Title race goes down to the final game

By Gary Culbert

Nenagh Celtic 4-4 Moneygall

Nenagh Celtic had the chance to secure the Premier Division title in front of their home fans last Wednesday, but they were held to a draw by a bullish Moneygall side still reeling from their heavy defeat in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.

The visitors went in front inside thirty minutes after Jack O’Brien was brought down in the box, with Matt Longe netting for the fourth time this season. The Offaly men doubled their lead a couple of minutes later through a rare Bordei Viorel goal. The left-back latched onto a rabona pass from midfield by Paul Costello and calmly slotted home.

An injury caused a stop in play, during which the champions-elect steadied themselves, and they were level by half time with Peter Hynes and Szymon Popiela on target, the latter from the penalty spot.

Moneygall went back in fron after Paul Costello got his name on the scoresheet on the 60-minute mark, assisted by Nistor Toderici following a corner which caused havoc in the Celtic box.

Dwayne Collison denied the league-leaders with a fine save two minutes after the restart, but Celtic were not deterred, and they drew level shortly after with Popiela netting his second.

Moneygall thought they had secured the points when Bordei Viorel volleyed home a corner with seven minutes remaining.

However, this Nenagh Celtic side have proven throughout the years - and particularly this season - that they never give up. Deep into stoppage time they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Moneygall box, which Danny Ryan scored from to send the home fans wild.

The draw was a harsh result for Moneygall, who will be delighted to have turned the corner following a run of poor form.

For Celtic, the point means that a draw will be enough to secure the title in their final league match away to Thurles, but it is not a simple task as the Nenagh side are now without Danny Ryan, who will miss out through injury.

Thurles Town 2-1 Killavilla United

Already relegated Thurles Town recorded a shock home-win over Killavilla in the other midweek fixture. Willie Creedon scored a brace for the hosts, whilst Paul Kirwan netted his eighth of the season for the Roscrea outfit.

Thurles Town 1-4 Lough Derg

Lough Derg ensured that the title race would go down to the wire when they won away to Thurles on Sunday, ensuring Nenagh Celtic have to get at least a point from their final game away to Thurles Town. The win came courtesy of a brace each for Lee Mowat and Kieran Larkin.

Moneygall 2-1 Borroway Rovers

Moneygall continued their strong finish to the season with an impressive 2-1 win over Borroway on Sunday, with goals coming through Cian Galvin and Paul Costello.

Division 1

Portumna Town became the fourth team to withdraw from completing the 2020 season. Their withdrawal means that Borrisokane get a walkover in their final league game, meaning they finish second in the league and secure promotion to the Premier Division. It also means that their Barry Cup semi-final opponents - Rearcross -automatically progress through to the final.

Rearcross’ opponents in the Division 1 Cup final were decided over the weekend when Arra Rovers hosted league champions Clodiagh Rangers. The home side went in without top scorer Callan Cotterell, whilst their next highest scorer Ciaran Willis was deployed at full-back.

Clodiagh took the lead inside the five minutes when James Murray headed into the bottom corner from six yards, the striker had Paul Hanley to thank for a perfectly executed right-footed cross. Hanley was the standout player in the first half, the right winger showed impressive pace and crossing ability throughout.

Arra found a foothold in the game and enjoyed an extended period of possession, however, they were caught on the counter by Hanley, who skipped his way past two men only to be brought down just inside the area. Up stepped Sam Van Dam for the spot-kick, but Dermot O’Halloran dived well to his right and push the ball onto the post and out for a corner. Arra were lucky not to be further behind when Jack Kennedy had his effort cleared off the line.

The Newtown side came out firing in the second half and on 55 minutes they found an equaliser through Ruadhan Mulrooney. The striker was played down the left side by Eoin Moloney, but he still had loads to do, after nutmegging his marker on the corner of the box, he opened his body up and curled home a powerful strike which left Adrian Cooke with no chance.

Arra’s tails were up now and Mulrooney’s confidence was on full show when he turned and struck the post from twenty yards out, but Moloney was on the scene at the back post to tap his side in front.

As the rain poured down, the league champions did not look like scoring, but their persistence paid off midway through the half when they scored a freak goal. There was nothing Dermot O’Halloran could do in goals as he was left stranded when a deep Mark Butler cross deflected off an Arra man and looped over his head and into the top corner.

The game became very stretched, and the conditions resulted in a real lack of quality football in the latter half of the second period. The score remained two apiece after extra time, so penalty kicks was required to determine who would face Rearcross in the final.

Due to an injury to O’Halloran in normal time, the hosts deployed Ruadhan Mulrooney between the posts. However, it was the more experienced keeper Adrian Cooke who managed the only save in the shootout, that save and miss from Diarmuid Boyle meant that Clodiagh progress to the final where they will have the chance to complete the league and cup double.

Division 2

Nothing could separate Birdhill and Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ all season at the top of Division 2 so the sides met on Thursday last in a ‘League Decider’ with Birdhill coming from two goals down to win 4-2.

The visitors went two up before the first half water break, both goals coming through Pat Ryan. They held onto this lead until the second-half water break, at which point Birdhill came roaring back into the game. The goal that got them started came from the spot, Darragh Nolan making no mistake from twelve yards. Paddy Kelly levelled before Conor Floyd gave the hosts the lead. Kealan Floyd added a fourth to the jubilation of the home crowd.

Both sides deserve huge kudos for the high-scoring standards that they maintained throughout the season, but it was Birdhill who had the edge on the day.

Holycross secured their place in the Nora Kennedy Cup final with a 1-0 win over Silvermines in Ballinaclough on Wednesday. Silvermines kept the visitor’s level until half-time, but they could not stop Mikey Nally from scoring the only goal of the game.