Rearcross stun sleepy Ballymackey in Munster Junior Cup shock

SOCCER: North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Munster Junior Cup

Game of the Week: Ballymackey 1-3 Rearcross

Ballymackey learnt some hard lessons on Sunday when a fired-up Rearcross side took full advantage of a sleepy start from the hosts to progress to round 4 of the Munster Junior Cup.

Paul Carey’s hard-working Rearcross side brought an intensity and determination that Ballymackey simply couldn’t match, with big performances in key positions ultimately making the difference.

Greg Kennedy was a man possessed in defence, while the industrious Eoin Sheldon continued his fine run of form by covering every blade of grass from his central midfield berth. NT&DL Premier Division Player of the Month for October, Conor Nolan also impressed in midfield.

The first sign of an upset came after just five minutes when Cillian Kennedy slid agonisingly close to opening the scoring. The next warning sign came when Rea' hit the post from long range, but Rearcross would not be denied for long as James Deegan continued his fine run of scoring after a positive run by Eoin Sheldon.

Ballymackey played themselves back into the game and had a number of chances before the interval with Aidan White denied by two top saves from Cathal Kennedy. The closest that the hosts came in the first half was Adam Steed's effort which rattled the crossbar.

In the second half, Ballymackey continued to look promising down Cian Galvin's side, but it was White who had the biggest chance to draw the sides level with what will be remembered as the biggest moment of the game.

It was by no means all Ballymackey though; Rea' still offered a huge threat on the counter, as Ballymackey soon found out when James Deegan squared for substitute Stephen Rochford to poke home.

Cian Galvin topped off an impressive performance with an instant reply to make it 2-1, but Stephen Rochford strikes again to secure safe progression to the open draw section of the competition

Player of the Match: Greg Kennedy (Rearcross)

Ballymackey (4-2-3-1): Taylor Duffy (6); Paddy Alonso (6), Eamonn White (7), Darragh Spillane (6), Cathal Spillane (6); Adam Steed (6), Cathal Delaney (Capt 7); Jack Kenneally (6), Aidan White (7), Cian Galvin (8); James Kenneally (6). Subs: Colm Maher (7) for Jack Kenneally (65); Dennis Haverty (7) for Delaney (70); Damien Bergin (6) for Alonso (70); Johnno Lawlor (6) for Steed (80)

Rearcross (4-4-2): Cathal Kennedy (Capt 8); Brian Nolan (7), Greg Kennedy (9), Paul Nolan (7), Jake Slattery (7); Paddy Dawson (8), Eoin Sheldon (9), Conor Nolan (8) Philly Deegan (7); James Deegan (8), Cillian Kennedy (8). Subs: Stephen Rochford (8) for P Deegan (63); James Rochford (NR) for Cillian Kennedy (90+2); Gary O’Brien (NR) for Slattery (90+2); Adam Hurley (NR) for Dawson (90+2).

Referee: Gordon Harding

Ardcroney 2-5 Moneygall

Moneygall advanced to the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup for the second consecutive season thanks to a 5-2 away win over Ardcroney on Sunday.

It has taken a season at the top level for Jack O’Brien to rediscover his electric form from the first division, or maybe it has been the magician’s recent involvement in Oscar Traynor competition that has brought a new lease of life to the 26-year-old’s game. Either way, the jury are in unanimous agreement that O’Brien is back to his best.

Another man who appears to be absolutely loving his football is Joe Fogarty. Since returning to soccer this season, the athletic striker has been one of the most impressive players in the NT&DL. Make no mistake, this big unit of a man is not just your average mid-season import from other codes; Fogarty has football in him from a young age, and it’s dying to get out.

The 26-year-old cracked in not one, but two weak-foot goals against Ardcroney. The first was a cool and composed side-footed finish to the near post after running off the shoulder of the centre half. The second was even better: a true strike with the laces, across Kevin Shinnors and into the far side-netting.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Fogarty’s exploits have caught the eye of Oscar Traynor management, and with the visit of the Limerick Desmond League now just two weeks away, Fogarty’s addition to the squad would be a real boost heading into match day two.

Ardcroney found the net through a Kieran Spain penalty and an own goal, while Cillian O’Gorman netted Moneygall’s other goal.

Munster Junior Shield

Ballymackey’s fantastic run in the Munster Junior Shield came to an end on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Clonmel side Powerstown.

‘Mackey took the lead on the quarter hour through the Second Division Player of the Month for October, Paddy Tuohy, and led right up until the 83rd minute, at which point Powerstown equalised.

Josh McCarthy and Darek Hickey scored for ‘Mackey in the shootout, but the Powerstown keeper continued his impressive run of saves in normal time into the shootout to deny Ballymackey becoming the first NT&DL club to make it out into the open stage of the Munster Junior Shield. Jack Doran had a fine game in the middle of the park for the North Tipp side.

