Borroway edge into Premier pole-position

By Gary Culbert

PREMIER DIVISION

Borroway Rovers 2-1 BT Harps

A Mick Mackey penalty save proved crucial as Borroway Rovers removed BT Harps from the Premier Division title conversation in this top of the table clash at Loughtagalla Park on Sunday.

These rivals were level on points at the top of the table heading into this game which many had dubbed the title decider (despite Killavilla having enough games in hand).

With that in mind it was naturally a cagey affair in which neither side wanted to take unnecessary risks, but Borroway made a dream start after two minutes when set-piece expert Jake Moore unleashed rocket of a free kick from 35 yards out which arrowed high into the far corner, leaving the Harps keeper rooted to the spot.

The visitors were stunned and did not come into the game in any meaningful way until after the first quarter, when Szymon Popiela began to show his classy feet in and around the Borroway box.

Borroway had recently seen how effective the long throw could be and they utilized it well; Jake Moore had his shot cleared off the line in the 20th minute by Ben Stapleton, the chance coming off the back of a long throw. Popeila and Stapleton’s involvement in the game increased as the half went on and there was a real feeling that Paul Gould’s side could not withstand this pressure for much longer.

It really wasn’t a day for taking chances at the back, Curtis Ryan was caught a few times trying to play out, and on the half hour the full back’s enthusiasm was punished when Ben Stapleton powerfully headed home a Szymon Popiela corner. The ball was originally given away by the full back while Seamus Woodlock also had a chance to clear the danger before Aaron Cullen ultimately saved a certain goal at the expense of the corner.

BT Harps lost their way after equalizing and allowed the home side back into it; Jake Moore had a couple of chances in the remainder of the half, most notably when BT’s Fintan Purcell scrambled to bail his young keeper out of trouble, after he looked less than convincing under the high ball.

The ball was in the air a lot at the start of the second half before a huge moment in the match occurred in the 50th minute as Ben Stapleton was brought down in the box by Curtis Ryan. The striker took on the penalty duty himself and hit a decent strike to the bottom left corner, only to see Mick Mackey go early and brilliantly turn the low strike around the post, to the delight of the home fans.

Mackey is not your conventional keeper, but he is an opposing figure and a leader in this Borroway team, and if they go on to win the league, he will deserve massive credit for this crucial save and overall player of the match display on the day. Moments after the save, Mackey was called on again as Lyndon Fairbrother bore down on goal, one on one with the keeper, but Mackey rushed him, and the midfielder scuffed his shot.

In the 62nd minute there was more penalty drama, this time from a long throw in Borroway’s favour. Gary Dunne flicked on for Dean McCormack, who twisted and turned before being unceremoniously brought down. Captain Shane Dunne dispatched the resulting spot-kick to send Borroway on their way to victory, and possibly the title.

Popeila had the only real chance of note shortly after, but he volleyed his effort straight at Mackey. Borroway comfortably dealt with anything that BT through at them and as the half wore on, the management and players of Harps grew increasingly frustrated.

Paul Gould and his troops were equal parts overjoyed and relieved as the final whistle sounded, sending Borroway three points clear of Harps, with a game in hand.

Killavilla United 4-1 Arra Rovers

Villa Park was in immaculate condition on Sunday as Killavilla United easily dispatched of Arra Rovers 4-1.

The hosts turned on the style and clear patterns of play were visible, playing out from the back on every occasion and patiently yet swiftly moving the ball up the pitch. Michael Lynch’s side got great joy down the flanks and along the end-line, whilst Arra offered very little in terms of an attacking threat.

Michael Ryan was in good form, and he had the first real chance of the game, but his header was cleared of the line by Eoin Maloney. The home side looked confident and controlled as they probed around the box in wave after wave of attack, particularly exploiting the weak left side of Arra Rovers.

Tom Aherne opened the scoring from close range at the back post on the half hour mark, after an inviting cross from the right by Craig Byrne. Ruairi Murphy doubled the lead early in the second half and almost added another straight from the restart. Goals from Miko Palasic and Dylan Carroll made sure of the points, whilst substitute Dermot O’Halloran reeled in the years to score Arra’s only reply.

