Killavilla maintain long unbeaten run in Tipp

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

Ballymackey 0-3 Killavilla United

Conditions were far from ideal on Sunday when Killavilla United made the short trip to take on an in-form Ballymackey side, but it was business as usual for Villa, who continued their seven month winning run in NT&DL competition courtesy of three unanswered goals.

Ian Treacy opened the scoring in the second minute, and four minutes later Josh Wynne netted his third goal of the campaign. Two goals down inside the opening ten minutes, Ballymackey had a mammoth task on their hands. The hosts stemmed the flow but never managed to really threaten the champions. Ian Treacy killed the contest off in the 71st minute, the versatile defender netting his second of the game.

Sallypark Odhrans 0-2 Rearcross

The return of ex-pat goal threat Paul Ryan was not enough for Sallypark to overcome Rearcross on Sunday. In fact, it was Rearcross' own returning goal machine, Michael O'Gorman who scored the two goals in the game to hand Sallypark their first league loss in over twelve months.

The Rearcross captain led by example in Latteragh, netting in the 36th minute off a Paul Nolan assist; and in the 75th minute following an assist from the usual suspect, James Deegan just four minutes after his introduction from the bench.

Sallypark's could afford to bring Willie Conners off the bench, but the energy that Rea' called on from their bench was even more impressive; Patrick Dawson, James Deegan and Kieren Devitt were all introduced in the second half to keep The Park honest heading into the closing stages.

It's two wins from as many league games now for the pacy energetic men from Rearcross, but next up is an even tougher test against BT Harps in the Munster Junior Cup, with an away tie against Killavilla awaiting the victors.

Sallypark will feel like they have a nice opportunity to get back to winning ways next weekend when they make the short trip to Ballinree for the Toomevara derby with Ballymackey. Having played his first ninety minutes for Sally' since transferring from Bally', Adam Healy will be relishing a crack at his old side where goals are most certainly on the cards.

Borroway Rovers 1-4 BT Harps

Borroway Rovers' agonising start to the league campaign continued with a 4-1 loss at home to high flying BT Harps on Sunday.

Jordan Moloney opened the scoring for the visitors in the seventeenth minute, and Cormac Foy continued his purple patch to double the lead on the hour mark. Colm Breen pulled one back in the 63rd minute for Pual Gould's side, but further goals from Rolls Royce centre half Filippo Fini, and Lyndon Fairbrother sealed the deal.

Ardcroney 2-1 Arra Rovers

Ardcroney won 2-1 at home to Arra Rovers on Sunday thanks to a Jack Daly penalty and a goal from Alan D'Arcy. Conor Ryan netted Arra's reply with a looping header, and they did have chances toward the end to equalise, but the hosts definitely created more chances on the day and deserved their second league win.

DIVISION 1

A hugely entertaining game ended all-square in Moneygall on Friday night, as veteran outfit Grange United scored a last minute penalty earn a 4-4 draw with their young hosts.

Grange were two up after 25 minutes thanks to goals from the reinvigorated, ageless goal ace - Tommy Brophy. Moneygall pulled one back on the stroke of half time from a well-taken free kick from captain Jack O'Brien, after Niall Maher was fouled on the edge of the area.

Moneygall started the second half the brighter and were on level terms just four minutes after the restart, Niall Maher finishing well following a Dylan Maher pass. Moneygall went ahead in the 77th minute through Sean Moroney, assisted by Niall Maher, and it looked as though they were going to see the game out by controlling possession. However, the goal of the game came in the 82nd minute when United's Vinnie Cleere teed up substitute Darren Drennan, who lobbed goalkeeper Julian Camilo Bentancourt Pava from an audacious distance.

Billy Hayes' young Moneygall guns were not content with a point and went on the offensive once again and were rewarded on 88 minutes when Niall Maher met a Jack O'Brien header and found the net, for what looked like the winner.

But Tommy Brophy was not finished, and just like the week previous he was fouled in the area, and, after dusting himself down, stepped up and completed his hat-trick to earn a share of the spoils.

Jack O'Brien and Dylan Maher impressed for the home side, whilst Phil Tynan, Eoin Fitzpatrick stood out alongside the hat-trick hero for Grange.

Moneygall are on a fine run but this young side must not get ahead of themselves because, just like recent seasons, their floodlight facilities are inadvertently leading to them getting a lot of their home games out of the way early in the season. If they are going to contend for promotion, they must be ready for difficult away days come the business end of the season.

The big winner from this result, in terms of the title race, was undoubtedly Shinrone United. And next up for the in-form title chasers is Borrisoleigh at home, a match that promises goals but ultimately you would expect a Shinrone win.

Clodiagh Rangers continued their impressive league campaign with an equally impressive 4-2 win over Borrisoleigh on Sunday thanks to an Oisin Treacy penalty, and goals from Daniel Moloney, TJ Butler, and James Murray.

Borrisoleigh netted through Dan Ryan and Kevin Maher, but they are shipping a worrying number of goals this season; 21 in six games. Of course, it does not help that they don't have a home of their own to use to their advantage, but the newly promoted side will have to start picking up points if they are to avoid the dreaded sole relegation spot, which Cloughjordan currently occupy, but only on goal difference.

Clodiagh Rangers are top of the table. The visit of Grange United next Sunday will be real litmus test for Adrian Cooke and co, as to whether they can really play a part in this fascinating battle for the title.

DIVISION 2

Killavilla United ‘B’ defeated Ardcroney ‘B’ 3-1 in Villa Park on Sunday. Matas Mikalajunas gave the visitors the lead after fifteen minutes. However, a second yellow card for Taylor Duffy in the 53rd minute saw the hosts take control and go on to score three unanswered goals. Veteran winger, Craig Phelan netted the first in the 58th minute, before Owen Tynan and Aaron Loughnane completed the comeback win with goals on the 70th & 85th minutes respectively.

This was a strong Killavilla ‘B’ team packed with fringe and former ‘A’ team players, and if they can keep that mix together, it is shaping up to be a very interesting three horse race for just two promotion places.

Borrisokane had to come from behind when they went away to Shinrone United ‘B’, winning 4-1. Dion Landy had the hosts ahead on fifteen minutes, but a goal from Padraig Quinn in the 41st minute saw the sides level at the break. Andy Nevin slotted home a penalty in the 69th minute to give the visitors the lead before injury time goals from Ryan Donnelly and Joshua Claffey sealed the win.

There were very windy conditions but thankfully no rain in Birdhill on Sunday morning, when the home side easily dispatched of Moneygall ´B´ 4-0. An own goal, a Jack Delahunty penalty, and strikes from Conor Hickey and Charlie Tobin ensured The Birds stayed joint second with Borrisokane.

It was a tale of two windy halves when local rivals Ballymackey ‘B’ and Sallypark ‘B’ met in Ballinree on Sunday which ended 3-3. Timmy Fleming, Robert Kenneally and Danny Quinn were the scorers for ´Mackey; whilst Sallypark netted through Jack Hogan, Ciaran Grace, and Niall O´Farrell, the latter equalising with just two minutes remaining.

When one sees the calibre of player in their lineup, it is surprising to see Sallypark ‘B’ sit rock bottom of the table with just one point from their first three games. Their ‘A’ team squad players such as Brian Duffy and Tommy McLoughlin were present, whilst new signings Adam Gratton and Stevie Hallinan also lined out. To summarise, this side will make their way up the table as the season goes on.