Rearcross hold their nerve

By Gary Culbert

Munster Junior Cup

Rearcross defeated Killavilla United on penalties to progress to the fourth round of the Munster Junior Cup.

It was Villa who took the lead after seven minutes; Tom Aherne swung in a corner from the right which Greg Kennedy failed to head clear, the result being an easy header from two yards for Ian Treacy. Eamonn Devitt’s charges deservedly drew level on the half hour through James Deegan. The scorer started the move when his cross went all the way across the box, Patrick Dawson recovered the ball and sent it back in, but Villa could only clear as far as Deegan, who’s looping volley from eight yards flew high into the net. Michael Ryan and James Deegan both had good chances to add to the scoring; Ryan saw his shot deflect off Robert Harrington whilst Deegan rounded the keeper but couldn’t apply the finish.

In the second half, Rea’ were well on top but failed to capitalise; Patrick Dawson saw his shot well blocked, an indirect free kick was wasted, and Deegan headed inches wide from a corner. Tom Aherne moved into the centre of midfield and with that Villa regained some control, but with five minutes to go Jason Ryan spilled a cross to the feet of Deegan, who was unmarked and with an open goal, but in a real head in hands moment Ryan somehow got fingertip on the ball, which caused Deegan to fire over. Extra time came and went uneventfully, so penalties were required. The visitors scored all five through Deegan, Michael O’Gorman, Dawson, Kennedy, and Robert Harrington; whilst Paul Carey kept out two Villa pens to book a home match against Lough Derg in the next round.

Premier Division

Clodiagh Rangers 3-1 Ballymackey

Clodiagh Rangers have quietly gone about their business in recent weeks, and now find themselves with an outside shot at the title after this win over Ballymackey in Drombane on Sunday. Paul Hanley scored once and Paudie Guidera netted a brace for the hosts, whilst the visitors found the net through Paddy Touhy.

Clodiagh host Killavilla this Sunday knowing a win will send them a point clear at the top with a game more played than Villa.

Lough Derg 5-3 Nenagh Celtic

Lough Derg entertained Nenagh Celtic and came out on the right end of a 5-3 scoreline. The sides were level with a goal apiece at the break; the visitors netted through Alan Kelly, whilst the home side scored a penalty through James Frahill and had Oisin Conacur to thank for a penalty save. In the second half, the champions scored twice through Roberto Ipsalat, but goals from Dave Cassidy, Rory Cousins, Lee Mowat, and Jack Lynch were enough to secure three points which take them breathing space in the relegation scrap.

Borroway Rovers 2-1 Borrisokane

In Thurles, Borroway Rovers extended Borrisokane’s losing streak to go level with Moneygall in the relegation battle. Jake Moore and Seamus Woodlock were on target for the hosts, whilst Jamie Donnelly’s men found the net through an own goal.

BT Harps 0-0 Moneygall

BT Harps and Moneygall played out a stalemate in Templemore. For BT, the point stops the rot, but a win was really what was needed in this relegation six-pointer.

Division 1

Birdhill and Ardcroney met on Birdhill’s new pitch with both sides desperately requiring the three points. The hosts knew a win would go a long way to staying up, whilst the visitors were aware that they would be playing premier division football next season if they won their remaining three games.

A Jack Delahunty goal ensured that the home side went into the break with their noses in front. In the second half, Delahunty doubled Birdhill’s lead, before Odhran Floyd netted to secure the points for Anthony Floyd’s men.

The loss for Ardcroney means that Arra Rovers are now promoted to the Premier Division. Nobody would have expected that this young side could reach the heights that they have this season, especially given the fact that they only just survived the drop last season, but Dermot O’Halloran’s side have lit up Division 1 and will be a breath of fresh air in the Premier next year.

For Ardcroney, their impressive league campaign is now effectively over; the results from their remaining two games can neither see them promoted or relegated. Birdhill on the other hand have come from a position of almost certain relegation to now having safety in their own hands; a win from their remaining game in Drombane against Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ will see them safe.

Portumna Town made the long journey to Drombane to take on Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’. The hosts took an unlikely 2-0 lead; Loughlin Ryan opened the scoring before Tom Purcell doubled the lead. Adam Fogarty pulled one back for the visitors and they drew level early in the second half, Fogarty again on target. Port’ took the lead for the first time through Daniel Geraghty, only to be pegged back by a Loughlin Ryan strike.

It didn’t look like Graham Fogarty’s side were going to get the win they so desperately needed, but in the 95th minute they were given a lifeline. Portumna broke through their star man Adam Fogarty, who was brought down in the box by the Clodiagh keeper. A penalty was awarded, and the keeper received a second yellow card. There was no sub keeper, so an outfield player had to stand in with Tom Purcell donning the gloves and remarkably saved Adam Fogarty’s penalty to earn his side their first point of the campaign.

Indeed, the bottom side can further influence the relegation battle in their final league game when Birdhill come to Drombane. Clodiagh won’t lack motivation for the visit of Birdhill, just five months ago they lost the Division 2 title on the last day of the season.

Barry Cup

Cloughjordan went to The Greyhound Stadium and lost 3-1 against Thurles Town. The visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Dean O’Meara and were good value for the lead. However, the home side were back on level terms; Joe Hennessey putting his head on the line to nip in front of the onrushing Scott Hodgins. Two minutes later, Tommy Brophy was left free at the back post and finished expertly to give the hosts the lead again. Clough never really got going in the second half, they gave themselves a mountain to climb when Richard King brought down Tommy Brophy in the box and he stepped up and dispatched the penalty down the middle. Clough had one or two cleared off the line, but Thurles easily held on to book a home semi-final against the winners of Birdhill and Rearcross.

Division 2

The newly crowned Division 2 champions Holycross drew a line under this season’s league with a 6-0 home win mover Ballymackey ‘B’. Jojo O’Meara and Ben Slattery netted one each, whilst JP Butler and Mikey Nally scored a brace each.

Youths League

In division 1, BT Harps secured three points against Silvermines ‘A’, whilst Ballymackey continued their title push with a 2-1 win over Lough Derg ‘A’. Cathal Spillane and James Frahill both converted from the penalty spot to leave it 1-1 at the break. Cathal Spillane scored again from the spot in the second half to secure three points which leave the Ballinree men within touching distance of the title.

In division 2, champions in waiting Ardcroney won 5-0 against Lough Derg ‘B’. Alan Darcy’s charges found the net through Jack Mulcahy, Stuart Fox, David Pearse, an own goal, and Shane Dunne.

Holycross won 6-1 at home to Knigh United, courtesy of goals from Gary Dwane and Clay Lohan. Man of the match Paudie Lohan, scored twice in the second half, whilst Jessie Maher and Gary Dwane also found the target.