Of the three teams supposedly in the title race at the start of the day, Killavilla played the best football. However, the opposition and circumstances surrounding each game must also be considered. The reality now for ‘Villa is that each of their remaining six league games is a cup final that they must win, and next up is a tricky away match under the lights against an in-form Rearcross side.

Rearcross 4-0 Clodiagh Rangers

Rearcross made it three wins on the bounce last Thursday with a 4-0 thumping of relegation threatened Clodiagh Rangers.

Rea’ took the lead inside two minutes through James Deegan, who curled the ball over Adrian Cooke after being played in by Greg Kennedy. Rearcross moved the ball well throughout with the energetic midfield of James Rochford and Conor Nolan tiring out their counterparts.

The host’s second goal came in the 37th minute courtesy of a swift counter-attack. Conor Nolan battled hard to win the ball back, before unleashing Patrick Dawson towards the bye-line, and he played the ball across the six-yard box, but the ball struck Clodiagh’s Sean Stakelum and ended up in the net. Philip Deegan and Paul Nolan swept up anything that Clodiagh tried in attack, which saw Rea’ go in 2-0 up at the break.

The home side got their third goal just after half time when a Patrick Dawson corner was headed in by Greg Kennedy. Adrian Cooke kept the scoreline down, but he could not deny player of the match Patrick Dawson a deserved goal, as the attacking midfielder’s daisy-cutter was too far into the corner.

With all the focus on the obvious three teams going for the title, Rearcross have slid under everyone’s radar. However, three wins on the bounce have left them on fifteen points with four games remaining, and it just so happens that these games are home and away to both Killavilla United and Borroway Rovers. Of course, it would be a mammoth ask for Rearcross to go and win all of these games, but if they did, they would find themselves one point clear of Borroway and level with Killavilla (if Villa win their other 4 games).

Division 1

Shinrone won 3-2 away to Cloughjordan on Sunday amidst torrential rain. Matthew Moyles had the home side one up at half time but a sleepy start to the second half saw Clough concede twice in three minutes to Daniel Doughan and Adam Landy. Captain Martin Grace scored a rare goal to level proceedings in the 74th minute, but Aaron Kirwan scored the winner 5 minutes later.

Portumna Town put six goals past Borrisokane on Sunday in Galway; Adam Fogarty helped himself to four, whilst an own goal and a Neil Connelly strike concluded the scoring.

Division 2

Borrisoleigh were 3-1 winners over Killavilla United ‘B’ thanks to goals from Patrick O’Connell, Patryk Wisniewski, and Sean Shanahan.

Killavilla United seal North Tipperary Youth’s title

Killavilla United travelled to Michael Fennell Park, Templemore on Saturday needing a win against title-rivals BT Harps to be crowned Youth League champions, and the Roscrea outfit just about held on for a 3-2 win in a thriller.

A draw would have been enough for Harps to be crowned champions, and perhaps this played a part in a cagey start by both sides, with few chances until midway through the half when Killavilla’s Miko Pasalic ran onto a through ball and cooly slotted past the keeper to give the visitors the lead.

BT Harps started the second half piling on the pressure but the Killavilla defence were resolute. Villa gradually came more into the game and their second goal came after substitute Eoghan McLoughlin did brilliantly to cross for Leigh Loughnane, who headed in a crucial goal to double the lead with fifteen minutes remaining.

The last twenty minutes were frantic with BT Harps pulling a goal back courtesy of an Oisin O’Dwyer strike from inside the box. Villa regained their two-goal cushion shortly after when Sam Dooley scored a penalty in the 85th minute.

To their credit, the home side never gave up and went on to score again with two minutes to go, Dayle Hogan finding the net with a fine finish.

Killavilla United just about held on with heroic defending as BT Harps brought the fight right to the end in what was an outstanding contest by two fine teams.

BT Harps: C Sheedy; J Foy, L Delaney, W Collier, S Purcell; C Foy, M Bovi, J Quinlan; S Monagham, R Loughnane, O O’Dwyer. Subs: D Hogan for Bovi (45); C Campion for Delaney (77); R Coleman for Monagham (80).

Killavilla United: S Dooley; J Williams, K Ryan, M Moore, K Fitzpatrick; J Moloney, P Dooley, D Fletcher, L Loughnane; M Palasic, J Kelly. Subs: E McLoughlin for Moloney (60); R O’Callaghan for Kelly (75).

Referee: David Butler