Ballymackey claim bragging rights in Toomevara derby

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

Ballymackey 2-0 Sallypark Odhrans

The biggest shock of the weekend's action came in Ballinree where Ballymackey defeated local rivals Sallypark 2-0 in the Toomevara derby.

James Kenneally continued his hugely impressive goal run in his breakout season, whilst Colm Maher netted the other for the home side for whom Damien Bergin at centre back, and young James Kenneally up front were to the fore.

Sallypark are really struggling to put a consistent starting eleven together, but you would have still expected them to find the net against this Ballymackey side. However, with only three league games played there is no need to panic, especially when you consider the attacking players that were missing on the day, such as Sean Ryan, Paul Ryan, and Tom Delaney.

Killavilla United 5-1 Borroway Rovers

Borroway Rovers were the last team to beat Killavilla United in league competition last March. However, when the sides met again last Sunday in Villa Park, the visitors were coming in on a six game losing streak, and unfortunately it only got worse for last season's premier division runners-up.

Villa's trend of early goals continued with David McNamara netting off the back of an Eddie Simmons pass in the fourteenth minute. Darren Coleman got in on the act minutes later, Ian Treacy supplying the ammunition.

Gary Dunne halved the deficit in the 50th minute, but Ruairi Murphy replied three minutes later to dent any hopes of a Borroway comeback. Villa emptied their bench, and this led to goals for Darren Coleman and David McNamara.

What is noteworthy and impressive from Killavilla this season is the spread of goals across the team; their defenders and midfielders are equally as dangerous as their young nippy forwards.

Ardcroney 1-2 Holycross

Holycross' promising start to their promoted life in the premier division continued on Sunday with an impressive 2-1 win away to Ardcroney.

The visitors started well and were rewarded on the quarter hour when Mick King's long range free kick found its way to the net. Jack Dwan powered his way through the Ardcroney defence midway through the half and was unlucky not to double the lead. It could easily have been a level at half time, but Holycross keeper Jack O'Dwyer was in top form with some vital saves.

The next big chance came Holycross's way, when a Jack Dwan cross found Mikey Nally, only for him to miss the target with his usually reliable head. The crucial goal came on the hour mark when Kyle Denny played through half time substitute Jojo O'Meara, and the forty-year-old striker finished perfectly to put daylight between the sides.

Ardcroney made changes and fought hard to get back in the game, but Holycross managed to withstand the pressure until the 88th minute, when substitute Devlin Courtney got on the end of a corner to pull one back.

In the end, Holycross held out for the deserved three points, and are well on their way to a very respectable third of fourth place finish on their return to the top table of North Tipperary football.

Munster Junior Cup

BT Harps defeated Rearcross 3-0 at home in the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday.

Szymon Popiela opened the scoring after fifteen minutes and was on target again in the 34th minute. Rhys Loughnane sealed the win in the second half with his first goal of the season.

Another positive for manager Henry Newman was the return of Ben Stapleton from injury, albeit for a ten minute spell off the bench. It sets up a meeting with Killavilla United to see who makes it out of North Tipp and into the open draw last 32 in the Munster Junior Cup.

Division 1

There were no surprises when Borrisoleigh travelled to Shinrone United on Sunday and left empty handed after a 3-1 defeat.

Philip Murphy got forward from defence to open the scoring for the hosts in the thirteenth minute following a Derek McLoughlin assist. Riann McLoughlin made it 2-0 from the penalty spot five minutes later and it was already looking like a long day for the visitors. McLoughlin was once again played in by his father Derek and made no mistake, netting for the eighth time in as many appearances this season. Patryk Wisniewski did pull one back at the death for the away side, but it was far too little too late.

Further positives for Shinrone included a first start for former Killavilla man Neil O'Lone, and a first league appearance for Conor Meehan since he helped Shinrone to a division 2 league and cup double 6 years ago.

Cloughjordan's revival continued with an uncharacteristically fast start away to Portumna Town, but in the end the spoils were shared on a 2-2 scoreline.

Cian D'Arcy opened the scoring for Clough early on, and he turned provider for Paidi Williams in the 39th minute. The pivotal moment occurred on the stroke of half time when recent surprise signing, Paul Scully picked up an injury. The former Killavilla midfielder is a very reliable player both on the ball and defensively, and the Clough defence required major surgery when he limped off at half time. This restructuring resulted in the tide turning, and the Galway side would go on to score two deflected strikes in a five minute spell. Adam Fogarty got the first on the hour mark from a free kick, and eighteen-year-old Kealeboga Motobo levelled shortly after.

Both sides had legitimate claims to take the lead from this point on, but in the end a draw was probably a fair result. Aaron Morgan and young Dylan Delaney impressed for the visitors, who are looking more solid as the weeks go on.

Already at the halfway point in their league campaign on Sunday, Grange United knew that only a win over Clodiagh Rangers would do if they were to have any hope of challenging with Shinrone United for the title, and a win is exactly what they got on a 3-1 scoreline.

The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams struggling to create chances. However, Clodiagh deservedly went in at the break leading from the only noteworthy chance of the half; John Ryan netting in the eighteenth minute off the back of a Daniel Moloney assist.

A tactical switch of formation saw a much improved second half from Grange. The front two of Steven Finan and Tommy Brophy were combining well and in the 52nd minute they combined to bring the game back on level terms, Finnan finding the net for the first time this season.

Grange took a deserved lead on the hour mark when a long throw from Taidhg Cuddy was cleared only as far as the on rushing Ciaran McKelvey, whose superb low powerful drive gave the home keeper no chance.

The game was wrapped up on 89 minutes when Tom Cuddy burst down the right wing before cutting the ball back to substitute Jason McCormack on the edge of the box, who jinked past a Clodiagh defender and curled home a wonderful effort to the far post with his weaker left foot. Phil Tynan was the best for the newly promoted side, who leapfrog Clodiagh into first place.

Division 2

League leaders Killavilla United 'B' had an impressive 2-1 win away to a Rearcross 'B' side on Friday night. Craig Phelan put Villa ahead from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, and Bryan McCabe doubled the lead shortly after. Robert Harrington ensured a nervy finish with a goal for Rea' in the 87th minute, but the Roscrea side held on to stay top of the league.

Birdhill were joint second in the table before travelling to Borrisokane on Sunday but finished the day three points behind their hosts following a 2-1 loss.

The Birds actually took the lead just after the hour mark through Daragh McNamara, but goals from John Doyle and Luke Quigley ensured Borris' stayed within two points of leaders Killavilla United. Another positive for Andy Nevin's charges was the return of the experienced Brian Donnelly.