Compiled by Adrian Cooke
Tipperary Cup Semi Final
Current Tipperary Cup holders Nenagh AFC ‘A’ made the short journey to the VEC grounds to face neighbours Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ in the cup semi final and it was Celtic who go through to the final as they continue in their winning ways and they now have their sights firmly set on a clean sweep of domestic honours. Nenagh AFC took the lead to quieten the home support when Brian McGee headed home a well placed corner after ten minutes. Not long before the half time break, the game was level thanks to a superb effort from Mark Walsh who fired home from all of 25 yards. The all important winner came midway through the second half, after Walsh grabbed his second when he headed a Danny Ryan corner past Aaron Savage. Celtic dug in deep and defended well against some late Nenagh AFC pressure to reach the final where they will face the winners of Roscrea United ‘A’ and Borrisokane ‘A’.
First Division
Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ were crowned First Division Champions after they won 4 – 2 away to Borrisokane ‘A’ Saturday evening last. In a must game for the Roscrea side, anything but a win would see Holycross thrown a lifeline in the race for the league. However, Streamstown weren’t to be denied as they were good value for the victory having being 3 – 1 up at the break. Both sides added a second in the later stages of the second half and as it has been all season, Paul Doyle was on top form as he bagged a brace in addition to goals from Wally Kirwan and Craig Byrne. NT&DL Chairman Mick Young was on hand to present Streamstown Captain Wally Kirwan with the league trophy and congratulated his side on a remarkable season which saw them lose only the single game and finish 2 points ahead of Holycross, who themselves had a remarkable season also. Paul Doyle and Wally Kirwan were prolific in front of goal all season and played a huge part in Streamstown success as they earned back to back promotion and will undoubtedly be a force in the Premier League next season with second placed Holycross.
Third Division Fast Food Cup Final
The grounds at Ballymackey FC once again proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for league champions Gurtagarry FC who fell to a 4 -1 defeat to underdogs Shannon Rangers in this third division cup final. In glorious sunshine, it was the league’s top goal scorer Billy Corcoran who netted first for the champions as the game appeared to follow the form guide. However, Shannon regrouped and hit their opponents with four unanswered goals from Alan Hannigan, Paraic O’Meara and a brace from Murt Minehan. A truly remarkable result for the side that finished a staggering 25 points behind Gurtagarry in the league table, but once again the underdog proves the old statement of ‘form goes out the window in the cup’ is true. A great season for the two clubs with silverware to show for their seasons endeavours.
Youths Cup Semi Final
Another semi final and another Nenagh derby as Nenagh AFC Youths entertained Nenagh Celtic Youths and extra time was needed to separate these two excellent sides as it was the hosts who edged into the final thanks to a 4 – 2 score line. Celtic took the lead when Sean O’Meara’s effort from distance found the net. The lead was short lived as Nenagh hot back almost immediately to see the game level at the break. Nenagh then took the lead as they started to dominate proceedings but with the last kick of the game, Paul Walsh struck with a wonder effort from outside the area to bring the game into extra time. Nenagh then upped the tempo in extra time and showed the quality that sees them in a Munster Youths final next week by adding two more goals to see them through to another final, but there was no mistaken the honest hard working effort from the young Celtic side who pushed one of the county’s top sides all the way. On the mark for Nenagh AFC was Josh McCarthy, Dylan Kennedy and a brace from Kieron O’Brien.