Premier Division
Once again the weather dominated the weekends proceedings as a large amount of games fell afoul of the recent inclement conditions. Only two premier league games survived with both ending in a draw. Firstly Cloughjordan ‘A’ move up to fourth in the table as they drew 1 – 1 with Lough Derg ‘A’. In what turned out to be a very tight affair, all the drama happened in the final few minutes of the game as both sides matched each across the field throughout the encounter. With time almost up, Cloughjordan took the lead when Cian Darcy latched on to a sublime through ball from Ger O’Brien and hit the net to make it appear that all three points were going to the home team. However, in the last play of the game, Lough Derg earned a deserved point when the ball found its way home off the foot of an unlucky Cloughjordan player. Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ had the short trip to face Thurles Town and remain in third position as both sides played out an entertaining 0 – 0 draw in glorious sunshine at the Greyhound Stadium. With Thurles Town in search of some badly needed points they started the brightest and almost took the lead with a number of fine efforts from Pat Lawlor bringing the best out of Adrian Cooke in the away goal to keep matters level at the break. It was the away side who had the best of the chances in the second half with Matt Ryan hitting the woodwork coupled with Gordon Carey in the home goal making some fine saves at the feet of Paul Doyle and Mark Quinlan to ensure a share of the spoils at full time.
First Division
Holycross are now the only side left in the NT&DL who can boast an unbeaten league record so far as they overcame a heavily depleted Borroway Rovers in Thurles. The Glenbane side were ruthless throughout and hit their hosts for 4 first half goals which killed the game as a contest. In the second half, it was more of the same as they racked up another 8 goals to record their biggest win this season. On the mark for Holycross were James King (3), Jo Jo O’Meara (3), Danny Corbett (2), Colin O’Meara, Ciaran Maher, Callum O’Conner and Brian Barrett. Arra Rovers move clear of the drop zone with a comprehensive 3 – 0 win at home to Rearcross ‘A’. The hosts flew into an early lead after Dermot O’Halloran netted. Despite trying, Rearcross could not break down the Arra defence who excelled throughout the game. A late second half brace from Kevin O’Halloran sealed the three points for Arra who move up three places in a congested bottom half of the first division. Ardcroney now face an uphill battle to retain their first division status after they lost out 4 – 2 on the road away to Borrisokane ‘A’. The visitors were on the back foot from the first whistle as the hosts attacked from the start and rewarded with an early goal thanks to a bullet header from Matty Power. Ardcroney managed to get a foothold in the game early in the second half after Alan Darcy turned in a pass from James Holland to level matters. The hosts restored their lead almost immediately as Matty Power grabbed his second as he lobbed Paddy Reddan in the visitor’s goal and it was shortly after 3 – 1 when David Nevin scored. Ardcroney reduced the deficit when Davy Slattery finished from close range however; all three points went to the home side when David Nevin headed home a corner late in the game for his second.
Second Division
Ballymackey ‘A’ made the long trek up to Kilcommon and left empty handed as the home side all but guaranteed their position in the second division next season with a hard fought 3 – 2 victory. It was the visitors who had the first real opportunity but failed to convert a penalty and were made to pay as Kilcommon scored twice shortly sfterwards through Eamon Naughton and Ger O’Toole. Just on the stroke of half time, Timmy Fleming neatly tucked away from close range to alter the half time team talks for both managers. Ballymackey took the game to their hosts in the second half but couldn’t break down the home side, who were reliant on counter attacks with all of their positive play going through the impressive Kevin Ryan, who had a part to play in Kilcommon’s third goal as Ger O’Toole slotted home his second. Denis Haverty did eventually get on the score sheet for Ballymackey but it was a case of too little, too late. Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ fell to a 4 – 3 loss as they entertained Nenagh AFC ‘C’ in Drombane, a result which sees them remain second from bottom with only one game remaining. The home side took an early through Ailbe O’Donoghue who continues to impress in front of goal after he headed home to start the games scoring. However, Nenagh fought back and scored twice but it was 2 – 2 at the break when a Loughlin Ryan effort from distance found its way into the net. Once again the home side took the lead after shading the early exchanges of the second half when Shane Dempsey headed home. But the Nenagh side were not to be denied as the rallied in the final ten minutes of the game to score twice to head home back to Brickfields with all three points in their last league game of the season with their goals coming from Senan Stanley, Kieran O’Brien and a brace from Dean Morrissey. Roscrea United ‘B’ took full advantage of their game in hand over nearest title challengers BT Harps ‘B’ when the overcame Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ by the odd in goal in three with a 2 – 1 win to set up some final day drama as they move three points clear at the summit of the second division. Roscrea started brightest with a number of efforts on goal, but it was the hosts who took the lead when Lee Mitchell headed home a well delivered cross from Michael Ryan. Ten minutes before the break, the Kennedy Park side levelled through Joe Callaghan when he slotted home after some tidy build up play. Daryl Ryan in the Roscrea goal was tested on a number of occasions by Celtic but he stood strong to keep the game level. Joe Callaghan grabbed his second goal and the games winning goal after he forced his way into the area and slammed the ball home with some power. Despite some late pressure from Celtic, Roscrea held out for an important three points in the search for back to back league titles.
Third Division
League leaders Gurtagarry finally saw their unbeaten league status vanish as they were beaten 4 – 1 by an in form Ballymackey ‘B’ in this local derby encounter. Ballymackey didn’t yield to the division’s runaway leaders and took a deserved early lead when Rory Mounsey fired home from distance. Gurtagarry levelled through Dinny Cocoran after he was first to react to a well saved penalty by Rabbit Delaney and slot home the rebound to leave it 1 – 1 at the break. Ballymackey welcomed back Willie Seymour from long term injury and he made an instant impact as he fired home two superb efforts to make it 3 – 1. Gurtagarry then conceded a fourth late in the match as Colin Hall’s corner kick somehow found the back of the net. This was a result which will be welcomed by a number of clubs, most notably Borrisokane ‘B’ who remain in second place and will take plenty of confidence into the remaining games in the push for silverware but there is no doubting that Gurtagarry remain in the driving seat. Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ travelled to face Ballywilliam and lost out 5 – 1 in a game where on paper, the visitors were favourites. Clodiagh had to make a number of last minute positional changes and faced an uphill struggle after they found themselves 2 – 0 down early in the first half as Stephen Murray and David Corrigan both scored for the home side. David Considine continued his fine form and halved the deficit to leave it 2 – 1 at the interval. It was all Ballywilliam in the second half as they hit home three more goals with an impressive display in front of goal from Declan O’Donoghue coupled with David Corrigan and Stephen Murray both getting a second each.