Tipperary Cup takes centre stage
By Gary Culbert
Cloughjordan extended their season as well as their Tipperary Cup campaign by at least one more game when they overturned Portumna Town in their own back yard.
Eoin Killackey’s side were convincing 4-1 winners, but in truth this was a very keenly contested game with plenty of tasty tackles flying in from both sides.
The wind and rain played a starring role in this game, with Portumna having the breeze in a largely uneventful half which ended scoreless. Clough’ took full advantage in the second period and the breakthrough came in the 55th minute, off the back of a long throw from Martin Grace which Eoin Hogan flicked on for Jorge Rosell, who made no mistake with his close-range header.
Rosell was heavily involved again when Clough doubled their lead minutes later after a flowing move. The Spaniard picked up the ball just inside the Port’ half and exchanged passes with Matthew Moyles and Eoin Hogan, before crossing to Dean O’Meara who had an easy tap in to finish off an excellent attack.
The away side made a number of changes which destabilized their rhythm and Portumna took full advantage; Oisín Ó Sullivan forcing the ball in at the back post following an extended period of pressure. A Scott Hodgins scrambling save just about kept Clough ahead, then the Clough subs stole the show; Liam Hannon and Kevin Kennedy assisting the third and fourth goals respectively after coming off the bench. Hannon was fouled in the box with Dean O’Meara dispatching from the penalty spot; whilst Kevin Kennedy reeled in the years with his counter-attacking run down the right before picking out the perfect pass for Eoin Hogan, who deservedly got on the scoresheet.
Martin Grace was the best for the away side, who face a revived BT Harps this Sunday in the next round. Graham Fogarty’s outfit have a huge game to come in the league when they travel to Rearcross, knowing that a loss would see them relegated to Division 2.
Extra time was needed when Premier division Borroway Rovers entertained Thurles Town. The first half was scoreless, but in the second half Joe Hennessey netted for Thurles and Jason Bolger for Borroway. The score remained 1-1 until the second half of extra time in this local derby, as Brophy ensured that penalties would not be required; the veterans shot icocheting off a couple of Borroway defenders before finding the net.
Next up for Thurles is a very winnable home tie this Sunday against a Moneygall ‘A’ side who are going through a difficult patch.
Soon to be Premier Division side, Arra Rovers, lost 2-1 when they made the trip to Villa Park to take on league champions Killavilla United. Christopher O'Riordan got the visitors only goal of the game, whilst Ian Treacy and Ruairi Murphy did the damage for ‘Villa.
Killavilla have another winnable game in the next round when Division 1 side Ardcroney make the trip to Villa Park this Sunday. Arra’s time in the Tipp Cup is up, but their season is not done yet though, Dermot O’Halloran’s charges have the Barry Cup final against Thurles Town to prepare for.
A depleted Lough Derg made the trip to Ballinree and lost 5-1 at the hands of Premier Division runners-up, Ballymackey. Denis Haverty gave the home side a one goal lead at the break, Cathal Conneally made it two on the hour and Aiden White made it three on 73 minutes. Ricky Mowat’s side pulled one back in the 75th minute when Kieran Larkin was played through by Darragh Hickey. However, that was as good as it got for the away side as Ballymackey took full advantage of their tiring opposition; Alan Ryan and Cathal Spillane respectively scoring completing the rout.
Next up in the Tipp Cup for the management trio of Damien Bentley, George Haverty, and Johnny Keneally is a very tricky away tie this Friday in Rearcross against the Division 1 champions, who have already claimed the scalps of Nenagh Celtic and Killavilla in Cup competition this season.
Elsewhere, BT Harps entertained Division 2 winners Holycross and won 4-2. The hosts made the perfect start thanks to an individual goal by Shane Doyle, who received the ball in his own box before running the length of the field and unleashing an unstoppable strike. Holycross equalized through Philly Fogarty but Lyndon Fairbrother put Harps ahead once again before the break. Holycross equalized once more through Jojo O'Meara after the interval, but a Ben Stapleton penalty gave the advantage to the Premier Division side again. The tie was decided late on with another Ben Stapleton goal after Fintan Purcell broke down the right and his cross was headed home by Stapleton.
Goals from Danny Ryan, Cathal Scully, Sean Healy, and a brace from the ageless Jimmy Hynes ensured that Nenagh Celtic convincingly overcame Borrisokane 3-1. The home side found the net once through Stephen D’Arcy, but it is Henry Newman’s side who go marching on to face Templetouhy in the next round.
Youths Cup
The big upset in the first round of the Youths Cup came in Moneygall, where Division 2 Holycross claimed the scalp of their Division 1 hosts.
It did not look good for Richie O’Connor’s charges at the break, however, as they found themselves 3-1 down, but three second half goals for the visitors secured a home tie with Ballymackey in the next round.
The underdogs found the net through Jessie Maher, Gavin Ryan, Gary Dwan, and Tony Dwan while Moneygall’s goals came through Sean Moroney, Dylan McCormack, and Arron Lee.
It is a very impressive victory, but Holycross will have to do it all again and more in the next round, as the Division 1 champions Ballymackey will be looking to do the league cup double.
Killavilla United never looked in danger when Ardcroney came to Villa Park and lost 2-1. Man of the match Darren Doyle had the Roscrea men one up at the break and he doubled his tally just after half time.
Ryan Feehan and Michael Fitzgerald could have put the game to bed but missed their respective chances. Jack Mulcahy had a quiet game for the visitors, but he did take his chance well on the hour mark to make a game of it. Liam O’Regan curling the ball in from the right, with Mulcahy finishing from eight yards.
The Division 2 champions could not make it stick up top and the hosts looked a lot more assured in possession and were deserved winners. An honourable mention must go to Killavilla’s Sean Hayes, who put in an assured display from centre back.
Next up for Noel Doran’s charges is a very winnable game at home to Silvermines ‘A’ in the next round.
The only other Youths Cup game saw BT Harps overcome Lough Derg ‘B’ 3-2 in Priory Place. All the goals came in the first half, Ciaran Barry, Killian Fennell, and Mikey Coffey scored the home side, while Ricky Shanahan and Jamie Meacham netted for the visitors. BT’s Mark Davidson was the man of the match. Harps travel to Knigh in the next round, where a win would set up a home tie in the semi-final.