Premier Division League
Nenagh AFC and Rearcross clashed in this league game played in Islandbawn last Sunday with the home side emerging victorious on a narrow 4-3 scoreline. Nenagh took the lead two minutes before the break with a cracking effort from Danny Butler. Rearcross got back level nine minutes after the restart when Kieran Devitt set Darragh Kennedy through on goal who kept his nerve to finish with aplomb. Nenagh went back in front when the ball finished in the net following a corner kick with Roy Creagh getting the last touch. Rearcross got back level again with seventeen minutes remaining when Mark Hogan’s free kick finished in the net. Nenagh took the lead for the third time with ten minutes to play when Thomas Sheppard scored with a fine effort. Ryan Gilmartin made it 4-2 two minutes later with a looping effort from just outside the box. Rearcross didn’t give up though and brought it back to the minimum when Liam Ryan finished from close range following a corner kick. Rearcross pushed for the equalizer in the dying moments and were unlucky not to snatch a share of the spoils.
Cloughjordan prevailed over Lough Derg on a three goals to nil score line in Behamore on Sunday morning. A tight opening half saw PJ O’Brien edge the home team ahead just before half time. Kevin Kennedy made it two nil midway through the second period and then Michael Costello wrapped it up five minutes from time to send Lough Derg home empty handed.
Thurles Town claimed the win over Moneygall by the odd goal in three at the Ballingrawn venue last Sunday afternoon. The sides were scoreless at the midway stage, however Padraig Fogarty edged the visitors ahead on the hour mark with a converted penalty following a handball infringement. A dramatic end to the game saw Jamie O’Connor net a second for Thurles Town in the 88th minute, however Moneygall pulled one back in the 90th minute when goal keeper Dwayne Collison came forward to rifle to the back of the net after latching on to a corner kick on the edge of the box, an anxious finish saw Thurles Town hold out for the win.
Nenagh Celtic kept the pressure on at the top of the table with a resounding three nil result over Sallypark at the away venue. The visitors were a goal to the good at the half time whistle after Sean Healy was on the mark, Sallypark battled hard to get back in to the game but were unable to breakdown a resilient Nenagh Celtic rearguard. The away team tacked on two more through Mark Walsh and a second from Sean Healy to clinch a comfortable win in the end.
First Division League
Borrisokane ‘A’ secured an important one nil home win over Borroway Rovers in this league fixture where both sets of defences turned in strong performances. It was stalemate at the midway stage, however Borrisokane upped the ante after the resumption with Gary Power and Gordan Harding going close. It looked as if the tesms were going to finish level, however the home side grabbed the all-important goal twelve minutes from time when a fine move involving Brian Donnelly and Joe Gleeson saw the latter crossing to John Doyle who crashed the ball to the roof of the net with a headed effort which proved enough on the day to secure a vital result.
Ardcroney claimed all three points with a hard fought one nil win over Arra Rovers in this league game played in Ardcroney on Sunday morning, the testing weather conditions saw the hosts dominate for long spells in the opening period but had to wait till after the half hour mark to open their account when Philip Blackwell headed between the posts. Arra Rovers aided with the elements in the second period pushed hard for an equalizer but were unable to breach a resolute Ardcroney rearguard.
Nenagh AFC are setting the tempo at the top of the First Division League following a slender one nil win against Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ at the Brickfields venue on Sunday morning. A tight affair throughout saw Oísin Fitzpatrick net the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute which proved enough to secure the win in the end, although the Drombane side will rue not opening their account in the second half.
Third Division League
Rearcross ‘B’ were 5-1 victors over Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ in this floodlit league tie played in Rearcross on Saturday evening. Rearcross hit the front with seven minutes remaining in the first half when a Liam Nolan(B) assist set up Joey Nolan who let fly with a smashing effort which looped over the visiting custodian. The hosts doubled their advantage two minutes later when Joey Nolan harried before the ball broke the Aidan Long who slid the ball to an empty net. Paul Murphy stretched it to three after breaking through the centre before finishing with aplomb on 63 minutes. It was four nil to the home team when Aidan Long bagged his second of the outing after finishing from close range following a goalmouth scramble. PJ McLoughlin got in on the act with nineteen minutes remaining after breezing through on the right before drilling a low effort to the corner of the net to give Rearcross a five nil lead. The Drombane side netted a consolation goal on 76 minutes when Niall Shanahan finished at the back post when the ball from a corner kick.
NT&DL Tipperary Cup
BT Harps ‘A’ cruised in to the third round of the Tipperary Cup after accounting for Gurtagarry on a 4-2 score line in Templemore last Sunday. The hosts raced in to a four nil lead inside the hour with a brace from Sean Patrick Guerins while Christy Moore and Jack Moore were also on target. The Third Division side showed fighting spirit against their Premier Division opponents and pulled it back to 4-2 with a brace from Joey McLoughney on 72 and 84 minutes respectively, but it wasn’t enough on the day to thwart the home side.
Roscrea ‘B’ progressed to the second round of the Tipperary Cup with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Borrisokane ‘B’, David Nevin scored for Borrisokane.
Youths League
Nenagh AFC Youths romped to a four nil victory against Arra Rovers on Saturday afternoon in Portroe. Craig McDonnell opened the Nenagh account, Ben Banaghan tacked on goal number two with a well worked effort. Paul Dwan gave the Brickfields side a three nil advantage before Ben Banaghan copper fastened the win with his second of the outing.
Rearcross Youths played host to Lough Derg Youths last Saturday and recorded a merited two nil victory. Tommy Lyons set the home side on their way in the 15th minute with a superb strike from out on the right, Kevin Connolly made it two nil minutes later with another fine finish from inside the box. The Ballina/Killaloe side tried hard to get back in to the game in the second half but a strong defensive performance from the Rearcross secured maximum points on the day.