North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

Clodiagh Rangers kicked off the new year with a hard fought 3-2 win at home to a youthful Ardcroney side.

Once both sides got to grips with the cold weather and solid underfoot conditions it was the visitors who started brightest, with Jack Daly and Darren Moran drawing a number of close range saves from the returning Adrian Cooke. Clodiagh had their own chances through David Butler and Johnny Carew, the latter coming closest to beating Taylor Duffy, but his header found the wrong side of the post.

Ardcroney took the lead Just before the break, Jack Daly nipping in to capitalise on a back pass in the Clodiagh rear guard, which was too short, and forcing the ball home despite the valiant efforts of Rob Doran to keep the ball out.

The second half started in the same vein with Clodiagh beginning to get to grips with the Ardcroney midfield. The hosts drew level when a cleverly worked pass from Robert Doran into Daniel Moloney saw the attacker continue his good run of form with a well taken volley from outside the box, which left Taylor Duffy no chance in the Ardcroney goal.

Ardcroney’s youthful side affords them pace, which they used to great effect to score their second goal. A Clodiagh attack on the right wing broke down outside the Ardcroney box, which left the home side exposed and allowed the visitors open space to move the ball forward into. Darren Moran found himself one on one with Cooke and calmly slotted the ball home to restore the Ardcroney lead.

Clodiagh, who find themselves in a relegation battle, re-organised and with some positional changes soon found themselves level on the 75th minute when a long ball from Rob Doran bounced kindly for substitute MJ Carroll to latch onto, he made no mistake with his powerful finish to leave it all square heading into the final stages of the game.

Clodiagh moved John Ryan Casey up from his role as right wing back to try and earn some needed points and his hard work paid off on the 80th minute after he was cleverly played through by John Carew, before finding the far right corner with a strike that flat footed Taylor Duffy, leaving him with no chance of maintaining parity in the tie.

Clodiagh’s defence stood firm after that and the home side were unlucky not grab a fourth through David Butler, who hit the post in the dying and was a constant threat throughout. It’s a welcome three points for the Drombane side, who were once again reliant on a determined and dogged effort. John Ryan Casey grabbed the well deserved spot light for a player of the match performance. The important win gives Clodiagh a fighting chance in the relegation battle, but even at that they have it all to do and will need to pull off a few more Drombane miracles to avoid the dreaded drop. It was Adrian Cooke’s first appearance on the season following a lengthy injury and he made all the difference in goals, Clodiagh will need him in top form if they are going to pull off the greatest of escapes.

DIVISION 1

Shinrone upset the odds and gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 4-2 win over Moneygall in Birr, under the lights on astro. The visitors took the lead on the fifth minute thanks to a Michael Ryan goal assisted by Cameron Flemming.

Shinrone hit back with a hat trick of Darragh Landy goals, the 20-year-old netting on the 15th, 25th and 35th minute to stun Moneygall. Jack Dorman made sure of the points on the 75th minute.

On the 85th minute Cameron Flemming put a consolation goal past Ray Cordial, who played his first full match in goals for Shinrone.

Moneygall missed Jack O’Brien on the day, but they will expect to get their season back on track next week by beating Borrisokane away, regardless of the exciting attacking midfielder’s involvement.

Holycross hosted Borrisokane and were 4-0 up at half time thanks to goals from Ben Slattery, Jack Dwan, an own goal and an Audie Lohan strike. The second half finished 1-1, with Conor O’Sullivan netting for the hosts and Brian Donnelly for Borris’.

Next up for the promotion hopefuls is a tricky away trip to Birr to take on in-form Shinrone United.

The pick of the games next week is Cloughjordan’s trip to Portumna, where a win for either side would set up a promotion push, given Holycross’ dropped points against Shinrone and Moneygall.

DIVISION 2

Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ made the long trip to take on Shinrone ‘B’ and scored just the nine goals. The visitors netted in the opening 45 through a Paul Ryan freekick, a Stephen Gleeson header, and two Oisin Treacy goals from close range.

Jim Dwyer scored a hat-trick in the second half, whilst Pa Dwyer and Mikey Quinlan concluded the scoring to leave it 9-1 to the away side at full time.

Borrisoleigh went away to Moneygall ‘B’ on Friday night and ran out 5-2 over the Offaly opposition.

But that does not tell the story of the game; Moneygall were up 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from Tommy Devereux and Anto Devereux, whilst Patrick O’Connell netted for the young league leaders. Kevin Maher drew Borris’ level on the 62nd minute with his third goal of the season.

Moneygall thought they had done enough to draw the game, but in the 87th minute Kevin Maher struck again to fire the league leaders ahead. James Devaney scored a brace in the dying stages to compile Moneygall’s misery.

One of the biggest shocks in Division 2 this weekend was the result in the Thurles Greyhound Stadium, where Templetouhy toppled Thurles Town 4-2. Young Diarmuid Campion gave Templetouhy the lead on the 17th minute and that is how the score remained heading into the half time break.

Christy Moore sent home a penalty on the hour mark to double the visitor’s lead, then 2 became 3 minutes later thanks to 18 year old Daniel Moore.

Thomas Quigley pulled one back for Thurles shortly after, before Eoin Burke restored the three goal cushion on the 75th minute.

Graham O’Connor fired in a consolation goal late one for Thurles, but it was too little too late for the former Division 1 side.

YOUTHS

Holycross went away to Killavilla and came out the wrong side of a 6-0 hammering, despite only being 1 goal down at the break. Miko Pasalic fired in a brace for the home side, whilst Leigh Loughnane, Jack Moloney, Paul Dooley and Eoghan McLoughlin were all on target.

Villa’s Ryan O’Callaghan was the player of the match on the day. Holycross will host Cloughjordan in the semi finals, which is a bit of a derby game considering the history these sides have shared in recent years at under 15 level, with Holycross getting the better of Clough in the cup final last year in Ballymackey.

BT Harps welcomed the cup holders, Arra Rovers to Michael Fennell Park on Saturday and won each half on an impressive 5-1 scoreline.

Player of the match, Oisin O Dwyer hit Arra for just the four goals on the day, whilst Sean Purcell, Cormac Foy, Finan McAleese, Cory Moloney, Billy Collier and Joe Foy all chipped in with a goal apiece.

The visitors found the net through Jack Quinn in the first half and Marcus O’Mahoney in the second.

Rearcross advanced to the next round thanks to a 6-0 win over Ballymackey. Lawrence Collins and James Butler netted a brace each, whilst Callum Wallace and Padraig Griffin were also on target.

Rearcross will travel away to BT Harps in the semi finals, which is sure to be a very even game.