Rearcross to fly the flag for North Tipp in the FAI Junior Cup

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Rearcross advanced to the third round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday after a thrilling penalty shootout win over Clonmel Celtic.

The North Tipp side were underdogs for the tie and it was Clonmel who made the early running, their slick passing and movement off the ball causing problems for the home side. However, it was Rearcross who nearly opened the scoring on the ten-minute mark when Stephen Rochford found Daragh O Siochrú on the left wing and his first time through ball saw Michael O’Gorman get in between the defender and keeper but his lobbed effort bounced off the crossbar.

This seemed to spark Celtic into life and they went on to dominate for most of the remainder of the half. The visitors hit the front in the 20th minute when a great delivery from Peter O’Dowd saw Cian O’Sullivan head in at the back post.

They had a couple of efforts to double their lead but were denied by a number of fine saves by Cathal Kennedy. Their second goal did eventually arrive on the half hour when a clearance fell to Cillian O’Brien, who dropped the shoulder to create space before depositing a low strike into the corner of the net.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Celtic looked to close out the game. They nearly added a third through David Morrissey only for Cathal Kennedy to deny him with a superb save.

Rea’ breathed life into the contest in the 65th minute when a Philly Deegan free kick was flicked on by Greg Kennedy to Daragh O Siochrú, whose first time strike was saved by the keeper only for Paul Nolan to finish the rebound into the net.

Rearcross pushed hard for the equaliser and were running at the Celtic defence at every opportunity, however, the hosts overcommitted and were nearly dealt a killer blow when Celtic hit them on counter-attack, Ayo Williams keeping his composure to slot in at the near post following a fine passing move.

It seemed like game over at this stage but Rea’ kept plugging away and with ten minutes remaining they pulled a goal back through the reinvigorated Michael O’Gorman. It came as Greg Kennedy intercepted a pass and broke out from defence before playing a lovely through ball to O’Gorman whose brilliant first touch saw him bear down on goal, and his well-placed shot gave the keeper no chance.

Rearcross equalises a couple of minutes later. The ball was worked out to left wing to Daragh O Siochrú, who got to the byline and swung a great cross into the six-yard box for the onrushing Tadhg O Siochrú, who headed into the corner of the net to send the game to extra time.

The TSDL outfit were reduced to ten men in the first period of extra time when captain Cian O’Sullivan picked up his second yellow card. Extra time was largely uneventful, but Celtic thought they had regained the lead when John O’Connor saw his header from a corner crash off the crossbar.

In the end, the tie would be decided by penalties and it was Rearcross who eventually won 3-2 with Paddy Deegan, Paddy Dawson and Callum Wallace all converting from the spot, whilst Cathal Kennedy produced two saves - the second of which was even better than the first – to put Rearcross into the hat for the third round draw.

Clonmel Celtic may have been a bit rusty having not played a competitive fixture for a couple of weeks, but this is a great result for Rearcross, who showed fantastic grit and determination to comeback twice from two goals down.

Despite being two up at half time, Arra Rovers would eventually fall to a 4-2 defeat at home to Galbally United in the second round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday.

Callan Cottrell opened the scoring for Dermot O’Halloran’s charges, before Cathal O’Brien added a second.

North Tipperary’s best Killavilla United disappointingly fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Cullen Lattin. The home side were two up at the break courtesy of goals from Tony O’Neill and Max Reardon. Villa pulled one back through captain Michael Ryan in the 49th minute, but could not get the all-important equaliser to force extra time.

Disappointingly, Sallypark Odhrans handed a walkover to Peake Villa.

Premier Division

Holycross welcomed BT Harps to Glenbane Park on Sunday morning with the task of stopping the Templemore side from making it three wins from their opening three games.

Despite a good start, the home team were a goal down after ten minutes when young Cormac Foy hit a belter of a shot from 25 yards to the top corner; Foy once again proving to be the young player to watch in the NT&DL, and repaying the faith that Henry Newman has shown in this unassuming talent.

Holycross continued to work hard, and after some good link up play between Kyle Denny and Stevie Quinlan, were rewarded with a goal from Philly Fogarty, who took his opportunity well to send the sides in level at the break.

Holycross were forced to shuffle their deck at half time with Michael Nally leaving the field, and in turn struggled to assert any dominance after the restart. The Harps pressure culminated in a deep corner breaking to Jamie Monaghan, who finished perfectly into the roof of the net. Chances thereafter fell to both teams but neither side could convert.

Although Holycross left empty handed, they can be proud of their display as this Harps side will be challenging for the title this season.

It was an important statement for Henry Newman’s side to get the win without their star striker Syzmon Popiela; BT Harps are not a one trick pony, and with the likes of Ben Stapleton yet to return from injury, there is no limit to what they can achieve this season.

Borroway Rovers worrying start to the campaign continued on Sunday in Ballinree, where Ballymackey were 2-1 winners.

The home side were ahead at the break thanks to young James Kenneally’s third goal in as many games. Eamonn White scored the winner for Ballymackey in the second half with a well struck free kick. David Bourke netted Borroway’s only goal of the game.

Division 1

Newly promoted Grange United got back to winning ways on Sunday in Killasmeestia thanks to an impressive 5-1 win over Cloughjordan.

Having had their first ever taste of league defeat in the NT&DL, Grange were determined to get the win and thus started on the front foot. Their first goal came on fifteen minutes when Tommy Brophy played Jason McCormack through with the versatile forward making no mistake with a powerful effort on his weaker foot. McCormack was causing havoc down the left side and turned provider three minutes later, his low drive across the box expertly met by incoming Jamie Dooley.

In the 52nd minute, Cloughjordan were inches away from halving the deficit, only to rattle the crossbar from four yards out. This must have rattled the home side into life again because, seconds later, Tommy Brophy was sent through one-on-one, and the home support was in no doubt as he calmly slotted home for 3-0.

In recent years with Thurles Town, Tommy Brophy has always found joy against Cloughjordan, and as a result of his goal he was now showing his confidence and skill; after beating a couple of players he went down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Captain Gearoid Gaughan stepped up to make it 4-0 with his second goal in as many games.

Credit to Cloughjordan as they never gave up, and a strong ten-minute spell saw them pull one back courtesy of young Michael Hennelly. However, the ageless Brophy was not done terrorising the Clough defence yet. This time he cutely stood between the Clough defence and keeper from a Grange goal kick, which he latched onto to grab his second of the game.

Phil Tynan and Dwane Palmer were honourable mentions for the player of the match award, but Evan Cuddy stood out above the rest.

Cloughjordan will really have to collect points in their home games this year if they are to avoid the sole relegation place, however it does not get any easier next weekend as title hopefuls Shinrone United make the short trip to Tierney Park. The Shinrone United march to the division one title aggressively continued away to Portumna Town, the Offaly outfit winning 7-2.

DJ McLoughlin hit two in the rout while Derek & Riann McLoughlin helped themselves to a goal apiece. A Collie Browne penalty, an own goal, and a Kian Fallon strike rounded off the scoring. Interestingly, all of Shinrone’s scorers were new signings this season, and their campaign received another boost on Sunday when Neil O’Lone came off the bench and out of retirement to make his debut for the club.