Division 1 title for Sallypark
North Tipperary and District League Review
By Gary Culbert
Premier Division
Killavilla United 5-0 Ballymackey
Killavilla United further strengthened their claim for the title on Sunday by easily dispatching of a weak Ballymackey side courtesy of five unanswered goals.
Josh Wynne opened the scoring in the sixth minute, before captain Tom Ahern doubled the lead just inside the half hour. Ahern netted his second on 57 minutes, before a quickfire double very late on from Miko Pasalic completed the rout.
Michael Lynch’s side have now won eight games on the trot in all competitions and look unstoppable in the title race with home games against Rearcross and Clodiagh Rangers all between them and the title.
The loss leaves Ballymackey in a precarious position; one point clear of the sole relegation place, but with a game more played. Of course, there are more permutations: rock bottom Clodiagh’s final league game is away to Killavilla, meaning that both the title and relegation could be riding on that one game.
Division 1
Sallypark Odhrans were crowned Division 1 champions on Saturday evening in Ardcroney after edging past Portumna Town 2-1, to leap frog Holycross in the final standings.
Former Nenagh AFC man Bryan McGee was the Sallypark captain, and you could see why as before he ever stuck in both goals he was extremely fired up for the match and led Sally forward with his energy in the advanced midfield area.
McGee tapped in the opener from five yards off the back of an expertly curled in free from 40 yards by Jack Sanders, and the Londoner was at it again from the same part of the pitch just a minute later, when Portumna did not learn from their mistake, this time allowing McGee to head in from the same spot.
Despite Sallypark owning the day, the neutral spectator will have left Ardcroney with one name on their lips – Adam Fogarty. There are not many players in the league that will cause Eoin Ryan problems, but Fogarty was a constant thorn in the experienced defender’s side, his pace and raw athleticism a joy to behold. Indeed, it was from a free kick that Fogarty won out on the touchline that he scored for an unlikely Portumna lifeline late on, causing a very jittery closing minutes for the Park, whose substitutions slightly derailed their dominance in the match.
Sallypark’s greatest threat is from set-pieces, and for Portumna’s sake you would like to think they will now be aware of this as these sides will meet again in the Barry Cup final. Adam Fogarty will be the key to success in that game, one wonders how much more effective he would be with a physically imposing strike partner alongside him.
Division 2
Borrisoleigh won 2-1 away to Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ thanks to goals from Paul McCormack and Chris Treacy, whereas Hugh Purcell replied for Clodiagh.
Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup
Tipperary Cup holders BT Harps were defeated 3-2 in the quarter final stage last Wednesday at the hands of Killavilla United at Villa Park.
Both teams came flying out of the traps on what was a beautiful evening is Roscrea, and it was the visitors that opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Killian Fennell after sloppy defending. The former Nenagh Celtic youngster applied the finishing touch, but this goal was all about Eanna McBride, who showed great feet and trickery inside the box to get his pass away despite being surrounded by Villa shirts.
The home side kept plugging away, working the wide areas and equalised six minutes later after great link-up play down right wing between Ian Treacy and Michael Ryan, the latter whipping in a cross which was met by Josh Wynne, who got out in front of defender to side-foot past the keeper.
Villa took the lead in the 31st minute, with the goal once again originating from the right wing after Ruairi Murphy played a one-two with Craig Byrne before playing the ball into the box, and once again Josh Wynne was the most alert in the area, getting the ball under control with great touch before finishing low into the corner.
However, Harps were not going down without a fight and equalised with a good finish from outside box on 40 minutes, Eanna McBride getting his name on the scoresheet.
The Roscrea side stole back the lead just before half-time through a set-piece from centre back Ian Treacy. The free kick was awarded when Ben lynch was fouled down the left wing after being played in by Dylan Carrol. Lynch dusted himself off before brilliantly floating the free kick into the centre of the box, which Treacy headed home.
With five goals in the first half not many would have expected the game to stay that way until the end, particularly as both teams had plenty of chances; Ruairi Murphy had at least three great chances to put game to rest, while at the other end Aaron Mulready made an exceptional save to keep BT at bay.
Tom Ahearn covered every blade of grass in warm conditions; however, it was Darren Coleman’s calmness on the ball and passing accuracy that earned him the player of the match award. One of Killavilla’s strong points this season has been their bench, on Wednesday they made the maximum number of subs, and their contribution was crucial the warm conditions.
Both teams went for it on the evening which made for a physically tough, but fair game which was thoroughly enjoyed by the sizeable crowd. In the end it was Killavilla’s experience and possession-based style that saw them through to the semi-finals, where they will host either Cloughjordan, Rearcross, or Portumna Town.
Ricky Fogarty Cup
Clodiagh Rangers and Borroway Rovers will battle it out in the premier division cup final following their respective away semi-final wins on Sunday.
Borroway took the lead over Arra courtesy of a scrappy Damien Troy goal on sixteen minutes and stayed in front up until the 88th minute, at which point Jake Moore ended the contest with a thundering shot from thirty yards – again the timing of Moore’s return to this Borroway side and the manner in which he has driven them on cannot be understated.
A truly terrible injury happened to Arra Rovers’ Kevin O’Halloran towards the end of the game, and the football family in North Tipperary wish him the very best and a speedy recovery.
Arra will not have long to lick their wounds, they have a chance for redemption as, yet another cup final place is up for grabs on Sunday, but this time they have to do it away to Clodiagh in the Tipperary Cup.
In the second semi-final, Clodiagh Rangers went a goal down to BT Harps in the 21st minute, JJ McLoughlin finding the net for Henry Newman’s charges. The visitors drew level just before half-time when John Ryan played in Oisin Treacy, who finished well on his most recent call up from the reserves. Matty Stakelum sealed the unlikely win for Clodiagh in the 75th minute having been played through by John Carew.
It is a strange turn of events to have the bottom placed team through to the premier cup final and the Tipperary Cup semi-final, but this is an unconventional season in the NT&DL with drama aplenty and great entertainment and skill on show each weekend.
STEPHEN MCGRATH CUP
Cloughjordan ‘B’ are through to the final of the Stephen McGrath Cup after a highly entertaining game under lights in Moneygall ‘B’ on Thursday.
The visitors came out the better of the early exchanges but found themselves behind after half an hour courtesy of a great goal from Tommy Sheedy, against the run of play. Moneygall went two-up in the second half through Kian Fallon, but with just under ten minutes to go Cloughjordan found a reply and eventually an equaliser deep into injury time, the goals scored by Andrew Brennan and Luke Morkan.
Extra time continued in the same vein with Moneygall going 3-2 in front thanks to a Patrick Carroll goal, and held that lead deep into the second half, however, a goal-ward bound free kick on the edge of the Moneygall box was handled on the line, leading to a red card for David Corbett and a Cloughjordan penalty, which Andy Brennan duly dispatched to force a penalty shootout.
The hero of the penalty shootout was Mike Hough in the Cloughjordan goal, saving all three penalties he faced while Andy Brennan, Luke Morkan and Shane Williams deftly put away theirs to ensure the Cloughjordan turnaround was complete.
Cloughjordan ‘B’ will meet local rivals Shinrone ‘B’ in the final this Saturday.