High profile exits in Tipp Cup opening round
By Gary Culbert
Tipperary Cup
Last season’s beaten finalists, Sallypark Odhrans bowed out of the Tipperary Cup after a shock 2-1 first-round defeat away to Clodiagh Rangers on Sunday.
Drombane was the setting for the game and with Sallypark once again looking to continue their relative stranglehold on this prestigious cup during their unprecedented run in recent years.
The home side have been ravaged by injuries of late - new signings John O'Meara and Jamie Heffernan were both ruled out for the season - and were not relishing the visit of the Latteragh side who were enjoying a lengthy run of unbeaten games and flying high in the ever competitive first division, form which is in stark contrast to that of the home side, who’s lacklustre league campaign to date has seen them facing almost certain relegation.
The early exchanges were as expected as each side got to grips with the cross-wind and soft underfoot conditions that all teams have become accustomed to in recent weeks. It was the Sallys who dominated the early stages, and they got their just reward in the fifth minute when Craig Conolly continued his goal streak. The in-form striker was cleverly slipped played by Stephen Flynn before firing past Adrian Cooke only to see his effort cleared off the line by John Carew, but the rebound fell kindly to Connolly, and he made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Stephen Flynn was causing all sorts of trouble for the Clodiagh rear-guard, but unfortunately, he suffered a nasty injury after a quarter of an hour and thus played no further part.
As the half progressed, the strong wind meant the game developed into a match that was reliant on set-pieces to carve out any chances of meaning. Indeed, it was a set-piece that delivered the equaliser for Clodiagh in the 33rd minute when Matty Stakelum latched on to a well-placed free-kick from his brother Sean, to volley past Damien Corcoran. The remainder of the first half generated very little by way of goalmouth action, the scored remained 1-1 at the break.
The second half developed in the same fashion as the opening half, with the away side dominating the early exchanges, however, they could not find that elusive clear shot at goal, in most part due to Rob Doran’s defensive efforts.
Clodiagh Rangers did manage to create two guilt edged chances as the game progressed, but Damien Corcoran made great saves to deny Danny Moloney and David Butler respectively to maintain parity.
The home side were beginning to wonder if these missed chances would prove costly as the reality of extra time ebbed closer, however, in the 89th minute Clodiagh were awarded a free kick deep in the Sallypark half. Matty Stakelum delivered with laser precision to find David Butler in space to slot home from close range at the back post.
A welcome victory for the home side whose cup form appears to outshine recent league results, but nonetheless a worthy scalp for the Drombane side, who will have a slightly easier task away to Borrisokane in the last 16.
Ballymackey put their premier division relegation woes aside on Sunday and breathed new life into their difficult campaign, thanks to a 3-2 win away to Ardcroney, after extra time.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges, but hosts took the lead when Darren Moran flicked in following a long throw into the box. Josh McCarthy equalised shortly after, but the celebrations were short lived as Jamie Ryan added to his impressive tally in his debut NT&DL season with a cracker from outside the box.
In the second half, Josh McCarthy drew Ballymackey level for the second time in the match, and the score remained at 2-2 at full time, meaning extra time would be required to separate these local rivals. Adam Healy netted the all-important winner in first half of extra time to send Ballymackey through to the last 16, where they await the outcome of Moneygall ‘B’ versus Shinrone ‘A’.
Damien Bergin was outstanding at centre back for the Ballinree outfit, whilst Adam Healy ran the show in midfield and David O’Brien was excellent too.
There was never going to be any upset when Killavilla United ‘A’ travelled to take on Templetouhy on Sunday where the premier division side ran out 7-0 winners over their second tier counterparts thanks to a hat-trick from Ruari Murphy, and a goal apiece from David McNamara, Josh Wynne, Micky Ryan, and the ageless Craig Phelan.
Arra Rovers advanced to the last 16 following an impressive 4-0 victory away to Holycross. Eoin Maloney opened the scoring in the 38th minute to leave the visitors 1-0 up at the break. Jack O’Brien doubled Arra’s advantage in the 58th minute before player of the match Conor Ryan put the game out of sight in the 68th minute with Kevin O’Halloran completing the rout on 75 minutes.
Clodiagh Rangers 'B' were determined and organised when they hosted Cloughjordan 'A' on Sunday afternoon, and Clough were thankful to get out of Drombane with a 2-1 win.
The match took place on the same pitch as the morning meeting of Sallypark and Clodiagh ‘A,’ so conditions underfoot were far from ideal, and to make matters worse there was a strong cross-wind too.
Paidi Williams opened the scoring for Clough early on from inside the box and Cian D'Arcy doubled the visitors lead shortly after from the penalty spot after Willie Cleary was brought down. Clodiagh went up the other end and immediately scored a penalty of their own and that is how the scores remained until the final whistle.
Clough needed young Johnny Naughnane at his very best in goal to survive the Clodiagh retort, whilst Seamus Williams was the best of the backs. Eoin Hogan covered every blade of grass from midfield alongside the composed Neil O'Lone.
Killavilla United ‘B’ were 3-2 winners over Ballymackey ‘B’ in Ballinree on Sunday. Ballymackey found the net through a Shane Gibbons penalty and a Robert Kenneally strike, but Killavilla advanced thanks to goals from Josh Tynan, Dylan Buckley, and Jamie Boland. Elsewhere, Rearcross were 1-0 winners away to Shinrone ‘B’ thanks to a Patrick Dawson strike midway through the first half.
First Division Barry Cup
Moneygall defeated Borrisokane 4-1 in the first round replay on Monday night. Niall Maher, Gearoid Larkin, Cian Ryan, and Sean Moroney were all on target for the hosts, while Luke Quigley got the Borrisokane reply.
Second Division
The top two in the Second Division drew 2-2 in a very entertaining and a tough battle between Grange United and Borrisoleigh played out in Killasmeestia on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead on nineteen minutes from a long range Kevin Maher free-kick, however, Grange rallied and responded just a minute later with a Jamie Dooley free-kick from deep which beat everyone but Trevor Abbott, who arrived at the back post and got the slightest touch to see the ball past Aaron Holland.
On 51 minutes, a dangerous free kick from Brian Bowe caused all sorts of problems for the Borrisoleigh defence, and as the ball broke to Dean Carey, he made no mistake powering it past the keeper. Borrisoleigh responded very well, and on 69 minutes drew level from another Kevin Maher free-kick.
Credit must go to both teams; from the beginning to end both sets of players looked to attack and go for the win to gain the edge at the top of the table. Best for Grange was Vinnie Cleere, whilst Borrisoleigh’s Kevin Maher was the player of the match.