Celtic find that little bit extra against Harps

North Tipperary and District League Report

By Gary Culbert

Nenagh Celtic travelled to Priory Place on Sunday to take on BT Harps in the quarter final of the Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup and progressed following a 4-1 extra time victory, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the story of the game.

The away side opened the scoring through Adam Healy, a well-taken left footed effort. BT’s Stevie Nolan found the net via the post to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

The hosts came out strongly in the second half and nearly took the lead on several occasions only to see their goal-bound efforts blocked by Danny Ryan and Alan Kelly. Jimmy Hynes looked dangerous up top for Celtic, but former Clodiagh centre back Jack Kennedy was always in the right place at the right time to deny the veteran goal-scorer.

This game was hotly contested throughout, but in the 65th minute it boiled over and BT were reduced to ten-men when Shane Doyle saw red. However, Harps had a new found energy and created numerous chances to win the game. In the 70th minute Dean McEnroe burst down the left before picking out a great cross for Jack Kennedy at the back post, who cushioned across for Stefan Leahy, but the substitute wasn’t in the right place to score. Leahy set up Dean McEnroe just a minute later, but the left winger could not apply the necessary finish from six yards out. The hosts closest effort came in the 82nd minute from a corner, which was earned after a smart dummy by Leahy allowed McEnroe in behind. Celtic cleared to the edge of the box where Davy O’Shea met it cleanly, a stinging effort which was destined for the bottom left corner, but cool as you like Danny Ryan calmy turned it behind to send the game into extra time.

BT Harps were much the better side since the sending off, but Celtic weathered the storm and got a goal from nothing four minutes into extra time. Adam Healy was surrounded by defenders, but he still managed dig out a right footed cross from the right corner flag, destined for Ronan Clifford who was five yards from goal but tightly marked, however, the youngster done extremely well to hook his leg around the defender and fire his shot into the ground and find the net.

Celtic ended the tie as a contest five minutes into the second period with a third goal, which came off the back of some great perseverance from James Mackey down the left flank. His curling effort was saved by Eoin Brophy, but fell kindly to Adam Healy, who calmly side footed into an unmanned net from 20 yards out.

The visitors cleared off the line for the third time, this time Gary Kevin turning the ball behind for a corner. As time was almost up, BT naturally overcommitted for the corner, but Celtic broke at pace and Tadgh McCarthy slipped Christopher Ryan through on the halfway line. With only the keeper to beat the central defender was hauled down by Stefan Leahy and a penalty was awarded, from which Adam Healy completed his hat-trick.

Jamie Kelly and Danny Ryan were quality on the day for Nenagh Celtic, whilst Gary Kevin put in an inspired defensive performance at right back. Their reward is a home semi-final against Sallypark or Birdhill, whilst BT have a huge home match against Lough Derg next week with a win needed to ensure their Premier Division survival.

Elsewhere in the Tipperary Cup quarter finals, penalties were needed when Killavilla United welcomed a much-changed Thurles Town side to Villa Park and needed penalties to progress to the semi-finals.

Jamie Boland started on the wing in place of Ruairi Murphy, but other than that Killavilla were unchanged. Paul Kirwan headed onto the base of the post after thirty seconds and Dion Carney missed the best chance of the half when he failed to properly connect with the ball from six yards out in the 30th minute, but overall, it what was a fairly poor first half in which both sides struggled to create anything clear cut. Villa saw most of the ball, but Thurles did look dangerous on the counter through the linkup play of Joe Hennessy and Jack O’Connell.

The game roared into life in the second half and a goal apiece from Dion Carney and Joe Hennessey meant extra time would be needed. Both Thurles and Killavilla scored one apiece in extra time from Ian Tracey and Jack O’Connell, meaning penalties would be needed to decide who would progress.

In the shootout, Killavilla won 3-0 with veteran Stephen Delaney, the ever-reliable Tom Aherne, and full back Michael Ryan finding the target; whilst this heavily depleted Thurles outfit failed to convert any of their penalties.

Killavilla United will now play the winner of Rearcross v Clodiagh Rangers in the semi-final, while Thurles Town have a week off to prepare for the Barry Cup final, which is down for decision on the 13th of March in Moneygall.

Sallypark made the short trip to Ballinree and comprehensively won 6-1 against Ballymackey ‘B’ to book a home quarter final against Birdhill. It was 5-0 at the break to the visitors with Sean Ryan followed up his fantastic Cup final performance with a hat-trick, Jimmy Shanahan helped himself to a brace, whilst captain Brian Duffy netted from the spot. Ballymackey ‘B’ did find the net in the second half through Adam Guilfoyle, but it was merely a consolation goal.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

Borrisokane entertained fellow relegation strugglers Borroway Rovers on Sunday in the Ricky Fogarty Premier Cup with the Thurles side progressing 2-1, after extra time.

The hosts had the wind in the first half, so Borroway will have been happy to get in at the break scoreless. Jamie Donnelly’s side opened the scoring ten minutes into second half through Stephen D’Arcy, but the visitors equalised through a sensational Jake Moore free kick in the 70th minute. Both sides had chances to win it late on, but extra time would be needed.

Both teams came out with attacking intent in an evenly contested first period of extra time it, but a Damian Troy goal two minutes into the second period took the wind out of Borrisokane’s sails. Paul Gould’s men comfortably saw out the remaining eight minutes, meaning they can now look forward to a huge home tie against Killavilla United or Nenagh Celtic in the semi-final.

Best for Borroway were William Carroll, whilst Jake Moore and Damian Troy topped off fine performances with their goals. Next up for Borroway is a must-win game away to champions Killavilla in their final league fixture.

On Sunday, Birdhill hosted the meeting of Lough Derg and Clodiagh Rangers with the visitors edging to a 1-0 win.

Derg started the brighter; Dave Cassidy, Darragh Hickey and Jack Lynch all had good chances, but against the wind and run of play it was Adrian Cooke’s side took the lead courtesy of Rhys Loughnane goal on the counter attack in the fifteenth minute. In the 38th minute, player/manager Adrian Cooke saved a Dave Cassidy penalty to ensure his side kept their advantage.

The second half was an uphill struggle for Derg as the wind was against them. The Shannonsiders best chance came after some creative build-up, but Jack Lynch’s shot went just wide, and Cooke’s clean sheet was intact, meaning Clodiagh have booked an away day to Ballymackey or BT Harps in the semi-finals.

Division 1

Ardcroney concluded their season with a 1-0 win at home to a heavily depleted Rearcross side. It was scoreless at the break, but Jamie Heffernan got the winner in the second half.

Youth’s Cup

Lough Derg ‘A’ were in Tipperary Cup action against Silvermines ‘B’ in the quarter final. With two previous cancellations the game was moved to UL. Derg were made work hard in the stormy conditions, but first half goals from Cian McAuley and James Frahill against the wind made for an easy second half, in which Cathal O’Donnell netted a hat-trick, whilst Briain Cleary and Darragh Hickey also found the net. Silvermines battled to the end and the young side got a consolation goal late on.