Nenagh up and running in earnest in downing Pike

SOCCER: Limerick District League Review

By Pat Sheehan

PREMIER DIVISION

Nenagh AFC 2-0 Pike Rovers

Nenagh AFC produced their best performance of the season so far to record a deserved 2-0 victory over Pike Rovers at Brickfields on Sunday.

Pike made the brighter start, enjoying plenty of possession during the opening fifteen minutes and creating a number of decent opportunities. Nenagh goalkeeper Mark McKenna was in excellent form, making several fine saves to keep the scores level.

As the half progressed, the game became increasingly physical, with both sides battling hard for control of midfield. Chances were limited thereafter and the teams went into the break scoreless.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with neither side able to find a way through until Nenagh finally broke the deadlock with twenty minutes remaining.

It was a fine team move, with Kieran O'Brien and Tarla Doris combining well before Doris broke into the box and finished confidently into the bottom corner.

Pike responded by pushing for an equaliser and came close to conceding a second when Sam Casey produced a smart double save to keep his side in the game.

However, Nenagh finally put the result beyond doubt two minutes from time in spectacular fashion. A loose pass around midfield fell to Dylan Morrison and, with the Pike goalkeeper off his line, Morrison produced a superb effort from more than 35 yards which sailed into the net to seal a valuable three points for the home side.

Nenagh AFC: Mark McKenna, Adam Brennan, Mark Manley, Kieran Barr, Conor McCormack, Conor Hanniffy, Daniel Connolly, Saeed Ryan, Matt O'Gorman, Dylan Morrison, Nathan Kelly. Subs: Tarla Doris, Colm Hayden, Kieran O'Brien.

LOWER LEAGUES

A delayed start to youth football ended on Sunday when the Under 17 League’s kicked off.

In Division 1, Lough Derg hit Ballynanty Rovers for seven courtesy of C Haas 2, A Flynn 2, O Shanahan, M Jugowiec and H Thompson.

In Division 2, Lough Derg ‘B’ emulated their ‘A’ team recording a 7-0 win. E Pauliunas 4, D Houlihan, L Green and J Nelson accounted for the winning scores v Corbally United.

Caherconlish and Nenagh played out an exciting 5-5 draw in Caherconlish. H O’Gorman 2, M Mohamed 2 and Jamie Ryan scored for Nenagh.