Munster Junior Cup
Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ pulled off the result of the weekend with a merited 5-3 extra time win over Cloughjordan ‘A’ at the away venue last Sunday. Clodiagh Rangers were first off the mark when Shane O’Dwyer finished from close range, however Cloughjordan drew level courtesy of a Michael Costello goal. Tommy Stevens put the Drombane side back in front after breaking through to finish with aplomb, however an end to end affair saw Dean O’Meara draw the hosts level for the second time. Ger Grant came off the bench and was next up for Clodiagh Rangers to make it 3-2 with a well taken goal, however extra time ensued after Darren Killackey netted to leave it tied on a three all scoreline at the end of ninety minutes. Clodiagh Rangers blitzed their Premier Division opponents in the first period of extra time scoring two in quick succession through Mark Quinlan and Tommy Stevens to book their place in the 4th round.
Premier Division League
Nenagh AFC maintained their unblemished record in the Premier League following a hard earned 2-1 away win over Thurles Town at Thurles Greyhound Stadium. The home side were on top for long spells in the first half and will rue not opening their account before conceding an own goal on the half hour mark after good work by Nenagh’s Ryan Gilmartin. The Blues took further advantage and went in at half time with a two nil lead when Alan Sheehan rattled the net. Thurles Town were on top again at the start of the second half and pegged it back to the minimum when Padraig Fogarty converted from the spot, however the league leaders shut up shop after this to make it eight wins on the trot in the Premier League.
Nenagh Celtic made the journey to Rearcross for this early morning kick off on Sunday and outplayed the home side on a seven goals to nil score line. The visitors got off to a flier netting a trio of goals inside the opening seven minutes with finishes from Mark Walsh, Stephen Flynn and Benny Sheehan. It was five nil at the midway stage with further strikes from Stephen Flynn and Davy Walsh. Nenagh Celtic stayed on the offensive in the second period and capped off the win with finishes from Mark Walsh and Darren Scully to leave the Hoops comprehensive winners on the day.
The winning ways continued for Sallypark with a two nil home win over Moneygall on Sunday morning. David Keogh set the hosts on their way with the opener on the half hour mark. Moneygall tried hard to get back on par, however Ciaran Ryan doubled the Sallypark tally in the 54th minute with a well taken freekick to leave no way back for Moneygall on this occasion.
BT Harps were three nil winners over Lough Derg in Templemore last Sunday. The sides were scoreless at the break, however BT Harps upped the ante in the second period and had their ace marksman in Christy Moore who bagged a hat-trick to secure maximum points.
First Division League
Roscrea Utd ‘A’ prevailed over Nenagh AFC ‘B’ on a 3-1 score line in this top of the table clash played in Nenagh on Sunday morning. Roscrea got to the perfect start after netting the opener through David McNamara with just eight seconds gone. David McNamara obliged again on nineteen minutes with a well worked goal. Nenagh made a strong finish to the half and brought it back to the minimum with a Jordan Lewis strike eight minutes before the interval. Roscrea pushed on in the second half to secure a crucial victory over the Blues when David McNamara completed his hat-trick on the 65 minute mark.
Clonmore picked up a much needed win with a two nil result against Ardcroney. Both sets of defences were dominant in the opening half to leave it stalemate at the midway stage. Clonmore applied the pressure after the resumption and hit the front when Michael Delahunty got on the end of a pin point cross to head home. The hosts kept wrapped it up ten minutes from time after Tommy Fahy obliged with a well taken effort.
Loughtagalla Park was the venue for the meeting of Borroway Rovers and Arra Rovers with the Portroe side shading the outcome on a slender one nil scoreline. Stephen O’Flaherty scored the all-important goal twenty minutes in to the tie. Borroway tried hard in the second half but were unable to breakdown a resolute defensive performance from the visitors.
