Villa upset by Clodiagh in FAI Cup
By Gary Culbert
killavilla utd 1-3 clodiagh rangers
The biggest upset of the NTDL season so far was seen in Villa Park on Sunday as Clodiagh Rangers dumped premier division league leaders Killavilla United out of the FAI Junior Cup at the third-round stage on a 3-1 scoreline.
‘Villa went agonizingly close with a close-range Eddie Simmons header which shaved the wrong side of the post, but they did take a deserved lead shortly after when Clarke scored a bullet header from a corner kick.
Clodiagh slowly played themselves into the game and their midfield trio of David Butler, Sam Van Dam and Brian Hanrahan began to find some joy moving forward. Indeed, it was Butler who played Hanrahan in to level the proceedings with a fine finish despite the presence of John Cordial and the advancing Villa keeper.
The sides were level at the sound of the half-time whistle, which the Clodiagh defence were grateful to hear. The second half started a little brighter for Clodiagh, but Adrian Cooke was called into action with two great saves to deny Eddie Simmons and keep his side in at a critical period in the tie.
Paudie Guidera, up front, was beginning to get more of the ball and cause trouble for the Villa defence, however, it was his strike partner Rhys Loughnane who gave Rangers an unlikely lead when he beat two Villa defenders before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper.
The league leaders started to go more direct but Paddy Lowry at the centre of the Clodiagh defence stood strong against the impressive Gavin Clarke, who was always dangerous with the ball at his feet. Daniel Moloney and Aidan Slattery came on for Clodiagh and the latter had an immediate impact as he forced the Villa keeper to make a fine save with his shot from outside the area.
Guidera all but wrapped up the game when capitalised on a wayward pass in the Villa rear-guard to lob the ball over the keeper with a smart finish.
The league champions had the majority of possession, but it was the team who pushed them hardest last season that advanced to the next round thanks to their efficiency in front of goal. Having been drawn against Killavilla in the Tipperary Cup also, this win will give Adrian Cooke’s men a big morale boost heading into the second half of the season where they will face Villa at least three more times.
It's first blood to Clodiagh in the first of four encounters this season, and despite this result coming in a cup competition, it also brings a new excitement to the Premier Division title race, as it shows that Villa can be bested.
Clodiagh have been drawn rather favourably at home to Rosegreen Rangers in the next round. Rosegreen sit bottom of the TSDL Second Division, but they have impressively beaten Lough Derg and Cahir Park to reach the third round.
Shinrone 0-6 Sallypark
There was to be no upset in Shinrone on Sunday as Sallypark easily dispatched the division 2 side.
The opener came after twenty minutes when a James Kirk corner was powered into the net by ex-Celt Paul Walsh. The visitors doubled their lead shortly after when some good link up play down the left between Tommy McLoughlin and Brian Mitchell resulted in Jack Sanders finishing well from outside the box.
Sallypark’s third goal didn’t come until the 65th minute, when after a period of sustained pressure on the Shinrone defence and some fine saves from the keeper, a shot from Brian Mitchell was too hot to handle and landed at the feet of Jack Sanders, who tapped in to continue to his recent purple patch in front of goal.
The fourth goal came from pacey front man Sean Ryan, who, after a few attempts, finally found the Shinrone net. Their fifth came off the back of a long kick from goalkeeper David Walsh, which cleared the Shinrone back four and landed in the path of the on-rushing Brian Duffy, who finished well. Man of the match Jack Sanders completed his hat-trick late on to round off the scoring at 6 goals on a good day for Sallypark.
In round 3, Sallypark have been drawn at home against TSDL side Peake Villa. The Thurles based side have three wins from three this season in the TSDL Premier Division and will be massive favourites in this tie, but the fact that Sallypark have a home draw is huge.
Cashel Town 1-0 Rearcross
Rearcross bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday as Cashel Town scored the only goal of the game in Palmers Hill.
It’s two seasons on the bounce now that the TSDL Premier Division side have been just one goal better than Rea’ in the FAI Cup. The game was played in absolutely horrendous conditions, but Cashel ultimately grounded out the win thanks to a composed Callum Meagher finish in the 80th minute following a goalmouth scramble.
