Bright start in disappointing loss for Nenagh

SOCCER: Limerick District League Review

By Pat Sheehan

Premier Division

Nenagh AFC suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat away to Kilmallock United in a vital Premier League encounter on Sunday.

Kilmallock’s victory puts them on six points, equal with Nenagh but still only two points from the drop zone.

Nenagh made a bright start and took the lead through a superb individual effort from Matthew O'Gorman. The goal came after excellent team play built from the back, with O'Gorman collecting possession in midfield, nutmegging his marker before striking a superb 25-yard effort into the bottom corner.

However, Kilmallock turned the game around with two goals inside four minutes after the half-hour mark. Mark Hayes brought the sides level before Paul Doona converted a penalty to put the home side ahead.

Kyle Tierney increased Kilmallock's advantage on the hour mark, leaving Nenagh with an uphill task. The visitors refused to surrender and were rewarded when O'Gorman converted a penalty, sending his effort into the bottom-right corner after Kieran Barr had been fouled.

Despite pushing for an equaliser, Nenagh could not find a way through again and returned home empty-handed.

Nenagh AFC: Mark McKenna, Adam Brennan, Lee Mowat, Kieran Barr, Conor McCormack, Conor Hanniffy, Brian Treacy, Daniel O'Meara, Matthew O'Gorman, Colm Hayden, Kieran O'Brien. Subs: Aaron Mitchell, Jamie Thomas Ryan, Casey Finn, Alex McKenna, Justin Donnellan.

Premier 'A' League

Newport Town had to settle for a share of the spoils following an entertaining 2-2 draw with Shelbourne A at Derryleigh Park.

The visitors struck first through Rory Cullen in the 33rd minute, but Newport responded immediately, with Ciaran Carey restoring parity a minute later.

Newport took the lead three minutes into the second half when Jamie Kavanagh found the net in the 48th minute. They looked set to claim all three points, but Shelbourne snatched an equaliser through Colm Cassidy in the 89th minute.

It was a frustrating finish for Newport, who had worked hard to turn the game around but had to settle for a point.

Newport Town: Stephen McCormack, Killian O'Malley, Shaun Bonfield, David O'Brien, Christopher Carmody, Ryan Sean, Ciaran Carey, James Collopy, Jamie Kavanagh, Aaron Coleman, Luke Ryan. Subs; Subs: Elliott Slattery, Conor Brett, Craig O'Connell, Peter O'Sullivan.

Lower Leagues

Newport Town 'B' went down 4-2 to Lisnagry in Division 1B. Darragh Meaney and Ben Wiest netted for Newport.

Lough Derg continued their outstanding start to the Division 2A campaign with a convincing 4-1 away victory over Croom United.

The league leaders wasted little time taking control, with James Hanly opening the scoring after just five minutes. Jason Monaghan doubled the advantage three minutes later to give the visitors an ideal start.

Croom responded through Seán Óg Hayes in the 33rd minute, leaving Lough Derg with a 2-1 advantage at the interval.

Sean Lyons restored the two-goal cushion in the 70th minute before Jack Scullane completed the scoring deep into stoppage time to secure another three points.

The result leaves Lough Derg with a perfect record of six wins from six games, having scored 29 goals and conceded just four.