Statement win for Killavilla over BT Harps
By Gary Culbert
Premier Division
BT Harps 0-4 Killavilla United
Killavilla United sent a strong message to the rest of the Premier Division regarding their title intentions when they put four unanswered goals past BT Harps in Templemore on Sunday.
The hosts made three changes to the side that won 5-1 away from home over reigning champions Arra Rovers the week previous, whilst the Roscrea side were unchanged from their dismantling of Ballymackey in the cup.
David McNamara had the visitors in front at the break with his fourth goal of the season. McNamara got his second just after half time, and the physically imposing attacker completed his hat-trick shortly after to leave Killavilla in a dominant position. Josh Wynne came off the bench to conclude the scoring with his second goal as a substitute in as many games.
Next up for the Roscrea men is a home match against Portlaw United from Waterford in the Munster Junior Cup. No NT&DL side has made it past the last 32 stage in recent seasons, but ‘Villa will have a huge chance to do just that against the reigning Waterford & District League Division 1A champions. Portlaw went unbeaten last season but have only picked up only four points from a possible 12 this season.
Borroway Rovers 3-0 Arcroney
There was another unexpected result as Borroway Rovers put three unanswered goals past high flying Ardcroney in Thurles on Sunday.
It was end-to-end from the first whistle, with both sides looking dangerous on the break. Borroway were in the ascendancy and were rewarded in the fifteenth minute when Shane Doran up-ended Jake Moore in the box. Borroway’s star man dusted himself down and stepped up to tuck home his third league goal in as many games.
Ardcroney bounced back and played their way into the game. Both teams were creating plenty of chances, but just after the half hour a sloppy pass from an Ardcroney defender fell to the feet of Gary Dunne who slotted home from ten yards for his first goal of the season.
Ardcroney hit crossbar from deflected free kick, but other than that the never really troubled the home side for the remainder of the half.
The visitors made a strong start to the second half but Borroway soaked up the pressure and on the hour began to get some joy down the flanks in the spaces that Ardcroney vacated as they pushed for a route back into the game. The home side put the game to bed in the 72nd minute after some fine link-up play between player of the match Aaron Cullen and Jake Moore down the left wing saw the ball squared to Damien Troy, who had a simple task to tap in at the back post.
Ardcroney had already comfortably beaten Borroway home and away in cup and shield this season, but just like last season we are seeing Paul Gould’s perfectly managed Borroway through the opening stages of the season to ensure his side are ready when it matters - in the league.
It must be mentioned that Ardcroney were missing their usually ever-present wing-back Andrew Hayes who is a key component to this side, and their replacements outside the first eleven do not come close to that of a Killavilla or BT Harps yet.
Arra Rovers 2-1 Clodiagh Rangers
Clodiagh Rangers’ league woes continued on Sunday as two Arra Rovers goals late on saw the champions take all points on offer in Portroe.
The visitors took the lead with quarter of an hour gone courtesy of a Brian Hanrahan penalty, and the goal would separate the sides right up until the 80th minute, when Stephen Kennedy fired home an equalizer for Dermot O’Halloran’s side. It looked like this one was heading for a draw, which would have seen Clodiagh pick up their first point of the campaign, but Diarmuid O’Donoghue forced in a winner in the 89th minute to the delight of the home support. Conor Ryan was the best for Arra.
FAI Junior Cup
Rearcross travelled to Cooke Park on Sunday and came out the wrong side of a 7-0 scoreline against the formidable St Michaels.
Last season’s beaten finalists took the lead in the 22nd minute and were four up at half time. The Rea’ men never gave up and kept the scoreline to a respectable seven against a St Michaels side that will be expected to reach the latter stages of this competition.
Division 1
Sallypark Odhrans went away to a muddy Tierney Park on Sunday and overcame Cloughjordan 3-1 with all three of their goals coming from penalty kicks.
