Youth Shield Final
Nenagh AFC Youths were made to work hard for the first piece of Youths silverware on offer this season as they overcame Ballymackey Youths on a score line of 2 – 1. Dylan Sheehan got the Blues of the mark and it took a wonder goal from Stevie Daly to eventually overcome a determined Ballymackey side who will take plenty of confidence from the game as they look to challenge for league honours in the upcoming league.
Premier Division
Nenagh AFC ‘A’ welcomed a depleted Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ to Brickfields and were in no mood to be charitable as they hit their guests for 6 unanswered goals. With the game being 2 nil to Nenagh at half time, the flood gates opened in the second half as Roy Creagh completed his hat trick coupled with a Ryan Gilmartin brace and Daniel Butler compounding matters for the Drombane side.
Cloughjordan made their way to Kennedy Park and left with all three points as they ran out 3 – 1 winners. The visitors took the lead only to see Joe Moloney equalise and the Roscrea side were ultimately made to pay by Cloughjordan for some wastefulness in front of goal as they were hit for two second half goals to make it two wins in their last two games.
BT Harps ‘A’ continue to impress in the top tier with an impressive 2 nil win on the road away to Sallypark ‘A’. Mikey Greed lived up to his name in front of goal and his clinically put his side ahead on 25 minutes. Harps lead was doubled with a fortuitous own goal just two minutes after the break which was enough to see them go joint top of the Premier League.
First Division
Streamstown ‘A’ knocked an understrength Arra Rovers for 6 in this league encounter as they continue their early charge for silverware in this hotly contested division. It was only two nil at the break to Streamstown with Shane Moloney and Craig Byrne hitting the net. The second half however saw a flurry of goals where Brian Franks and Darren Wren’s strikes were over shadowed by Moloney on completing his hat trick with a second half brace.
Nenagh AFC ‘B’ continue to show their experience in the first division as they overcame Moneygall in a tight encounter where it took a late second half strike from their in-form striker Willie Darcy to claim another 3 vital points. Both sides had gone in level at the break with strikes from Alan Sheeran for the Blues and Michael Parlon for the home side from the spot.
Ardcroney took a welcome from hosts Rearcross ‘A’ to open their account in the first division. After both sides went in level at the break, the visitors struck first with a strike from Ian McSharry. John Ryan Luke levelled the tie with 20 minutes remaining but neither side could get the killer goal to steal the points late on.
Borrisokane ‘A’ continue to stay in touch with a comprehensive 4 – 1 home victory over Borroway Rovers. Both Phillip Austin and Gary Power netted a brace each to outdo the solitary reply from Jake Moore.
Second Division
Ballymackey ‘A’ welcomed Roscrea United ‘B’ and are one of the few teams to take points from the Kennedy Park side as both had to settle for honours even in a keenly fought encounter. The hosts took the lead early in the second half with a Niall McDonnell strike and were lucky to stay ahead when Roscrea missed from the penalty spot. The game will be remembered however for a great strike from distance from the ever reliable John Pio Fitzpatrick to level matters and keep both sides level at the top of the second division.
Kilcommon continue their push up the table with a notable win away to Cloughjordan ‘B’. Eamon Naughton’s brace for Kilcommon was too good on the day and couldn’t be matched by Dean O’Meara’s solitary reply for the home side.
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ travelled to Templemore to take on form side BT Harps ‘B’ and lost out 2 nil. It was all square at the break, but the home side took advantage in front of goal 5 minutes after the restart when Willie Kavanagh converted. James Kavanagh doubled the lead and also guaranteed all three points with a well taken header late in the second half.
Bragging rights went to Nenagh AFC ‘C’ over rivals Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ in this evenly contested derby in Brickfields Sunday afternoon. Terry Delaney and Kevin Nevin had twice put the visitors in front but were undone by three set pieces to see them leave empty handed as Casey Finn, Paul Kelly and Enrico Casey netted for the Blues to earn a welcome three points.
Third Division
League newcomers Ballywilliam continue to try and find their feet in the NT&DL and weren’t helped by the fact they were missing some regulars as they succumbed to a heavy defeat to Lough Derg ‘B’ on a score line of 9 nil.
Shannon Rangers continue to stay in touch with the league pace setters and were in fine form again as they ran out 8 – 3 winners in a game that was surprisingly 1 all at the break. Shannon Rangers took the lead only to see that effort marked out by Martin Flynn. In an action packed second half the hosts notched up three unanswered goals before Flynn got his second and his teammate Ogie O’Meara also got in on the action, only to see another four goals conceded to put Shannon Rangers ahead of them by the single point in the current league standings.
Borrisokane ‘B’ made the trip to Dombane worthwhile by taking all three points despite going in at the break a goal down with a strike from Darragh Brennan. The visitors regrouped in the second half and struck three times without reply through Matty Power and a brace from Liam Dunne.
Streamstown ‘B’ overcame Rearcross ‘B’ with the odd goal in 5 to win a welcome three points. The home side took an early lead through Shane Carroll. The second goal for the hosts came just before the break when Marcas Mac Fionn cleverly finished. Tom Ahern copper fastened the result with a late penalty despite efforts from Liam Nolan and PJ McLoughlin for the Rearcross side.
Gurtagarry continue to put further daylight between them and their nearest rivals with a derby win over neighbours Sallypark ‘B’. It was business as usual for the league pace setters as they ran out eventual 4 – 2 winners with strikes from Steve Cummins, Billy Corcoran and a double strike from John Pio O’Rourke.
FAI Junior Cup – 1st Round
Europe’s largest amateur football competition kicked off in earnest last weekend with both NT&DL sides coming through against opposition from neighbouring TSDL. Thurles Town were pushed all the way to penalties away to Moyglass after it had finished 3 – 3 after extra time. A great result for Town considering they were two goals down before Tommy Dorney headed home to reduce the deficit. Darren Connor levelled the game before Town took the lead for the first time through Ben Brophy. However the hosts levelled the tie again and it was Town ‘keeper Gordon who made the vital save to ensure Town make to the second round draw.
Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ welcomed Redmondstown to the VEC and ran out comfortable 4 -1 winners. The hosts were nearly rocked in the early stages but held out and heeded the warning when Jimmy Hynes netted to continue his fine form in front of goal lately. Stephen Flynn managed to bag a brace whilst Craig Connolly also got in on the action. The visitors scored very late on but the Hoops are in the draw for the second round and will be feeling confident.