NT&DL Tipperary Cup
This seasons Tipperary Cup is well and truly underway with the introduction of the Premier League sides as Round 2 saw both a number of cup upsets and postponements due to the continued bad weather. BT Harps ‘A’ travelled to Islandbawn with one eye on next week’s Munster Junior Cup fixture to face a resurgent Nenagh AFC ‘B’ and their preparations received a set back as they were dumped out this competition as Nenagh ran out convincing 3 – 0 winners. Nenagh have signalled their intent as they look to repeat their good form of previous seasons in this cup thanks to goals from Dean Morrissey, Tommy Martin and Mikey Duff. Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ continue to impress this season as they overcame Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ in Fanure as the Drombane side conceded home advantage due to an unplayable pitch. In what was a highly entertaining game, both sides had guilt edged opportunities to break the deadlock, but it was both Adrian Cooke and Jason Ryan in either goal who had to be at their best to maintain parity throughout the game to see it finish 0 – 0 after extra time. Eventually, Streamstown progressed at the expense of the Premier League side thanks to three top class saves from Jason Ryan with a man of the match performance as he helped his side to win 3 – 2 on penalties. Despite Thurles Town’s low lying position in the top flight, they would have relished an opportunity to face Moneygall who have been showing mixed form of late, but it was the home side who ran out narrow winners with a 1 – 0 victory thanks to 65th minute strike from Brendan Toohey. Thurles will rue a well saved penalty in the first half and despite some late second half pressure, Moneygall held out in the windy conditions to take another Premier League scalp for the First Division this weekend. The all Premier League tie between Cloughjordan ‘A’ and visitors Sallypark ‘A’ finished in favour of the home side with a 5 – 2 score line. The home side raced into an early 2 nil lead thanks to strikes from Simon Malone and Kevin Kennedy. Sallypark rallied and drew level with goals either side of the break thanks to David Keogh and Tom Seymour. However, Cloughjordan found another gear in the second half as they scored three without reply as Adrian Browne, Ger O’Brien and Michael Cleary all got in on the action to see them through to the third round as they look to at least repeat last year’s cup final appearance. Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ simply had too much firepower for a depleted Borroway Rovers to progress as the Hoops ran out comprehensive winners with Criag Connolly and Din Ryan having to share the match ball as they bagged a hat trick each. Mark Walsh fell one goal short of his own hat trick as he scored twice to leave the Nenagh side well placed in the competition. Nenagh AFC ‘A’ made the journey to face Kilcommon in what could have been a potential upset considering the poor weather conditions, but the current holders made sure of their safe passage with a 4 – 2 win over the Division 1 side. Nathan Kelly was the difference on the day as he bagged a well taken hat trick in addition to a Mark Cahill strike. Tom Keane and Roger Carr were on the mark for the home side as they turned in a solid performance but fell short against the Premier League leaders. Gurtagarry experienced back to back defeats for the first time this season as they lost out to away to Rearcross ‘A’ who are looking to inject some impetus into their faltering season so far. Gurtagarrys’s impressive league form of late saw them match the First Division side in the first half as they went into the interval at 1 – 1, with Derek O’Toole putting the home side ahead, but Billy Cocoran levelled for visiting Gurtagarry on the stroke of half time. Rearcross eventually managed to take control of the tie in the 73rd minute when Declan O’Toole headed home. It was soon 5 – 1 when Michael O’Gorman bagged a quick fire brace in addition to a Mark Hogan free kick. Gurtagarry scored a late consolation goal through Stephen Cummins but there was no denying the home side’s safe passage into the next round.
Second Division
There was plenty of last day drama in the Second Division as Roscrea United ‘B’ overcame second placed BT Harps ‘B’ to claim back to back league titles with a narrow 2 – 1 victory. In a game where a draw or victory for the Templemore side would force a winner takes all playoff, it was the superior firepower of the Kennedy Park side that sealed the Second Division crown and it was no coincidence that their star striker for the season, Joe Callaghan scored both goals. In front of a large home crowd, Roscrea didn’t have matters all their own way as Harps threatened the home goal on a number of occasions but it was Roscrea who struck first from a corner when Joe Callaghan tapped home to leave it 1 – 0 at the break. Harps eventually had something to show for all the pressure they heaped on their hosts when Ger Connolly fired home from the edge of the box. In the 82nd minute, Roscrea made sure of the league title when Joe Callaghan grabbed his second to send the home support delirious. The final whistle brought an end to impressive league campaign from Roscrea and BT Harps who will both be promoted to a very competitive First Division next season. Roscrea’s prowess in front of goal this season was the foundation for their second league crown under the guidance of manager Stephen Glynn. Having lost only twice and scoring a total of 64 goals, Roscrea will be thankful to Joe Callaghan, who scored 21 of those goals, ably assisted by Stephen Murphy and Marc Woods who both went into double figures for the season. Plenty to look forward to next season for the Kennedy Park outfit who will now have teams in the top two tiers of the NT&DL.
Third Division
Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ travelled to face a Barnane side that have been showing signs of improvement over their past number of games. There was plenty to play for in the second half as it was only 1 – 0 to the hosts at the interval thanks to a Davy Collins effort. The game changed early in the second half when Clodiagh were reduced to ten men and this allowed Barnane the get forward in numbers and wrapped up all the points thanks to strikes from Enda Walsh, Johnny Ryan and Brian Hennessey to see the game finish 4 – 0. Lough Derg ‘B’ travelled to face Ballymackey ‘B’ and it was the hosts who shaded matters in a thrilling 6 – 4 encounter. The first half was keenly contested as it ended 1 – 1 at the break after Kevin Mounsey opened the days scoring for the home side, but the Lakesider’s levelled through Kevin Stritch and soon after the break they took the lead thanks to another strike from Stritch. Ballymackey were then forced into action and scored 4 goals without reply. Conor O’Meara scored three with Rory Mounsey also netting. Not long after Lough Derg scored again through Noel McInerney, Conor O’Meara capped his man of the match performance with a fourth goal before their visitors bagged a late consolation goal from the feet of Mark McInerney. Shannon Rangers took full advantage of having their away fixture changed to Ballinderry as they ran out comfortable 4 – 1 winners over Sallypark ‘B’ to go level on points with their guests in the league standings. A solitary strike from the prolific David Young for the away side was of no use as Shannon Rangers saw Paraic O’Meara, Sean Moran, John Flannery and Barry Cahalan all getting on the score sheet for a welcome three points.
FAI Youths Inter District League
NT&DL Youths travelled to face Wexford Youths at the impressive Gorey Rangers grounds with a slim chance of progressing to the open draw stages, but need to win by 5 clear goals to overtake their hosts in the table standings. The early exchanges between both sides were tentative at best with neither side committing players forward despite the necessity for goals. Things were looking good for Dave Rooney and Ger Hogans selection after Gearoid Murphy of Ballymackey converted a penalty to see the Tipperary side go into the break 1 nil up. However, that’s where it ended for the visitors who witnessed a clinical display of goal scoring from Wexford as they ran rampant to score seven times and secure an unlikely place in the open round draw.