Ardcroney halt Borroway’s promotion push

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division

With the title and relegation issues determined in the Premier Division, the focus in the North Tipperary & District League last weekend is who will join the top flight for next season.

Still there are issues to be decided in the top tier with BT Harps wrapping up their campaign with a 3-3 draw away to Clodiagh Rangers on Sunday.

The Templemore side went ahead through an own goal and took that lead to the half time interval. Clodiagh equalised ten minutes into the second half through their reliable goal merchant David Butler. However, with twenty minutes to go BT’s Jack Kennedy latched onto a Joe Bourke through ball and made no mistake to make it 2-1 to the away side. Clodiagh pushed for an equaliser and got their reward in the 86th minute as Harps conceded a penalty, which Sam Van Dam dispatched against his old side.

Just a minute later, the comeback was seemingly complete as Daniel Butler stole in to make it 3-2 to the home side.

BT would not lie down against their local rivals; Joe Burke went on a mazy run straight from the restart, jinking past four players before being unceremoniously hacked down. Jack Kennedy stepped up to hit the free kick and sensationally made it 3-3 with the last kick of the game.

Division 1

Ardcroney provided the shock result of the weekend with a snatch and grab 2-0 home win over Borroway Rovers to put the Thurles sides title party on hold.

Lone front man Darren Moran was the difference, the Kiladangan man’s pace, strength and composure proving to be the perfect antidote to hit Borroway on the counter and defeat the previously unbeaten league leaders.

However, things did not look good for Ardcroney early on as Andrew Hayes and Luke Dervan had to make goal-line clearances to deny the rampant Borroway forwards during an intense opening twenty-minute blitz. Yet, that opening period mattered for little when out of nowhere Darren Moran latched onto a speculative long pass out of the Ardcroney defence, before skipping past a trio of defenders and goalkeeper to finish into an empty net.

Paddy Reddan came in at right back for the hosts and had a very solid game, the former keeper making a great last-ditch block to keep the lead intact heading into the break while Shane Doran was also on hand to clear another off the line.

Jake Moore was also in exceptional form, the roaming playmaker was unlucky not to register a sublime assist just after the restart when he slid Liam McCormack in down the inside left.

The league leaders threw caution to the wind as they sent men forward in search of an equaliser, which inevitably left gaps at the back. Jamie Heffernan could and should have doubled Ardcroney’s lead when he broke free from the halfway line, but as the veteran striker bore down on goal with only the keeper to beat, he never really looked like scoring.

Jack Daly was anonymous for large spells in the first half, but he really came into his own in the second. On the hour, the Nenagh man hit an acrobatic half volley on the swivel which stung the paw of the Borroway keeper before bouncing to safety via the crossbar.

Borroway threatened from set-pieces and, in truth, former Peake Villa and Thurles Town centre back Cormac Lanigan really should have scored with his header from six yards following a corner kick. The visitors went close with a couple of long rangers, but anything that did find the target was relatively comfortable for Taylor Duffy in the Ardcroney goal.

The home side eventually took advantage of the under-resourced Borroway defence in the 75th minute when Jack Daly burst from midfield before playing a one-two with Darren Moran, finishing comfortably past the stranded keeper. Moran did particularly well to sort his feet out and jab the ball in between the onrushing duo of Borroway defenders for Daly.

Taylor Duffy, Luke Dervan, and young Andrew Hayes were all honourable mentions for man of the match, but Darren Moran was the difference once again for Glen Austin’s youthful side.

This unexpected win for Ardcroney keeps their faint title play-off aspirations alive, but those slimmest of hopes will likely be dashed on Friday night when Borroway Rovers travel to Moneygall in what is a title and relegation decider all in one. A draw would see Borroway crowned champions whilst simultaneously sentencing Moneygall to their second relegation in as many seasons.

Irrespective of what happens on Friday, Holycross can secure promotion if they win at home to Ardcroney on Sunday, while a draw would leave Ardcroney needing three points from their final game away to local rivals Cloughjordan if they are to secure promotion.

Second Division

Title chasing Shinrone came away from Drombane with all three points thanks to a Riann McLoughlin hat-trick against Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’. Clodiagh did find the net thanks to a Paul Ryan free kick, but it was not enough to cause Shinrone to drop points for the second match in a row.

Premier Division Ricky Fogarty Cup

On Saturday night, Rearcross advanced to the last four of the Premier Division Ricky Fogarty Cup following an impressive 4-0 victory against the newly crowned league champions Arra Rovers.

The Portroe side travelled in good numbers and even better spirits off the back of their league win and celebrations. A hectic opening few minutes saw Rea’ take the lead after a Conor Nolan wide free kick was forced in by Philip Deegan.

The inevitable retaliation from the champions came, but Cathal Kennedy in goals kept the in-form Shannon strikers at bay. Missing their recognized front two partnership of Deegan and O’Gorman, a positional change for Darragh Kennedy saw the physically imposing central midfielder deployed up front alongside Stephen Rochford.

Early in the second half, the hosts doubled their lead when a Stephen Rochford shot, destined for the bottom corner, was parried only as far as Brian Nolan, who was on hand to gather the rebound and score.

The home side got a third when Darragh Kennedy was brought down on route to goal and the resulting Greg Kennedy free kick was parried only as far as the onrushing Phillip Deegan, who volleyed home.

Five minutes from time, Rea’ won a free kick near the halfway line which Greg Kennedy audaciously shot at goal from all of 40 yards, which arrowed into the top corner, gathering plaudits from both sets of players. Player of the match was Conor Nolan, who unselfishly went about his business.

Rea’ have another home tie in the semi-final, where they play either Lough Derg and Clodiagh Rangers.

First Division Barry Cup

On Sunday, cup specialists Sallypark Odhran’s advanced to the semi-final stage of the first division Barry Cup thanks to a Willie Connors inspired 3-1 home win over Thurles Town.

Sallypark started the better and would have been two goals to the good were it not for some fine goalkeeping from Jim Gooney. At the other end, Damien Corcoran had very little to do in the Sallypark goal as the hosts were well on top. The deadlock was eventually broken midway through the half after some excellent build-up play down the right between Sallypark’s Jack Sanders and Padraig Ryan saw the latter beat his man and swing in a brilliant ball to the head of Willie Connors, who expertly placed his header between the keeper’s legs from close range.

Thurles made a few positional changes at half time which had a positive impact as they enjoyed more of the ball, but their respite did not last long as Willie Connors played an inviting ball into the box in the 55th minute which Jack Sanders met first time with a beautiful strike which flew into the far top corner. Two became three just a couple of minutes later when some good build-up play culminated in a low, rasping, Willie Connors shot from outside the box which caught out the keeper. Sallypark stayed in control but Thurles did manage a consolation goal with five minutes to go when a long range free kick wasn’t dealt with by the Sallypark rear-guard.

Man of the match was Sallypark’s Willie Connors, but all in all it was a good team performance, who have another home tie in the semi-final against Moneygall or Holycross.

Under 19 Premier Division

Ballymackey hosted Killavilla United on Saturday in a tight affair which ended 1-1. Craig Kenneally scored for the hosts in the first half and was their best player while Josh Doran netted for Villa and their best player was Michael Fitzgerald.