‘Mackey find spark in Munster Junior Cup

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Ballymackey breathed new life into their season with a very impressive 4-1 win at home to Ardcroney in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday.

James Kenneally hit a brace for the hosts, who enjoyed a two-goal lead at the interval. Colm Maher and Cathal Spillane were also on target for Bally in a win that was definitely not on the cards.

George Haverty and Damien Bentley deserve credit for creating a solid team from this young group of players. Best for Ballymackey were Stephen Cantwell and young James Kenneally. Jack Daly netted a penalty, his third goal in as many games for Ardcroney.

Another shock result was provided on this side of this draw, where first division side Moneygall overcame premier division side Borroway Rovers thanks to a Sean Moroney strike seven minutes from time, assisted by William Jones.

Given the recent hammering at the hands of Sallypark, Billy Hayes’ young side showed great character on Sunday to go away from home to another premier division side and dump them out of the competition. Their reward is a very short away trip to Ballinree, where a win would send them into the open round of the last 32, where a big day out is guaranteed.

Killavilla United required extra time before getting the better of neighbours Shinrone United in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup in Shinrone on Saturday.

A Derek McLoughlin equalizer with the last kick of the game sent the game to extra time, however, a surprise result was not to be as Killavilla’s Darren Coleman struck a killer blow in extra time to put down the noisy neighbours.

This match was played in difficult conditions of heavy winds and rain, and as expected it was a hotly contested game between these local rivals.

Ruairi Murphy gave Villa the lead inside the opening ten minutes and things went from bad to worse for Shinrone just five minutes later when Tom Ahern found the net.

However, with countless years of experience through their ranks, Shinrone kept their cool and were guided back into the game through one of their experienced leaders Derek McLoughlin who found the net on the half hour following a pass from former Cloughjordan midfielder Collie Browne.

Killavilla emptied their impressive bench, as ever, and it looked like they had done enough to avoid a giant killing. However, with the clock all but run out, Riann McLoughlin passed the ball to his father Derek, who got his and Shinrone’s second goal to force extra time.

Killavilla would have the last laugh, winning 3-2 courtesy of a Darren Coleman strike, thus setting up a home tie against the winners of Rearcross and BT Harps.

Next up for Villa is a tester in the FAI Junior Cup, where they will be expecting to overcome Cullen Lattin to advance to the next round.

Elsewhere in the FAI Junior Cup, the pick of ties has to be Peake Villa travelling to take on the dangerous cup outfit, Sallypark Odhrans. This is a repeat of the same fixture from 2022, where the South Tipp side ran out 3-0 winners.

Premier Division

Holycross travelled to Portroe on Sunday and came away with an impressive 4-2 win over Arra Rovers.

The newly promoted side started strong with goals from Tomas ‘Tossy’ Ryan and Stevie Quinlan inside twenty minutes. Shortly after, Quinlan was taken down in the penalty area and Kyle Denny slotted home the resulting penalty kick to make it 3-0.

Holycross added another late in the half when a Philly Fogarty shot was saved, only for the onrushing James King to make up the ground from centre midfield to slot home the rebound.

Arra were only playing for pride in the second half, but to their credit they fought back and were rewarded with two goals through Conor Ryan and Kiefer O’Brien, but Holycross were dominant again in the final twenty minutes to ensure the three points.

Seventeen-year-old Jojo Ryan made his Premier Division debut in goals for Holycross while Jojo O’Meara, at 40 years young, came on for his first Premier Division game in a long career!

Division 1

Two weeks is a long time in football, especially in local soccer. Less than two weeks ago, following a forfeited fixture at home to Portumna Town, rumours began to circulate that Cloughjordan FC would have to withdraw their only senior men’s team from NT&DL this season due to a lack of players.

However, Eoin Killackey’s exit from the hot-seat proved to be short-lived, as the experienced coach was compelled to swoop back in at the eleventh hour to save the day, quickly picking up the pieces that had so quickly fallen apart from last season. Credit too must go to the NT&DL committee, led by Adrian Cooke, which done their level best to keep the club in competition this season.

And so, Sunday rolled on and the endless phone calls and texts that every manager goes through were brought to fruition; Cloughjordan put out a strong eleven and overcame an in-form and youthful Borrisoleigh side 2-1 in Tierney Park.

Paidi Williams opened the scoring for the home side in the eighteenth minute with a well-taken penalty, and Declan Barrett put daylight between the sides in the 62nd minute following a Martin Grace assist. In the 84th minute, Kevin Maher netted his second goal in as many weeks for Borrisoleigh, ensuring a nervy end for Clough, who ultimately saw out the win for an important three points.

With only one team being relegated from the division this season, it is going to be very competitive at both ends of the table.

It does not get any easier for Cloughjordan next week though as they face the daunting prospect of an away trip to a wounded and cornered Grange United.

Clodiagh Rangers had a very impressive 3-0 win at home to Portumna Town. Jack Lillis put in a player of the match display from right back, assisting David Butler for the opening goal on eighteen minutes before sealing the win with the last goal of the game in the 88th minute. Brian Hanrahan got the other goal in the 26th minute.

The Galway side are going through a rough patch of late, and with a third of their league games already played, it’s crucial that they pick up points in their next game at home to Shinrone.

Division 2

Ardcroney drew 2-2 at home to Borrisokane on Sunday thanks to goals from Ross Hughes and a Ronan Clifford penalty, the visiting neighbours finding the net through James Hough and substitute Padraig Quinn.

The post Gordon Harding era and overall Borrisokane rebuild is being marshalled by Andy Nevin, who is taking up the role of player/manager and captain of this young side.

The return of Stephen D’Arcy from Cloughjordan is a welcome boost while the return of Joshua Chadwick, albeit to the bench, on Sunday is even more important.

If Borrisokane can get James Hough, Luke Quigley, Stephen D’Arcy, and Chadwick onto the field at the same time they will easily win the second division title.

Ballymackey ‘B’ drew 1-1 at home to Templetouhy on Sunday thanks to a late Daniel Quinn goal. Sean Gleeson had the visitors in front after twenty minutes but could not hold out.

Birdhill and Shinrone United ‘B’ played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday, with all goals coming in the first half. The Offaly outfit netted through Darragh Landy and Darragh Cleary, whilst the home side found the net through a Paddy Kelly strike and a Chris Carew penalty.

It’s an impressive result for Shinrone ‘B’, who are starting to turn the tide after a difficult start to the season.