The NTDL side piled men forward in the final few minutes and almost forced extra time, but unfortunately Robert Harrington’s curling effort veered just wide.
Moneygall also exited the FAI Junior Cup after losing 2-0 away to Cullen Lattin.
Division 1 League
Borroway Rovers continued their unbeaten run in division 1 with a 3-1 win over Cloughjordan in Loughtagalla Park on Sunday.
It was scoreless at the break despite Paul Gould’s side enjoying sustained periods of pressure and possession during the opening half. Clough did have a few chances but in truth these were few and far between.
Just after the break, Shane Dunne opened the scoring for the hosts with a tap in at the back post following a deep free kick. Borroway doubled their lead shortly after from the penalty spot through Jake Moore, who was the man of the match, despite his recent five-week spell out through injury. Liam McCormack added a third midway through the half to wrap up the game. Clough did score courtesy of a Ger Corcoran tap in following a Bryan Williams shot, and they could have had a second but ultimately left Thurles empty handed.
On Sunday, Ardcroney righted the wrongs of their Shield final loss, thanks to a hard fought 3-2 home win over Holycross. Goals from Kieran Spain and Ben Slattery saw the sides go in level at the break, but second half goals from Jamie Heffernan and man of the match Andrew Hayes were enough to secure the points despite a Jojo O’Meara goal in the second half.
Division 1
Birdhill drew 4-4 with Ballymackey ‘B’ on Sunday, but the fixture looked in serious doubt until Emer O’Brien stepped in at late notice to referee the game.
Ballymackey gained the initiative with two early goals from Josh McCarthy, before Thomas Floyd pulled one back with a brave header. However, Ballymackey soon restored their two-goal lead through Dean Moloney, but Chris Carew responded for the hosts just before half time. Substitute John Burns got Birdhill back level, but Ballymackey once again took the lead through former Sallypark man Kevin Kennedy. Birdhill did not accept defeat however and Lowell Ryan had the last say with an equaliser late on.
Templetouhy’s early season form has come to an abrupt halt of late, and on Sunday Lough Derg ‘B’ added them a 4-2 defeat.
The Shannonsiders were two up at the break and stormed into a four-goal lead before Templetouhy eventually pulled two goals back. James Frahill scored a brace for Derg, whilst Shane Grace and Kieran Larkin were also on target for the visitors. A Jerry Kelly brace and a Fintan Holland strike were enough to secure all three points when Borrisoleigh travelled to take on Borrisokane ‘B’. Mickey Houlihan scored Borrisokane’s only goal of the game.
Under 19 Premier Division
Moneygall hosted BT Harps under lights last Tuesday and secured all three points courtesy of a first half Sean Moroney strike. David Toohey was the best for Moneygall, who have made a big statement with this win over the Youths Cup holders.
Killavilla United and Ballymackey drew 2-2 in Villa Park on Saturday. They were level at half time too, Michael Fitzgerald netting for the hosts and James Kenneally for the away side. Josh Doran found the net for Villa in the second half, whilst Sean Crosse was on target for the Ballinree side. Ryan Gillick was the best for the visitors, while Villa’s best performer was Liam O’Reilly.
BT Harps got their first win of the campaign thanks to a late late winner over Lough Derg in Michael Fennell Park. Harps had the wind on their backs and took the lead in the tenth minute through Ronan Tangri. Lough Derg then took control and drew level when a fine team move was finished by Sam Foley on the half hour.
Lough Derg travelled with the bare eleven, but despite this they had some great chances in the second half and even struck the woodwork twice. BT were able to make some changes, and this proved to be the difference, as late replacement Dylan Quinlan got an unlikely winner in the 90th minute with a great strike from outside the box, low and into the corner giving the keeper no chance. Shaun Jordan was the man of the match for the Youths Cup holders.
Under 19 Championship
Arra Rovers continued their fine start to the season with a 2-0 win over Silvermines. Oisin Tucker opened the scoring just before half time and Brian McEvoy put daylight between the sides in the second half. Jack O’Brien was the man of the match for the hosts, whilst Sean Ryan Prendiville was the best for Silvermines.