Killavilla have one hand on Premier title
By Gary Culbert
PREMIER DIVISION
Killavilla United 2-1 Nenagh Celtic
Killavilla United are two points away from regaining the North Tipperary & District League Premier Division title after defeating second placed Nenagh Celtic 2-1 at Villa Park on Sunday.
The hosts lined up in their usual three at the back, and interestingly chose to utilise Ruairi Murphy in the centre of midfield alongside Mark Dwyer, with young Dion Carney getting the nod up front alongside Paul Kirwan. Celtic once again travelled light, but the addition of Liam Heffernan in goal was a welcome sight for a team who have always struggled to find a long-term number one.
Killavilla started quite nervously and gave away a lot of frees, mostly fouling Jimmy Hynes, who ran the show early on. Indeed, it was from one of these fouls that Celtic took lead on the twelfth minute; from the left edge of the box Brian Mitchell hit a shot which curled over the middle of the four-man wall, before dipping viciously inside Jason Ryan’s near post.
Three minutes later, Dwyer had one cleared off the line, but it was Celtic and Jimmy Hynes who still controlled the game, however, the visitor’s momentum was halted when a freak collision resulted in Mikey Hynes having to be subbed off after 24 minutes.
Killavilla never really had control in the middle of the park that you would associate with them, perhaps the lack of experience caused this, but what they did have was raw pace, which they utilised well to draw level on thirty minutes. Ruairi Murphy played the ball out to Dion carney on the left flank and in line with the edge of the box, he dribbled past one defender before tricking his way past another into the box, with just the keeper to beat he kept his composure to slot home the equaliser.
Brian Mitchell had a good chance for Nenagh before the break, but Ryan caught the curling effort, meaning the sides went in level at the break.
Eight minutes into the second half, Jimmy Hynes almost flicked in an Alan Kelly cross, but his effort hit a defender and went wide. From the resulting corner Jason Ryan made an incredible fingertip save to keep the scores level.
Paul Kirwan fired Villa into the lead on 65 minutes, but the goal was all about Dion Carney; the pacey striker was twenty yards out and tightly marked when he received the ball with his back to goal, a stepover sent his marker left whilst he spun right before unleashing an early snapshot which proved too hot to handle for Heffernan whose parry landed nicely for the veteran Kirwan to tap home.
Celtic were dealt a hammer blow shortly after going behind; Jimmy Hynes succumbing to a recurring hamstring injury. Celtic looked very rudderless from this point, but shortly after, Brian Mitchell was sent clean through on goal; he could and should have scored, but credit to Jason Ryan who stayed on his feet.
Henry Newman moved Paul Walsh from centre back to centre forward as the champions got a new lease of life and Walsh was causing havoc. With just a couple of minutes to play, he stole in off the back of a long Heffernan kick which Villa failed to clear, but again Ryan was equal to the low effort with his feet.
Celtic did enough to deserve at least a draw, but issues surrounding their squad depth and age profile have come back to haunt them again.
Killavilla never managed to control the centre of midfield, but they had enough flair on the day to get over the line and get one hand on the title, which they will secure next Sunday if their only remaining title challengers Clodiagh Rangers fail to beat Ballymackey.
Borroway Rovers 1-3 Moneygall
Moneygall pulled Borroway into the drop zone whilst lifting themselves out with a 3-1 win in Thurles. Josh Wynne netted a hat-trick in the relegation six-pointer to give caretaker manager Stephen Maher, a crucial win. Moneygall travel to play BT Harps next in another relegation six-pointer.
BT Harps 0-2 Ballymackey
BT Harps lost 2-0 at home to Ballymackey. It was scoreless at the break, but a Thomas Sheppard strike and an Aiden White penalty put the Ballinree outfit a step closer to safety.
Lough Derg 2-0 Borrisokane
In Clarisford Park, Borrisokane’s recent dip in results continued as Lough Derg ended their title hopes with a 2-0 defeat.
The hosts broke the deadlock after the interval; Eoin Sheehy lobbing the keeper from outside the box after being played through by a Jack Lynch flick. Lynch capped off a fine performance with a goal just before the final whistle.
Division 1
Arra Rovers concluded their most successful league campaign in recent memory with an away trip to the champions in waiting, Rearcross.