There was very little between the sides throughout, in fact Clough were on top when Sally got their first penalty on the half hour mark, converted by Craig Connolly. The second was awarded deep into first half stoppage time, Connolly going the same way but this time high into the top left corner. The timing and manner of the goal was a real misery compiler for Clough.
Neither side played much football on the ground, but Clough tried to play football from the middle third onwards, but Sallypark were smarter, they got the ball into the final third as quick as possible and reaped the rewards in horrendous conditions.
Cloughjordan threw caution to the wind and flung the kitchen sink at Sallypark, but this resulted in many breakaways for the visitors where the hosts were outnumbered. The Park got their third penalty in the 84th minute on one of these breakaways, with Tommy McLoughlin pouncing on the rebound.
Bryan Williams forced home a consolation goal late on for Clough. The home side had plenty of signs of encouragement, and once they get their shooting boots on, they will be competitive with any side in this division.
It was a big win for Sallypark’s promotion aspirations, but the cup experts turn their attention to the Munster Junior Cup next weekend when they welcome Regional United to the Garda College Grounds in Templemore.
Birdhill hosted Borrisokane in a relegation six-pointer and won 4-1. Aaron O’Neill got the first two goals for Birdhill with Brian Tobin the third. Borrisokane pulled one back on the hour but a late goal by Emmet Floyd killed the game off.
Division 2
Normal service resumed for Grange United on Friday night as the Laois men travelled a long way to put seven goals past Rearcross ‘B’. The title favourites found the net through Philip Tynan, Stephen Finan, Emmet Quinlan while Darren Drennan and Jason McCormack scored a brace each. Stevie Finan and Noah Quinlan were the exceptional performers for Grange.
Ballymackey ‘B’ were shock 3-2 winners over Killavilla United ‘B’ in Ballinree on Sunday. Aaron Loughnane and Stephen Byrne netted for the Roscrea side, but a James Kenneally brace and a Cathal Dervan strike were enough to cause an upset.
Moneygall ‘B’ were 4-3 winners Cloughjordan ‘B’. Goals from Damien Coonan and Andy Brennan saw the sides go in level at the break. Alex Wade and Shane Williams scored for Clough in the second half, but a Tommy Sheedy goal either side of strikes from Billy Hayes saw the Offaly men take all the points. Dylan Maher was best for Moneygall, whilst the link0up play between Alex Wade and Andy Brenna continues to impress for Clough.
Thurles Town ran out 5-0 winners when they welcomed Shinrone ‘B’ to The Greyhound Stadium. Curtis Ryan got the first and last goal while while Rory Madigan, Thomas Quigley and Jordan Wetton were also on target.
Borrisoleigh won 5-1 at home to Sallypark ‘B’. Borris scored through a Dan Ryan hat-trick, a Kevin Maher goal from a corner, and James Devanney strike. A Colm Murray strike from 25 yards was only a consolation for the visitors.
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ won 6-2 at home to Templetouhy thanks to goals from Ailbe O'Donoghue, Paul Ryan, Conor Ryan, Eamon Cullagh, and a Blaine Carroll brace. Templetouhy found the net courtesy of Christy Moore and Alan Moran.
Youths
Extra time was needed to separate Cloughjordan and BT Harps in the Munster Youths Cup on Saturday. Harps progressed 4-3 winners thanks to a Dayle Hogan goal in extra time. Clough scored through a Thomas O'Brien penalty, Cormac Hoolan and Michael Hennelly, whilst BT’s goals in normal time were thanks to Cormac Foy and a Marco Bovi brace. Dayle Hogan was the best for the visitors, whilst Cormac Kennedy was Clough’s player of the match.
Ten-man Killavilla won 5-4 away to Ballymackey in the league thanks to a Sam Dooley goal and a brace each from Leigh Loughnane and Eoghan McLoughlin. Jack Kenneally scored a hat-trick for Ballymackey while Jack Hogan was also on the scoresheet for the hosts. Best for Villa was Jack Moloney, while Jack Kenneally was the home side’s standout performer.