Fresh faces stake title claims
By Gary Culbert
Clodiagh Rangers and Arra Rovers cemented their status as title challengers in the Premier and Division 1 after last weeks action.
Clodiagh followed up recent upsets by claiming the scalp of last year’s runners-up Lough Derg, while Arra Rovers continued their scintillating form despite facing their toughest opponents to-date. The new challengers are a welcome sight in both divisions, as they will ensure that no team is allowed to rest on their laurels this season.
PREMIER DIVISION
Nenagh Celtic 2-2 Killavilla United
A rare Alan Kelly long-range strike ensured that Celtic stopped the rot in this must-not-lose game in Killavilla.
The hosts took the lead thanks to a rapid counterattack. Paul Kirwan played Ruairi Murphy in down the left, the youngster cut in on his right foot and curled home a sublime effort from the edge of the box into the far top corner. The keeper was a couple of yards off his line, but Murphy displayed immense quality to open his tally for the season.
Villa were well on top, but a red card for Michael Ryan on twenty minutes completely changed the tide of the game. Villa seemed to have weathered the storm, but a mix-up following a free in their own box gifted the champions an opportunity, which Shaun Kevin rifled home.
Ruairi Murphy restored Killavilla’s lead just after half-time, a sublime free kick which evaded Tommy Morrissey. Following their poor run of results, Celtic needed someone to stand up and be counted if they were going to get past this stubborn Villa defence. Cometh the hour, cometh the man; from the edge of the box, Celtic’s right back, Alan Kelly, powered home the equaliser which secured an important point for Celtic.
For Celtic, the point keeps the two most likely challengers, Villa and BT, within touching distance. For Killavilla, the red card means the Roscrea outfit will be without their in-form man Michael Ryan, when they travel to Templemore this evening (Wednesday), in what is looking like a clash of the 2021 champions elect.
Ballymackey 2-2 Lough Derg
The home side took the lead through their versatile veteran Timmy Fleming, who rose highest from a corner to head the Ballinree men in front.
The away side were level when an exquisite chip from Jason Comely found the net. George Haverty and Damien Bentley’s side went in ahead at the break thanks to a wicked deflection following an Aidan White strike.
In his final game as interim manager, Dermot McCarthy saw his side pile the pressure on in the second half and be rewarded with a penalty kick. Stephen McCarthy stepped up and made no mistake.
The only other midweek fixture saw Moneygall secure all three points when they hosted Borroway Rovers.
Due to Covid-19 and other occurrences outside the league’s control, there was only one match down for decision at the weekend.
Lough Derg 1-4 Clodiagh Rangers
On Sunday, Jack O’Mahony gave the home side the lead early on, the pacey striker scoring his second of the season after some fine work from Finn Looney down the left wing. Clodiagh got themselves back into the game and were awarded a penalty just before half-time, which Sam Van Dam converted.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Van Dam put the visitors ahead with his second goal of the day. Clodiagh’s star man pouncing after a long ball resulted in a nasty collision and injury to Derg’s keeper Oisin Conacur. From this point things went from bad to worse for Rick Mowat’s men, they went 3-1 down five minutes later, a deflected Brian Hanrahan shot deceiving the stand in goalie and finding the net.
The Drombane men compiled the misery when Rhys Loughnane netted his third of the season, and Clodiagh’s fourth of the day.
This strong and fit Clodiagh Rangers side exceed expectations every week, their hugely impressive start sees them sit top of the league. Lough Derg will be disappointed with the scoreline, which is not an entirely fair reflection of the match.
Division 1
Birdhill got their first win of the campaign when they hosted their sparring partners from last season, Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ and won 4-2.
It was 1-1 at half time, with goals from the penalty spot for both sides through Tom Purcell and Thomas Floyd. In the second half, Purcell and Floyd again struck from the penalty spot. Birdhill secured all three points thanks to goals from Odhran Floyd and Paul Coleman.
Rearcross produced a statement performance under the lights when they defeated Thurles Town 4-0 on Thursday.
James Deegan opened the scoring for the hosts, intercepting a Thurles pass before beating the keeper. When Conor Nolan was fouled on the edge of the box following a mazy run, Deegan got his second, firing home the free kick into the top corner. James Deegan completed his hat-trick, before Patrick Dawson made it four.
This is an impressive result for the Barry Cup holders, who will be looking forward to having a crack at the high flyers Arra Rovers, in Portroe on Sunday.
Speaking of Arra Rovers, the division 1 pace-setters made it 21 goals scored in their opening three games as the Portroe men travelled to Portumna and helped themselves to a 7-1 win.
Man of the match, Eoin Maloney had the away side in front after two minutes. AJ Willis doubled his sides advantage shortly after. With fifteen minutes played, Portumna forced an Arra own goal. The league-leaders regained their two-goal cushion on twenty minutes, AJ Willis netting his second. On 26 minutes, Callan Cottrell got his fifth of the season. Aiden O’Dwyer made it 5-1 when he found the net on 36 minutes. Christopher Riordan netted in the 51st & 63rd minutes to leave the full-time score 7-1 in favour of Arra.
The form that Arra are in is incredible. They travel with a large panel of eager players, and they have genuine pace in all areas of the pitch. Portumna were missing a few important players, but they struggled to keep up with the natural pace that Arra’s young players possess. It will be hard to stop the Arra blitzkrieg, but Rearcross are the team best equipped to do so. On Sunday, all eyes will be on Portroe for what should be a great battle.
Division 2
Sallypark are starting to show the form that we expect. On Sunday they travelled to Borrisokane to take on their second team and won 6-2.
Sally’s goals came through a Ruaidhri O’Brien hat-trick, a Brian Duffy brace, and a goal from John Grace. For the home side, Kieran Fox netted a penalty in the first half, whilst Darren Moore got a consolation in the second.
It’s early days for PJ Molloy and Dom Quigley’s men, who are making a great step for football in Borrisokane by providing a ‘B’ team for young players.
Holycross continue to show why they will undoubtably be in Division 1 next year, this time they put just the eight goals past Ballymackey B, while keeping a clean sheet also.
Ben Slattery and Callum O’Conner scored a brace each; whilst Jojo O’Meara, Liam Ryan, Aaron Ryan, and Conor Cassidy all netted once.
Like Borrisokane, Ballymackey will have the bigger picture in mind, and these young players will no doubt learn many lessons from these tough defeats.
Mark Moroney’s Moneygall ‘B’ hosted Rearcross ‘B’ and won 4-2. It was 1-1 at half time, with the home sides goals from Michael Ryan (2), Sean Moroney, and Darragh Murray. Rearcross ‘B’ found the net through Paul Carey and Eoin Sheldon, whilst the man of the match was Moneygall’s Daniel Quinlan.