Premier League
Cloughjordan ‘A’ maintain their good run of late and recorded a convincing 3 nil over a depleted Sallypark ‘A’ in Latteragh to remain in second place of the top tier. Sallypark held their guests level until half time with a solid and stubborn defence but three second half goals from Davy Williams, Mark Doyle and Thomas Williams secured another 3 points for Cloughjordan who remain one point ahead of Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ who travelled to Lough Derg ‘A’ to face a side who are quickly running out of games to secure their Premier League status and will need to win their remaining two games and be reliant on Sallypark not to take any points from their remaining three games. Celtic took control of the game early on and took a 1 nil into half time thanks to a well finished Marky Walsh goal. As with a large portion of Celtic’s performances this year, it is their ability to find another gear in the second half that keeps them in the hunt as Craig Connolly bagged a brace to secure another vital three points. Thomas Grace did score for Lough Derg late on, but it wasn’t enough to unsettle their guests who will be hoping neighbours Nenagh AFC ‘A’ slip up on league campaign their run in. Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ will rue yet another late goal to deny them a deserved share of the spoils against BT Harps ‘A’ in Drombane. Despite dominating the most part of the 90 minutes, it was a combination of the hosts lack of urgency in front of goal coupled with some last gap defending and a fine performance from the visiting custodian that cost them dearly. Clodiagh were made to pay the ultimate price when Harps were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time which Sean McCormack was glad to see hit the net despite Adrian Cooke getting a hand on his strike. A good result for Harps who now put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
First Division
Moneygall retain their Division 1 status with a hard fought win over Borroway Rovers as the Thurles sides league survival is now out of their own hands as they finish their league campaign only the single point above Rearcross ‘A’ who need 2 points to avoid relegation or a relegation play-off, but to added to the drama are Arra Rovers who remain level on points with Borroway but with one match left to play. Moneygall raced into a two nil lead in this game thanks to Jonathon Powell and Tony O’Connor but Borroway rallied late in the game and got on the score sheet thanks to Al O’Brien but they couldn’t find the equalising goal to lift themselves that extra place in the table and will be nervously awaiting the outcome of both Arra Rovers and Rearcross games next Sunday.
Division 3
Champions Gurtagarry simply had too much depth for low lying Rearcross ‘B’ in Latteragh as they ran out 3 nil winners. Ronan Kinnane grabbed the first goal for Gurtagarry before substitute Steven Cummins made it 2 nil with a spectacular strike before the league’s second top scorer Billy Cocoran scored from the spot to make it three nil as he chases team mate Paddy O’Rourke for the league’s top scorer award with only one goal separating them with O’Rourke leading the way on 22 goals. Ballymackey ‘B’ continue in the hunt to finish in third place as they overcame bottom side Templtouhy with a convincing 4 – 1 victory. It was two nil to the home side at half time with goals coming from Rory Mounsey and Willie Seymour. Both Mounsey and Seymour completed their braces in the second half as Templetouhy could not contain James Walsh on the left wing as he played a part in 3 of the four goals for the home side. Templetouhy managed a late consolation goal through Tony Buston who continues to be the main goal scoring threat for his side.
Tipperary Cup – Third Round
Holders Nenagh AFC ‘A’ travelled to Glenbane to face First Division leaders and title contenders Holycross in this eagerly awaited cup tie which went in the way of the visitors thanks to a 3 nil score line. The first half was a high tempo affair which was evenly balanced and remained nil all at the break. Nenagh broke the deadlock early in the second half after Dan Dalton converted from the spot after a handball infringement. Nenagh added two more in the next ten minutes thanks to a second from Dan Dalton and another from Nathan Kelly to see off a determined Holycross side who will rue the first 15 minutes of this entertaining tie. Second Division side Arra Rovers made hard work of overcoming Third Division outfit Lough Derg ‘B’ in a high scoring entertaining match at the Clarisford venue. The home side dominated the first half and scored three times thanks to Keith Strich scoring twice and Eric Monaghan also scoring. However, Arra still managed to stay in touch by scoring twice to leave it 3 – 2 at the break. Arra levelled not long after the restart and with the last play of the game bagged the winner to see them through to the quarter final stages. On the mark for Arra were Aaron Gleeson, Niall Gleeson, Kevin O’Halloran and James Ryan.
Second Division Nora Kennedy Cup
Portumna travelled to Drombane to face Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ with a semi-final spot up for grabs. The away side took an early lead through Garry Curran but his effort was cancelled out through Diarmuid Grant to leave the sides level at the break. Once again the away side took the lead, this time through Simon Curran but the lead was short lived as Grant bagged his second and Matt Ryan then helped Clodiagh take the lead with twenty minutes remaining. Garry Curran levelled this entertaining match from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining to take the match into extra time. With penalties looking inevitable, it was Matt Ryan who bagged the all-important late goal to set up a semi-final draw against Nenagh AFC ‘C’ who overcame Cloughjordan ‘B’ to book their spot with a 4 – 2 win in Cloughjordan. Dean O’Meara bagged a brace for the home side, but Nenagh were not be deterred as they continue their good cup form this season and were thankful to Dean Morrissey who got two, Casey Finn and Senan Stanley.
Third Division Fast Food Cup
Penalties were need to separate Barnane and Shannon Rangers in another one of the weekends high scoring entertaining games where the visitors Shannon Rangers emerged winners. The game itself finished 2 – 2 after extra time couldn’t separate both sides. The dreaded penalty shootout that ensued saw some great penalties scored as Shannon Rangers could form of late continues as they edged out Barnane 6 – 5 in the shootout.
Youths Division
Nenagh AFC Youths were simply too strong for their neighbours Nenagh Celtic Youths in this local derby as they ran out comfortable 4 nil winners thanks to strikes from Craig Hilmi, Dylan Kennedy, Adam Healy and Jake Morris to see the Brickfield side move into second place in the league standings behind top placed BT Harps Youths who were made to work hard against a tough Lough Derg Youths side in Clariford Saturday evening. Ciaran Thorpe bagged two for the Templemore side in addition to a strike from Eamon Kennedy. David O’Shea and Colin Harte were on the mark for the home side but they couldn’t breach the well drilled rear guard of their guests late in the second half to grab a well-deserved equaliser. One of the performances of the week came from Ballymackey Youths as they bulldozed Holycross Youths with a convincing 6 – 2 win, in the most part thanks to Gearoid Murphy netting an impressive 5 goals. Murphy had completed his hat trick in the first half to see his side go in at the break 3 – 1 ahead. It was more of the same in the second half at Murphy scored twice more with Tom Ahern also getting in on the action. Holycross saw Stephen Flanagan and Dylan Greene score but there was no stopping Ballymackey as they overtake Birdhill Youths at the summit of the Second Division as Birdhill fell to a 2 – 1 loss at home to Ardcroney Youths. The home sides solitary goal came courtesy of Jack Connolly but strikes from Jerome Cahill and Kieran Molumphy ensured a valuable three points for Ardcroney who move to third in the table.