Premier Division League
BT Harps were 3-1 winners over Sallypark at the Sallypark venue last Sunday. The home side made the better start but were unable to find the target, BT Harps finished the half strongly and edged ahead when Stefan Leahy scored from the spot and then Jack Moore made it two nil on the stroke of half time with a well worked goal. The away side showed strongly again in the second half and left no way back for Sallypark when Jack Moore netted his second of the day midway through the half, David Young bagged a consolation goal for the hosts three minutes from time.
Nenagh AFC overcame the challenge of Nenagh Celtic by the odd goal in three at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last Sunday morning. Ryan Gilmartin pounced for two fine strikes to give Brickfields a two nil lead at the break. A well contested second half saw Craig Connolly reduce the deficit with a well struck shot from outside the box ten minutes from time, however Nenagh AFC held on to secure the three points.
First Division League
League leaders Nenagh AFC ‘B’ cruised to a three nil home win over Kilcommon last Sunday morning, JoJo Dillon set the Blues on their way with the opener after seven minutes of play, Trevor Morrissey made it two nil ten minutes later. A luckless visiting side conceded an own goal twelve minutes before the break, Kilcommon tried hard in the second half but were unable to get the breakthrough as a home side that held out for a comfortable win.
Borroway Rovers were on their travels to Ardcroney for this First Division League tie and claimed maximum points on a 3-2 score line. Paul Gould gave the Thurles side the lead after five minutes with a converted penalt0y, Ardcroney got back on par on the 20 minute mark when Jamie Gaynor scored from the spot. Ardcroney made a strong finish to the half as Paul Farrell netted to send the home side in with a half time lead. Borroway Rovers pegged it back level five minutes after the restart with a Keith Moore strike. The visitors kept the pressure on and got the winner with fifteen minutes to play when Pawel Konik lobbed the keeper with a fine effort.
Borrisokane ‘A’ remain unbeaten in five league outings following a narrow 2-1 result over Clodiagh Rangers ‘A’ at the Borrisokane venue last Sunday. The home side opened up a one nil after fourteen minutes when John Doyle finished between the posts thanks to pinpoint pass from Danny Butler. Borrisokane went on to dominate for long spells hitting the woodwork twice in the process before John Doyle crashed home his second of the day following fine support play from Danny Butler and Graham McMahon. Clodiagh Rangers took the game to the hosts in the second half and were back in the fray on 67 minutes when Tommy Stevens finished to the net after great work from Mark Quinlan. The outcome was in the melting pot after this with both keepers very much to the fore, however Borrisokane held out for maximum points.
Arra Rovers ‘A’ were 3-1 winners over Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ in Nenagh last Sunday. The Portroe side enjoyed a two nil a lead at the half time break with a brace from Shane O’Brien on 20and 35minutes respectively. Cathal O’Brien made it three nil midway through the second half, Matthew Tuttlebee scored the Nenagh Celtic consolation goal in the 88th minute.
Second Division League
Holycross ‘A’ made the trip to Templemore worthwhile with a 3-1 win over BT Harps ‘B’. A frantic start saw the home side hit the front when Cathal Scully got on the end of a free kick to head to the net ten minutes in to the tie, Holycross were quick to respond and levelled five minutes later after James Shanahan rose highest to head to the net following great work by Kevin O’Dwyer on the right. Holycross stayed on the offensive and went ahead three minutes later through Callum O’Connor following fine play from Tossy Comerford. BT Harps will rue not converting from the spot three minutes before the break as Holycross were to the fore again at the start of the second half and stretched it to 3-1 with a close range finish from Kevin O’Dwyer following good link up play from Colin O’Meara and Callum O’Connor. Holycross looked to be home and dry but were reduced to ten men with fifteen minutes remaining following a handball infringement to set up a nervous finale, however the Glenbane outfit shut up shop to hold out for the win and had fine performances on the day from James King and Tossy Comerford.