This fixture saw the highest scoring team in all three divisions, Arra Rovers, up against a Rearcross side which boasts the tightest defence in the top two divisions. Arra have scored fifty league goals this season, whilst the reverse fixture saw Rearcross score eight in Portroe, but on this occasion both defences came out on top which resulted in a stalemate.
The point means Arra finish their league campaign at the top of the pile, but with Rea’ having four games in hand, it’s only a matter of time before they become the Division 1 champions.
Indeed, even promotion is not a certainty for Dermot O’Halloran’s young side, the scoreless draw leaves the door open for Ardcroney, who can secure promotion by a single point if they win their remaining games against Birdhill, Rearcross, and Thurles Town.
For Arra, their top scorer, Ruadhan Mulrooney, finishes the season on a tally of twelve league goals, whilst his teammate Callan Cottrell finishes one behind.
Next up for Rearcross is another tough assignment, this time in the Munster Junior Cup against Premier Division champions to be, Killavilla United.
Birdhill were back on their new pitch for the visit of Thurles Town, and the home side gave their survival hopes a huge boost with an impressive 4-3 win.
Anthony Floyd’s men went in level at the break thanks to a Colin Floyd goal. In the second half, the relegation threatened side found the net once through Frank Troy and twice through Damien McCarthy to leave it 4-1 to the home side with ten minutes to go. Thurles got two goals late on which ensured there was a nervy finish for the home side, but Birdhill held out for a win which leaves Portumna Town and Cloughjordan checking the relegation permutations.
Despite Joe Hennessey netting once and Curtis Ryan notching a brace on the day, the prospect of promotion is now off the table for Thurles Town.
Cloughjordan and Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ played out a poor game of football on Sunday in Tierney Park with the home side earning the three points, but they were made hard work of the 2-1 win.
Clough took the lead after twenty minutes through a long-range Martin Grace effort. Some poor defending allowed the visitors back into the game, meaning the sides went in level at the break. Jack Farrell capped off an inspired performance with the assist for the winning goal; Farrell got to the end line before firing a ball across which Bryan Williams forced home.
Cloughjordan just about have their heads above water in the relegation battle, but they are now left hoping that promotion chasers, Ardcroney, will do them a favour in Birdhill next week. Otherwise, Eoin Killackey’s charges will most likely need to get something from a trip to Rearcross in their final league game. If Birdhill beat Ardcroney next week and Clodiagh in their final game, then Portumna will also need something against Rearcross in their last game, but that’s only if Graham Fogarty’s side can get maximum points from their trip to Drombane next week.
Division 2
With Holycross already crowned champions, there was only the matter of promotion left to be decided in Division 2. Templetouhy did all they could by winning their home game against Moneygall ‘B’ 2-1.
The visitors found the net through Sean Moroney, whilst Dan Quinlan was the best for Mark Moroney’s men, but goals in either half from Christy Moore were enough to leave Templetouhy waiting on the result of Sallypark’s game in Ballinree.
Unfortunately for Templetouhy, Sallypark took care of their own affairs to defeated Ballymackey ‘B’ 4-2, finding the net through a Paul Ryan brace, a David Young strike, and an Eoin Ryan penalty. Sam Rosney and Diarmuid Haverty were Bally’s scorers.
Rearcross ‘B’ wrapped up their debut season with a 4-1 away loss to a strong Borrisokane ‘B’ side. Oisin Kelly got the Rea’ goal, whilst Borris’ found the net through Emmanuel Musinca, Kian Donnelly, and a brace from man of the match Llewellyn Mooney.
Youths League
In division 1, Ballymackey stayed top with a 1-0 win over Silvermines in Ballinaclough. Adam Steed was the best for Silvermines, but a Cathal Spillane goal was enough to secure the points for Brian Bergin’s men.
Moneygall defeated Killavilla United 1-0 at Villa Park with Andy Hoolan getting the only goal. Best for Killavilla was Kyle Bergin, whilst David Toohey was Moneygall’s man of the match.
BT Harps went away to Clarisford Park and came out the wrong end of a five-goal thriller. It was 2-2 at the break, but Derg claimed the points. Harps found the net through their man of the match Bryan Davidson, whilst Mark Davidson was also on target. For the hosts, James Frahill scored twice and Cathal O’Donnell once, whilst Jack Grace was the best for the victors.
In division 2, Ardcroney came from 2-1 down at half time to secure a 3-3 with Lough Derg ‘B’. The champions in waiting found the net courtesy of an own goal and strikes from Jack Mulcahy and David Peese.