Arra’s title hopes grow stronger as Killavilla slip up

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

lough derg 3-3 killavilla united

Killavilla United’s NT&DL premier division title destiny is still in their own hands but only just after being held to a draw by Lough Derg in a six goal thriller in Clarisford Park on Sunday.

Three wins from their remaining three games will see the Roscrea side claim back-to-back titles, however, the two dropped points against relegation threatened Lough Derg have left them with no margin for error in their battle with Arra Rovers and Rearcross.

Recently, Lough Derg have been at the receiving end of some humbling score-lines in this fixture, however, on Sunday they took a shock lead in the first half through Jay Collins, and just after half time, they doubled their advantage through Simon Kleeberg.

The inevitable retaliation from the champions culminated in a penalty which Ruairi Murphy dispatched, but in on the hour mark the Shannonsiders restored their two-goal cushion when Jack O'Mahony found the net from a penalty.

Killavilla came back hard and in the 73rd minute they halved the deficit through Mark Dwyer. The defending champions continued to turn the screw and some serious pressure was applied from set-pieces. Daryl Peters played a big part in defence for Derg, whilst goalkeeper Oisin Conacur made some important stops.

The visitors would have drawn level but for a fantastic goal-line clearance from Alex Lawlor, and in addition the woodwork also saved the hosts on more than one occasion. However, the pressure paid dividends as Villa’s centre back John Cordial finally scrambled one over the line on the 87th minute to snatch a share of the points.

Dennis Moloney will be slightly concerned by Killavilla’s form since the winter break, however, a tricky away tie in the Tipperary Cup next week provides a welcome buffer ahead their season defining remaining league games.

Arra Rovers 4-2 Borrisokane

In their quest for a debut season Premier Division title, all Arra can do is continue to win their games, ramping up the pressure on Killavilla and hope that the champions drop points.

On Sunday, they hosted bottom placed Borrisokane but were 2-1 down at the break despite a Ruadhan Mulrooney goal. Dermot O’Halloran’s title-chasers rallied in the second half with three unanswered goals from Mulrooney, Stephen Kennedy, and Eoin McEvoy. Arra’s full back Jack Moloney was the man of the match.

Borrisokane now find themselves staring down the barrel of relegation despite the spirited performance in Portroe.

Rearcross 2-1 Clodiagh Rangers

Rearcross returned to action on Friday night following their valiant effort in the Munster Junior Cup the previous weekend and kept their title hopes alive with victory over neighbours Clodiagh Rangers.

The hosts started with signs of a hangover from their trip to Cork and this was capitalized on by Clodiagh’s David Butler, who nipped in to take the lead for the visitors when Rea’ failed to clear their lines.

Goalkeeper Adrian Cooke denied the hosts on more than one occasion to keep his side in front at the break. Rearcross did eventually equalise after Michael O’Gorman was brought down in the box. In a throwback to the Barry Cup final that these two contested, the penalty was missed, however Greg Kennedy managed to stroke home the rebound to draw the sides level.

Rearcross got the winner late on when James Deegan burst through the Clodiagh defence to score from a tight angle with composed finish.

DIVISION 1

The intriguing relegation dog fight in division 1 continued at the weekend with Portumna Town the big winners out of the bottom four sides.

In their attempt to re-enact last season’s great escape, Graham Fogarty’s side have come from what looked like certain relegation to being in with a decent chance of survival. On Sunday, the Galway side welcomed a Moneygall outfit who have been on their own great run of form of late, but the Offaly side lost 5-2 and are suddenly level on points with Portumna.

The hosts were three-up up at the break thanks to goals from Adam Fogarty, Alan O’Meara, and David Lynch. In the second half, this young Moneygall side were a lot more competitive, Niall Maher and Darragh Murray found the net for Billy Hayes’ side, but it did not count for much as Adam Fogarty and David O’Meara also netted for the hosts in the second half.

Cloughjordan made the short trip to Ardcroney for the first of three Kilruane derbies this season and came out the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline. The hosts took the lead early on when Darren Moran was given too much space on the edge of the Clough box, the powerful lone striker not needing a second invitation to curl a shot in at the far post.

Cloughjordan steadied themselves and played some good football, but without really penetrating the Ardcroney defence. They did draw level on twenty minutes with Matthew Moyles’ customary goal against his old side, but Darren Moran instantly replied with his second goal shortly after. That was the end of the scoring, Clough playing their best football in the first half and shortly after half-time before fading out of the game entirely, whereas Ardcroney could have had three or four more goals were it not for some sloppy finishing and brave goalkeeping from Ger Corcoran.

Borroway Rovers came out the right side of a 3-2 scoreline when Thurles Town made the short trip to Loughtagalla Park. Jake Moore, Jack Derby, and Liam McCormack found net for the champions-elect while Tommy Brophy and Willie Creedon found the net for the away side.

Sallypark travelled to Glenbane to take on Holycross on Sunday and there was only one goal scored between these two physical and competitive sides.

Holycross got that goal in the 20th minute when some good link up play between Jack Dwan and Aaron Ryan saw the latter through on goal to round the keeper before finishing well.

Sallypark fought back and their pressure resulted in a penalty just before the break, but Eoghan Moloney kept up his record of saving spot-kicks to deny Sallypark a leveller.

The second half was again a hotly contested affair. The best chance for Holycross fell to Aaron Ryan, but the winger hit the crossbar, whilst Calum O’Connor struck the post from one his trademark free kicks. With five minutes remaining, Sallypark hit the post, but the points ultimately went to the promotion chasers.

DIVISION 2

On Friday night, title-chasing Shinrone made the long trip to take on Rearcross ‘B’ and came away with an impressive 6-1 win.

Dan Bevans and Riann McLoughlin helped themselves to a brace apiece, whilst Dave Murray and Simon Hayes were also on target for the champions elect.

Borris-Ileigh came out the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline against Lough Derg ‘B’. Just after half-time, Patrick O’Connell opened the scoring with the visitors only goal of the game, but a Kieran Larkin penalty and an acrobatic finish from Daniel Tighe saw the mid-season management change continue to pay dividends for Derg.

Templetouhy hosted Ballymackey ‘B’ and came out the wrong side of a seven goal thriller. Dave Shanahan, Tadgh Ryan, Colm Maher, and Timmy Flemming did the damage for the Ballinree outfit.

UNDER 19 PREMIER DIVISION

On Saturday, Lough Derg put seven unanswered goals past Ardcroney in Birdhill. Sam Foley and Paddy Bradley scored a brace each with Darragh Hickey, Cathal Mullane and Cian O'Donoghue all chipping in with goals.

Moneygall travelled to Villa Park and came away with all three points courtesy of a second half Dylan McCormack goal against Killavilla United for whom Liam O’Reilly was their best performer while David Toohey was Moneygall’s player of the match.