North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division Shield

A hat-trick from half-time substitute Jamie Ryan was the difference in Ardcroney on Sunday as the newly promoted side came from 3-0 down against the Shield holders, Killavilla United to book a place in the semi-finals with a 4-3 win.

The hosts lined up with a back three - which they never really looked comfortable in – and were without their main man, Darren Moran. Ross Austin will be out for the season with a cruciate injury, but Ardcroney did manage to get Luke Dervan back from the treatment table in time.

It was a somewhat new look Killavilla too, as the post Dennis Moloney era began. Life without Paul Kirwan and Eddie Simmons was never going to be an easy transition for the new Villa manager Michael Lynch, but he has turned to a mixture of experience and youth; the ageless Craig Phelan came in at right back and big game player Tom Aherne made his return to the team in centre midfield, alongside the physically imposing David McNamara. Michael Fitzgerald and Ben Lynch came into the attack from the youth’s team, whilst two of the best players in the NT&DL, Ruairi Murphy and Mark Dwyer once again lined out for the Roscrea men.

Killavilla took a deserved lead in the 34th minute of this frantic game, which was played at a high intensity. 18-year-old Ben Lynch applied a calm first time finish following a pin-point pass from Ruairi Murphy, but huge credit must go to Mark Dwyer for the opening goal - the energetic all-action midfielder produced a silky turn to lose his marker on the edge of his own box, before playing a perfectly weighted pass in front of Tom Aherne.

The visitors doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, Mark Dwyer again crucial to the goal as he was too quick for Shane Doran on the edge of the Ardcroney box. Ruairi Murphy effortlessly curled home the resulting free kick into the top corner, despite Taylor Duffy getting a hand to it.

Jamie Ryan came on up front at the break for Ardcroney, and a change to a back-four saw Shane Doran pushed into midfield. Ryan had a great chance to pull one back, but he dragged a shot wide.

‘Villa went up the other end and scored a third goal on the hour mark through substitute Fionn Ryan. Ardcroney were stretched and it was an easy breakaway goal in the end, Murphy and Aherne teaming up to leave Fionn Ryan an open goal to tap into, with his first touch of the game.

To their credit, Ardcroney kept chasing what was surely a lost cause, and they got their reward just five minutes later, Dylan Armstrong and Luke Dervan forcing the ball home at the back post following a Jack Daly free-kick from the left.

From here the game turned chaotic, which suited the home team. Andrew Hayes stood up to be counted, the young full-back, a constant threat down the flank whilst carrying out his defensive duties too. Jamie Ryan got his first goal on the 80th minute, and again it was a cross from Jack Daly which did the damage.

Ryan drew his side level then in the 87th minute, before completing his hat-trick - and the most unlikely of comebacks - in injury time, when he headed home unmarked from a corner kick.

The 20-year-old Roscrea native was the unlikely hat trick hero for Ardcroney, but credit must go to the management team of Glen Austin and Eddie Coonan, not only for bringing him on when they did, but also the change away from a back 3 and moving Shane Doran into a more advanced role where his energy, enthusiasm and passing range can affect the game more.

The trend in this game is that Killavilla conceded from three crosses, but it is worth noting that they were playing a new keeper and were without four of their best defenders, Michael Ryan, Ian Tracey, John Cordial, and Pauric Phelan.

Next up for Ardcroney is a very difficult away trip to Loughtagalla Park, where Borroway Rovers will be favourites to advance to the shield final, the Thurles side having received a walkover from Ballymackey.

League champions Arra Rovers went away to BT Harps and left with an impressive 3-1 win on Sunday.

Stephen Kennedy built on his dominant display in the Munster Champions Cup by netting the opening two goals in Michael Fennell Park. Henry Newman’s BT Harps pulled one back before the break through former Nenagh Celtic player Killian Fennell, but a Barry Connaughton goal in the second half secured a semi-final spot for Dermot O’Halloran’s young guns, who are adapting well to life without Ruadhan Mulrooney and AJ Willis. Christopher Riordon was the player of the match for Arra, who will fancy their chances against Clodiagh Rangers in Portroe on Sunday.

Clodiagh Rangers booked their trip to the lakeside thanks to a win on penalties over Rearcross, in sweltering heat on Sunday in Drombane. The sides were tied 1-1 at full time, Oisin Treacy netting for the hosts, whilst Michael O’Gorman netted for Rea’.

Division 1

Moneygall capitalized on a mistake in each half made by a new look Cloughjordan side and added a third on the breakaway near the end in a 3-0 win.

Rolls Royce striker Niall Maher netted all three for the hosts, in the 14th, 65th, and 88th minutes. Cameron Fleming continues to impress with his awareness and understanding of space in centre midfield, which is miles ahead of his age, however the man of the match award must go to the hat-trick hero, Maher.

Shinrone were 5-1 winners over Borrisokane thanks to goals from Terry Bartlett, Jack Dorman, and Dan Bevans, Lee Doran, and David McLoughlin, whilst Borrisokane’s only goal came from a Gordon Harding penalty.

Holycross laid down the gauntlet with a 7-0 win at home to Birdhill. Cormac O’Connor opened the scoring after twenty minutes and Jojo O’Meara made it 2-0 at the break. A devastating eight minute spell ensued in the second half, which saw Cormac O’Connor get his second in the 55th minute, before Ben Slattery got two in three minutes. Conor Cassidy made it six in the 80th minute, before Slattery completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute. Best for Birdhill was Cathal Floyd, with player of the match going to Holycross’ Philly Fogarty.

Sallypark came from a goal down to win 4-2 at home to Portumna Town. Bryan McGee drew the ‘Park level before Craig Connally gave them a 2-1 lead at the break. McGee and Brian Mitchell ensured the win with goals in the second half, before Portumna pulled one back at the death.

Division 2

Thurles Town won 4-2 away to Sallypark ‘B’ on Sunday. The home side went two-up thanks to a Cillian Kennedy brace, but a Tommy Brophy goal and a great strike from distance by Tom Quigley saw the sides go in level at the break. Jordan Wetton edged Thurles in front in the second half, before Tommy Brophy secured the win with his second. Curtis Ryan and Tommy Brophy were the best for Thurles.

Stephen Byrne and Adrian Elbert had Killavilla United ‘B’ 2-0 up at half-time against Ballymackey ‘B’, but the hosts rallied, scoring through Paddy Touhy, Tadgh McCarthy, Timmy Fleming, and Dean Moloney. Villa scored once in the second half through Devin Loughnane, but it wasn’t enough to stop the comeback from the hosts. Jack Kenneally was best for Ballymackey.