Lough Derg march on in Munster

By Gary Culbert

With Killavilla’s trip to Rearcross postponed due to a water-logged pitch, all eyes turned to Templemore, where BT Harp’s entertained Lough Derg in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup.

Both sides had their chances in the first half, but it was scoreless at the break. The home side went close to taking the lead on 65 minutes, but young keeper Oisin Conacur made a fine save. The deadlock was broken six minutes later, the visitors taking the lead courtesy of a Rory Cousins strike which ended up in the top corner.

Jack Lynch continued his recent green patch when he found the net on 77 minutes, and just four minutes later he made it eight goals in his last three games.

The 3-0 victory for Lough Derg means they are just one game away from an open draw in the last 32 of this prestigious competition, but a home tie against the winners of Rearcross and Killavilla stands in the way first.

Arra Rovers promotion charge faltered slightly when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ardcroney on Sunday.

The match was tightly contested but lacked quality, particularly in front of goal. Arra hit the crossbar twice in a first half of few real chances. Ardcroney’s top-scorer Jamie Heffernan, had multiple chances to put the hosts ahead, the best of which came ten minutes into the second half; Liam Dooley slipped in Heffernan who was one-on-one with the keeper, but an unlucky bounce meant the striker missed his chance.

The standout moment of quality came on 75 minutes from the most unlikely of sources, Arra Rovers’ goalkeeper Kevin O’Halloran. After his side were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, to the right of the Ardcroney goal, Taylor Duffy put a four-man wall in place, but his opposite number came all the way from his own goal to whip a left footed strike just inside the post at the keeper’s side. Duffy will be disappointed nott to keep it out, but all credit goes to O’Halloran who confidently dispatched his first goal of the season.

Paddy Spain’s side rallied and forced an equalizer on 85 minutes after some tireless pressing from Alan Darcy. The Ardcroney captain and assistant manager left his central midfield position to apply pressure on the Arra right back. After winning possession ten yards outside the penalty area, Darcy got his head up and delivered a cross with the outside of his right foot in the direction of Jamie Heffernan. Up to this point it had looked as though Heffernan had left his scoring boots at home today, but on this occasion Ardcroney’s leading goal-scorer pulled the ball down from an awkward height before volleying high into the net.

The draw doesn’t do much for Arra or Ardcroney in terms of league standings, but it was probably the fairest result on the balance of play.

Cloughjordan and Portumna were both coming off the back of good wins, but it was Graham Fogarty’s men who started the sharpest on Sunday afternoon in Tierney Park winning 4-3.

The visitors took the lead after ten minutes courtesy of a long-range strike from Adam Fogarty. Port’ doubled their lead shortly after when Daniel Geraghty found the net after the red sea parted in the Clough midfield. Poor defending from a set-piece allowed Oisín Fogarty to tap home at the back post to make it 3-0 inside thirty minutes.

The hosts were awarded a route back into the game when Aaron Coe was brought down in the penalty area. Richard King dispatched the resulting penalty kick. The Clough comeback was dealt a blow after the interval when Oisin O’Meara was sent off just minutes after his introduction, however, Clough looked a lot more fired up from this point on. The deficit was halved when Bryan Williams forced an own goal from a long throw, and Richard King headed home from a corner to leave the sides level with fifteen minutes to play.

Cloughjordan thought they had it won late on, but the celebrations were cut short due to an offside. First cousins, Oisin & Adam Fogarty were on fire throughout, and with just seconds remaining the latter was brought down on the edge of the box following a flowing counterattack. Adam Fogarty stepped up and saw his deflected shot trickle over the line for the winner, and in the process making him the top scorer in the division with twelve goals.

Next up for Cloughjordan is a tough away trip to an Arra side in desperate need of a win.

Thurles Town kept up their promotion push with a 3-1 win over Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’. In the opening 45 minutes, Joe Hennessey got his eighth goal of the season whilst Michael Butler also found the net. The visitors got one back courtesy of a sweet half volley from Oisin Treacy, but a Chizler Brabston strike ensured that all three points stayed put in Thurles.

The win puts Thurles in a position to mount a promotion push, but they have a very difficult match next week away against a rejuvenated Portumna.

Sallypark kept up their promotion push with a 5-2 away win over Moneygall ‘B’.

David Young and Paul Ryan netted twice for Shane Hogan’s side, whilst Danny O’Donoghue also scored. The home side found the net through Conor Longe and Mark Moroney.

The signing of former Gurtagarry goal-machine Paul Ryan is a shrewd acquisition for Sallypark, who will be a handful in the cup competitions.

Templetouhy kept the pressure on Sallypark by comfortably dispatching Ballymackey ‘B’ 6-1, under the windmills. The host’s scored through Jason Quinlan, JP Lanigan, James Kavanagh, Jamie Bartlett, JJ Mcloughlin, and Christy Moore – who now has fifteen league goals in this campaign.

In division 1, Killavilla United ran out 5-0 winners when BT Harps came to Villa Park. The goals came courtesy of a Josh Doran brace, and strikes from Lee Doran, Michael Fitzgerald, and James Treacy.Bryan Bourke was the best for the visitors, whilst Sam Dooley was the standout player for the home side.

Elsewhere, Ballymackey secured all three points from their fixture with Silvermines.

In division 2, Silvermines ‘B’ picked up all three points thanks to a 3-1 win over Lough Derg ‘B’. An inspired performance in front of goal by Danny Quinn, who found the net on the 30th, 65th, and 83rd minutes saw Silvermines claim the win.Quinn is the obvious choice for player of the match, but Cathal Treacy was equally impressive for the hosts.