North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

It seemed last week that Killavilla United’s position at the top of the table would soon be under threat, however, a week is a long time in football. A heavy defeat for Clodiagh Rangers at the hands of Ballymackey, and yet another draw involving Arra Rovers and Rearcross, saw all three of the chasing pack drop points on a weekend where Killavilla’s game against BT Harps was abandoned following a serious injury sustained by Harps goalkeeper David Kinane.

CLODIAGH RANGERS 0-4 BALLYMACKEY

The shock result of the weekend was easily Clodiagh Rangers 4-0 home defeat against Ballymackey on Sunday.

The visitors were three-up up at the break thanks to a Cathal Spillane strike and a brace from man of the match, Conor Sheahan. David O’Brien added a fourth after the break to make it two wins on the bounce for George Haverty and Damien Bentley’s side. Ballymackey endured a difficult start to the season, but they’ve really turned a corner of late, scoring ten goals in their last three games.

The loss is a big blow to Clodiagh’s title aspirations, but with two league games against Killavilla still to come, it’s all to play for. It does not get any easier for Clodiagh, as next up they welcome TSDL side Cahir Park to Drombane in the FAI Junior Cup.

ARRA ROVERS 1-1 REARCROSS

With two scoreless draws in their last two league meetings, the latest instalment of Arra Rovers v Rearcross was always going to be a tight affair. The spoils were once again shared on Sunday, but on this occasion these sides who were promoted together, did manage to find the net once each.

Arra’s tricky wingback, Eoin Maloney, opened the scoring in the 75th minute, but from this point on Rearcross rallied and pushed the hosts back into their own half. At the very death, Brian Nolan was fouled just outside the box and Michael O’Gorman stepped up and stuck the resulting free kick into the bottom corner.

Rearcross will look to get back on track next week away to Lough Derg, in what should be a very winnable game.

Division 1

Borroway Rovers just about held onto their undefeated league record when they played host to in-form Holycross on Sunday. It finished 1-1 between these local rivals, Jojo O'Meara on target for the visitors, whilst Jake Moore was on target for the league leaders. Borroway’s goal was rather fortunate; a free kick that from all of fifty yards which the keeper let in through his hands.

It is a good point for Holycross, who are making a late promotion push, but it could have been so much more had they not missed a penalty and several one-on-ones. Next up for Holycross is a tough home test against Cloughjordan, in a match which will decide who pushes Ardcroney furthest for that coveted second place promotion spot this year.

A depleted Cloughjordan side came from two down to rescue a draw away to Sallypark in what was truly ‘a game of two halves’.

In truth the hosts dominated the opening half and should have gone into the interval with more than a one goal lead, which they acquired midway through the half from a Jack Sanders penalty after Tom McCutcheon was brought down by Richard King. The Londoner made no mistake, however, the same cannot be said for Clough’s first half penalty, which was awarded on the half hour after a foul on Mikey Costello.

Clough started the second half with more purpose but conceded again when a cross from the right was eventually headed in at the back post by David Young. Sallypark made several changes which weakened their attacking threat and all round energy; whereas Clough were improved by the introduction of Cian Doyle and veteran striker Kevin Kennedy. Both substitutes made an instant impact, but it was the wily old fox-in-the-box who brought Clough back into the game; Kevin Kennedy once again in the right place at the right time inside the six-yard box to head home. Kennedy was then brought down in the box shortly after and Cian Doyle confidently stepped up to dispatch the penalty on his debut.

Had Sallypark not made as many changes they likely would have taken one of the glorious opportunities that came their way on the counter attack, but the young replacement forwards were indecisive when they caught Clough short staffed at the back. Barry Gillespie could and should have won it for the visitors with the last kick of the game, but his effort went inches wide of the up-right.

These sides will meet again in Tierney Park in round one of the Tipp Cup, but next up for Sallypark is an almost impossible task when they host Peake Villa in the FAI Junior Cup.

Elsewhere in Division 1, Thurles picked up an important three points from a walkover win over Portumna Town.

Division 2

Shinrone are looking ever more likely to lift the title at the end of the season. On Sunday, the Offaly side continued their unbeaten league campaign, coming out the right side of a five-goal thriller away to Ballymackey ‘B’.

Simon Hayes, James Hayes, and Riann McLoughlin were all on target for Declan Mullalley’s side, whilst Adam McAuliffe and Kieran Boyle netted for the Ballinree men.

Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ have had an up and down start to the season, but they made a huge statement on Sunday with a 7-3 win over Borris-Ileigh.

Veteran full back John Ryan Casey netted one, but the other six were evenly distributed between Pa O’Dwyer and Luke Shanahan, with each scoring one penalty in their respective hat-tricks. Borrisoleigh scored through Josh Hackett, Paddy McCormack, and Cian Stapleton.

Under 19 PREMIER DIVISION

An unanswered Dylan Carroll hat-trick ensured Ballymackey took all three points from their visit to Ardcroney on Saturday.

Under 19 Championship

Lough Derg ‘B’ defeated Holycross 4-1 in Clarisford Park on Saturday.

The weather a big factor and both of these young sides found the going tough in the first half. The home side had a few chances to take the lead, most noteworthy being David Goode’s rocket of a shot which came off the crossbar. At the other end, goalkeeper Ailbhe Rowe had to be at his best to keep out the Holycross threat.

In the second half, with wind in their favour, Lough Derg found their passing game. Jack Meagher’s perseverance paid off in the form of the opening goal. Holycross fought their way back and a Conor O’Sullivan free kick from distance gave the visitors an equaliser. Derg pressed on and re-took the lead after some super work from Donal Houlihan put James Goode in for a cheeky back heel finish. Goode added another before Jakub Slaga sealed the deal late on.