Premier League
The weekends top billed match between Nenagh AFC ‘A’ and Roscrea United ‘A’ was postponed after match officials deemed the playing field unplayable due the sharp frost the night before. This allowed Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ to try and close the gap on the teams above them as they entertained Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ at the VEC venue. The soft ground conditions prevented any real free flowing football to develop in this contest and the game’s first goal came courtesy of a converted Din Ryan penalty. The lead was short lived as Paul Doyle scored for the second week running when he rounded the home keeper and slotted home to see both sides level at the break. Celtic upped the tempo in the second half and Clodiagh defended well until the 80 minute when Paul Walsh headed home the winner to deny the Drombane side a share of the spoils. Lough Derg ‘A’ will rue a second half performance against visiting Sallypark ‘A, where they surrendered a 2 nil half time lead after Jason Comley and David Hickey both scored in this must win game for the Clarisford side in their bid to retain their Premier League status. However, with 15 minutes remaining Sallypark began their comeback when David Keogh volleyed home. The game was level when Eoin Ryan converted a penalty after a handball infringement and with minutes remaining Kieran Ryan grabbed an unlikely winner for the Latteragh side when he headed the ball passed the home keeper. BT Harps ‘A’ made the short trip to the Greyhound Stadium to face Thurles Town who having lost Paraic Fogarty in the transfer window to St. Michaels AFC, were looking to breathe new life into their league campaign and allow themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation. Things started brightly for the home side and their early endeavours were rewarded when Calie Maher rounded the keeper to take a deserved lead into the half time break. Harps started the second half in mean form and found themselves in the lead after Johnny Coleman and Johnny Doran both scored. The thoughts of another home defeat spurred on Thurles who earned a hard fought point when Pat Lawlor volleyed home an unstoppable effort with 20 minutes remaining, however the result sees them remain bottom of the Premier League with a tough run of games ahead of them.
First Division
With both Holycross and Streamstown ‘A’ both winning the weekend, it would appear we are going to be treated to a final day winner takes all encounter between the only side left unbeaten in league competition across the entire league, Holycross and the free scoring Streamstown Celtic, who condemned Ardcroney to relegation with a 2 nil away victory. Paul Franks and Jason Ryan both scored for the Roscrea side who clinched promotion to the Premier League with this victory to mark an excellent season so far, which is made all the more impressive as they still have 4 games remaining. Holycross secured another 3 points in their last home game of the season at Glenbane with a 2 nil win over Borrisokane ‘A’. James King got the title chasing Holycross off the perfect start when he capitalised on a wayward pass to score after two minutes. Not long before the break it was 2 nil when Brian Barrett volleyed home a Kyle Denny cross. Neither side could score in the second half as Holycross ran out comfortable winners.
First Division Barry Cup
A cold frosty night under lights saw home side Rearcross ‘A’ secure their spot in the next round of the Barry Cup after they overcame Arra Rovers in an epic encounter on penalties after both sides couldn’t be separated after extra time when the game finished 3 – 3. The game finished 1 all after normal time with Michael O’Gorman bagging the first of his three goals scoring first for Rearcross, but Arra levelled thanks to an own goal. All the excitement in extra time with both sides scoring twice. O’Gorman thought he had done enough with two goals but Arra were determined and brought the game to penalties thanks to a brace from Kevin O’Halloran. However, the home side shaded the penalty shootout on a 7 – 6 score line.
Second Division
The only second division game to ahead this weekend saw bottom side Cloughjordan ‘B’ claim a hard earned point from Portumna Town. As with a large amount of games this weekend, the pitch conditions dictated the style of football being played by both sides, with the home side making the most of the sticky underfoot conditions as they took an early lead thanks to Andrew Brennan hitting the net with a well-placed header. It remained 1 nil at the break but it was the visiting Galway side that scored first in the second half when Sean Molloy finished neatly from distance. Dave Fogarty put Portumna in to the lead but his effort was cancelled in the 84th minute when John Quinlan scored, but it was a case of too little too late in the battle against relegation with a win in their remaining match leaving them level on the team above them.
Third Division
Gurtagarry were crowned Third Division Champions with a merited 2 – 1 win away to Streamstown Celtic ‘B’ at Fanure. The game itself was a cagey affair and the only goal of the first came when Billy Corcoran scored from the penalty spot, and he added his second early in the second half. Celtic kept their guests at bay for the remainder of the game thanks to some fine goalkeeping and set the nerves of the champions going in the last five minutes when new signing Niall O’Loone scored, however Gurtagarry were not to denied as they capped off a fine season with league silverware and will undoubtedly look to the strike force of Paddy O’Rourke and Billy Corcoran, who have a combined tally of 43 league goals between them so far, next season as they enter a very competitive Second Division. Congratulations to manager Johnny Moyles and his team on this fine achievement. Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ travelled to face Shannon Rangers and will rue conceding a last minute penalty which cost them a share of the spoils. The game was 1 – 1 at the break with Kevin Ryan bagging for the visitors and Keith Kelly for the home side. Shannon claimed all the points when the referee pointed to the spot for a handball infringement, with the resultant penalty being converted by Alan Halligan. Bottom side Templetouhy claimed an unlikely point from promotion chasing Borrisokane ‘B’. An excellent free kick from John Hassett and another goal from John Leahy for Temppletouhy was enough to match the strikes from the home side who will see this result as two points lost in the push for Second Division football next season.
North Tipperary & District League Cup
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ good cup form of late continued at the VEC venue last Sunday as they overcame fellow Second Division 2 side, Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ with a 4 -1 victory. Ailbe O’Donoghue continues to find the net as he scored twice, but it was the two stunning free kicks from Paul Ryan who stole the show for the away side. Robbie Fogarty had levelled the game after Clodiagh took the lead, but it was the Drombane side’s day as they progress to the next round.