Kilcommon emerged victorious over Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ by the odd goal in three in Kilcommon on Sunday morning. The home team enjoyed a one nil advantage at the half time whistle after Eamon Naughton headed home from a Tom Keane throw ball on the 40 minute mark. Kilcommon were on the front foot again at the start of the second half and stretched it to two when Paudie Ryan threaded through to Eamon Naughton who netted his second of the outing. Nenagh Celtic didn’t throw in the towel and pulled it back to 2-1 when Seanie Tanner converted from the spot midway through the half, however Kilcommon dug deep after this to grind out a badly needed three points.
Second Division League
Holycross kept it tight at the top of the table following this 6-1 result over Templetuohy at Killoran Park. The title contenders made a strong start and hit the front in the 7th minute when Jojo O’Meara tapped home after good play by Kevin O’Dwyer and Callum O’Connor. Templetuohy enjoyed a period of dominance and got back level when Shane Ryan was on target. The visitors went back in front when Danny Corbett rose highest to head home from a Seanie Comerford corner kick on the stroke of half time.
The Glenbane side further increased their advantage two minutes in to the second half when Tom Fitzpatrick’s free kick fell to Jojo O’Meara who jabbed home from close range. An in form Jojo O’Meara rounded off his hat-trick with a glancing header from Callum O’Connor’s pin point delivery. Holycross romped home after this with further strikes from Matthew Vahey and Seanie Comerford. Holycross had a man of the match performance from Seanie Comerford.
League leaders Streamstown Celtic were convincing 4-1 winners over BT Harps ‘B’ last Sunday. A Gary Kenneally free kick opened the Streamstown account in the 21st minute. The woodwork denied BT Harps a minute before the break when Shane Scully’s free kick thumped off the crossbar. It was two nil to the homes side six minutes after the restart when Joey Touhy scored a superb one on one effort from a Wally Kirwan pass. Wally Kirwan then got on the score sheet himself five minutes later with a well struck shot from twenty yards. David Fennell pulled one back for BT Harps after his initial attempt from the spot was saved before scoring from the rebound. Streamstown wrapped it up thirteen minutes from the end with the credit going to Craig Phelan who tapped home from close range.
Portumna Town and Ballymackey played out a three all draw last Sunday morning, Ballymackey took the lead after ten minutes when Alan Kenneally found the back of the net. The home side fought back and took a 2-1 lead to the break with strikes from Ronan O’Meara and Eoghan O’Toole on 36 and 43 minutes respectively. It was all square five minutes in to the second half when Timmy Fleming headed home. An in form Timmy Fleming was in the action again fourteen minutes from time to edge Ballymackey in front with a shot from the edge of the box which finished in the net aided by a deflection. Portumna didn’t throw in the towel and earned a share of the spoils when Sean O’Meara drove between the posts with five minutes remaining.
Nenagh AFC ‘C’ were at home to Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ and claimed the win on a 5-2 score line. A Mikey Duff brace complemented with strikes from Dean Morrissey and Benny McMahon in addition to an own goal made up the tally for a Nenagh side which led 3-1 at the break. James Coffey scored the first half goal for Clodiagh Rangers and then Dylan Sheridan netted a late consolation for the visiting side.
Third Division League
Roscrea Utd ‘B’ kept the pressure on in the race for the Third Division League title following a 4-2 win over Gurtagarry at the Latteragh venue but had to battle all the way to take the full points on this occasion. The visitors were two up with goals from Martin Loughnane and Niall O’Lone, however Gurtagarry came storming back and pegged it back level thanks to David Nolan in the 65 minute and Dinny Corcoran five minutes later. The home side were then denied the lead when Billy Corcoran’s effort came off the post with fifteen minutes left to play. Roscrea got the break seconds later and went ahead through Shane Lee. It was game set and match in the 80th minute after Shane Lee crashed home his second of the afternoon to leave Roscrea very much in contention for league honours.
