FAI Junior Cup
Borroway Rovers progressed to the 4th round of the FAI Junior Cup following a dramatic 6-5 win over Waterford Club Valley Rangers. The WWEC League side were first to score when Stephen Kearney was on the mark. The visitors picked it up after this and went in to a 3-1 lead with a brace from Seamus Woodlock which was complemented with a Keith Moore finish. Borroway Rovers went on to concede four own goals with the first reducing the deficit to 3-2, however Patrick Gleeson made amends to stretch it to 4-2 for the NT&DL side with a cleverly executed goal. Paul Gould was in the action to make it 5-2 before Borroway Rovers hit the self-destruct button conceding three own goals on the trot to leave the sides tied on a five all score line going in to the final stages. David Loughnane proved the Borroway hero on the day after netting a late winner to secure passage for the Thurles Club.
Lough Derg bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup with an away defeat to Glengoole United. The sides were scoreless at the break, however the TSDL Premier Division side upped the ante in the second half and went ahead with a Killian Duggan strike on 57 minutes. Lough Derg battled to get back in to the tie, however it was game, set and match when Stephen Houlihan crashed the ball home in the 90th minute to leave no way back for the Ballina/Killaloe team on this occasion.
Two goals in a two minute spell decided Borrisokane’s fate in this season’s FAI Junior Cup as Clonmel side Wilderness Rovers emerged victors on a two nil score line at the end of ninety minutes. Gerard Kennedy was first to pounce on the 13 minute mark and then David Grace followed up a minute later to leave the visitors ahead at the break. Borrisokane were dominant for long spells in the second period, however the visitors shut up shop to advance to the 4th round of the competition.
Roscrea United made the journey to Waterford to played Lismore and finished on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. Maurice Shanahan put Lismore ahead in the 9th minute with a well taken goal. Lismore stayed on the offensive as Maurice Shanahan bagged his second of the day to leave the home side in control at the break. The NT&DL side enjoyed a period of dominance after the re-start and pegged a goal back through David McNamara, however Lismore held out after this to secure their place in the fourth round.
Clodiagh Rangers were on their travels to Moyglass to play the home side in this third round FAI Junior Cup tie but played second fiddle to the TSDL Club. Goals from Andrew Yates and Sean Tynan set Moyglass on their way. The home side kept the pressure on and extended their lead when Denis Fahey converted from the spot. Clodiagh showed strongly towards the end of the half and were given a glimmer of hope when Mark Quinlan reduced the deficit with a delightful chipped finish. The NT&DL side upped the intensity early in the second period but were unable to add to their tally. Moyglass turned in a strong finish and wrapped it up with a Mike Griffin effort. Indeed, it would have been more in the end but for a string of fine saves from Clodiagh custodian Adrian Cooke.
Premier Division League
The winning ways continued for Nenagh AFC with a facile seven nil win over Moneygall in Nenagh last Sunday morning.
Second Division League
Holycross ‘A’ upped the ante at the top of the Second Division League by virtue of this two nil win over BT Harp’s ‘B’ in Glenbane. The home side created the early chances but had to wait until the 33rd minute for the opener when Seanie Comerford glanced a header on to the path of Jojo O’Meara who lobbed the keeper with a magnificent effort. The Templemore side conceded a penalty following a handball infringement just before half time as Seanie Comerford stepped up to convert with aplomb. A well contested second half saw both sets of defences on top to leave a final score line of two nil in favour of the hosts.
Ballymackey welcomed Nenagh AFC ‘C’ to Ballinree for this league encounter and sent the Brickfields side home empty handed following a hard earned two nil win. An in form Timmy Fleming edged Ballymackey ahead midway through the half with a headed goal. It was two nil to the home side on the hour mark after Denis Haverty headed between posts. Nenagh AFC pressed hard to get back in to the game but met stiff resistance from a resolute defensive display from the home team.
Portumna Town played hosted to Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ and came out on top against the Drombane side on a 6-4 score line. The sides were tied one all score line at the break after Colin Burke netted for the home side while Jamie Moloney responded for Clodiagh Rangers. Garry Hogan put Portumna back in front at the start of the second half, however the Drombane outfit got back level again with a Brian Carroll penalty. Portumna held the upper hand after this as Ronan O’Meara chipped in with a double hit, Oísin Royston and Keith Finnerty made up the scoring for the winners while Loughlin Ryan and Jamie Moloney also added further goals for Clodiagh Rangers, however it wasn’t enough on the day to thwart a strong showing from Portumna.
Shannon Rangers outplayed an understrength Templetuohy side last Sunday in Ballinderry and had their target men in Murt Burke, Ross Ryan, Willie Cleary, Stephen Darcy, Andy Austin and Martin Minihan.
Third Division League
Kennedy Park was the venue for the meeting of Roscrea Utd ‘B’ and Sallypark ‘B’ last Sunday where the home side claimed the plaudits on a score line of five goals to two. The visiting side enjoyed a 2-1 lead at the break thanks to a double hit from Matty Stapleton while Niall O’Lone replied for Roscrea United. The home side proved the more clinical in the second half with a brace from Martin Harty while Martin Loughnane and Thomas O’Brien were also on target to leave Roscrea United very much in contention for league honours.
Cloughjordan ‘B’ had too much firepower for Rearcross ‘B’ on a 6-1 score line at the Cloughjordan venue last Sunday morning. Jack Farrell set the league leaders on their way with the opening goal on the ten minute mark, Andy Brennan doubled the Cloughjordan tally midway through the half with a well taken goal. It was more of the same in the second period with strikes from Colm Williams, Dean O’Meara, Seamus Williams and Colin Browne. Rearcross snatched a late consolation through James Deegan who notched up his seventh of the season in the process.
Holycross ‘B’ and Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ played out a one all draw in Glenbane on Sunday afternoon, the sides were scoreless at the break, however Pat Phelan shot the Drombane side ahead with twenty minutes remaining, however Holycross levelled matters ten minutes later.
Youths League
BT Harps Youths claimed maximum points over Rearcross on a five nil scoreline in Rearcross last Saturday afternoon. A wind assisted visiting side enjoyed a four nil advantage at the midway stage with goals from Robbie O’Connell, Eric Quinlan and a brace from Dylan Loughnane. Rearcross had the elements in their favour in the second period but were unable to get the breakthrough, Eric Quinlan added his second of the day to give BT Harps a comfortable victory on the day.