FAI Youth Cup Round 3 Saturday 07-12-24
Clonmel Town 3-1 Knocknacarra
Clonmel Town came out on top of this rearranged fixture but had a nervy ending.
Having led 3-1 a late goal for their Galway opponents kept Town honest but in truth, the home side were good value for the win.
Eanna Cullinan gave Town the lead in the 20th minute before Harry Ryan doubled their advantage.
In the 65th minute Knocknacarra pulled one back but soon after Town restored their two-goal lead after a defender directed a cross into his own net.
Despite scoring again in injury time, the away were unable to muster a chance to force an equaliser and Town held on to advance to the next round.
Munster Youth Cup 4th Round Saturday 07-12-24
Cahir Park 1-7 Clonmel Celtic
Clonmel Celtic returned to Cahir Park following last weeks abandoned game due to injury to a Celtic player. It was Celtic who put in a dominating first half performance, opening the scoring on 13 minutes when a long goal kick beat the two Cahir centre backs, and it was Jack Aylward who got in to slide it past the Cahir keeper. On 27 minutes Calum Butler put the ball into his own net following a cross into the six-yard box. Celtic continued to push and got their third on 34 minutes and completed the first half scoring on 40 mins when Jack Aylward struck a free kick into the top corner to go in 4-0 up at half time.
With a change of shape Cahir Park came out in the second half looking to get a couple of early goals to get back into the game. Whilst performance improved and some chances created, they couldn’t find a breakthrough. Then on 75 minutes Jack Aylward completed his hat trick catching Cahir on the break. Two more followed for Celtic on 81 and 83 minutes and a consolation goal by Oisin Power on 85 minutes for Cahir completed the scoring.
Munster Junior Cup 4th Round Saturday 7.00pm 07-12-24
St Michaels 1-2 Aisling Annacotty (Limerick)
Aisling Annacotty got the better of holders St Michaels in a fiercly competitive Munster Junior Cup tie at Cooke Park last night. Aisling smarting from a defeat in Castlebar the previous week built their victory around the effectiveness of their trio up front in Coughlan, Coustrain and Foley. They started well and in the opening minute Tom Kidd hooked his effort wide of the far post from an Adam Foley cross. Saints hit back and a good defensive tackle from Conor Carew stopped Jimmy Carr getting in on goal after 6 mins. It was end to end stuff with Russell Quirke and Luke Kiely winning frees for Saints which didn’t amount to anything. Cian Fadden did well to head away a free kick from the left as Aisling were finding wingers Leon Daly and Adam Foley which kept the Saints defence on their toes. Jimmy Carr made a good run on 16 mins but shot from the right and it went wide of the target. Conor Coughlan was just wide from Foley on 25 mins. Kuba Beban did well to lunch away a free kick on 29 mins. A great pass from Luke Kiely played in Philip Drohan on 31 mins but he shot straight at McNamara.. Russell Quirke’s flick from a Philip Drohan cross went just wide on 35 mins following good approach play by Ed O’Dwyer. The half ended in scoreless stalemate at Cooke Park.
Saints were out of the blocks well after half time and Philip Drohan pulled a right foot shot wide of the far post from the left from a Jimmy Carr pass. Kuba Beban did well to stop Coultrain as the stakes intensified at Cooke Park .Foley shot wide of goal on 51 mins. Aisling drew first blood on 54 mins when a clearance by a Saints defender rebounded to Paul Brennan who scored from 6 yards to make it 1-0 to the visitors. It could have been two a minute later when Leon Daly found Conor Coughlan in the area but he saw his effort saved by Beban. An effort by Conor Carew hit the lost via a Saints defender on 62 mins. Aisling were awarded a penakty on 68 mins when Coultrain was deemed to have been fouled but Conor Coughlan saw his spot kick saved by Kuba Beban. Saints roared back and Russell Quirke went close as McNamara saved from a Jimmy Carr cross on 71 mins. Quirke again went close from an Ed O’Dwyer cross on 73 mins. Drohan failed to find Quirke with a pass as the game headed for its final fifteen minutes. Jimmy Carr lost his footing on 86 mins and a quick break saw Conor Coughlan show deft footwork to evade Fadden and Beban and fjnd the corner of the net to make it 2-0 to Aisling. Saints again bounced back and after strong pressure Joey Mulcahy was on hand at the far post to score with a left foot shot to make it 2-1 on 88 mins. Aisling were hanging on as Saints threw everything at them but they just couldn’t prise open the defence and John Lyons final whistle saw Aisling advance to the last 16 of the Munster Junior Cup Saints will be hurting today but we will regroup as we always do over the holidays and bounce back with a visit to Dublin in early January in the Fai Junior Cup.
