Munster Junior Cup
Nenagh AFC ‘A’ progress to the next round of the Munster Junior Cup as they overcame Borrisokane ‘A’ in what could have been a tricky away fixture, but it was their superior firepower in the attacking third which saw the Blues win out on a 5 – 1 score line to set up a derby match with rivals Nenagh Celtic. Borrisokane who were at the loss of a number of regulars, couldn’t handle the free scoring Dan Dalton who netted twice. Mark McKenna and Bryan McGee also scored and the home sides misery was compounded when the scored an own goal. Borrisokane did get a late consolation goal with a superb strike from John Butler.
Holycross fell to their first defeat in a number of months as they were beaten by Premier League side BT Harps ‘A’ at the Glenbane venue. Fresh from his impressive display with NT&DL Youths, Mikey Greed was again on the mark with Harps first and Christy Moore made sure of the Templemore’s side passage to the next round with their second goal where they will face Cloughjordan ‘A’.
Premier League
The standout fixture of the weekend was Roscrea United ‘A’ who entertained Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ in Kennedy Park as both sides looked to make up ground on top side Nenagh AFC who were out in cup action. With both sides missing a number of regulars it was all poised to be an interesting encounter, but first blood went to Roscrea as Niall O’Lone headed home a Brian Moloney cross. Celtic composed themselves and began to get a foothold in the game on 12 minutes found themselves level as Craig Connolly raced through and slot home and it remained 1 all at the break despite Nenagh having the better of the chances. It was more of the same in the second half as Nenagh continually probed looking
for the second, but the home defence stood strong until the 78th minute when Din Ryan latched onto a Marky Walsh pass and found the bottom left corner. Stephen Flynn wrapped up all three points shortly afterwards with a shot from just inside the area found its way home to see the Hoops remain unbeaten in the league and lift them into third place.
Sallypark ‘A’ travelled to face Thurles Town in the Greyhound Stadium in a game which even at this stage of the season had serious implications for the losing side in the battle to avoid relegation. With confidence high in the Latteragh men’s side after last week’s draw away to Roscrea, they took an early lead from the penalty spot through Eoin Ryan after David Keogh was fouled. It was soon 2 nil with a magnificent individual goal from Orrie Quirke. Thurles managed to get on the score sheet before the break with a long distance effort from Jamie O’Connor found the bottom corner. Thurles rallied in the early exchanges of the second half and drew level with a quick counter attack finished off by Caley Maher. It could have been 3 – 2 to the hosts shortly afterwards, but it was the crossbar who came to the rescue for Sallypark to keep the game level. With 10 minutes remaining, Sallypark edged in front when a speculative effort from Matt Ryan deceived the home defence and nestled in the corner of the net. Robbie Fitzpatrick got a late goal to seal the win for Sallypark who move clear of the bottom two above Thurles who are now level on points with Lough Derg ‘A’, who overcame Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ in an entertaining match in Clarisford. The home side, who were unlucky not to have earned at least a point against Nenagh AFC recently exploded in to this game and hit the woodwork twice with efforts from distance, but did take the lead from the penalty spot through Tom Grace. Clodiagh began to find their feet and were soon level when Paul Doyle sprung the offside trap and slotted home from close range. Lough Derg went in at half time 2 – 1 ahead after Jason Comley found himself in possession inside the area and fired home a powerful low strike. Lough Derg had a chance to go 3 – 1 ahead after being awarded a second penalty, which Adrian Cooke managed to save to keep the hosts lead to the minimum. Clodiagh were level 5 minutes later when James Murray got on the end of a Mark Quinlan free kick. Both sides had chances to take the lead but it was man of the match Jason Comley who was the difference on the day as he powered home from outside the area with 15 minutes left. Clodiagh pushed and were unlucky to see both Paul Doyle and John Ryan Casey go agonisingly close to level the match. Lough Derg sealed the win a late header from Brian McKeogh to earn their first win of the season.
First Division
Both second and third placed teams were in league action last Sunday and were looking to make ground on first placed Holycross who were out in cup action. Nenagh AFC ‘B’ stay in second place with this away win over Arra Rovers in Portroe. Willie Darcy and Paul Dwan strikes were accompanied by an own goal as James Ryan struck for the home side who now face an uphill battle to retain their First Division status.
Rearcross ‘A’ travelled to Fanure to face Streamstown Celtic ‘A’ and lost out 3 – 1 as they try to halt their slide down the first division table. Streamstown shaded the early exchanges in the contest and were a goal to the good after 20 minutes when Paul Doyle converted a Craig Byrne cross. Rearcross capitalised on a defensive mix up to level after Robert Harrington headed over home ‘keeper Jason Ryan who had only made a great save moments beforehand. Rearcross almost took the lead in the second half from a free kick, but the home side were thankful for Ryan who produced another top class save to preserve parity. This proved to be a wakeup call for Celtic who took the lead through the inspired Paul Doyle as he rounded a number of defenders before curling home a fine effort. Doyle soon had his hat trick as he tapped home from close range to help his side take full advantage of another of their games in hand over second placed Nenagh AFC ‘B’.
