Killavilla crowned champions without kicking a ball
By Gary Culbert
Clodiagh Rangers welcomed Nenagh Celtic to Drombane on Sunday, knowing that anything other than a win would hand the premier division title to Killavilla United.
Brian Mitchell gave the visitors the lead off the back of a Gary Kevin pass, but Paudie Guidera drew the hosts level before the break. Danny Ryan played Mitchell in to complete his brace in the second half, but Clodiagh lost 2-1 meaning Killavilla were crowned Premier Division champions with three games to spare.
The new champions ultimately won the title through having the tightest defence and lethal forwards who can score from nothing; Ian Treacy and Jason Ryan were ever present and reliable at the back, whilst Paul Kirwan and Dion Carney have come in and out but always found the net.
In his debut season as manager, Denis Moloney has blended youth and experience perfectly; Mark Dwyer continues to impress as he develops into a key first team player, whilst Ruairi Murphy has also starred. Michael Ryan and Tom Aherne have had a strong start and finish to the season respectively, whilst John Pio Fitzpatrick and Paul Scully have turned in important performances when called upon.
Killavilla have proven themselves worthy champions, and when the celebrations die down, they will turn their attention to the cups place in the new year. However, if the Roscrea men want to equal Nenagh Celtic’s double from last season, they will have to overcome Celtic at home in the first round of the Ricky Fogarty Cup.
The relegation battle reached boiling point at the weekend as Moneygall and Borroway lost their respective games whilst BT Harps hauled themselves out of the drop zone with an impressive away win over Borrisokane, who themselves are on a desperate run of form.
Borrisokane 2-3 BT Harps
The hosts went two goals up courtesy of a Kevin Harding strike and an own goal, but the relegation threatened side pulled one back just before the break; Sean McCormack converting from the spot after Ben Stapleton was hauled down in the box. Early in the second half, McCormack returned the favour with an assist for Stapleton, who showed quick feet to get past the last man and keeper before finishing into an empty net. Harps went to three at the back and pushed forward in search of a massive three points, which they secured late on thanks to a diving header from Stapleton off the back of a Brian Roche cross.
Ballymackey 4-1 Borroway Rovers
Ballymackey were not in a festive mood when Borroway travelled to Ballinree in desperate need of points. Borroway took the lead into the break, but Thomas Sheppard rolled back the years with a second half brace, whilst Denis Haverty and Aidan White also got on the scoresheet.
Lough Derg 3-2 Moneygall
Moneygall travelled to Clarisford Park in desperate need for points. The visitors took a one goal lead into the break courtesy of a goal off the back of a corner on the sixth minute and countered well on the hour mark to double their advantage. Eoin Sheehy pulled one back for Derg in the 74th minute, and Jack Lynch converted a Lee Mowat cross four minutes later to level. To Moneygall’s despair, Kieran Larkin completed the comeback in the 86th minute, heading in from Dave Cassidy corner.
BT have the momentum in the relegation battle, but it’s all to play for with two games to go.
Division 1
News filtered through on Friday that Thurles Town would be forfeiting their match against Rearcross and the three points for the Rea’ boys meant that the inevitable became official, Rearcross were crowned Division 1 champions, and with three games to spare.
Eamon Devitt’s outfit have had lit up the division and are yet to be beaten. They also claimed the scalp of two NTDL giants in the cups, with wins over Nenagh Celtic and Killavilla demonstrating what Rea’ will bring to the Premier Division next season - a no nonsense back three, energetic wing backs, a work horse midfield that can play, and true pace at the top end of the pitch.
Their season is not over yet though; this Saturday night, Lough Derg face the daunting task of a match under the lights on Rea’s vast pitch. The home crowd will be out in force to celebrate the league success and will be hoping to see their side progress into the open draw in the Munster Junior Cup.
Barry Cup
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ will play Division 2 football next year whilst Arra Rovers will battle it out in the Premier, but there was very little between the two sides when they met in Portroe in the Barry Cup quarter final.
Stephen Kennedy gave the hosts the lead heading into half time. Dermot O’Halloran’s outfit netted again in the second half; Cathal O’Brien making no mistake from the penalty spot. However, Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ have been a much-improved side in recent weeks and scored twice courtesy of Jack Butler and a Paul Ryan penalty, which meant extra time would be needed. Man of the match Stephen Kennedy scored the only goal of extra time to spare the host’s blushes.
Next up for Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ is Birdhill at home in their final league game, although appearing like an insignificant match for the hosts, if Anthony Floyd’s charges were to lose, it leaves the door open for Portumna to leapfrog them in their final league game against champions, Rearcross.
Extra time and penalties were required when Ardcroney made the trip to Portumna in the quarter final. The visitors opened the scoring just before half time when their top scorer Jamie Heffernan got on the end of a Ross Austin through ball. The hosts came out firing after the interval and quickly equalized through Ryan Hanrahan. Shane Doran came up from the back for a corner and got his reward when the ball fell to him at the back post, the former Celtic man making no mistake. Portumna drew level again thanks to a David Fogarty strike which forced extra time.
Graham Fogarty’s charges took the lead for the first time with just under five minutes of extra time to play; Ronan O’Meara scoring what the home fans thought was the winner. However, Paddy Spain’s side showed great heart to go again, and they got their reward with mere seconds remaining; a cross went in and Port’ thought they had the danger cleared, but Dave Ryan appeared from nowhere to smash a rocket of a volley into the net from the edge of the box and force penalties.
Cormac Houlihan missed the host’s first penalty, but Graham Fogarty, David O’Meara, and David Fogarty scored their second, third, & fourth respectively. The away side scored their first three courtesy of Shane Doran, Dave Ryan & Kieran Spain; but Jamie Heffernan failed to convert their fourth, meaning the sides were level at 3-3 heading into their fifth kick. Dave Slattery kept his cool with Ardcroney’s last pen, which meant Ryan Hanrahan had to score to force sudden death. Dan Reddan would have the final say, getting down low to his right to save Hanrahan’s penalty and book his side a trip to Portroe in the semi-final.
Nora Kennedy Cup
When Borrisokane ‘B’ entertained Sallypark in the quarter final of the Nora Kennedy Cup, the only goal of the game was scored by David Young in the first half, meaning Shane Hogan’s side set up a home semi-final against Moneygall ‘B’ next week.
Youths League
In Division 1, Ballymackey were crowned champions following an impressive victory away to Lough Derg. The visitors took the lead after five minutes; Cathal Spillane showing great composure to slot home after been played through by Colm Maher. The hosts equalised ten minutes later through Cathal O’Donnell, but the Bally boys responded with two goals before half time through Fionn McGuigan and Spillane. Lough Derg’s Cathal O’Donnell got his second with twenty minutes left to play but the Ballinree boys made sure of the win when Dean Moloney scored with ten minutes remaining. Brian Bergin’s side have had a dominant league campaign, winning eight out of their nine games, securing title with a game to spare.
Killavilla United got three points when Silvermines made the trip to Roscrea. The home side were two up at the break thanks to Darren Doyle and Liam O’Reilly and secured the win in the second half thanks to strikes from Michael Fitzgerald and James Treacy. Best for the visitors was Bobby O’Connor, who scored the ‘Mines only goal.
In Division 2, Holycross travelled to Ballinaclough Sportsfield to take on Silvermines ’B’. The visitors were 2-1 up at half time courtesy of a brace from the man of the match Gavin Ryan. Richie O’Connor’s side made sure of the win with a goal apiece from Gavin Ryan and Gary Dwane. The home side found the net through William Murphy.