Borroway and Harps keep the pressure on each other

North Tipperary and District League Review

PREMIER DIVISION

Borroway Rovers 2-0 Killavilla United

Borroway Rovers stayed level on points with BT Harps at the top of the NT&DL Premier Division thanks to an impressive 2-0 home win over Killavilla United on Sunday, in what was an entertaining and competitive affair.

Killavilla came out of the traps flying and tried to put the home side to bed straight away, but Paul Gould’s side held firm and managed to settle into the tie around the twentieth minute mark. David Bourke was the standout performer the previous week for the Thurles side when they won against Ballymackey. The wiry, determined striker broke the deadlock on the half hour after some trickery on the left side of the box created a yard of space, which he used to unleash a venomous shot that beat Aaron Mulready at his near post.

The rest of the half was a good battle with both teams going for the kill and some lovely play with the ball on the ground by both sides.

Killavilla started second half strongly and had two half chances that did not go their way. Aaron Cullen went off injured for Borroway and Damien Troy was introduced from the bench, and he kicked the hosts back into life with a couple of great crosses from right saw David Bourke and Gary Dunne having chances to extend the lead.

The second half was good physical battle; Killavilla resorted to a lot of direct play, hoping for a route back into the game, but Seamus Woodlock and Conor Loughnane were excellent in defence for Borroway.

The joint league leaders got the all-important second goal with 78 minutes played, with David Bourke once again heavily involved. He turned the centre back before letting fly a cracker of a shot from all of 35 yards, which beat the keeper only to hit the bottom of the post. The rebound fell kindly to Dean McCormack, who was rushing into the box to finish, but before he could pull the trigger was brought down for a penalty. Captain Shane Dunne stepped up to drive it home, leaving Paul Gould’s side in a healthy position heading into the final ten minutes, and the title race. Killavilla kept going right to the death, but Borroway were good value for the win.

BT Harps 2-0 Rearcross

BT Harps kept pace with their noisy neighbours thanks to a 2-0 home win of their own against Rearcross.

Harps had a great start, taking the lead after ten minutes courtesy of a great strike from Cain Russell from the edge of the box. The score remained unchanged all the way through until the last kick of the game, which saw Szymon Popiela double the final margin.

Rearcross battled hard for an equaliser but never truly threatened the Harps goal. Harps broke a number of times on the counter throughout the contest and really should have added to their tally, but all that matters is the all-important three points which see them keep pace with Borroway at the summit.

Next up for Harps is a true test of their title credentials as they travel to Villa Park to take on a wounded Killavilla side, who know that defeat would all but end their title aspirations.

Arra Rovers 3-4 Ballymackey

Ballymackey were shock 4-3 winners away to Arra Rovers thanks to a Josh McCarthy hat-trick and an Adam Healy strike. Arra netted through a Diarmuid O'Donoghue brace and a goal from Diarmuid Boyle, whilst the player of the match was Ballymackey’s Stephen Cantwell.

Division 1

Second placed Sallypark travelled to Portumna on Sunday morning and came out the right side of an exciting five-goal thriller to keep their title hopes intact.

Sallypark started all guns blazing, which saw much of the possession for the opening ten minutes go their way. Disaster struck, however, a minute later when the home side hit them on the counter attack and Oisin O’Sullivan slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a great strike from twenty yards.

Sallypark rallied again and should have had an equalizer, but they missed chance after chance, until a corner on the half hour mark from Kieran Ryan was hammered into the net by the head of their captain Paul Walsh.

The visitors stayed on top, with Portumna threatening on the counter through Adam Fogarty’s blistering pace. Sallypark keeper David Kinane made a fine save to keep his level, and they stole ahead with five minutes to go before the break. The goal came after some great work from Stephen Murray down the wing, he got to the end-line before squaring it for the league’s top scorer, Craig Connolly, who stayed calm and slotted home for his tenth league goal this season.

Portumna rallied in the second half and got their just reward when Adam Fogarty was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Fogarty dusted himself down before stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner to once again level the tie.

Sallypark piled on the pressure for the final thirty minutes but could not take their chances. Portumna defended well to keep the visitors out but made a crucial mistake by conceding a free kick on the left wing on the stroke of full time. This is a well followed script from Sallypark; a perfectly delivered free kick from Stephen Murray was headed into the net at the back post by Eoin Ryan to scenes of wild celebration, as Sallypark now have one hand on the title.

Dale Donnolly and Brian Duffy were excellent again in midfield for The Park, but the player of the match was Stephen Murry - he was involved in everything for the away side.

Cloughjordan came out the right side of a seven-goal thriller in Borrisokane on Sunday. Gordon Harding blasted home the opener in the tenth minute for Borris, and Paidi Williams volleyed in a leveller shortly after. Mike Gavin stooped to score a fantastic header shortly after, which saw Borrisokane go in 2-1 up at the break. Kieran Cahill came on in the second half and levelled almost immediately for Clough with a composed lob from all of thirty yards. A Paidi Williams penalty on 68 minutes saw Clough take the lead for the first time, before an Andy Nevin free kick of the highest calibre drew the sides level again. Willie Cleary had the final say in the 90th minute, finishing a rebounded Richard King free.

Birdhill and Shinrone played out a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Dan Doughan netted a brace for Shinrone, whilst the Birds had Jack Delahunty to thank for both of their goals.

Division 2

Rearcross ‘B’ were 6-1 winners at home to Ballymackey ‘B’ on Friday night. Mikey Feehan fired in a hat-trick for the hosts, whilst Donie O’Brien and Callum Wallace also netted in the rout. Craig Kenneally scored Bally’s only reply.

Darragh McLoughlin, Nathan Fogarty and Killian Curtis were all on target for Shinrone ‘B’ in their 3-1 win away to Sallypark ‘B’.

Youths League

BT Harps were 6-2 winners at home to Ballymackey. Harps scored four times through Ryan Loughnane, whilst Sean Purcell and Shane Monaghan rounded off the scoring. Denis Sheahan and James Kenneally found the net for Brian Bergin’s side.