Division 3 Saturday 7.00pm 07-12-24
Cahir Park (B) 3-3 Rosegreen
Second played third in Division 3 on Saturday night in blustery conditions in Cahir Park. A game very much of two halves. Cahir Park came flying out of the traps early on and took the lead when a whipped low cross by Niall Daly was met at the back post by Conor Murphy. Cahir Park doubled their lead when Eoin Corbett met a perfect Conor Murphy corner to head past the Rosegreen keeper. Oisin Power scored his first goal in Junior football right before half time to give Cahir Park what they thought was a healthy lead. The game was completely turned on its head with 25 minutes to go when Rosegreen scored a superb free kick. They quickly added a second from the edge of the box and from then on it was constant pressure from the away team. With five minutes to go a flowing move down Rosegreen’s right side ended up with a thumping finish from just inside the box to make it 3-3.
Muster Junior Cup RD 4 Sunday 08-12-24
Peake Villa 1-0 Killarney Celtic (Kerry)
Killarney Celtic made the long trip up to Thurles for this cup tie. Thankfully, the weather was good with a slight breeze. Both teams settled into the game well without creating much. Villa had a good break in the 8th minute, and Pippy Carroll was running onto the ball when he was taken down in the box. Referee Mick Duffy pointed to the spot.
Captain Pippy Carroll took the pen and scored to the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.
Dale Loughnane came close in the 19th minute when his effort hit off the post and was cleared to safety. Villa were on top playing against the wind and were unlucky not to go two up when Darragh Byrne made a good run down the wing and crossed to Carroll, whose effort went just wide of the post. Killarney were awarded a free kick in the 44th minute, and Stephen McCarthy came close to levelling the game when his effort hit the cross bar. Villa took the game to Killarney and came very close to a second goal when Pippy Carroll’s strike from all of 30 yards hit the crossbar.
Killarney, were not out of the game by any stretch and thought they equalised when Matthew Keane scored, but the flag went up for offside. In the latter stages, Killarney tried hard to get back level, but Villa were playing well in defence and were dangerous on the break. In the 86th minute, Ronan Mcguire found space in the box, and his shot was well saved by Roy Kelliher in the Killarney Celtic goal. There were six minutes of injury time, but Villa held out for the win and go into the next round.
Clonmel Celtic 0-3 Bridge UTD (Clare)
It was an afternoon to forget for Clonmel Celtic as they made a rather tame exit from the Munster Junior Cup crashing out 3-0 to Clare side Bridge Utd. Celtic made a very sloppy start to the game handing the initiative to Bridge from the off. Fabian Kerton denied Brian Corry after just three minutes and five minutes later Ger Myles crashed a header against the inside of the post. On a rare venture into the opposition half Kyle Cuddy came close for Celtic with a cross come shot that Seanie Hawkins came close to converting at the far post. Bridge got the goal they were threatening on 13 minutes when Celtic failed to deal with a free kick and Ger Miles did well to squeeze a shot inside the post. On 25 minutes Peter O’Dowd tested the Bridge keeper for the first time with a shot that was saved comfortably. Within a minute Celtic were a 2-0 down when Brian Corry headed home at the far post after more poor defending. The game became very scrappy with two players, one from each side red carded. Bridge nearly made it three on 34 minutes when a deflected effort came off the crossbar. The second half was only ten minutes in when both players lost another player each as the game deteriorated as a spectacle. Despite the visitors being very comfortable Celtic had two great chances to get back into the game in a three-minute spell around the 70th minute mark. Keeper John Mulready’s outstretched leg denied Darren Sweeney and when the ball broke to Sweeney again after a scramble, he couldn’t keep his effort down and the chance went. Celtic came even closer a minute later when Jack Purcell played Niall Prendergast in, but he shot wide. Bridge had a few chances to put the game to bed on a number of counters but some excellent defending from Ayo Williams kept Celtic hanging in. However, Bridge put the game to bed on 75 minutes when Dom Griffin took advantage of another error to make it 3-0 and wrap up the game for the Clare side. A very disappointing afternoon for Celtic who never got going and allowed Bridge Utd win a game without even having to be at their best.
Premier League Sunday 08-12-24
Cahir Park 7-1 Bansha Celtic
Cahir Park welcomed near neighbours Bansha Celtic in the premier league and ran out comfortable winners.
The home team got off to the perfect start scoring after one minute when Niall Daly tapped home from close range from a corner.
The next 20 minutes were even but Bansha grew into the game and created a number of chances one of which they took on 38 minutes when Robbie Byron finished a well struck free kick by Tony Egan. However, Cahir regained the lead on 40 minutes when John O’Brien scored from the penalty spot.
The second half was all Cahir Park and on 50 minutes Niall Daly made it 3-1, John O Brien (PEN) made it 4-1 before goals from Rhys Byron, Ger Quinn and Willie Dunne completed the scoring.
Two Mile Borris 4-1 Clonmel Town
Borris had a good win at home to Clonmel Town on Sunday morning in a game that was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. After a few weeks with no game Borris were slow to start and were lucky not to go behind early on when Town had a few chances. Gradually Borris got into the game without making any clear cut chances. Jack Dolan handled everything Town fired at him and split the Clonmel defence with a great ball to Jamie Lee in the 35th minute who raced clear and crossed for Tommy McGuire who fired just wide of the Clonmel post to see the teams go in scoreless at half time. Borris upped the tempo in the second half and went ahead when a good passing move was finished off by Tommy McGuire in the 55th minute. Borris were on top now and went two up when Jake Jordan scored from the penalty spot on the hour mark. Christy Bourke came off the bench and scored with a good finish to put Borris three up. Borris kept the pressure on and went four nil up when Jamie Lee kept up his good goalscoring form with a fine finish in the 75th minute. Town were always dangerous and fought hard to get back into the game and were rewarded when Kevin Fahey headed home a Jack Kennedy cross in the 80th minute. Both sides had late chances but Borris ran out 4-1 winners to move into joint second place in the league with it all to play for moving into 2025.