Second Division
In another of this seasons Nenagh derby’s, it was honours even at the VEC after Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ played out a 2 – 2 draw with Nenagh AFC ‘C’. Robbie Fogarty and Brian Duffy had put the Hoops into a 2 – 1 lead with Kieran O’Donoghue scoring for Town, however, a late own goal saw a share of the spoils to keep both sides placed mid table.
BT Harps ‘B’ retain top spot with a narrow 2 – 1 win over bottom side Cloughjordan ‘B’ in Templemore. Harps were not allowed to get a foothold in the game by Cloughjordan who had the better of the chances in the early exchanges. Cathal Leahy gave the home side the lead midway through the half and it was 2 nil after the break with James Kavanagh capitalising on some good build up play from Cathal Leahy. Harps hit the woodwork twice before Cloughjordan earned a penalty which Andrew Brennan dispatched. Harps were grateful for the final whistle as Cloughjordan turned in a solid performance which belied their league position and will feel they deserved at least a share of the points.
Division 3
Gurtagarry remain unbeaten as they overcame guests Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ 3 – 1. The league leaders didn’t have it all their own way in a game where it was nil all at the break as neither side could breach each other’s resilient defence. Clodiagh took the lead early in the second half when Dean Carew was played through by John Ryan and slotted the ball under the advancing Brendan Hayes in goal. Gurtagarry made a number of substitutions and they had the desired effect as Paddy O’Rourke blasted home from outside the area. Gurtagarry took the lead after being awarded a disputed penalty which Billy Cocoran converted. It was soon after 3 – 1 when O’Rouke bagged his second to see his side go six points clear with 1 game in hand over second placed Borrisokane ‘B’ who also won with a high scoring 6 – 4 victory over Barnane. Matty Power and Gerard Comerford returned to scoring ways, with Power netting twice for Borrisokane, but it was John Doyle who excelled in front of goal for the away side as he helped himself to a hat trick. On the mark for Barnane were Paul Connors, Jerome Ryan, David Collins and David Butler.
Lough Derg ‘B’ had too much firepower for Ballywilliam as they stay in third place with a 5 – 1 victory. The game as a contest was over at half time thanks to an Eric Monaghan hat trick. It was 4 nil shortly after the restart when Kevin Stritch netted. Ballywilliam got off the mark in the 82nd minute when Declan O’Donoghue converted a penalty. It was soon 5 – 1 when Jamie Stuart struck home to see his side as the division’s top scoring side.
Ballymackey ‘B’ overcame fellow mid table rivals Shannon Rangers thanks to 5 – 2 score line to halt their poor form of late. There was no doubting that a man of the match performance from Conor O’Meara was the difference between the two sides as he struck four times. O’Meara had his trick before half time, and with another strike from James Walsh it was 4 nil at the break. Shannon did get off the mark to make to 4 – 2 thanks but O’Meara bagged his fourth near the end to cap an impressive display.
FAI Youths Inter District League
A heavily depleted NT&DL Youths fell to a home defeat last Saturday in Drombane when they encountered a Kilkenny Youths side who turned in an impressive last 30 minutes to score six times after finding themselves 2 nil down after Mikey Greed and Denis Haverty had both scored for the home side. It was one nil at the break with NT&DL just about edging matters thanks to a tidy strike from Greed who hit the net from a tight angle. Haverty made it 2 nil when he expertly controlled a Francis Munsterberg cross on his chest before volleying home. However, Kilkenny spurred on by their number 9 and man of the match, Cain Loy, they hit their hosts for 6 late goals as the visitor’s aerial advantage in the final third shun through. Next up for NT&DL Youths is another home tie against Wexford in the New Year which will allow the side time to regroup for this important fixture.
NT&DL Squad vs Kilkenny:
1. Paddy Dunne (Nenagh AFC) 2. Tommy Teer (Ballymackey) 3. Sam Van Dam (BT Harps) 4. Darragh McDonnell (Ballymackey) 5. Eddie Shore (Nenagh Celtic) 6. Tom Ahearn (Streamstown Celtic) 7. Francis Munsterberg (Nenagh AFC) 8. Josh McCarthy (Nenagh AFC) 9. Mikey Greed (BT Harps) 10. Kealan Floyd (Birdhill) 11. Denis Haverty (Ballymackey)
Subs: 12. Gearoid Murphy (Ballymackey) for Tom Ahearn (74) 13. Jake Morris (Nenagh AFC) for Kealan Floyd (78) 14. Dominic Sheridan (Nenagh Celtic) for Eddie Shore (85)