Tipperary Cup
Rearcross ‘B’ secured their passage into the next round of the Tipperary Cup last Friday night as they overcame a spirited Ballywilliam side on a 4 – 3 score line. Kieran Devitt was the difference on the night as he bagged a hat trick for the home side in addition to a strike from Sean Harte. Ballywilliam’s scorers were Niall Madden, Stephen Murray and Davie Corrigan. The all Premier League encounter between Roscrea United ‘A’ and Lough Derg ‘A’ at the C.B.S. grounds went in favour of the home side who turned in an impressive display and were clinical in front of goal as they ran out 4 nil winners. On the mark were form pairing Paul Kirwan and Brian Moloney who both scored in addition to strikes from Evan Fitzpatrick and Eddie Simmons, who opened his account for the season with a well taken goal. Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ bowed out of the competition as they lost out to fellow Division 3 side Lough Derg ‘B’ in a penalty shootout after the game finished 1 all after extra time. Lough Derg had taken the lead through Jamie Stewart but player/manager Vincent Ryan levelled for the home side with a well-placed header. No further goals were scored and the visiting Clarisford side won out 7 – 6 in an epic penalty shootout. Portumna welcomed Arra Rovers to Galway, but it was the visitors who advanced to the third round as the First Division side won out on a 3 – 2 score line. Arra took the lead mid-way through the first half when Ciaran Willis tapped home from close range to leave it 1 nil at the break. Portumna levelled when captain Garry Curran headed home. Kevin O’Halloran then restored the lead for the away side but his effort was cancelled out by Ciaran Hough with little time remaining. However the Portroe side were not to be denied as Dermot O’Halloran scored an extra time winner in a very entertaining game. Ballymackey ‘A’ and Borrisokane ‘A’ played an entertaining free scoring game which the visitors won out 6 – 3. Borrisokane player Daniel Butler was the only player who scored twice in addition to strikes from John Butler, Joe Gleeson, Gary Donnelly and an own goal were all too much for the home side who had Timmy Fleming, Darragh McDonell and Shaun Kevin on their score sheet.
Premier League
This weekend’s games saw plenty of movement on the league table, but it’s still Nenagh AFC ‘A’ who remain at the summit as they overcame Sallypark ‘A’ with a convincing 4 – 0 win in Latteragh. Nenagh were in confident form after their impressive display in the Munster Junior Cup the week previous and dominated proceedings throughout the game. Francis Munsterberg, Dan Dalton, John Mitchell And Jahar Singh were all on the mark to see Nenagh 13 points clear of second placed Coughjordan ‘A’ who left it very late with an injury time winner over Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ in an entertaining match which finished 4 – 3 in favour of the hosts. The visitors raced in to a 2 nil lead thanks to strikes from Paul Doyle and Mark Quinlan. However, Cloughjordan were stirred into action and went in at the half time break ahead after Colin Browne, Kevin Quinlan and Bryan Williams all scored. Clodiagh levelled the game mid-way through the second as John Ryan Casey headed home but the Drombane side were denied a share of the spoils as Michael ‘Skip’ Cleary fired home from the edge of the area in injury time.
First Division
Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ are within touching distance of Premier League status next season as they overcame form side Nenagh AFC ‘B’ at Fanure last Sunday morning. Streamstown were eager from the kick off and dominated the early stages of the game and were rewarded when Paul Doyle volleyed home a Shane Moloney headed pass after just 6 minutes. It was 2 nil in the 33rd minute when Paul Doyle turned provider for Shane Moloney who headed home. The home defence ably dealt with any threat from the Nenagh side late in the second half to earn another valuable three points as they attempt to set up some final day drama with league leaders Holycross, who had to work hard to maintain their 100% record to overcome Rearcross ‘A’ in Glenbane. The game itself was one of few chances with both sides scoreless at the break. The home side took the lead early in the second half with Daniel Corbett scoring. Eamonn Devitt then levelled matters as Rearcross pushed to be the first side to beat Holycross in league action but were undone in the later stages of the game as James King guaranteed all the points for the home side who will be watching with interest the results of the three games in hand that title rivals Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ have to play. At the other end of the table, Ardcroney were beaten at home by Borroway Rovers who lifted themselves from the relegation zone with this victory, and all but condemn the Ardcroney side to potential relegation. Ardcroney had the better of the early exchanges and took a deserved lead when Marc O’Meara scored. Borroway levelled not long before halftime with a great effort from distance by Glossy Gleeson. It was the away side who dominated the second half and added two more goals thanks to David Bourke and William Carroll to earn a welcome victory an heap unwanted pressure on Ardcroney who face Streamstown Celtic in their last league game of the season.
