Draw secures Premier Division title for Nenagh Celtic
SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League Review
Nenagh Celtic were crowned North Tipperary & District League Premier Division champions after securing the point they needed with a 3-3 draw with Killavilla United in the VEC on Sunday.
Celtic had gone into the break 2-0 down following a strong opening half from Villa who netted through Paul Kirwan header and a wonderful free kick from Diggy Cordial.
Whatever Henry Newman said to his side at half time did the trick as they came out at a blistering pace in the second half. Villa had already taken a hit with when they lost their talisman Kirwan to injury right on half time, and then Celtic pulled a goal back through Peter Hynes although the ball looked to have hit the Nenagh man’s hand before crossing the line. Villa protested the goal, earning two bookings for their efforts, and hadn’t seemed to switch back on before Celtic drew level through Mikey Hynes.
Minute later the Nenagh side had completed a remarkable turnaround when an in-swinging ball caused havoc in the Villa box and Mark Walsh forced home to put Celtic in front. The home side were rampant now but Killavilla were not about to give up their title without a fight. David Nash’s side needed two goals in the last five minutes to keep their title hopes alive and with minutes to play Denis Moloney showed nifty footwork in the box to turn and finish past David Wash in the Celtic goal.
Villa need one more and, to the horror of the home spectators, they got their chance when referee Paul Butler awarded them a penalty for handball with seconds left in injury time. Up stepped Diggy Cordial to take the spot kick but he slipped at the worst possible moment and the ball flew wide.
The home crowd went wild and moments later the final whistle was blown, meaning Celtic had regained the Premier Division title. An epic game that was good enough to decide any title, but Celtic got the point they needed and the presentation was made to Mikey Hynes by Gerry Larkin of the NT&DL.