Ardcroney are the real deal
North Tipperary and District League Review
By Gary Culbert
The season so far has been nothing short of box-office, with every team seemingly able to take points off each other within their respective leagues.
With four wins from four games, Ardcroney are the story of the season so far. Even the most ardent Ardcroney supporters could not have wished for anything close to this points return.
And as we head into the October provincial break, in this season more than ever, the pause in league action feels like pulling the handbrake on a runaway train, allowing some breathing space and time to take stock in all three divisions.
Premier Division
Moneygall 2-0 Shinrone United
Shinrone and Moneygall have somehow found a new way to intensify their mutual disdain for eachother. Last Tuesday, the sides met under lights in Moneygall, with the home side edging a fiery affair thanks to two goals from corner kicks from Dylan Hogan and Michael Ryan.
Shinrone were reduced to ten in the 70th minute when Paul Lake was shown a second yellow card. In the past three games, Shinrone have now seen three players sent off. To avoid getting a name for themselves, they must keep eleven on the field this weekend away to Ballymackey in the Munster Junior Cup.
Moneygall 1-2 Ardcroney
Ardcroney continued their perfect start to the canpaign thanks to a mammoth goalkeeping display from Kevin Shinners against Moneygall on Sunday.
Ardcroney’s opener on ten minutes came from a penalty, won by the impressive Ross Hughes and converted by Jack Daly. The lead was just rewards for the visitors fired-up start.
Jack O’Brien is widely recognised as the league’s most skilful player with the ball at his feet. The certainty of that statement could be debated, but Ardcroney manager Glen Austin was not taking any chances; Andrew Hayes was deployed to man mark the attacking midfielder, and it worked a treat.
With O’Brien marked out of the game, the already depleted Moneygall side were reduced to a blunt edge as an attacking force, with the absence of Dylan Maher and Niall Maher noteworthy.
Still, with all that said, Moneygall did dominate possession for the remainder of the half. The spirit of Ardcroney backline shone through though, as time and time again bodies were thrown on the line. Kevin Shinners continued to justify his ‘signing of the season’ tag with no less than three one-on-one saves in the half. The highlight being a point-blank stop to deny O’Brien a goal of the season contender.
The match-up of Moneygall’s young Dylan McCormack marking the even younger Paul Molloy was highlighted pre-match. As the second half wore on, the Ardcroney left winger’s confidence grew. This culminated in him taking on McCormack, jinking right and cutting back onto his weaker left foot before applying a very sweet finish with a quarter of an hour to go.
Mikey Ryan forced the ball over the line from close range to give Moneygall a route back into the game late on, but it was too little too late.
In the engine room, the steel and aggression in the tackle from both Ross Austin and Jack Daly set the tempo nicely for the rest to follow, with the latter named the player of the match.
There will be no panic whatsoever from Billy Hayes; four years into the gig now, he has seen it all before; this is premier division soccer. With that said though, the games don’t get any easier and are coming thick and fast.
High-flying Rearcross come to the border village next, in a fixture which puts two of the NT&DL’s best hopes in the Munster Junior Cup up against each other in round one of the competition.
Rea’ are the slight favourites, but whatever the outcome, goals are guaranteed in this, the pick of the ties in the NT&DL this weekend for the neutral.
Having not entered the Munster Junior Cup, Ardcroney have a weekend off, which is probably coming just at the wrong time. This writer doubts they will be in the conversation heading into the final furlong in May but is pleased to see another contender emerging to keep BT Harps honest.
Arra Rovers 2-9 Rearcross
From Monday onwards, this reporter’s sources had all warned of a heavily depleted Rearcross side travelling to take on Arra Rovers.
After just three games, this was to be the end of Rea’s short-lived title challenge. However, when the need was greatest, Michael O’Gorman answered the call, coming out of his career-break to fire in a hat-trick which helped them to a 9-2 win over a similarly depleted Arra Rovers.
Arra have now lost their last ten games, but there will be no panic from experienced head coach Dermot O’Halloran. They are a young team with some very talented players, and he will have them turned around quite fast.
Arra scored the opener, taking the lead after just two minutes, when a ball over the top was latched onto and finished by young Charlie Moran. This was as good as it got for the home side though, as Rea’ responded almost immediately, rattling the net a devastating four times in ten minutes. The game was effectively over by half-time, as the visitors led 7-2. Also, on target for Rearcross were Cillian Kennedy (2), Eoghan Kavanagh (2), and one each for David Brennan and Paddy Dawson, while Brian McEvoy netted Arra’s second.
Rearcross are a crucial ingredient in a strong NT&DL Premier Division. From a neutral's viewpoint, it was very reassuring to see them rally their depleted troops to stay in the title hunt; Rea’ are in it for the long haul this season.
BT Harps 2-1 Ballymackey
There was widespread surprise at the lack of goals that BT Harps racked up against a suspension-ridden Ballymackey side on Sunday.
The home side enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening minutes but were punished on the counter-attack when Aiden White played through Cian Galvin who finished well.
Harps knew that nothing would come easy against this young and energetic Ballymackey side and came out with greater urgency and intent in the second half. They were rewarded just after the hour mark, when Dylan Cody showed good composure to finish from close range, despite being in the thick of a crowded penalty area.
With confidence growing, BT began to dictate play and their passing game came to life. On 75 minutes, a moment of brilliance from Szymon Popiela unlocked the stubborn ‘Mackey defence. The Polish striker producing a sublime trivela pass over the top for Jack Johnson, who controlled neatly before finishing clinically for the winner.
Harps had further opportunities to put the game to bed but were forced to dig deep late on as Ballymackey pressed with pace on the counter. Sean Paddy Guerins was rock solid during this barrage, with the team showing huge character to hold firm and grind out an important result. Kuba Beban’s commanding presence in goal stood out, while Jack Johnson’s rich vein of form continues with three goals in four games from midfield.
There is a potential banana skin for Harps this weekend when youthful Portumna come to Templemore in the Munster Junior Cup, but they should have enough to rack up a few goals on the way to the next round.
Sallypark Odhrans 2-2 Holycross
Sallypark picked up their first point of the campaign at the third time of asking thanks to a brace of assists from Ryan Gillick. Holycross enjoyed an early lead through Gary McDonald but goals from Michael & Padraig Ryan saw the hosts lead at the break. Clay Lohan restored parity for Holycross on the hour, which turned out to be the final goal of the game.
Padraig Ryan was the player of the match for Sallypark, who go away to Holycross this weekend to conclude their league meetings for the year.
First Division
Historically, the first division is very open, with every team capable of mounting a promotion push. But this season, it seems even more 'all to play for' than ever before.
MJ Carroll and Hugh Doyle powered Clodiagh Rangers to a surprisingly 6-1 away win over the high-flying league leaders in Borrisoleigh.
Borroway Rovers upset the odds to hold Portumna Town to a 2-2 draw, with cult-hero Mick Mackey making several important saves for the visitors.
Eddie Brady picked up his first points as Cloughjordan manager thanks to a surprise 3-1 win away to Grange United. On his first game back with his boyhood club, Liam Hannon was the difference for Clough while Darren Stokes was a real handful up top on the way to a goal and assist. At centre half, Jamie Twamley and Luke Phelan had to be very alert to keep tabs on Tommy Brophy, who at 38 is still as feared as ever, and arguably is still the most clinical finisher in the NT&DL.
Youths
Lucian Buga scored seven of Moneygall’s nine goals against Shinrone. A fine return for the Romanian on his debut after joining from Nenagh AFC.