Killavilla close in on Premier League title

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Premier Division

Killavilla United 3-0 Rearcross

Killavilla United tightened their boa constrictor-like grip on the premier division title race thanks to a 3-0 win over Rearcross at Villa Park on Sunday.

Captain Tom Ahern put the hosts ahead on twenty minutes thanks to a penalty and that was how the score remained at half time. Once again, manager Michael Lynch opted to start from the bench two of the sharpest wide forwards in the league, Ruairi Murphy and Miodrag Pasalic. Indeed, it was both who scored Villa’s second and third goals very late in the game to copper-fasten the result.

Killavilla are now one point clear at the top of the table from Borroway Rovers. They now have one hand on the trophy going into an unheard-of final day full of drama on Sunday 19th May, which sees Borroway Rovers travelling to Rearcross while Killavilla host Clodiagh Rangers.

The wildcard in all of this is Clodiagh Rangers. The Drombane men have flattered to deceive for most of the season and find themselves with eight points from a possible 39, but they are arguably now one of the most in-form teams given they have already booked their place in the two most prestigious cups in the NT&DL.

Because only one team goes down this year, it must be remembered that all Clodiagh need to stay alive is a draw, as a point would leave them level with Ballymackey and force an unlikely relegation play-off.

Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup

Portumna Town marched on into the quarter finals of the Tipperary Cup thanks to a 3-2 win at home to Rearcross last Wednesday.

The visitors scored twice in the first half through Greg Kennedy and James Deegan, enjoying the lion’s share of chances throughout, but Portumna clinically converted their chances from three long balls over the top which the Rearcross backline failed to deal with.

Given his recent form, it was inevitable that Adam Fogarty would have a big say in this game, but he outdid himself by scoring a first half hat-trick which set Portumna up to defiantly defend their lead in the second half, which they did to great effect.

Rearcross had plenty of chances to equalise and indeed win the game; Darragh Kennedy rifled a low effort off the bottom of the post while Paddy Dawson had a few chances too, going closest with a header at the back post which ended up in the side-netting.

There was almost an iconic ending to the game when the Rearcross goalkeeper Paul Carey came up for a corner and he got a firm connection on his header but agonisingly rattled the frame of the goal.

Portumna now travel to Cloughjordan this evening (Wednesday) for an all division one quarter final, with the winners facing the daunting task of an away trip to Killavilla United in the semi-final.

Clodiagh Rangers and Arra Rovers contested the first Tipperary Cup semi-final in Drombane on Sunday, with the hosts edging this tight and scrappy affair 1-0.

Despite these outfits being ravaged by injuries in recent weeks, both Clodiagh and Arra were looking to add some gloss to the final stages of their season, particularly the home side who aspired of booking a second cup final spot in as many weeks despite being in severe danger of relegation.

The Portroe side enjoyed long spells of possession with the ball in the early stages with Conor Ryan up front being the obvious target man; he was sought out with the majority of Arra's attacking play and was proving to be a handful for the home side’s defence.

As the half progressed, Clodiagh found their footing in the game, with MJ Carroll’s pace on the left hand side of midfield proving to be a constant thorn in Arra’s side. The hosts created a number of good chances, but were denied by Luke Conneally in the Arra goal, the youngster’s alertness, decisiveness, and speed ensuring that the game remained all square.

Clodiagh took the lead in the 33rd minute when a James Griffin free-kick caused hesitation in the box, which MJ Carroll took advantage of to latch on to a loose ball and score from close range.

Arra pressed high and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the second half, with Dermot O'Halloran rolling back the years and pulling the strings from midfield, however the newly established centre half pairing of TJ Butler and James Griffin stood firm for Clodiagh and were the catalyst for the strong performance of the home side throughout.

Clodiagh were limited to break away attacks by Arra’s high press, but the visitors could not break down the stubborn defence and were thus limited to dead ball situations and efforts from distance, the most notable being Cathal O'Brien’s strike in the 80th minute that called Adrian Cooke into action to maintain Clodiagh's slim lead.

With time running out and Arra chasing the game, the home side realistically should have put the tie to bed with some excellent chances on the break but were unable to convert them despite the good work of John Ryan and Danny Moloney in the build-up.

With the final whistle came an end to Arra's season, whilst it marks the start of a potentially historic three weeks in Clodiagh Rangers history. Adrian Cooke’s side bizarrely have two cup finals and a relegation must-win game away to Killavilla ahead of them, and that in itself sums up this incredibly exciting NT&DL season – it really has been one to remember, with the best yet to come.

Nora Kennedy Cup

Borrisoleigh’s impressive season which led to league promotion, petered out on Sunday thanks to a 5-1 loss away to Ballymackey ‘B’ in the semi-finals of the Nora Kennedy Cup.

It was a very close first half with both sides creating chances, but it was Ballymackey who took the lead midway through the half as Dave Shanahan made a strong break with the ball from the middle of the park, carrying it all the way to the edge of the box before firing in a superb shot. The lead didn’t last any more than ten minutes as Borris caused calamity in the box, resulting in a tap-in for Adam Galvin to level.

Again, both sides started strongly in the second half in what was mainly a free flowing game. The game soon became a relatively one-sided affair as Ballymackey’s Morgan Connelly fired in a hat-trick in a fifteen-minute period, superbly assisted by Timmy Flemming for all three goals.

The result was put beyond doubt when Cillian Bergin emulated his father to finish well from a cross into the box, for a 5-1 win.

Grange United also advanced to the final when they came out the right side of a seven-goal thriller away to Sallypark ‘B’.

In a game that saw both teams squander an array of chances, an 84th minute winner by Tommy Brophy proved enough to see Grange United through to the final. Having initially trailed after 25 minutes following a great run and finish by Ruaidhri O’Brien, Grange battled hard and went in at the break level thanks to an own goal from Aaron Reid. Straight from the restart, Grange looked to attack and got on the front foot, Jason McCormack setting off on a trademark run and was taken down inside the penalty box, with Brian Bowe stepping up to slot home from the spot.

Sallypark clawed their way back into the game with a penalty of their own on 69 minutes, goalkeeper Brian McGahey converting from the spot. However, the introduction of Jamie Dooley on 74 minutes proved pivotal as it was the substitutes cross-come-shot from a freekick that made its way into the back of the net to put Grange 3-2 up. Brian McGahey converted his second penalty to draw Sallypark level in the 80th minute to set up a grandstand finish. Former Thurles Town hit-man Tommy Brophy had the final say with an 84th minute winner assisted by substitute Jamie Dooley.

In terms of player of the match, Vinnie Cleere and Philip Tynan get honourable mentions, but it was the captain, Steven Finan who led by example.

Stephen McGrath Cup

Meanwhile, Shinrone United ‘B’ became the first winners of Stephen McGrath Cup (Division 2A League Cup) following a 1-0 final win over Cloughjordan ‘B’ in Ardcroney on Saturday evening.