Late winner keeps Killavilla in title hunt

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division

Arra Rovers 1-2 Killavilla United

There has been a number of walkovers given in the NT&DL over the past two weekends, but even though Arra Rovers had nothing to play for on Sunday in Portroe, they never gave title chasing Killavilla United an inch.

In fact, it was backs against the wall stuff at times for Villa, who showed great heart to weather a second half storm before scoring late on to keep the title race alive.

Killavilla took the lead after just five minutes when Michael Fitzgerald fizzed a cross into the box which wasn’t dealt with, and Johnny Corboy helped himself to his fourteenth goal of the season.

Arra had a huge chance to level when their youth team captain Diarmuid O’Donoghue hit Villa on the counter from a corner; the youngster did everything right, taking the ball across the path of the chasing defender twice, but his finish was straight at Aaron Mulready, who to his credit stood tall.

The title chasers looked so much more dangerous in attack with Ruairi Murphy back up front and looking sharp, never stopping offering himself as an option, be it in behind or to feet. Murphy could have had two or three goals, doing everything right as he rounded the keeper and finished midway through the half, only to see Brian Keating slide in at the last moment to clear off the line.

A real clue that Killavilla are getting back to their usual selves were the attacking runs that centre half Ian Treacy made down the inside right, which overloaded Arra on multiple occasions. Eddie Simmons went very close on one of these, Villa denied from close range again by another last-ditch sliding tackle.

Arra weathered the storm and managed to turn the tide in the second half with an extended period of pressure, which started when Conal Moran slipped Callan Cottrell through, the pacy striker sliding in to slip the ball around the onrushing Aaron Mulready to level.

Cottrell was increasingly dangerous as he continuously ran at Roddy Teehan down the inside right. The Arra pressure boiled over on more than one occasion but a combination of the upright and some great saves from Mulready ensured the sides remained level heading into the final quarter.

Killavilla emptied their bench and there was a real sense of jeopardy and urgency; the players knew it was now or never. Ruairi Murphy was denied by the crossbar when it seemed easier to score, and as the clock ticked down towards the 90th minute it began to look like it might not be Villa’s day.

However, just like they did against Ardcroney last season in very similar circumstances, Villa found a way. This time it was an 85th minute corner kick that kept the title race alive, as substitute Miko Pasalic got up early and bravely leaped in front of Aaron Savage’s fist to glance in the winner, to joyous celebrations from his teammates.

Aside from playing Harps on the final day, Killavilla now have Sallypark at home and away left, as well as away trips to Ballymackey and Borroway Rovers. Having got this tricky away trip to Arra Rovers out of the way, it is fair to say that their run-in to the final game week is looking a lot easier. With each week that passes it looks more and more likely that we will be left with the scintillating prospect of Killavilla hosting BT Harps in the final league game of the season, where the winner would take all.

The Roscrea side will turn their attention to the Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup quarter finals this Sunday as Rearcross come to Villa Park in a repeat of the fixture which recently ended Killavilla’s 11-month stranglehold over NT&DL opposition. Rea’ have been in a dire run of form since then though, so it could be a case of normal service resuming on Sunday.

BT Harps 5-0 Holycross

It was a much less stressful day out for the other main act in this captivating title race as BT Harps stuck five goals past Holycross at Michael Fennell Park.

The league leaders played with a strong breeze on their backs in the first half, but were only one goal up at the break, Szymon Popiela converting from the penalty spot midway through the half after youths hero Ryan Loughnane was brought down in the area.

Harps actually played better in the second half, into the wind, and went two up just after the interval when Popiela turned provider for Ben Stapleton. The three points were only going to be staying in Templemore now, with the only question being how many goals did BT feel like racking up.

In the 58th minute, Lorcan Campion played the ball to the unassuming Cormac Foy, who fired in his latest screamer of the season. Ryan Loughnane recently won the Guardians performance of the week for his four goals in the Ann Gilmour Youths Cup final, and he was on the scoresheet again here to make it 4-0. Harps couldn’t end the day without the customary Sean Paddy Guerins goal, which made it 5-0 with time just about up.

Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup

Moneygall progressed to the semi-finals following their fifth penalty shootout of the campaign, having drawn 1-1 with Ballymackey, after extra time.

The cold, swirling wind in Ballinree had a big effect in the first half, which ended in a stalemate as neither team could play their usual passing football. Damien Bergin defended well for Ballymackey, but without Niall Maher and Jack O’Brien there really wasn’t the same threat from Moneygall.

The game opened up in the second half and Aiden White began to link up well with Denis Haverty in central midfield. The hosts broke the deadlock on the hour mark when White pressed Cian Mcloughin in the Moneygall box, with Colm Maher reaping the rewards with a simple tap-in.

Dylan McCormack and Sean Moroney had a plethora of chances to restore parity, but both young wingers lacked the killer instinct while lone striker Jack Lee showed more chances of scoring in his own goal than threatening Ballymackey’s.

Moneygall really did not look like scoring from open play, but when Kevin Fitzgerald was fouled by Denis Haverty 25 yards out, everyone knew what was going to happen next. The former Athlone Town academy player stepped up to curl home his third direct free-kick goal in his last four games.

Damien Bergin, Colm Maher, and Jack Lee all had chances in extra time, but ultimately penalties would be required to separate these neighbouring teams.

Cameron Flemming was first up in the shootout and saw his low effort to the left saved well by Brendan Hayes. Aiden White stepped up for Ballymackey’s first of the shootout, the outcome was never really in doubt as the striker sent Julian Bentancourt the wrong way. Kevin Fitzgerald and Dylan Maher both sent Hayes the wrong way, either side of a cool finish from Denis Haverty. Ballymackey had a chance to go 3-2 up but Bentancourt got down well to his right and pushed Colm Maher’s effort onto the post. It was all square now and in a strange turn of events it was Bentancourt who was up next for Moneygall. The eccentric Columbian keeper expertly sent his counterpart the wrong way, which piled the pressure onto the next Ballymackey taker, Colm Maher.

Having won three penalty shootouts already this season, Julian Bentancourt’s cult hero status within Moneygall FC was probably already secured, but a fine save to deny Maher copper fastened his name in club folklore.

Sean Moroney had to score to win it now and he duly obliged to book Moneygall a trip to Latteragh in the semi-finals, where Sallypark Odhrans ‘B’ lie in wait.

The pick of the games next Sunday sees Moneygall travel to Drombane to take on Clodiagh Rangers in the Barry Cup semi-final. Cloughjordan await in the final, and stylistically will be hoping for a Clodiagh win in this one.