Youthful Arra mounting title defence

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division

Ardcroney 1-2 Arra Rovers

Holders Arra Rovers got back to winning ways in the league on Sunday, overcoming Ardcroney 2-1 away from home, in wintery conditions.

It was the second time in as many weeks that these sides met, with Arra also edging their previous encounter in the Premier Cup after extra time and penalties, with Sunday’s game equally competitive.

Ardcroney had the better of the early exchanges and took the lead on eleven minutes following a defensive mix-up, during which the ball landed at the feet of Darren Moran, and he duly sent it to the net.

Arra got a foothold following the early setback and settled into some nice attacking football, causing the hosts particular trouble down the flanks.

Kevin O'Halloran in the Arra goal was as usual very dependable and marshalled his defence well throughout. The solid backline was led well by the powerful Diarmuid Boyle, who coped well with any Ardcroney pressure for the most part.

Stephen Kennedy was dominant in midfield, breaking up a lot of ball and distributing to Christopher O'Riordan, who in turn, set up many of Arra Rovers’ attacks. His midfield partner Cathal O'Brien also caused lots of problems for Ardcroney with his precision deliveries from the dead-ball situations.

Ardcroney were a threat though Darren Moran, Kieran Spain, and Jack Daly who all were positive on the ball, but they were pegged back on level terms just before the half hour mark when Jack O'Brien finished from close range following a teasing Cathal O’Brien free-kick, that was dropped by the home keeper, Paddy Reddan.

The pace and direct play of Callan Cottrell and young Brian McEvoy was a constant threat to the Ardcroney central defensive trio of Paddy Hayes, Luke Dervan & Dylan Armstrong, indeed it was Cottrell who put Arra ahead in the 72nd minute, after some great work and an even better delivery by O'Riordan.

Brian McEvoy thought he had done enough to double the lead minutes later following a strong drive into the box from the left wing, but his shot - which beat the keeper - hit the post and ran agonisingly along the goal-line only to be scrambled clear by Paddy Hayes at the other post.

It was a hotly contested and physical game throughout with seventeen-year-old Diarmuid O’Donoghue having to depart the field through injury after only thirty minutes, but his replacement, fellow youths player Harry Hunt settled into the Arra defence well.

Arra Rovers have built their success in recent seasons off the back of their youth setup. This season is somewhat of a transitional period as emigration and other factors have seen manager Dermot O’Halloran have to introduce some young players to fill the gaps. However, to be doing so well in a transitional period deserves great credit.

The win sees Arra Rovers stay well within range of the teams around them at the top of the table.

The title race is very open this season, any team that can gather a bit of winning momentum may prevail in the New Year. In fact, Arra Rovers did exactly that at this stage last season, and on Sunday’s performance will be ready in the new year to maintain their effort to retain their Premiership title.

Division 2

Grange United saw out 2023 in style on Sunday in Ballinree, coming away with a 7-0 win over a Ballymackey ‘B’ team sporting two players with a combined age of 105.

This morning kick-off was played in blustery conditions, the strong wind not allowing either team to gain control of the game.

Grange made the breakthrough on 24 minutes when Brian Bowe produced a piece of class. The former League of Ireland man collected the ball at the edge of the box before unleashing a deadly accurate and powerful shot into the top corner, flashing past the Ballymackey keeper before he even saw it. Jason McCormack doubled the lead six minutes later with some impressive acrobatics and Grange went in at half time 2-0 up.

The visitors started very brightly in the second half, whereas Ballymackey were like a deer in the headlights. McCormack grabbed his second of the game on 47 minutes with a towering header at the front post from a Jamie Dooley corner.

In the 62nd minute it was a case of déjà vu when Jamie Dooley played in a front post corner, but this time Brian Bowe was there to guide the ball home.

A man of the match performance from Bowe saw him turn provider for two of the next three goals as he teed up Steven Finan for two, with the latter assisting Noah Quinlan in between.

Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ were 5-1 winners over Thurles Town on Sunday. The Clodiagh goals were from a Paul Ryan brace (one from the spot), Oisin Treacy, Pa Dwyer and Jim O’Dwyer. Tommy Brophy scored Thurles Town’s only goal of the game.