Newport stay on course for double success

By Pat Sheehan

Newport Town took another step towards Premier League football when they beat a fancied Aisling Annacotty ‘B’ on Saturday evening.

Aisling won their last five games, running in 25 goals in the process so were expected to give Newport a stern test but the home side had other ideas and were in scintillating form as they raced into a 6-0 lead with two goals apiece for Christy Doyle, Jay Ryan and Brian O'Sullivan made up the tally.

A late rally by Aisling saw them score three through Danny O'Donovan (2) and Kai Joyce but the Game was well won by then.

The result marked a good week for the Tipperary side who also qualified for the Premier ‘A’ League Cup final thanks to a 3-1 win over Hyde Rangers at Jackman Park on Wednesday.

Jay Ryan put Newport on their way and Christy Doyle added a second. Dylan Bourke pulled one back for Hyde, but Brian O'Sullivan made sure of the win. They will meet Fairview Rangers ‘B’ or Cappamore in the final.

Newport Town ‘B’ were in Division 1B Cup action on Sunday when they defeated Shelbourne in a penalty shoot-out after the sides finished 2-2.

Adam McEvoy and Pat Gallagher scored for Newport, who had keeper Brendan Coffey to thank for saving three spot kicks in the shoot-out.

Nenagh AFC ‘B’ were in Division 2A league action and a 4-0 win, combined with other results, leaves the Tipperary outfit in second place behind leaders Corbally United.

Two goals from Diarmuid Fitzpatrick makes him the top-scorer in the league with 24 goals. Dylan Kennedy and Liam Maher were also on the mark for the winners.

Youths

In Youths League Division 2, it’s a two way tie at the top after the midweek games. Goals from Conor Brett (3), Ciaran Carey (2) and Sean Chitzede helped Newport Town to a 6-0 win over Regional United and a place at the top of the table with Granville Rangers.

On Saturday, Newport met Granville and ran in another six goals. Conor Brett claimed a brace with Jamie Kavanagh, Alex Neill, David O'Brien and Ciaran Carey completing the rout.

FAI Junior Cup

In the FAI Junior Cup, Ballynanty Rovers crashed out in the semi-final, going down 2-1 to Newmarket Celtic from Clare, who will now meet St Michael’s from Tipperary Town in the final.