Premier title race heats up
By Gary Culbert
Rearcross 1-1 Killavilla United
Killavilla United are still clear favourites for the North Tipperary & District League premier division title at the half way stage, despite being held to a 1-1 draw away to Rearcross last Friday night.
They remain one point clear of Clodiagh Rangers at the top and have a game in hand over the side that dumped them out of the FAI Junior Cup. However, their draw away to Rearcross has opened the door and given a glimmer of hope to the chasing pack, also including Arra Rovers and Rearcross.
Friday’s game was a hotly contested battle where the two tightest defences in the league went head-to-head and each gave up just the one goal. As expected, chances in front of goal in the first half were hard to come by, but the league leaders managed to take the lead when a blocked shot broke to the on-rushing Brian Parlon, who blasted home from ten yards out.
Villa saw out the first half with controlled possession, but the second period saw a complete turnaround in proceedings as the fired-up Rea' men drew level and could have had more. The hosts went close on a number of occasions; James Deegan struck an effort from more than twenty yards out which forced a diving save from Robert Rowe, whilst Phillip Deegan came close with a header when he snuck in at the back post following a corner.
Rearcross eventually drew level through a piece of individual brilliance from Brian Nolan. The young wing back controlled a loose ball in the middle of the park before dancing through the heart of the Villa defence and calmly stroked the ball into the far corner of the net.
The champions were still a threat during this period when Rea' were on top and even hit the crossbar on one occasion. Rearcross pushed forward for the remainder of the game, but the experienced Villa defence weathered the storm. Substitute Cillian Kennedy did have a chance in the dying embers of the game when he gathered the ball on the edge of the box and rifled a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Robert Rowe was equal to the effort. Best for Rearcross were the central midfield trio of Phillip Deegan, Kieran Devitt and Darragh Kennedy.
Ballymackey 3-1 Arra rovers
Ballymackey appear to have turned the corner and with only one team going down this year, have now pulled clear of the relegation zone thanks to an impressive win over Arra Rovers in Ballinree.
Ballymackey’s goals came from a brace from the in-form Josh McCarthy and an Adam Steed strike. Cathal O'Brien scored Arra's only goal as they couldn't capitalise on their chance to go joint second in the table. Ballymackey's Colin Hall was the man of the match for Ballymackey.
Elsewhere, disappointingly there were walkover wins for Clodiagh Rangers and BT Harps over Borrisokane and Lough Derg respectively. Borrisokane now occupy the sole relegation spot, and Harps have leapfrogged Lough Derg.
Division 1
Borroway Rovers continued their impressive unbeaten league season with hard fought 2-1 win away to Sallypark on Sunday.
Both teams started strongly with the game being played at a very high pace. Borroway thought they took the lead in the 20th minute, but Aaron Cullen's goal off the back of a Liam McCormack cross from the right was ruled out for offside. This game was still end to end and both sides had chances, but it was Sallypark who went closest next through Danny O'Donoghue, but he shot narrowly over.
In the 35th minute, the league leaders won a freekick 25 yards out which Liam McCormack struck for goal, it was heading for the top corner but for a fine save from the Sallypark keeper, however, Gary Dunne was the quickest to react and give his side the lead.
Sallypark came out all guns blazing in the second half but were restricted to shots from distance and long throws, which Shane Ryan in goals was able to deal with. Borroway regained composure and in the 61st minute doubled their lead on the counter attack, Jake Moore running onto a through ball to slot home.
Sallypark upped the ante once again and threw everything at this miserly Borroway defence, the hosts got their reward in 72nd minute through a Jack Sanders goal which was assisted by David Young. The veteran sportsman had just been introduced off the bench for Sallypark when he made an instant impact by playing in Sanders, who turned beautifully on the edge of the box before slotting the ball into the far corner.
The last eighteen minutes were end to end with both sides having chances, Sallypark looked most dangerous from corners whilst Borroway were pacey on the counter attack.
There was a dramatic finish when deep into stoppage time Sallypark were awarded a penalty for a handball, but a great save from the man of the match Shane Ryan, denied Jack Sanders and Sallypark a late equaliser.
Ardcroney fell to a shock 2-1 defeat against Thurles Town in the Greyhound Stadium on Sunday.
Lee Doran found the net for Ardcroney, but it wasn't enough as the experienced Thurles team prevailed thanks to an own-goal and an Alan O’Brien strike to pull clear of Moneygall and Portumna in the drop zone
Holycross were 5-1 winners at home to Moneygall. The hosts netted through Aaron Ryan, Ben Slattery, Jessie Maher, Callum O'Connor, and an own goal; whilst Jack O'Brien scored Moneygall's only goal of the game.
Division 2
In the only game of the weekend, Birdhill were 2-1 winners over Clodiagh Rangers 'B’.
Goalkeeper PJ O’Rourke opened the scoring after 15 minutes with long clearance that deceived the Clodiagh defence and finished up in the back of the net. However a series of blunders in the Birdhill defence allowed Clodiagh in for an equaliser. Colin Floyd gave Birdhill the lead early in the second half and despite missing many chances they held on to the lead to pick up another valuable three points
Youths
Ardcroney were 4-3 winners over Lough Derg in the Munster Youths Cup. Stuart Fox scored two penalties for Ardcroney, whilst the other two goals for the hosts were own goals. Lough Derg scored through Donal Houlihan and James Goode brace. Ardcroney's Paul Molloy was the man of the match.