Villa stay on course for League title

North Tipperary and District League Review

PREMIER DIVISION

Arra Rovers 0-4 Killavilla United

Killavilla United were dominant from the first whistle to last in Portroe on Sunday, easily dispatching Arra Rovers thanks to four unanswered second half goals to stay on course for the NT&DL Premier Division title.

The sun was beating down for the early morning kick-off in Shouldice Park, where the grass was slightly longer than usual, but this did not hamper Killavilla’s attractive and progressive style of play.

Despite both sides going in scoreless at the break, it was very clear from the opening minutes that Killavilla would be leaving the lakeside village with maximum points. There is a huge demand for excellence around the squad right now and the players seem to be demanding even higher levels than before from each other, which is such a hugely positive sign for any team.

The highlight of the first half was a Michael Ryan effort from thirty yards which required every inch of Luke Conneally to flick it to safety. Michael Fitzgerald also let fly from 25 yards with a cultured low drive which narrowly skipped wide. Arra did get some respite through rare counter-attacks with the strength of Kevin O’Halloran and the pace of Eoin Maloney proving effective.

Villa tactically went for the jugular in the second half, pushing their wingbacks into extremely high positions in a bid to push Arra even further back, and it worked a treat.

The breakthrough goals came very early after the restart, and in quick succession; both crosses from Michael Ryan from the right, both met by the head of Josh Wynne at the front post, the goals coming a mere minute apart. The former Moneygall striker has taken on a lead role in the title-chasing side towards the back end of the season; the tricky, energetic striker was the key to unlocking Arra’s stubborn but young defence.

Ben Lynch was assisted by another cross from the right for Villa’s third goal, Tom Aherne providing the ammunition for the youngster who made no mistake with a powerful header.

The Roscrea side could afford to start with Ruairi Murphy and Miko Palasic on the bench, the former is one of the best players in the league, whilst the latter is probably the most exciting prospect. Manager Michael Lynch introduced both in the second half to devastating effect. Indeed it was a combination of three substitutes that brought about the final goal, Palasic bearing down on goal and slipped in Murphy down the inside left, who squared for Craig Phelan to tap in at the second time of asking.

It would be very difficult to look past Josh Wynne for player of the match, but Roddy Teehan deserves a special mention, the 35-year-old is a Rolls Royce centre-back and is increasingly leading this young Villa side from the back, both on the ball and off it, vocally directing the younger troops deployed further up the field.

Arra Rovers were admittedly depleted for this game, which was essentially a dead-rubber for the reigning champions, who sit comfortably mid-table. This has rightfully been a point of contention for Villa’s title rivals, who have only one game remaining compared to Villa’s three, meaning they could argue that they played teams when they had more to play for.

Ideally you want the title contenders heading into the back end of the season with a similar number of games left to play. However, teams like Killavilla will always fall behind in the games played category, as they regularly advance outside of the county in the Munster & FAI Junior Cups, meaning they of course can’t play league games those weekends. The poor weather has exasperated the situation this season, but it may be something that the league have to be more prepared for next season.

Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup

Clodiagh Rangers booked their place in the last four of the Tipperary Cup on Sunday courtesy of the dreaded penalty shootout with Ballymackey losing out in the blazing heat in Ballinree.

The premier division relegation threatened sides were level at one-goal apiece at half time and two goals each at full time, and after extra time. MJ Carroll and James Griffin did the damage for the Drombane men, whilst David Haverty and Darragh McDonnell netted for the hosts.

Dean Moloney, David Haverty, Darragh McDonnell and Adam Healy all netted for Ballymackey in the shootout; whereas Brian Hanrahan, Matty Stakelum, Patrick Lowry, and John Carew all converted for Clodiagh to force sudden death. Daniel Moloney was up first for Clodiagh in sudden death and scored before Adrian Cooke ended proceedings with a fine save.

Clodiagh’s reward is a home semi-final against Arra Rovers. Before that they travel to Michael Fennel Park to take on BT Harps side in the semi-final of the premier division Ricky Fogarty Cup.

In terms of the league relegation battle, one point crucially separates Ballymackey from rock-bottom Clodiagh Rangers. Both sides have one game left each, both away to Killavilla, who will be the favourites to steamroll the relegation fodder.

Division 2

A dominant display away from home against second placed Borrisoleigh saw Grange United crowned Division 2 champions on Sunday with two games to spare.

Manager Mark Ryan tactically shuffled his pack to account for the tight pitch in Templetuohy, and this worked a treat as Jason McCormack and Darren Drennan were a constant threat throughout, the midfield trio controlling large parts of the game. However, it was scoreless at half-time despite the one way traffic heading towards the Borris goal.

Borrisoleigh made a host of changes at half time in a bid to push the title battle to the wire, but these changes backfired as Grange went on to score three unanswered goals.

The first goal came early on with Darren Drennan causing havoc down the right side, and on this occasion a squared ball where the ball was deflected into the goal from the on-rushing Borrisoleigh defender.

This spurred Grange on and from here they completely dominated the remainder of the game. The centre back pairing of Gearoid Gaughan and Dean Carey were exceptional, giving shot-stopper Micheal Moore one of his quietest days between the sticks. Dean Carey also topped off a player of the match performance by grabbing two well-taken goals.

Grange United were well supported and now have completed the league and shield double, the Laois men will no-doubt be setting their sights firmly on the Nora Kennedy Cup now in a bid to secure an historic debut season treble.

Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ were 4-3 winners over Rearcross ‘B’ in what turned out to be a very entertaining match in Drombane on Sunday. The scorers for Clodiagh were Mickey Griffin, Jamie Davern and Oisin Treacy with a brace. Rearcross found the net through Mikey Feehan, an own goal, and a Tom Kennedy strike.