, after Enrico Casey put Nenagh ahead and Kyle Denny replied in fine style on both occasion’s from the spot. Holycross, who were without a number of the regulars, had to dig in deep to repel a dominant Nenagh side that had the majority of possession in the second half. Parity was restored thanks to a well-placed free kick from Archie Mitchell. Both sides had chances in the second half to steal the points, but honours even for the top two sides as Nenagh are the only club to take points from the Glenbane outfit this season. Arra Rovers made it two wins from their previous two games with a 2 nil win away to Moneygall. Ciaran Willis and Kevin O’Halloran were both on the mark in the second half for the Portroe side who are converting good performances into league points at an important stage of the season. Rearcorss ‘A’ recorded a vital win on the road away to bottom side Ardcroney to lift themselves away from the relegation zone. It was Ardcroney who struck first in the 6th minute when Ian McSherry headed home from a corner. Ardcroney lead at half time despite some strong pressure from Rearcross and almost held out in the second half but two late goals from Liam Ryan and Michael O’Gorman saw all the points go to the visitors as Ardcroney are left with an uphill battle to retain their first division status.
Second Division
Roscrea United ‘B’ guaranteed back to back promotions when they overcame Ballymackey 6 -1 at the C.B.S. to see the Kennedy Park side earn a spot in the First Division next season. Roscrea dominated the early exchanges and despite missing an earlier penalty, took a 3 nil lead into the break. It was more of the same in the second with Roscrea adding on another three goals. On the mark for Roscrea were Joe Callaghan with a hat trick, Stephen Murphy, Gavin Loughnane and Timmy Brosnan. John O’Connor scored a late consolation for Ballymackey who will see this defeat as a big dent in their promotion ambitions. Kilcommon had too much firepower for an understrength Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ in this local derby as they ran out comfortable 5 – 2 winners. Eamon Naughton and Seanie Ryan both scored twice in addition to a Brian Carr strike. This result sees Kilcommon go a long way towards securing their place in Division 2 whilst Clodiagh now have to win their remaining two games to stay up. Nenagh AFC ‘C’ were held to a 1 – 1 draw with bottom side Cloughjordan ‘B’ when it was three points both sides craved in a bid to avoid relegation. With only a handful of games remaining in the second division, there is plenty of drama left to unfold as all teams in the bottom half of the table could still be relegated if results don’t go their way.
Third Division
Third placed Lough Derg ‘B’ took full advantage of their game in hand over second placed Borrisokane ‘B’ with a comprehensive 6 nil win over Shannon Rangers in Clarisford last Sunday. Lough Derg were clinical in front of goal with Jamie Stuart having a hat trick to show for his day’s work. Also on the mark was Keith Stritch with a double and the last goal came from Noel McInerney. This result sees Lough Derg only three points behind Borrisokane and with both sides having played 17 games, there is plenty to play for in the remaining 5 games. Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ returned to winning ways with a hard earned 3 – 1 over Ballymackey ‘B’ in Drombane. David Considine continues to score and put the home side ahead with a well-placed strike. Ballymackey levelled the game soon afterwards through a headed goal from Aidan Cahill to see it all level at the break. Clodiagh added two unanswered goals in the second half from Dean Carew and Kevin Ryan to see the Drombane side into fifth spot in the league. Sallypark ‘B’ continue their good form and now find themselves still in a with a chance of promotion after overcoming Barnane 3 – 1. David Young continues to terrorise defences across the division with a well taken brace in addition to a Paidi Ryan strike to earn a result which sees the Latteragh side move to fourth in the table. Templetouhy and Ballywilliam faced each other as both sides look to lift themselves from the bottom of the table, but it was Ballywilliam who turned in a free scoring performance to earn the points as they won out 7 – 2. Templetouhy who were understrength, were simply not able to manage the partnership of James Coady and Stephen Murray who scored five between them, with Coady winning the match ball. Declan O’Donoghue and Leo McKenna compounded the misery for the home side whose consolation goals came from Tom Meade.
Youths Division
A full fixture list was completed this weekend in the Youths division and despite not playing; it is BT Harps Youths who remain on top of Division 1. Second placed Nenagh AFC Youths had to work hard to overcome an improving Birdhill side last Saturday afternoon. Birdhill were leading 3 – 1 with 15 minutes remaining, but Nenagh blitzed their hosts on the later stages with 3 unanswered goals to win out 4 – 3. Ballymackey Youths remain unbeaten as they overcame Ardcroney Youths 4 – 1. The game was nil all at the break, but the home side through the efforts of John O’Connor, Denis Haverty and Alan Ryan made sure of the win despite a late rally from Ardcroney. Cloughjordan Youths recorded their second win of the season as they overcame Holycross Youths in Glenbane with a healthy 5 – 2 victory to stay joint second in the second division. Nenagh Celtic Youths played out an entertaining 2 – 2 draw with Lough Derg Youths. After the first half finished all square it was Celtic who took the lead twice courtesy of an own goal and a superb Jamie Kelly free kick. Twice the Lough Derg side levelled thanks to strikes from the impressive Ethan Boyle