Compiled by Adrian Cooke
Premier League
This weekend’s fixture schedule was thrown into disarray with the torrential rain dictating that many of the playing pitches were unplayable, much to the frustration of players as we are fast approaching the business end of the season. The only top tier match to go ahead saw Nenagh AFC ‘A’ travel to face a resurgent Cloughjordan ‘A’ of late and remain top of the Premier League as they overcame their hosts with a slender 1 nil victory. The game itself took place Saturday evening and turned out to be a very tight and competitive affair. The game was level at the break, but the winner came for the league leaders in the 70th minute when Nathan Kelly found the net. Nenagh held out for an important 3 points in tough weather conditions and the result sees Cloughjordan fall to third position as they are overtaken by Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ who claimed three points courtesy of a walkover.
First Division
Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ travelled to Moneygall and maintain their league title aspirations with a convincing 6 – 1 win as Moneygall end their league campaign with this defeat but still find themselves comfortably placed mid table. Streamstown didn’t take long to settle and were a goal to the good after just 6 minutes when Christopher Murphy powered home from distance. The visitors then ended the game as a contest before half time when they went in at the break 4 nil up, thanks to goals from Wally Kirwan, Shane Moloney and Paul Doyle. It was more of the same in the second half as Streamstown added two more goals from Brian Franks and another from Paul Doyle. Jonathon Powell added a late consolation for Moneygall, but there was no denying Streamstown who have to face Borrisokane ‘A’ before they potentially set up a mouth watering winner takes all final day fixture against league leaders, and as yet undefeated Holycross. Rearcross ‘A’ eventually managed to entertain Nenagh AFC ‘B’ in a crucial game for the hosts where they need to grab as many league points as possible as they are still in the drop zone and will feel they deserved more than a share of the spoils in this entertaining match which finished 3 – 3. Rearcross fully knowing that their fate was still in their own hands raced into a 2 nil lead thanks to efforts from Michael O’Gorman and Liam Ryan. Nenagh then scored a vital goal just before the break thanks to Damien Carey. Rearcross then restored their two goal advantage thanks to O’Gorman bagging his second, this time from the penalty spot. Nenagh then replied with their own converted penalty not long after when Enrico Casey confidently slotted the ball home. Rearcross were made to pay an expensive price when they allowed Nenagh to level with only minutes remaining when Willie Darcy levelled the game for the first time and end his side’s league campaign where they will finish third in a league where the top half of the table was keenly contested by a number of very strong teams. The bottom half now sees three teams on 13 points, namely Borroway Rovers, Rearcross ‘A’ and Arra Rovers with the later two to play one game each. Borrisokane have to play both Arra and Rearcross and draw for either side will secure their first division status, but a loss for both could result in a potential relegation playoff.
Third Division
The only game to go ahead in the third tier was that of Sallypark ‘B’ and Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ in Latteragh were it ended honours even after an entertaining match in difficult conditions. Leonard Purcell put Clodiagh into an early lead but this was short lived as Sallypark scored twice thanks to Paraic Ryan and Eugene Foley. However, Clodiagh struck back before the break when top scorer David Considine converted from the penalty spot. Again, Sallypark took the lead in the second half courtesy of an own goal. With both pitch and weather conditions deteriorating, Clodiagh managed to bag a later equaliser when the long serving Donnacha Cullagh scored.
Tipperary Cup
Nenagh AFC ‘C’ are repeating their good cup form from earlier in the season as they overcame First Division side Ardcroney, albeit by the virtue of winning courtesy of a penalty shootout. Peter Ryan scored for Nenagh and Jamie Gaynor netted for Ardcroney, and when no further goals were scored during extra time, it was the Brickfield side who were more clinical with their spot kicks and won 4 – 2 in the shootout and were thankful to Phillip Shanahan in goal with an important penalty save.
Youths Cup
Ballymackey Youths continue to steam roll all before them as they overcame an under strength Lough Derg Youths in the opening game of the Youths Cup. Once again Gearoid Murphy was in scintillating form as he scored 6 goals to make it 11 goals in just 2 games for the Ballymackey hit man. It was four nil at the break, and in addition to Murphy’s six goals, Tom Ahern and Adam Carey also score to ensure their passage through to the next round.
Youths League
BT Harps Youths are still the team to catch at the summit of the top division as they overcame Nenagh Celtic Youths in the VEC last Saturday afternoon. Harps raced into a 3 nil lead in the first half before Paul Walsh replied for the Hoops. Harps then stopped any suggestion of a comeback with their fourth goal only a few minutes later. Celtic will feel the score line didn’t do their performance any justice as the Harps keeper was in top form and denied them on a number of occasions. On the mark for the Templemore side were Stevie Quinlan with 2, Jordan Maloney and Eamonn Kennedy.