Losing New Year starts for Tipp sides
PREMIER LEAGUE
Fairview Rangers 5-2 Nenagh AFC
Nenagh AFC started the New Year on a losing note when they fell 5-2 to Fairview Rangers on Saturday evening at the Fairgreen.
A blistering start by the Tipperary side promised a change in fortunes with goals from Kieran O'Brien and Dan O'Meara. However, the home side slowly found their feet and an impressive second half showing saw them run out convincing winners.
Nenagh took the lead after ten minutes through Dan O’Meara and a couple of minutes later they doubled their advantage when Kieran O’Brien found the net.
Nenagh were well on top against a rattled home side but just before the break, Shane Duggan scored a cracking goal to make it a one goal game at the break.
The half time break stood to the home side who emerged a different proposition on the restart. Cian McNamara levelled the tie within minutes and further goals from Adam Dore, Brian Aherne and Cian McNamara secured the home win.
Nenagh AFC: Aaron Savage; Coffey, Barr, Hanley, Lee Mowat, Eamon White, Adam Ryan, Marinov, Kieran O'Brien, McCormack, Dan O'Meara. Subs: Danny Molloy, Mark Manley, Jon Lawler.
Aisling Annacotty 3-1 Newport Town
Newport Town faced a difficult assignment in their opening game of 2024 when they travelled to Premier League leaders Aisling Annacotty on Saturday.
On a bitterly cold evening, both sides served up an entertaining affair, albeit ending in disappointment for the Tipperary side.
Aisling started on the front foot and would have taken the lead but for a couple of superb saves by Newport keeper Harry Ryan.
Newport took the lead when an Aisling Pike defender deflected the ball into his own net on the half hour mark but right on the stroke of half time Eliah Riordan equalised.
Aisling took the lead on the hour mark through Richkov Boevi and with ten minutes remaining Fiachra Cotter made sure of the win.
Newport Town: Harry Ryan, Joe Shanahan, Christy Connors, Drew McClean, Eoin Looney, Peter O'Sullivan, Cillian O'Shea, Luke Ryan, Dan Ryan, Conor Brett, Brian O'Sullivan, Subs: Killian O'Malley, Pa Murtagh, Jamie Kavanagh, Darren Collins.
YOUTH CUP
The highly sought-after Ger Ryan Youth Cup also kicked off on Sunday with Pike Rovers away to Lough Derg as the Hoops recorded a top-class 8-2 win. The victors goals were scored by Dara McMahon (2) with one each from Jamie Mitchell, Lenny Raleigh, Kaden Deegan Herlihy, Josh Mullaney, Cian Punch and Aaron Cusack.
Newport Town hosted Caledonians as the Tipp side advanced 3-1 with those netting the goals being Cianan Carey (2) and Shane Flannagan.
Mungret/Regional also advanced to the next round with a 3-0 home win over Nenagh AFC.
Alex Keating was the star for Aisling Annacotty as he notched all three goals in their 3-1 away win over Shelbourne while Fairview Rangers also advanced on a 4-2 home win over Charleville with goals from Calum Kiely (2) and one each from Jack Joyce and Dale McDonagh.