Newport close in on title and promotion
By Pat Sheehan
The results of the past week sees no change in the battle for the Premier A League title which is now, in reality, a two horse between Newport Town and Geraldines.
In midweek action, Newport picked up the points against neighbours Murroe.
Christy Doyle was in top form scoring three goals for the winners with top scorer Jay Ryan adding another couple to his tally.
Geraldines kept their hopes thanks to an injury time goal to win 4-3 a thrilling encounter versus Moyross.
On Saturday evening, it was a head on battle between the two when Geraldines welcomed Newport to Garryowen. It proved a teak tough encounter with nothing to separate the sides in the end. The result maintains Newport’s four-point gap on their rivals.
Jay Ryan put Newport in front with a forty-yard shot that caught the keeper off his line.
Geraldines responded well and got an equaliser with the help of a deflection. Ryan scored again with his 32nd goal of the season to restore Newport’s lead but a late penalty kick converted by Conor Madden ensured a share of the spoils.
Newport Town: Seamus O'Regan; Eoin Looney; Pa Murtagh; Elliot Slattery; Peter O'Sullivan; Darren Collins; James Lynch; Cillian O'Shea; Jay Ryan; Christy Doyle; Brian O'Sullivan, Subs: Kevin O'Brien; Killian O'Malley; Luke Ryan; Dan Egan
The Division 2A Cup kicked off on Saturday and Nenagh AFC ‘B’ advanced to the semi-finals thanks to a hard-earned win at home against Kilmallock ‘B’.
Bjorn Downes fired Kilmallock into the lead after just two minutes. Top scorer Diarmuid Fitzpatrick levelled the tie after 58 minutes, but the visitors regained the lead a minute later thanks to an own goal.
Nine minutes from time a penalty kick afforded Fitzpatrick the chance to tie the game and he duly obliged with his second of the day. With a penalty shootout on the cards, Casey Finn tried his luck with a long-range effort which flew to the back of the net to send Nenagh through.
Nenagh AFC ‘B’: Cillian Fitzpatrick, Oisin Fitzpatrick., Kieran O'Donoghue, Darragh McDonnell, Peter Ryan, Dylan Kennedy, Casey Finn, Cillian Scully, Kieran O'Brien, Diarmuid Fitzpatrick, Alekx Marinov.
Youth League
Newport Town are one win away from being crowned champions following a 5-0 win over Kilfrush. Sean Chitzede (2), Conor Brett, David O'Brien and top scorer Jamie Kavanagh were on the mark for the winners.
FAI Senior Cup
Elsewhere, Ballynanty Rovers capped a bad week by crashing out of the FAI Senior Cup at the hands of St Michaels on Sunday.
Saints took a two-goal lead with goals from Adam McGrath and Reece Byron before Barry Quinn netted Ball’s only reply.
On Friday evening, Pike Rovers captured the first Premier Trophy on offer when Evan Patterson’s late goal saw them beat Aisling Annacotty 1-0 in the Tuohy Cup.