Templetuohy and Shannon Rangers played out a seven goal thriller at the Killoran Park venue on Sunday morning. The sides were locked on a one all score line at the midway stage after Paddy Clavin scored for the home side while Willie Cleary replied for Shannon Rangers. The hosts in search of their first league points turned up the heat in the second half and banged home a trio of goals through PJ O’Brien, Tommy Lanigan and a second from Paddy Clavin while Willie Cleary and Darren Carroll were on the mark for a Shannon Rangers side that spurned the opportunity to earn a divide of the spoils with a missed spot kick.
Nenagh AFC ‘C’ got back to winning ways with a gritty 2-1 win over Ballymackey in Ballinree. The sides were scoreless at the break, however Mikey Duff shot Nenagh AFC ahead early in the second half. Ballymackey were back in the tie thanks to a Timmy Fleming strike, Dean Morrissey clinched the win for the visitors with a well taken goal.
Streamstown Celtic played a very much depleted Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ and recorded a comfortable win, Gary Gleeson, Shane Moloney, Andy Golden, Diarmuid Loughnane, Paul Franks, Wally Kirwan, Brian Franks and Murty Grimes were amongst the scorers for the winners.
Third Division League
Cloughjordan ‘B’ took the points against Rearcross ‘B’ on a 4-1 score line last Thursday evening in Rearcross. The visiting side showed the early form and were two nil ahead at the break thanks to goals from Dean O’Meara in the tenth minute and then Michael Cleary with ten minutes remaining in the half. Rearcross rallied and pulled a goal back through Liam Ryan and pushed hard for the equalizer, however a strong visiting team tacked two late goals with a Michael Costello strike and then Michael Cleary added his second of the outing to copper fasten the win.
Borrisokane ‘B’ hosted this Third Division League game against Holycross ‘B’ and emerged victorious on a slender one nil score line over the Glenbane side. Gary Ryan scored what proved to be the winning goal after eleven minutes of play.
Arra Rovers ‘B’ and Clodiagh Rangers ‘C’ played out a one all draw in this league game played in Portroe last Sunday afternoon, James Coffey edged the visitors ahead in the 16th minute, Andy Dunne levelled it up for Arra before the break. Both sides tried hard for the winner in the second half, however it finished stalemate at the full time whistle.
Sallypark ‘B’ prevailed over Noreside Celtic on a winning margin of three goals to one at the Montore venue last Sunday. Dylan Reid opened the Sallypark account after 25 minutes, Tommy Porter levelled it up for the homes side moments later. The visitors restored their lead in the 32nd minute when Paudie Ryan scored from the spot after David Corrigan was taken down in the box. Sallypark continued to press in the second half as David Corrigan rattled the net to give Sallypark a 3-1 lead, Noreside Celtic pushed hard to get back in to the tie but couldn’t find a way through against a resilient Sallypark rear-guard.
Gurtagarry were comprehensive 6-3 winners over Nenagh Celtic ‘C’ last Sunday. The home side took the lead after ten minutes courtesy of a Willie Cooney strike, Billy Corcoran equalized for the visitors seconds later and then Dinny Corcoran put Gurtagarry ahead on fifteen minutes. Billy Corcoran was in the action again with a converted penalty to leave the visitors with a 3-1 lead at the half time whistle. Gurtagarry took up the running in the second half as Nicky Ryan extended the lead with a cracking finish. Nenagh Celtic regrouped and brought it back to the minimum with strikes from Robbie Lawlor and Brian Kevin. It was end to end after this but Gurtagarry showed the greater resolve and forced two more goals as Billy Corcoran rounded off his hat-trick with eighteen minutes remaining and then Ronnie Kinnane wrapped it up for the away side two minutes from time.
Youths Shield Final
Nenagh AFC Youths had too much strength in depth for Lough Derg Youths in the Shield Final played in Brickfields last Saturday. The Nenagh goal getters were Cian Darcy, Ryan Gilmartin, Abhann Coleman, Dylan Kennedy, Birinder Singh and Ben Banaghan. A depleted Lough Derg side kept battling and were rewarded with two late consolation goals from Thomas Conway and Jamie Stuart. Michael Leo representing the NT&DL presented the Youths Shield to Nenagh AFC captain Cillian Fitzpatrick after the game.