Nenagh Celtic finding form at the right time

North Tipperary and District League Report

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division

Nenagh Celtic 6-1 BT Harps

Nenagh Celtic had a difficult start to the season which included a defeat to BT Harps, but on Sunday they got their revenge with an impressive 6-1 win.

With Celtic still in the search of somewhere to call home, Templemore was the venue for this fixture for the second time this season.

The champions took the lead through the in-form Jimmy Hynes – his third of the campaign, Alan Kelly providing the defence splitting pass. Ronan Clifford doubled the lead shortly after, slotting past the keeper after a great solo run. Danny Ryan scored Celtic’s third from a free kick, to leave it 3-0 heading into the break.

BT pulled one back after the interval – a free-kick crossed in by Shane Fogarty which evaded everyone and ended up in the net. However, the celebrations were short lived as the second half quickly became the Brian Mitchell show. The youngster netted twice from open play and once from the spot to complete the rout and bring his tally to twelve goals from ten league games. Mitchell’s nearest competitor for the golden boot award has half that number, which shows just how lethal the Celtic forward has been this season.

Henry Newman’s side have really recovered their season and are now well in the title race. BT Harps, on the other hand, are rooted to the foot of the table and are on a poor run of form. A defeat in Ballymackey in their next outing could be the writing on the wall for Richie Kennedy’s charges.

Killavilla United 5-3 Clodiagh Rangers

Killavilla United went top of the table with a statement 5-3 win over Clodiagh Rangers in Villa Park on Sunday.

The former pace-setters shipped five goals and are now as many points off top spot. Ruairi Murphy, John Pio Fitzpatrick, and Ian Treacy all found the net once; whilst young Dion Carney helped himself to a brace, bringing his tally for the league campaign to six.

The visitors found the net through the usual suspects: James Murray scoring his fifth of the season, Daniel Moloney netted his fourth, and Sam Van Dam, also with five.

Killavilla are now well on track for league glory, but their weekend off gives second place Borrisokane a chance to go top if they win in Drombane.

Clodiagh Rangers have had an extremely impressive first season back in the Premier Division, but a league title is no longer an aspiration for them, who will look to their favourable draw in the Ricky Fogarty cup as a route to silverware this season.

Lough Derg 4-5 Borroway Rovers

Lough Derg and Borroway Rovers played out an exhilarating nine-goal thriller in Clarisford Park on Sunday, with the visitors climbing out of the relegation zone on a 5-4 scoreline.

Borroway Rovers took the lead from the spot – Jake Moore netting for the third time this season, but the hosts were level on fifteen minutes when Jack Lynch found the net after some fine work by James Frahill. Lynch was on target again on forty minutes, but some sloppy play at the back allowed the visitors to equalize through Keith Moore before the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, the away side took the lead for the first time when Gary Dunne found the net. Damien Troy put daylight between the sides on 68 minutes but seven minutes later Derg cut the deficit - Tom Connelly forcing the ball home from close range. Jake Moore scored from a free-kick on 77 minutes to restore the two-goal cushion. With seven minutes remaining, Matthew Power gave Lough Derg a lifeline, but Paul Gould’s men held out to secure a crucial away win.

Borrisokane 3-1 Ballymackey

Borrisokane kept up their sensational form with another three points when Ballymackey came to town on Sunday.

Conor Gavin netted a brace for the young side, whilst the engine room of the team, Brian Donnelly, capped off a man of the match performance with a goal. The visitors goal came through Thomas Sheppard, who lined up at left-back on the day.

Ballymackey are going through a transitionary period and are once again relying on veterans after some of their exciting young talent moved to pastures new.

Borrisokane, on the other hand, are awash with young players, who Jamie Donnelly and his backroom team have nurtured as they progressed through the divisions. Borris are a functional team who know how to play to their strengths - pace and power. The league title looks a step too far for them, but they could prove their doubters wrong and make a real statement next week by going top with a win over Clodiagh Rangers.

Division 1

Cloughjordan were in dominant mood as they defeated Birdhill 2-0 in Tierney Park.

The hosts took the lead on twenty minutes when Liam Hannon forced home a set-piece. Gary Culbert should have extended the lead midway through the half, but the wing-back fired over from close range. Jack Delahunty looked most likely for the visitors, but they really didn’t trouble Scott Hodgins in the Clough goal.

Bryan Williams showed great determination and drive when he doubled the home side’s lead just after the break with his eighth goal of the season. Matthew Moyles was top class again for Clough, whilst Martin Grace put in another dominant shift.

Thurles Town don’t travel well, and Arra Rovers were the latest team to benefit from this phenomenon as they won 8-2 in Portroe.

The visitors lined up without their top scorer but still managed to score twice through Joe Hennessey and Eoin Dorney. However, Arra were in ruthless form with man of the match Stephen Kennedy and AJ Willis both netting a brace; whilst Ruadhan Mulrooney went level at the top of the scorer’s charts with his tenth goal of the campaign. Cathal O’Brien, Anthony Collins, and Will Fogarty also got in on the action with a goal apiece.

Arra leapfrog Thurles and go into the promotion places courtesy of the three points, but Ardcroney could have a say if they win their games in hand.

Division 2

Holycross recorded one of their more modest victories at the weekend, as two goals were enough to secure three points when Templetouhy came to Glenbane.

Aaron Ryan got his fourth of the season for the league leaders, whilst former Premier Division forward Callum O’Connor netted his fifth of the campaign.

It’s a loss which leaves Templetouhy’s promotion hopes in doubt, to the delight of Sallypark.

Moneygall ‘B’ came out the right side of a ten-goal game when Ballymackey ‘B’ made the short trip up the M7.

The Offaly men were five up at the break and ran out 8-2 winners. Billy Hayes scored a brace for the hosts; whilst Dylan Ryan, Conor Longe, Darragh Lee, Sean Moroney, Darragh Murray, and the man of the match Johnny Powell also found the net. On the scoresheet for the visitors were Colm Maher and Tony Delaney.