5-star Harps continue title push
North Tipperary and District League Review
By Gary Culbert
PREMIER DIVISION
BT Harps 5-2 Arra Rovers
It was another first half blitz for league leaders BT Harps on Sunday, this time the in-form Arra Rovers that were brought to their knees by this rejuvenated Templemore side.
Szymon Popiela got the onslaught underway in the tenth minute in Michael Fennell Park. Eanna McBride provided a fine assist for the opener, and the striker was on target himself just four minutes later to double the lead, Cormac Foy providing an inch perfect cross.
In the 20th minute, Henry Newman’s new signing, Dylan Cody put McBride through and the number 9 made no mistake for 3-0. It was four on the half hour when Sean Paddy Guerins headed home a Stevie Nolan free-kick.
The visitors pulled a goal back just before the break through Conal Moran. But any hope of a revival was gone after the restart when McBride completed his hat-trick with his fifth goal in his last two games, before being withdrawn on the hour mark for Ben Stapleton. Arra pulled another goal back through Jack Mooney, but it was a comfortable 5-2 victory for Harps.
Harps have Ballymackey away this weekend, before a massive game away to Killavilla United the week after.
Holycross 0-1 Killavilla United
Killavilla United just about did enough to keep their title bid on-course, with a tense 1-0 victory away to Holycross on Sunday.
Substitute Johnny Corboy scored in the final fifteen minutes to ensure Villa keep pace with Harps in the title race. The home side’s young keeper, Jojo O’Meara was the player of the match on what was a cold morning for football. Killavilla’s captain Micky Ryan received a second yellow late on. The wing back is a hugely influential voice in the dressing room and a leader on the pitch. He will be a big loss in their Tipp Cup game at home to an energetic Borrisoleigh side next Sunday.
Ballymackey 2-1 Rearcross
Rearcross were unable to build on their win away to Killavilla United the previous week by falling 2-1 to Ballymackey on Sunday.
Missing the influential James Deegan, the visitors had the wind at their backs in the first half and started well with Darragh Carr hitting the upright in the opening exchanges.Ballymackey started to get to grips with the conditions and had the better of the play for the next twenty minutes, with Rea’ keeper Cathal Kennedy coming off his line to clear on more than one occasion.
Rearcross finished the half the better and Paddy Dawson nearly broke the deadlock when he cut in from the left, but his curling effort from outside the box was tipped over the bar by Brendan Hayes.
Ballymackey started the second half brightly and took the lead within ten minutes; a mix up in the Rea defence saw the ball fall to Kevin McCarthy who was one-on-one with the keeper, and held his composure to put the home side ahead.
A shell-shocked Rearcross found themselves two down just five minutes later when Kevin McCarthy was given too much time and space 25 yards from goal and unleashed a rasping shot which cannoned off the crossbar. Like any good striker, Aidan White was first on the scene to tap into an empty net.
Rearcross rallied and managed to pull a goal back with ten minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish. Paddy Dawson whipping a free kick into the six-yard box, where Michael O’Gorman was on hand to head into the net.
Borroway Rovers 1-5 Ardcroney
An unfortunate combination of events has led to Borroway Rovers going from title contenders last season, to picking up no points in the league this season and heading for the drop.
Losing key players to emigration has not helped a squad that was already punching above their weight but it must be said that manager Paul Gould has worked wonders with this group of players. However, this seems to have been a season too far for the group.
In any case, Ardcroney were in Thurles on Sunday to collect their three points. Darren Moran scored a brace to make it three goals in his last two games. The other scorers for the visitors were Stevie Daly, Matthew Moyles, and Ross Austin. Damien Walczak netted for the Thurles side, whilst David Bourke missed a penalty.
Borroway travel to Latteragh to take on Sallypark Odhrans ‘B’ on Sunday, with a home tie in the semi-finals of the Tipperary Cup for grabs. Although this is a premier division side taking on a second division side, it would be difficult to find anyone willing to back Borroway at the moment.
Furthermore, don’t be surprised if this Sallypark ‘B’ team is significantly stronger compared to a normal league game, as this after all, is the Sallypark cup. Indeed, Eoin Ryan made a shock return to the ‘B’ side last weekend, presumably in preparation for the Tipp Cup game. The serial cup winner had not lined out in the NT&DL since late October.
Ardcroney have a season-defining match this Sunday too when they travel to Drombane to take on Clodiagh Rangers, with a home tie in the quarter finals of the Tipperary Cup up for grabs. But make no mistake, Clodiagh should not be underestimated; they made it to the Tipp Cup final last year. With Harps already knocked out, and Killavilla’s confidence rocked, the remaining teams in this competition should all feel like they have a real chance to lift the prestigious trophy.
First Division
With Shinrone United’s game against Borrisoleigh postponed at the eleventh hour, all eyes turned to Drombane on Sunday, where Moneygall played their game in hand.
And it would be Shinrone who were the big winners on the day, despite not kicking a ball, as Moneygall and Clodiagh Rangers played out a 1-1 draw that really didn’t help wither of their title bids.
Moneygall’s captain Jack O’Brien limped off on the half hour mark after a nasty clash of knees, but it was his replacement, Dylan McCormack that set up the opener on the half hour mark. The 18-year-old did really well, beating a few players before getting a shot away that was saved onto the bar, Sean Moroney was in the right place at the right time to head in the rebound.
Billy Hayes’ side began to seriously turn the screw after the goal but failed to get an all-important second goal; Moroney was denied by the woodwork while Niall Maher also went close.
Moneygall never hit the same heights after the restart and Clodiagh grew into the game, creating a few chances before ultimately drawing level from a corner; David Butler hitting the net with a strong header from a Johnny Carew cross.
In the end, a draw was a fair result, and although it doesn’t do much for either side in terms of the table, Moneygall will be the happier with the point with youth team player Shay Gleeson making his debut.
The two teams going for the first division title will have to momentarily take their focus away from the league this Friday, as Moneygall entertain Shinrone in the first division Barry Cup quarter finals.
Portumna Town’s late promotion surge continued on Sunday away to Grange United.
It was a long journey from Galway to Laois, but the visitors did not show any signs of fatigue; taking a 2-0 lead through an Adam Fogarty brace inside the opening quarter of an hour, bringing the 22-year-olds tally up to eleven league goals, closing in on Tommy Brophy who was on sixteen in the race for the golden boot, so naturally Brophy had to reply with a goal of his own in the 37th minute.
However, the wind was taken out of the Grange comeback just before the break when Portumna captain Oisin O’Sullivan netted for 3-1, and his fourth goal in his last two games. Brophy added another, not bad for a 38-year-old, but Portumna held out for a 3-2 win.
Youths
Arra Rovers could claim the Youths Premier Division title this Saturday with a win at home to Ballymackey. Having themselves had to fight tooth and nail to get over the line against Killavilla, Arra themselves would be crowned champions if Harps fail to pick up anything other than maximum points away to Killavilla.