Noreside Celtic and Rearcross ‘B’ shared the spoils on a five all score line in Montore on Sunday afternoon. The Rea boys got the perfect start when Joey Nolan scored after two minutes of play. Noreside got back level eight minutes in to the second half when Eddie Byrne converted from the spot. Rearcross restored their advantage four minutes later when Joey Nolan finished to the net following good play from Paul Murphy. It was end to end as Noreside got back on par after Eddie Byrnes was on target again. The visitors re-grouped and went in front when Joey Nolan latched on to William Mackey’s through ball to complete his hat-trick with a chipped effort. It was 4-2 to Rearcross in the 67th minute when Liam Nolan picked out Paul Murphy who scored with a smashing twenty yard effort. The hosts attacked again and brought it back to the minimum through Prionsias Matthews with twenty minutes to play. Rearcross extended their lead when Darragh Kennedy nodded on before the ball broke to Paul Murphy who bagged his second of the day. However, a strong finish from the home team saw Prionsias Matthews pull it back to the minimum in the 82nd minute and then Jason Quinlivan snatched a dramatic equalizer for Noreside Celtic with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Borrisokane ‘B’ dished out a six nil drubbing to an understrength Sallypark ‘B’ in Borrisokane on Sunday morning. Darren Molloy set the home team on their way in the 19th minute before Marc Rahmoune doubled the tally ten minutes before the break. It was one way traffic in the second period as Brian Donnelly chipped in with a brace on 52and 76 minutes respectively. Gary Donnelly got on the scoresheet with eight minutes to play and then Gary Ryan completed the rout for the winners in the dying moments.
Munster Youths Cup
BT Harps Youths lost out to Two-Mile-Borris following a penalty shootout in this Munster Youths Cup game played last Saturday. The sides were locked on a nil all score line at the end of normal time, however Dylan Loughnane edged BT Harps ahead in the 107th minute with a twenty yard volley, but TSDL side levelled two minutes laterwith a headed finish. Two-Mile-Borris held the upper hand in the penalty shootout on a 5-3 score line. Stevie Nolan, Dylan Loughnane and Jordan Moloney converted the BT Harps penalties.
Arra Rovers were at home to Clonmel Town in this Munster Youths Cup tie with the TSDL side having too much strength in depth for the hosts on a nine nil score line. Clonmel Town had their scorers in Stephen Kelly, Ian McGrath, Graham Kelly and Danny Hogan.
Youths League
Nenagh VEC was the venue for the clash of Nenagh Celtic Youths and Clodiagh Rangers Youths with the home side claiming the plaudits on a narrow 3-2 score line. It was nil all at the half time whistle, however Sean O’Meara gave Celtic the lead early in the second half. Niall Grant drew Clodiagh Rangers level seconds later. The hosts went back in front when Jamie Kelly converted from the spot after Eddie Shoer was taken down in the box. Niall Grant scored again for Clodiagh with a fine effort to leave it tied on a two all score line, however Nenagh Celtic were to have the last say when Noah Nevin finished a side foot effort to the top corner after good approach play by Sean O’Meara to seal the win for the Nenagh side.
Lough Derg Youths emerged victorious against Arra Rovers on a four nil score line last Saturday in Ardcroney. Thomas Conway bagged the opener in the 19th minute following good work from Jamie Stuart. It was two nil to the home side a minute later when Jamie Stuart turned scorer with a well taken goal following an Alex Lawlor assist. The Ballina/Killaloe side continued to apply the pressure and extended their lead to three nil seventeen minutes before the break when Jamie Stuart notched up his second of the outing. The visitors clinched the win early in the second half when Shane Moloney was fouled in the box before Jamie Stuart stepped up to complete his hat-trick with aplomb.
Division One league leaders Nenagh AFC had too much firepower for Ballymackey Youths on a seven nil score line. Ben Banaghan helped himself to a hat-trick, Alan Sheehan chipped in with a brace while Craig McDonnell and Craig Hilmi were also the scoresheet for the Brickfields outfit.