Sallypark continue to upset the odds in Tipperary Cup
By Gary Culbert
Last weekend saw a break from league action as the second round of the Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup took place.
Arra Rovers are in dream land at the summit of the Premier Division and having recently overturned title rivals Killavilla United, the Portroe side were arguably the most in form team in the NTDL heading into the weekend’s cup games. However, in this world nothing is certain except death, taxes, and Sallypark grinding out results in the Tipperary Cup.
On Sunday afternoon in Portroe, the division 1 side got their second consecutive 1-0 away win in the Tipperary Cup, in this, a season where the Latteragh side aim to lift the trophy for the third time in as many seasons.
Sallypark started the better in very windy conditions, Stephen Murray coming closest to breaking the deadlock. Arra got into the game and had a good spell of possession, but the home side’s dominance was to end on the half hour mark when Sallypark’s Willie Connors found the net with a low drive from the edge of the box. The Arra retaliation culminated in a good chance five minutes later when a ball across the box was deflected goalwards before bouncing clear via the top of the crossbar.
The home side came out all guns blazing in the second half and rang the changes with AJ Willis, Ruadhan Mulrooney and Kevin O’Halloran coming off the bench. In spite of the changes the next big chance of the game fell to Sallypark’s Stephen Murray, but a brilliant save denied the holders daylight. Sallypark were reduced to ten men on the hour mark when an off the ball incident left the referee with no choice only to produce a red card.
Sallypark brought on Danny O’Donoghue, Eric Martin and the energetic Mikey Hallinan to try and hold onto their lead. With their numerical advantage, Arra piled on the pressure and launched the ball time and time again into the Sallypark box. Paul Walsh and Eoin Ryan were able to clear most of the aerial danger, while Damien Corcoran was needed on more than one occasion to save the day in the Sallypark goal. AJ Willis had a chance right at the death, but Corcoran again came to the rescue.
Paul Walsh was once again unplayable at the back for Sallypark, whilst Dan Keogh and the newly signed Kiladangan man and former Tipperary hurler Willie Connors, were on top form in midfield for the holders. Sallypark will have to travel again in the quarter finals as Borroway Rovers eagerly await the opportunity to end Sallypark’s stranglehold on the Tipp Cup.
Clodiagh Rangers season suffered a heavy blow when they lost 5-2 to Killavilla United in Drombane. Robbie Farrell got ‘Villa’s first, while their second was an own goal. Mark Dwyer chipped in with the third before Ruairi Murphy netted his second spot kick in as many games, before another own goal concluded the visitors scoring. Paudie Guidera was on the scoresheet for the hosts, who have an immediate chance for redemption next week as Killavilla come to Drombane in the league, Dennis Moloney will know that anything but three points could hand Arra Rovers the title.
Borroway Rovers booked their place in the last-eight with an impressive, if albeit expected, 4-1 win over Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ in Loughtagalla Park. Paul Gould’s charges found the net through Keith Moore, Jake Moore, Jason Bolger, and Dean McCormack.
BT Harps beat Borrisokane 4-0 in Michael Fennell Park to secure an away tie against Ballymackey in the quarter finals. Fintan Purcell opened the scoring and was man of the match, while Jordan Maloney, Marco Quinlan and Jack Kennedy also netted for the hosts.
Next week there is an absolutely huge game when Borrisokane host Lough Derg in a match that will go a long way in deciding which of these teams occupies the sole relegation spot. Anything but a win will likely see Borrisokane playing in division 1 next season.
Ballymackey booked their spot in the quarter finals with an unexpected but highly impressive 4-1 win in Rearcross on Friday night.
The hosts started sluggishly and found themselves a goal behind after fifteen minutes when a short corner found Damien Bergin with time and space. For the remainder of the half, Ballymackey looked the more likely to add to their lead as they played some impressive positive football, and Rea’ struggled to get into to the game.
The home side started the second half much improved, only to see the Ballinree men double their lead through Alan Ryan from a free kick. Rea’ were denied a route back into the game by the woodwork, but they would not be kept out for long as a James Deegan free kick from the edge of the box was headed in by Robert Harrington.
With Rearcross pushing for the equaliser, Ballymackey broke on the counter and restored their two-goal lead when striker Josh McCarthy was brought down in the box, McCarthy dusted himself down before dispatching the killer blow from twelve yards.
Rearcross, now chasing the game, were again caught on the break as Ballymackey sealed a deserved win thanks to a Craig Kenneally goal. Alan Ryan and Warren Kenneally were the best for the Ballinree men, while Thomas Sheppard provided an experienced calm head at the back.
Portumna Town’s late season revival continued on Sunday with a 4-1 home win over Borrisoleigh. An Adam Fogarty brace and goals from Alan O’Meara and Donnacha O’Meara were enough to cancel out a first half Cian Stapleton goal for the Borris men.
Holycross were 7-3 winners when Ballymackey ‘B’ travelled to Glenbane on Sunday. Holycross enjoyed themselves in front of the home crowd; Jojo O’Meara helped himself to a hat-trick, Ben Slattery a brace, while Jack Dwan and Jack Ryan were content with a goal apiece. Ryan Gillick was on the scoresheet and the best for the visitors, who also netted through the ageless Tony Delaney and a Colm Maher penalty. Holycross have another Division 2 side in the next round, as the travel away to play Rearcross ‘B’.
Division 1
The relegation dogfight in division 1 took another turn on Sunday as Cloughjordan were 1-0 winners over Thurles Town in Tierney Park.
Dean O’Meara stroked home the winner midway through the first half, direct from a free kick. Jim Gooney produced some top class saves for Thurles in either half to deny Cian Doyle and Shane Williams respectively. In the Clough’ goal, Ger Corcoran produced a highly impressive reflex save late on to deny Thurles a point.
Clough were the better team, but that being said Gary Culbert and Seamus Williams both had to be on hand to clear shots off the line during the closing stages when Thurles were dominant. Cian Doyle covered every blade of grass and was crucial in setting the tempo for Clough, whilst Oisin O’Meara, Kevin Quinlan, and Shane Williams were all pivotal in the victory. Cloughjordan have it all to do again next week when a cornered Moneygall side will make their last stand in Tierney Park.
Division 2
Shinrone strengthened their position at the top of the pile with a 4-1 win away to Templetouhy on Sunday. A Conor Ryan free kick and goals from James Hayes, Daniel Bevans and Riann McLoughlin.
Under 19 Premier Division
Killavilla United were 5-2 winners when Ardcroney travelled to Villa Park on Saturday. The hosts found the net courtesy of Graham Dooley, Scott Kelly, Lee Doran, Cillian Walsh, and man of the match David Feehan. Junior team regulars Ross Austin and Andrew Hayes were Ardcroney’s scorers.
Under 19 Championship
High flying Arra Rovers were 4-0 winners when they made the short trip to Ardcroney ‘B’ on Saturday. Brian McEvoy scored a brace in the first half, while Jack O’Brien and Jack McGrath completed the scoring with one each in the second half. Jack O’Callaghan was man of the match for the league leaders.
Silvermines were 5-2 winners when they hosted Ballymackey ‘B’. Robert Kenneally scored a brace for the hosts, whilst Morgan Connolly, Sean Nolan, and Luke O’Connor were also on target. A Jack Keneally penalty and a Denis Sheahan strike was the Ballymackey response. Philip McIntyre was the best for Silvermines.