NT&DL Premier Division

Shinrone United travelled with the bare eleven players to Glenbane on Sunda to play Holycross but came out with an impressive 5-1 win despite having to play outfield player Terry Bartlett in goal.

Simon Hayes continued his purple patch in front of goal with another brace, as did Kian Fallon, who also added two more to his impressive tally. Keith McEvoy rounded off the Shinrone scoring with a rare goal, while young Seamie Dwan netted for Holycross.

Martin Harty, Simon Hayes and Kian Fallon impressed for Shinrone in what was a positive result for Derek McLoughlin’s side, but the new manager was given further injury concerns after Kian Fallon pulled up with an injury that reportedly could have him out for weeks.

First Division

A Danny Butler brace went without reply as Knigh United defeated Arra Rovers 2-0 in Knigh on Sunday.

Darren Moran has been handed a new role in the heart of defence for the home side and it seems to be a good move so far as he was one of Knigh’s best performers. Lee Mitchell also impressed in midfield for Jack Saunders’ side.

Sallypark Odhrans two-game winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt on Sunday by a Tommy Brophy inspired Borroway Rovers side who won 3-0 in Latteragh.

The hosts saw the majority of the ball but two quick-fire moments of Brophy brilliance in the first half, and a David Bourke strike in the second, gave the Thurles side the win.

Borrisoleigh made it five wins from five thanks to a nervy 2-1 win in Laois against old rivals Grange United. The league leaders netted through skipper Sean Shanahan in the first half and JD Devaney in the second, while Steve Finan got Grange’s only goal on the quarter-hour mark.

Division 2

Nenagh Celtic defeated Birdhill 2-0 in Ballinaclough on Sunday.

The hosts took the lead when a Jamie Donnellan corner found Paul Walsh at the second time of asking, with the serial winner making no mistake to head in.

Celtic grabbed an important second goal five minutes into the second half, Liam Hannon finishing on the rebound after Brian Mitchell pulled on a high ball.

The goal would prove to be crucial, as Birdhill had the hill in the second half and were deservedly pulled a goal back midway through the half thanks to Shane Geraghty.

Anthony Floyd’s side threw the kitchen sink at Celtic but the hoops withstood the onslaught thanks in no small part to their strength in depth from the bench. Best for Celtic were Paul Walsh in defence, Liam Hannon in midfield, and Liam Heffernan in goal.

Division 2A

Knigh United ‘B’ recovered from a heavy defeat a week prior by coming out the right side of a 7-goal thriller with previously perfect Rearcross ‘B’.

Goals from Andrei Calugarita, Gearoid Conners, and a Neil Cahalan brace saw Knigh claim their second win of the season while Rearcross netted through Mikey Feehan and a Gavin Denihan brace, one of which was a rip-roaring free-kick.

Eddie Shoer was to the fore when Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ overcame Templetuohy 2-1.

Celtic went two up in the first half thanks to a Jake Donnellan header and a Ryan Clifford strike. Stevie Owens scored for Templetuohy in the second half, but they couldn’t make further use of the hill in Ballinaclough to force a draw.

Shinrone United ‘B’ v Ardcroney ‘B’ had to be abandoned towards the end of the first half after a serious injury to Ardcroney’s Kevin Boyle. The ambulance was called for Boyle, who is understood to have suffered a dislocated knee and will be out of action for the foreseeable future. The full-back had been on a fine run of form recently, which included being called up to the Ardcroney first team. Shinrone led 2-1 at the time of the injury, but the fixture will likely have to be replayed. Best wishes to the injured player.

Youths

Reigning champions Borrisokane extended their winning run in NT&DL competition with a solid 4-1 victory away to Ballymackey on Saturday.

Adam Molloy netted a brace for Borrisokane while Jack Slevin and Emmett Dwyer notched one apiece. Odhran Blake, Ciaran Foote and Adam Molloy impressed for the champions while defenders Eibhin D’Arcy and Matthew Bergin were to the fore from centre half for Ballymackey, and Mark Hoare did well in midfield.

Declan Fogarty’s impressive BT Harps side added to their momentum with 5 unanswered goals at home to Holycross on Friday night.

Dominik Boruch, Tom Collier, Bo Feehan, Daniel Cummins and Josh Hutchinson all netted for the league leaders whose best performers were Collier, Feehan and Jamie Dadié.

Dermot O'Halloran’s Arra Rovers side leapfrogged their hosts Ardcroney in the table on Saturday thanks to a brace of first-half goals from Oscar O’Halloran in a 2-1 win. O’Halloran and Oilleog O’Driscoll impressed in central midfield while Luke Dharam and Micheal Grey linked up well down the left flank. Harry Gannon at centre half and Jack Ryan at left wing were the best for Ardcroney.