Clodiagh Rangers' keeper Adrian Cooke gets down low to keep out a free kick from Nenagh Celtic's Mark Walsh in the NT&DL Premier Division fixture at Nenagh College. PHOTO: ODHRAN DUCIE

Harps and Thurles progress in Delaney Cup

Published: Wed 1 Aug 2018, 10:41 AM

Last updated: Wed 1 Aug 2018, 11:43 AM

By James Kirwan

The quarter finals of the cross-county John Delaney Cup took centre stage with both the North & South Tipperary District Leagues have two teams each in the semi-finals.

In the tie of the round, penalties were required to separate Thurles rivals, Thurles Town and Peake Villa which ended 2-2 after normal time.

Christy Burke and Paraic Fogarty hitting the target for Thurles while Dale Loughnane and the returning Matthew McKevitt sent the game into penalties where Town won 4-3.

Thurles will be away to Bansha Celtic in the semi-finals after the West Tipp side ended Killavilla United's winning start after slipping to a 4-1 defeat last Friday.

The hosts found themselves three goals to the good thanks to goals from Bernard Fitzgerald, Micky Coleman and Niall Daly. Killavilla came out for the second half with a spring in their step and pulled a goal back through Micky Ryan, but Bansha Celtic were not to be denied and a late Shane Egan strike helped secure a semi-final place.

BT Harps made the trip to Clonmel last Friday came from a goal behind to beat Clonmel Town 4-2. The hosts found themselves a goal to the good early on as Harry O’Connor found the target. Haps however piled the pressure on after this and goals from Jack Kennedy, Eanna McBride (2) and Ben Stapleton gave them an unassailable lead. Clonmel did grab a consolation in the dying moments as Ian Cleary found the net.

Harps now travel to St Michael’s on Friday next in the semi-final after the Tipperary Town side won 4-2 away to Borroway Rovers in Thurles.

Rovers were a goal to the good thanks to a David McGuire strike but as with the game in Clonmel the away side took a handle on the game, Paul Breen equalising for his side while a Willie Armshaw deflected effort gave the Rovers keeper no chance. Saints went further ahead through David Slattery but a Willie Ferncombe effort brought the hosts back into the game almost immediately. Rovers then pushed for an equaliser, but they were caught on the break and Olly O’Driscoll found the net to end the game as a contest.

Premier Division

Just two games were played in the NT&DL Premier Division with Nenagh Celtic recording their third win in a row in a 3-0 win over Clodiagh Rangers at Nenagh College while Portumna Town earned their first win with a 5-1 home success over Holycross.