Third Division
Bottom side Templetouhy put in a strong performance to overcome fifth place Shannon Rangers to record a welcome 2 -1 victory. Sean Moran’s goal for the visiting Shannon Rangers side was not good enough to overcome goals from Niall Rusell and Tony Buston. Streamstown Celtic ‘B’ made it a double for the club as they overcame Sallypark ‘B’ in a game where chances were at a premium in the first half, and when they were created, both sides were guilty of some wayward finishing. Visitors Sallypark took the lead just after the break thanks to a speculative effort from Eugene Foley. A long clearance from Stephen Byrne in the home goal found Greame Loughman in space who made no mistake as slotted home to restore parity. Niall O’Loone then made sure of the points after he latched on to a Murty Grimes pass. Barnane continue their push up the table with another three points thanks to a 4 – 2 away win over Ballymackey ‘B’. Kevin Mounsey was on target for the home side with a well taken brace but it wasn’t enough to get past a free scoring Barnane who were thankful to Jerome Ryan with his own brace and further strikes from David Collins and Michael Purcell to seal the victory. Gurtagarry secured promotion to the Second Division with a close 2 – 1 victory away to Borrisokane ‘B’. The hosts took the lead mid-way through the first half when Matty Power hit the target. Billy Corcoran once again came to the rescue for Gurtagarry when he struck to see the sides go in level at the break. Nicky Ryan confirmed his man of the match performance with a wonder strike late in the second half to secure all three points and with promotion secured, Gurtagarry can now concentrate on winning the title outright.
Second Division Nora Kennedy Cup
The first rounds of the Nora Kennedy cup kicked off last Sunday with Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ travelling to neighbours Kilcommon and ran riot in front of goal with a clinical display. Kilcommon, who were missing a number of regulars could not stop the free scoring Drombane side who won out 7 – 0. On the mark for Clodiagh were Ger Grant and Loughlin Ryan with a brace each. Ailbe Donoghue, Connr Ryan and Paul Shanahan chipped in with the remaining goals to secure their passage into the next round. BT Harps ‘B’ made easy work of Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ and won out 3 – 1. Harps had raced into a three nil lead thanks to a brace from the impressive James Kavanagh and another goal from Stevie Quinlan before Jaz Singh scored a late consolation goal for Celtic.
Youths Division
BT Harps Youths are beginning to reinforce the title ambitions with a comprehensive demolition of a depleted Lough Derg Youths side when they ran out 10 – 2 winners. Stevie Quinlan bagged a season record with 5 goals. Sam Van Dam and Shane Fogarty also got in on the action with a hat trick each. Eoin Brophy added a brace whilst 2 late goals from Lough Derg were little consolation for a result which is not characteristic of their form this season and they will be keen to move on and forget this game. Birdhill Youths returned to winning ways with an entertaining 3 – 2 win over Holycross Youths. Birdhill had raced into a comfortable 3 nil lead thanks to efforts from Kevin Connolly, Colin Floyd and Kealan Floyd. Holycross set Birdhills nerves into overdrive with a late rally after they scored twice through Dylan Greene ad Stephen Flanagan, but it was too little too late as the final whistle went to the delight of Birdhill.