Borris and Harps upset the odds

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

Killavilla United 1-2 BT Harps

Table-toppers Killavilla United march to the title was checked a little on Sunday as BT Harps left Villa Park with the three points on Sunday.

This was a re-fixed game from earlier in season after a serious injury to Harps keeper David Kinnane saw proceedings abandoned on the day.

Once again, the champion’s three at the back formation stretched the pitch and allowed the hosts to dominate possession, but the visitors defence, marshalled by Nick Keane, were on top form.

Harps went with in front through Ben Stapleton, and on 35 minutes the lone striker stole in behind to finish well with his left after a great ball out of defence by Murty Ryan bypassed the host’s midfield and defence.

The second period was more of the same as the Harps defence were content to soak up the pressure before trying to strike on the counter, and that’s exactly where the crucial second goal came from on 85 minutes. Ben Stapleton was once again the man who put the ball in the net, and in truth it was a similar to the first, only this time the Villa rear-guard really should have cleared the danger before Stapleton put them under pressure and stole the ball to finish to the net.

To their credit, Killavilla kept at it and managed to pull a goal back in injury time through Michael Ryan, but the three points ultimately went to the Templemore side.

It was a resilient performance from Harps in which lone striker Ben Stapleton, will receive the plaudits – and rightly so - but Stevie Nolan and Jack McCullagh had fine performances of their own in the heart of the defence, whilst Evan Byrnes in goal pulled off a great one handed save from point blank range.

Borrisokane 3-1 Rearcross

Rearcross’ title challenge suffered a big blow following 3-1 defeat to Borrisokane who eased their relegation worries.

The home side saw less of the ball, but it mattered for little as their pace on the counter-attack saw the relegation threatened side secure a comfortable three points. Conor Gavin gave Borris the lead going into the break when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up midway through the half.

After half time, Rearcross were caught cold again when a Borrisokane counter-attack resulted in a free-kick on the edge of the box, from which Andy Austin doubled the lead from close range. An own goal left Rearcross three down and with an impossible task. Eamonn Devitt’s charges did manage to pull one back through Nigel Ryan direct from a free kick, but it was too little too late, and with their Munster Junior Cup last 32 tie looming it’s a worrying result.

Lough Derg 3-4 Arra Rovers

Ever since last season’s Barry Cup final in which Arra scored some tantalizing goals, they have held the title of being one of - if not the most – entertaining and free-scoring teams in the NTDL. Since their promotion to the Premier Division, Lough Derg have been known to ship a lot of goals, and so it was on Sunday in Birdhill’s old ground that the Shannon-siders lost out by the odd goal in seven thriller.

Arra drew first blood and the only goal in an even enough first half, Anthony Collins applying the pressure which forced an own goal. Derg finished the half strongly with signs of getting their passing game going, and they were level one minute into the second half, Darragh Hickey sliding through a defence splitting pass which Jack Grace finished well.

Grace got his second ten minutes later to give the hosts the lead, a fantastic free kick which nestled nicely in the top corner. Arra rallied well and in a purple patch scored two penalties through Cathal O’Brien; the first for a handball, the second after an unfortunate coming together when defending a corner; both were controllable errors which saw Arra retake the lead, 3-2.

As the game opened up, Arra put daylight between the teams thanks to a Cathal O’Brien cracker which crashed into the top corner of the net. Derg weren't done though and with five minutes to go Dean Lawlor finished well to leave the second from bottom team just one goal behind. In injury time, Lough Derg had a brilliant chance to equalise from close range, but the shot screwed wide. Best for Derg was Jack Grace, but the man of the match award must go to Arra’s Cathal O’Brien as his side kept the pressure on Killavilla at the top of the table.

Division 1

Rock bottom Portumna Town dragged Cloughjordan into the relegation battle with a 3-2 in Galway on Sunday. Clough took the lead in the first half when Colm Williams dispatched a penalty which Kevin Kennedy had won.

Adam Fogarty levelled for Port’ shortly after when he was awarded too much time in the box and duly stuck the ball in the top corner.

Oisin O’Sullivan scored from a corner just after half time to give the hosts their just reward as Clough came out very sluggishly after the break. David O’Meara netted midway through the half, again from a corner, to make it 3-1 and put daylight between the sides. Cian Doyle was the source of a late Clough rally, the mid-season signing getting in down the right before seeing his low cross turned in by David O’Meara. Clough had chances to draw level, but Portumna were deserving of a massive three points which will give Graham Fogarty’s side hope of another great escape.

Cloughjordan are on a terrible run of late, but the performances are getting better, the return of Kevin Quinlan was a big plus at the weekend.

Division 2

Birdhill beat Templetouhy 8-3 to go three points clear at the top with three games more played than second placed Shinrone. Conor Hickey hit four in the rout while a Niall Duffy brace and a goal apiece from Chris Carew and Colin Floyd rounded off the scoring.

Borrisoleigh kept their promotion hopes alive following a 4-3 win over Ballymackey ‘B’ in Ballinree on Sunday. For Borris, Alvis Danko netted a brace, while Jerry Kelly and Matty Vahey scored one apiece. Man of the match was Aaron Holland; the keeper made some quality saves to ensure the three points for his side. Josh McCarthy netted a brace for the home side with Adam McAuliffe also on target.

Borrisokane ‘B’ and Lough Derg ‘B’ played out a 2-2 draw in Borrisokane on Sunday. The visitors made a bright start with veteran Ricky Mowat opening the scoring. They doubled their lead when Dan Furey found the net but missed a penalty which would have extended their lead. The hosts fought back in the second half to rescue a point.

Under 19 Premier Division

Lough Derg ‘A’ scored three unanswered goals in an away win over Killavilla United. Man of the match Jack Grace opened the scoring before Cian McAuley doubled the lead in the 26th minute. Shane Geraghty finished the scoring at the start of the second half from a corner. Liam O’Reilly was the best for Villa.

Under 19 Championship

Arra Rovers defeated Holycross 5-1 in Portroe on Saturday. Ciaran Taplin and Brian McEvoy both scored in either half with Eoghan Starr finishing off the scoring. Man of the match went to Aiden O’Dwyer.