Rearcross into Munster Cup open round

By Gary Culbert

Division 1 champions Rearcross progressed to the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup following a 5-2 win over Premier Division Lough Derg in Rearcross on Saturday night.

The lakesiders were the latest Premier Division team to suffer defeat at the hands of Rearcross in cup competition this season, with Nenagh Celtic and Killavilla already losing out to Eamon Devitt’s well-oiled machine.

Fresh off the back of their league title celebrations, it may have been expected that the Rea’ boys would start slowly, but that was not the case as pacey front-man James Deegan gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute, whilst his strike partner Michael O’Gorman, doubled the advantage four minutes later.

Deegan put further daylight between the sides in the 31st minute, but Lough Derg managed to land a punch just before the half time whistle, Rory Cousins finishing at the back post following Dave Cassidy cross.

Derg made it interesting in the 62nd minute; Eoin Sheehy forcing the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble off the back of a free-kick on the halfway line. Lough Derg got to grips with the Rea’ system, but ultimately it was too little too late as Patrick Dawson made it 4-2 with a composed finish in the 84th minute to virtually kill off the tie. Two minutes later it went from bad to worse as the Shannonsiders conceded an own goal following a low driven cross.

Rearcross’ incredible season has another chapter; Eamon Devitt and his players will have to pack their bags as they face Cork based Carrigaline United ‘A’ in the last 32, with the tie to be decided on or before the weekend of 22/23 January.

Premier Division

Moneygall 2-3 Clodiagh Rangers

Moneygall’s time in the Premier Division has ended following a narrow home defeat to Clodiagh Rangers which confirmed their relegation.

A John Ryan brace and Sam Van Dam strike was enough to send the hosts down, despite goals from Richard Baranya and Josh Wynne.

Moneygall are a much-changed outfit from the side who won Division 1 under Gerry Larkin’s tutelage, with retirements and transfers out of the club leaving a vacuum of experience in the side. Relegation may be a blessing in disguise for the Offaly side, who will view it as a chance to rebuild following the departure of their manager during the season. The club hierarchy will have a tough decision to make regarding how many teams Moneygall enter next season, as many of the ‘B’ team players will likely get the call up to the first team.

BT Harps 3-1 Killavilla United

BT Harps continued their sensational end to the season with an unlikely 3-1 win in the back yard of the newly crowned champions.

Killavilla did find the net through veteran striker Paul Kirwan, but goals from Shane Doyle, Stevie Nolan and Stefan Leahy made it three wins on the bounce for Richie Kennedy’s charges as they lifted themselves closer to safety.

BT have come out of nowhere in the relegation battle to relegate Moneygall, the Templemore based side can send neighbouring Borroway Rovers down if they win their final league game in the new year.

Division 1

Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ continued their starring role in the relegation battle on Sunday when the old enemy, Birdhill, made the trip to Drombane.

Birdhill knew a win would guarantee their survival, but it was a stalemate at half time in this nervy affair. Birdhill opened the scoring after the breakthrough Anthony Floyd, but a Diarmuid Grant penalty and a Jamie Davern strike was enough for Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ to secure their first win of the season in their final game.

The loss for Anthony Floyd’s side means their safety depends on the result of Portumna Town versus Rearcross in the New Year, with three different permutations possible; a draw would force a relegation play-off between Birdhill and Portumna, a win for the champions would mean Birdhill stay up, whilst Portumna can secure their own safety with a win on home soil. Despite having nothing to play for in their last two games, the Drombane men have shown real signs of improvement and caused huge headaches for both Portumna and Birdhill.

Thurles Town concluded their league campaign with a 4-2 home win over Ardcroney, which secures a third-place finish for Billy Minogue’s side. The hosts were two up at the interval; Eoin Dorney netting from the spot before Joe Hennessey doubled the advantage. The away side found the net through Darren Moran and Shane Doran in the second half, but a Tommy Brophy goal ensured that Ardcroney would go home empty handed.

Nora Kennedy Cup

Holycross booked their spot in the Nora Kennedy Cup final with a 3-1 win over Rearcross ‘B’ in Glenbane. Killian Kennedy headed in the Rea’ goal, whilst a Jojo O’Meara brace and a goal from central midfielder Stevie Flanagan was enough to see the league winners through to the final.

Sallypark ensured that it will be first versus second in the final by comfortably dispatching Moneygall ‘B’ 4-0. Shane Hogan’s side were two goals to the good at the end of the first half thanks to strikes from Danny Keogh and Paul Ryan. The hosts won the second half by the same scoreline courtesy of a Danny O’Donoghue finish and an own goal. David Young was impressive as an inverted winger for Sally, whilst Paul Ryan did well to win his side penalties and frees, just like he used to do for Gurtagarry.

It will be a fascinating final in the new year, as both of these quite different sides will fancy themselves for cup glory.

Youths League

Division 1 champions concluded their campaign with a trip to Moneygall, where they played their part in an entertaining six-goal draw. The league’s top scorer Cathal Spillane scored his 13th of the season, whilst Patrick Mounsey and Cormac Hogan were also on the scoresheet for the visitors. The hosts found the net through Kian Fallon, man of the match Andy Hoolahan, and Sean Moroney. Ballymackey were presented with the league trophy after the match.

Killavilla United moved into second place in the table with an impressive 2-1 victory in Templemore over BT Harps. The home side led at the break courtesy of a goal from their best player Jack Ryan. Villa secured the points in the second half thanks to goals from Josh Doran and man of the match Lee Doran. The loss leaves BT vulnerable to relegation if Lough Derg can win their games in hand.

In division 2, Lough Derg ‘B’ leapfrogged Knigh United when they came out the right end of a five-goal thriller in Knigh. Lewis Coleman gave a man of the match performance in goals for Derg, whilst Jamie Meacham, Jack Meagher, and Ricky Shanahan were on target at the other end. Josh Ryan and James O’Meara scored for Trish O’Shea’s side in their final league outing.