North Tipp Premier League title race tightens up

By Gary Culbert

Ardcroney 3-0 Borroway Rovers

Ardcroney edged back into the Premier League title race with a 3-0 home win over second placed Borroway Rovers on Sunday.

It was the fourth time the sides met this year and the third victory for Ardcroney. The hosts had their strongest eleven available for selection; Darren Moran and Jamie Ryan started together in attack, whilst Paddy Reddan deputised in goal and Andrew Hayes was back from injury.

The home side took a one goal lead into the half time break courtesy of an Alan Darcy finish and doubled their lead in the second half thanks to an unfortunate own goal. Darren Moran killed off the contest with his first goal of the season, his first ever premier division goal.

Ardcroney central midfielder Alan Darcy was the player of the match in what was less than ideal conditions for soccer.

Clodiagh Rangers 1-3 Killavilla United

There were even worse conditions in the afternoon game, which saw Killavilla United come away from Drombane with a 3-1 victory over bottom of the table Clodiagh Rangers.

Villa took the lead in the eleventh minute through Ruari Murphy, but Clodiagh equalised thanks to a Daniel Moloney strike in the 31st minute which left things all square at the break.

Killavilla shot-stopper Aaron Mulready made a fine save which could have swung things in the hosts favour, but that was as good as it got for the home side as Ian Treacy and David McNamara scored to leave Drombane with the full points. The man of match was Killavilla’s Roddy Teehan.

Division 2

Shinrone ‘B’ welcomed Killavilla United ‘B’ to Birr on Saturday night but came out the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline.

It was scoreless at half time before AJ Deane gave Shinrone the lead, however that was about the height of things for the hosts as Killavilla hit them for three goals through Josh Tynan, Jamie Boland, and Adrian Elbert. Shinrone pulled one back in injury time through Aaron Brereton.

Ballymackey ‘B’ went away to Latteragh on Sunday to take on their close neighbours, Sallypark Odhrans ‘B’ and came away with an impressive 3-2 win. Ballymackey netted thanks to a Morgan Connolly brace and one from Kevin Kennedy, while the home side found the target through a Brian McGahey penalty and a Paddy Ronan finish.

Rearcross ‘B’ lost 5-2 on their travels to take on Borrisoleigh in Killoran Park on Sunday. Conditions were tough for both teams from the outset, but it was the Rea’ boys that made the early running as Eamonn Wade scored the opener with a headed flick from a David Brennan corner. Soon after, Rea’ had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Oisin Kelly was taken down by the keeper, but Darragh Quigley made amends with a good stop from the resulting spot kick.

This had the effect of sparking the Borrisoleigh side into life as Alvis Danko levelled matters and then, player of the match James Devaney fired the home side into the lead with a well-taken goal. Rearcross regained some control towards the end of the half and were denied when Rob Harrington’s free kick from outside the box hit the post, also another menacing corner kick delivery from David Brennan was cleared off the line by the hosts.

Rearcross had a frustrating start to the second half as James Devaney bagged a quickfire double to complete his hat-trick and give Borrisoleigh a 4-1 advantage. The visitors battled hard and brought it back to 4-2 when a great through ball by David Brennan was turned in to the net by a Borris’ defender.

Rearcross pushed hard and were luckless on numerous occasions not to bring it back to the minimum, but it wasn’t to be as Borrisoleigh scored their final goal after Rea were caught on a counter attack as Mikey Kennedy got his name on the scoresheet. The scoreline was flattering to say the least as Rea’ created more than their fair share of chances on the day in horrendous conditions.

Hot title favourites, Grange United were 7-0 winners at home to Templetuohy in extremely tough conditions on Sunday. Grange swept Templetuohy aside thanks to a brace each from Darren Drennan and Vinnie Cleere, who both will rue multiple missed opportunities to complete their hat-tricks; while Jason McCormack and Emmet Jones also contributed, along with a Templetouhy own goal.

A strong home bench meant that the Laois outfit could maintain maximum momentum right through for ninety minutes, with the majority of the goals coming in the second half. Jamie Dooley was the player of the match for Grange.

Youth League

Cloughjordan drew 1-1 at home to Killavilla United on Saturday. The home side were one to the good at half time thanks to Michael Hennelly converting from the penalty spot. Sam Dooley drew Villa level in the second half and that’s how things stayed, honours even in a muddy Tierney Park. Best for Clough was Fiachradh Ahearne Woods, while Jack Moloney was the brightest for Killavilla.

Ballymackey were 4-3 winners over Holycross in Ballinree on Saturday with Jack Kenneally (penalty), James Kenneally, David O’Brien, and Robert Mandrila on target for the home side.