Division 1 Sunday 08-12-24
Tipperary Town 2-1 Two Mile Borris (B)
The home side took the three points in a game that was in the balance right up to the last minute of a long injury time period. Played in glorious sunshine, Tipp took the lead midway through the first half , Alex Mason crossing for Michael Frawley to head home, credit to Evan Ryan who has been working tirelessly on set pieces with Tipp this season. The second was soon to come when Dylan Cummins’ low cross was deflected into the net.
Borris started the second half asking a lot of questions of the home side. Olek Ivanov went close twice to extending the lead before a Jack Delaney cross was headed home brilliantly by Dj Troy and it was game on. Town now played the last 15 on the break with Borris literally throwing everything at them but Timmy Esmonde was up to the task and Tipp saw out the game.
Vee Rovers 2-3 Cullen Lattin
Vee started this game well and went ahead from a well taken goal from a strike on the edge of box through Darragh Ryan after 17 minutes.
The home side appeared to be going to the half-time break a goal to the good, but Darren McGrath had other ideas and he levelled matters in the 45th minute.
Cullen started the brighter in the second half but couldn’t find a goal that their play deserved and were punished when Rovers went ahead with a great move when Dylan Keating put through Shane McGrath for a first-time strike to put Vee ahead.
Cullen came back and levelled with Tristan Stokes after poor some defending.
Rovers piled on the pressure looking for the winner but got caught on the break and after a great safe Tony O’Neill was there to hit home the winner with the last kick of the game to leave Vee wondering what they have to do to win a game.
Powerstown 4-1 Peake Villa (B)
While Peake Villa controlled the ball early on, it was Powerstown who started with the better of the chances as the Peake Villa keeper was called into action after five minutes, pulling off a good save from a Gino Lonergan shot. Powerstown took the lead in the 17th minute when a Ronan Quigley cross was finished well by Brian McKeown. Peake Villa replied a few minutes later and were level when Andy Garrett finished a cross from the right-hand side. Powerstown went 2-1 up through a Paul Kelly effort in the 26th minute. Powerstown doubled their lead in the 41st minute when a deep cross from Gino Lonergan was finished brilliantly by Kevin Kirwan to make it 3-1. 3-1 was the halftime score. Peake Villa had the chance to pull one back early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty after an Eddie Sweeney foul, but their effort went just wide of the post. Peake Villa continued to press for a goal, but Powerstown keeper Shane Ryan was determined not to be beaten. The score remained 3-1 until the 90th minute when David Grace finished to the near post from an Aaron Kiely pass. Full time 4-1 to Powerstown.
Division 2 Sunday 08-12-24
St Nicholas 3-0 Oldbridge
St Nicholas dominated early and made the breakthrough after 22 minutes when a well taken Thomas Flynn corner was headed home by James Scanlon. Minutes later St Nicholas made it two nil when a great through ball was finished by Jason Sutton. Old Bridge grew into the game in the second half but never threatened the St Nicholas goal.In the 75th minute St Nicholas scored the third from a penalty scored by Jason Sutton.
Ballingarry 1-0 Kilsheelan United
Ballingarry Albion were at home against league leaders Kilsheelan United.
Both teams were newly promoted from Division 3 last season and have begun life in Division 2 well with SC&KU setting the early pace for the whole division.
Ballingarry began the game well aided by a strong wind and were applying early pressure mainly through the long ball. The first chance of the game fell to Stephen Holohan on 25 minutes, but his header was well saved by the away keeper. As the half wore on Kilsheelan began to get their foot on the ball and forced some free kicks and corners. Ballingarry got the all-important first goal after a long throw into the box wasn’t dealt with and the ball fell to the Albions in form striker Keith Cleere who swivelled smartly in the box and slotted a lovely finish past the keeper into the bottom corner. Ballingarry pushed for a second before half time and won plenty of corners before the half time whistle but couldn’t convert any of them.
The second half was a polar opposite to the first as Kilsheelan now with the strong wind at their backs piled on the pressure early on forcing loads of corners and free kicks deep in the Albions half but Ballingarry’s resolute defence stood firm. Ballingarry then almost doubled the lead through a free kick of their own after the ball fell to John Pollard at the back post, but his shot went inches wide. Adrian Maher then almost doubled the lead on 67 minutes when a lovely move down the right saw his shot well saved from close range. The final 15 minutes Kilsheelan had the home side pinned in their half as they tried to hang on for the win. In the final minutes a long ball was flicked on and was carried by the wind over the keeper and onto the crossbar and out for a goal kick to deny the away side a late equaliser.