Short-handed Lough Derg exit Tipp Cup

By Gary Culbert

Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup

Premier Division strugglers Lough Derg made the long trip to Loughtagalla Park to take on the first division champions in waiting Borroway Rovers in the Tipperary Cup on Sunday and it was the home side who continued their good season with a 3-2 win.

The visitors did not travel with anything near a full panel and thus played the first hour with only ten men.

Paul Gould’s side showed no sympathy in the first half as talisman Jake Moore fired in a hat-trick of goals. The deadlock was broken by Moore in the sixteenth minute, before he doubled the host’s lead on the half hour. It could have been worse for Derg but for some inspired goalkeeping from Oisin Conacur.

However, in the 47th minute, Moore stole in again to complete his hat-trick but really, Borroway could and should have been more in front.

Lough Derg’s eleventh man arrived early in the second half and from then on they were by far the better team and in the 66th minute they clawed one back through Kamil Zdziesiński, who made no mistake with a fine finish.

Jay Collins and Darragh Hickey both went close to halving the deficit before the pressure eventually told and a Cian Oakley cross was headed home by Jack Grace in the 75th minute.

Approaching injury time, Derg keeper Oisin Conacur ventured forward and produced an unlikely bicycle kick which was brilliantly saved by the Borroway keeper at full stretch. Right at the death, the visitors had a shout for penalty but a free-kick was given on the eighteen-yard line and dealt with by the home defence.

In the end, Borroway prevailed and in the next round will aim to become the first team to beat Sallypark in Tipperary Cup action in three seasons. Paul Gould’s side will have home advantage for the all-division 1 quarter final clash, with the winners also at home in the semi-finals.

Lough Derg have one game left this season, but it’s meaningless for them, however for their opponents Arra Rovers, a win in Portroe in front of the home fans would see them clinch a sensational Premier Division title victory on their return to the top table of North Tipperary football.

Division 1

Thurles Town were top of the Premier Division not that long ago, but on Sunday their relegation to the second division was confirmed following a 7-2 home loss to neighbours, Holycross.

This was Thurles Town’s last league fixture, while for their promotion chasing visitors, it was their third last game. Holycross started strongly; Mikey Nally playing a great ball in for Conor Cassidy to open the scoring inside the ten minutes. Tommy Brophy converted a penalty for Thurles which levelled things up on fifteen minutes. Holycross kicked on and got two more goals before half time, both from Seanie Comerford corners which found the powerful head of Mikey Nally, whose brace left the promotion chasers 3-1 to the good at the break.

The second half had plenty of goals; Conor Cassidy netted his second while Aaron Ryan got two. Tony Maher rounded of the Holycross scoring before Thurles netted a late consolation. The player of the match was no doubt Mikey Nally. The three points keep Holycross’ dreams of promotion alive and the pressure on Ardcroney with two fixtures remaining.

Looking ahead to next weekend's games, Moneygall's relegation could be confirmed if they lose at home to Borroway Rovers, and Portumna Town get anything from their trip to Glenbane against high-flying Holycross. Ardcroney would have been hoping to have a keen interest in Borroway's game, but promotion is what Glen Austin's side chase now, not the coveted league title.

Division 2

The in-form team in the Second Division is undoubtedly Lough Derg ‘B’, and on Sunday they hosted the league leaders Shinrone in Clarisford Park, and were unlucky to come out on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller.

Kieran Larkin put Derg in front before Shinrone equalised through left sided player, Terry Bartlett. Larkin was on target again to restore the home side’s advantage before an Eoin Sheehy strike made it 3-1

However, the young title favourites weren't finished. Simon Hayes stole in to halve the deficit before Riann McLoughlin levelled proceedings. It looked like it would be points shared but at the very death a McLoughlin penalty gave the visitors a 4-3 win.

Lough Derg were very unlucky not to take something from the game, but they still have plenty to play for this this season as the second promotion spot continues to be contested.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Rearcross 'B' travelled to Drombane with depleted squad numbers and had no reply for Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’s goals late in either half. It was a tough battle with scoring chances few and far between.

Dave Brennan had a shot saved and Mark Hogan hit a free over for Rearcross, but it was Clodiagh who took the lead in the 40th minute. The opener came about when an in-swinging corner was eventually tapped in by Pa Dwyer after Jack Butler put the ball on a plate for the centre forward.

The second half was much the same as the first as Rearcross pressed hard for an equaliser while their back four had to be sharp to keep out the hosts. They came closest when Gavin Denihan fizzed a ball across the box for Ger O'Toole, whose touch sent the ball off the upright and wide.

Clodiagh added a second goal in the 89th minute when a direct free was parried by the Rea' keeper only as far as Oisin Treacy, who volleyed home from close range to end the contest.

With Shinrone winning to keep up their part title race, Birdhill needed three points when they travelled to Borrisokane ‘B’. Two Paddy Kelly goals were just about enough to secure all the points on offer, despite a Ger Comerford strike for the hosts.

Under 19 Championship

Lough Derg recorded a 4-1 away win over Ballymackey on Saturday.

Ben O'Dwyer got Ballymackey's only goal of the game while Lough Derg claimed the points following a Jamie Meacham brace and a goal each from Ricky Shanahan and Jack Meagher.