Borroway on the mend
North Tipperary and District League report
By Gary Culbert
BT HARPS 0-2 BORROWAY ROVERS
Borroway Rovers made the short trip to Templemore to take on BT Harps on Sunday.
The first half was a cagey affair, with neither side creating any clear-cut chances. The away side began to turn the screw in the second half, but BT still offered a considerable threat on the counter attack.
On 55 minutes, Borroway made the breakthrough, Damien Troy scoring his first goal of the season. The hosts went in search of an equalizer, but it was the visitors who added added a second with ten minutes to play; Shane O’Sullivan playing in Jason Bolger, who did well to find the bottom corner and ultimately seal the win.
It’s back-to-back wins for Paul Gould’s men, who have shown real resilience recover from their difficult start to the season. Relegation is still a real threat for the Thurles side, but their recent form means they are no longer cut adrift at the bottom.
The FAI Junior cup offers some respite for BT Harps, who have endured a difficult month of league action.
KILLAVILLA UNITED 2-1 BORRISOKANE
Killavilla overturned Borrisokane in Villa Park on Sunday.
It was a stalemate when these two sides met at the start of the season. On this occasion, Gordon Harding found the net for the third time this season for the away side, but goals from John Pio Fitzpatrick and Brian Parlon were enough to secure all the points for the hosts.
When Moneygall come to Villa Park next Sunday a draw would see Denis Moloney’s side leapfrog Borrisokane, however, it’s expected that Killavilla will secure all three points. After successive losses Borrisokane will have to pick themselves up quickly, as they host Clonmel Celtic on Sunday in the FAI Junior cup.
Division 1
The biggest upset of the weekend was the 4-2 defeat that Thurles Town suffered on their travels to Ardcroney.
Thurles took an early lead through Joe Hennessy, but the home side replied quickly through their striker, Jamie Heffernan. A rare Alan Spain goal gave Ardcroney the lead shortly after, before a well-taken Jack Daly free kick doubled the host’s advantage. In the second half, Jamie Heffernan extended his side’s lead when he scored his fifth goal of the campaign. Thurles pulled one back right at the death, Joe Hennessy again on target for the visitors.
The impressive victory leaves Ardcroney looking up the table, which will be a welcome change for a side that usually end up in the relegation battle. Thurles will expect to bounce back next week when they entertain Portumna, whilst Ardcroney face a daunting trip to take on Peake Villa in the FAI Junior Cup.
When Arra Rovers made the trip to Cloughjordan, the home side came from behind for the second week in a row to rescue a point in a 3-3 draw.
Arra took an early lead following a goal kick which the Clough back line failed to deal with. Aodhan Ryan ran clear and placed his shot from the right into the bottom left corner. Ciaran Willis doubled Arra’s lead from all of 35 yards when his shot over the top flew over the keeper’s head and into the net. The home side rallied and forced the ball over the line from a set-piece, Martin Grace providing the assist.
The home side rang the changes and pushed hard for an equalizer, but it was the Portoe men who struck a killer blow midway through the second half; Callan Cottrell keeping his composure in the box after beating the offside trap. With fifteen minutes left, Jorge Rosell got his second goal in as many games to give Eoin Killackey’s side a lifeline.
Scott Hodgins made a great save with five minutes remaining which would turn out to be crucial. In the 90th minute, substitute Andrew Brennan won a free kick 35 yards out, which Matthew Moyles fizzed in and Martin Grace was on hand to provide the deftest of touches past the keeper and break Arra hearts.
Best for the hosts was Matthew Moyles, whilst Aodhan Ryan was very impressive for Arra, who are the surprise package of the season in Division 1.
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ made the long trip to Portumna Town hoping to pick up their first points of the campaign. The Galway men took the lead thanks to an Adam Fogarty spot kick, and doubled their lead when Fogarty netted his sixth of the season. It was 2-0 at the break, but Graham Fogarty’s men were not done yet; they went three up in the second half courtesy of a David Ó’Meara strike.
Rearcross bounced back by comprehensively beating Birdhill 4-1 at home. The champions elect were three goals clear at half time with goals coming through James Deegan, Conor Nolan, and a Michael O’Gorman brace. Deegan is now joint top of the top scorers list, whilst O’Gorman is one behind his club mate. Thomas Floyd got a consolation goal for the visitors in the second half.
Division 2
Sallypark Odhráns continued their promotion push with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Borrisokane ‘B’.
Shane Hogan’s side were one-up at the break thanks to a Padraig Ryan strike. The former Nenagh AFC man completed his brace in the second half, before captain Eoin Ryan completed the victory by adding a third.
Sallypark have a difficult task on Sunday when they travel to Glenbane knowing only a win will do against Holycross.
Despite only being midway through the campaign, it looks like an early title decider between the top two sides. A win brings Sally level, but any other result would put the title out of reach for the former Tipperary Cup winners. Borrisokane are battling it out at the bottom with the rest of the ‘B’ teams, the best on the day for PJ Molloy’s side was Ciaran Foley.
Holycross defeated Templetouhy 3-1 thanks to goals from Mikey Nally, Ben Slattery, and Philly Fogarty. Whilst Chris Eid was on target for the visiting team.
The only other match saw Ballymackey ‘B’ secure all the points from their fixture with Rearcross ‘B’.
Youths League
When Moneygall hosted Killavilla United in division 1 on Saturday, the sides were tied on a goal apiece at half-time thanks to goals from Moneygall’s Conor Longe and Killavilla’s Lee Doran. In the second half, Seán Moroney secured Moneygall’s first win of the campaign when he found the net for the third time is as many games. Best for the away side was Ritchie O’Brien, whilst Conor Tierney was the man of the match for the hosts.
In division 2, Ardcroney made the trip to Ballinaclough to take on Silvermines ‘B’ and came away with a 2-1 victory to go top of the league.
The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark, Jack Mulcahy opening his account for the season. Will Murphy’s charges were level within five minutes thanks to Danny Quinn’s third goal in as many games. It was 1-1 at the break and the sides couldn’t be separated until a penalty was awarded to Alan Darcy’s side on the 80th minute, Andrew Hayes converted the spot kick.
FAI Youths Cup
Lough Derg went away to Callen/Lattin in the preliminary round of the FAI Youths Cup and lost out on penalties.
Dylan McGrath gave the hosts the lead inside 15 minutes and Derg equalized on the stroke of half-time through Cian McAuley. He completed his brace three minutes after the restart, but the home side forced extra time thanks to a Max Reardon screamer. The NT&DL side’s journey in the competition was ended by Gary Quirke, who saved two of the Derg spot-kicks.