Munster Junior Cup 4th Round 29th January 2022-2023 Match Report
Riverstown (Cork) 2 – 3 Peake Villa
In what is a novel happening with both Peake Villas first and second team advancing outside of the TSDL area to the open draw in the Munster Junior Cup, the firsts won past Cork side Riverstown on Sunday morning to take their place in the fifth round, winning by a single goal in five after an exciting game. The tie itself started at a frantic pace, with both sides having early chances, the best coming from the visitors Jack Ryan Casey came close in the fifth minute, but his well struck shot was parried away. Once the home side settled into the game, they took the lead after a quarter of an hour, when the Peake defence was caught flat footed, only able to watch Fionn Barry leap and score from a header from six yards out. But Villa were not behind for long, and only four minutes later, the ever industrious Kieran Casey found Keith Cahill in space and he slid his shot past the Cork keeper to the delight of the visiting fans. But while the Thurles side were celebrating, the home side struck back almost immediately and retook the lead a minute later through a Killian O Sullivan effort. The game was wide open at this stage and the TSDL side were rewarded for their attacking efforts in the twenty sixth minute when a Dylan Coady corner was headed into the net by Sean Wade to make it two all, the score that the game went to the half time break at. The second half Villa start to get on top and create some good chances through Keith Cahill and Kieren Hennessy, but the all important goal came in the sixty eight minute when Alan Leahy crossed to Sean Wade who put his side in front for the first time in the game. They began to boss the tie from this point onwards, and Dale Loughnane came close on two occasions late on, but in the end, they were happy to finish on the right side of the result especially after the disappointment of last weekend.
Springfield Ramblers 4 – 2 Peake Villa
Peake Villas B team were also in fourth round action in the Munster Junior Cup, and travelled to Cobh Sunday afternoon to play out a thrilling cup tie against Springfield. It was always going to be an emotional day for this young side after the past few weeks but they played out of their skin and ran a good Springfield side all the way to the final whistle. Villa took the lead in the twentieth minute when Danny Treacy was taken down in the box and was awarded a penalty, which he got up to put away himself. After that, despite being under intense pressure, the Tipperary side looked like they were going to hold onto that unlikely lead until disaster struck in the final minutes of the half, when the home side got two goals in quick succession to head to the break in front. The young Tipperary side could have easily thrown in the towel, but they were up for this and took the game to the hosts, levelling matters eleven minutes into the second period, when Conor Murphy played in Alex Moloney, to fire to the net. The game turned however minutes later, when the home side scored a contentious goal to get their noses back in front, and shortly afterwards Villa were awarded a penalty kick, that was saved by the Cork net minder. The sucker punch then came seventeen minutes from time, when Springfield added a fourth to finally put the game beyond the brave young Thurles team. This Villa side lost their popular manager Paul Twomey only a few weeks ago, but certainly honoured Pauls memory with this battling performance, and they can be proud of themselves when they continue to cheer on their club mates in further rounds.
Tipperary Cup, 2nd Round, 29th January 2022-2023 Match Report
St Michael’s 1 – 0 Dualla (AET)
Second Division Dualla almost pulled off the shock of the round when they took Premier League holders St Michael’s all the way to extra time before going down to a single goal defeat in the second round of this year’s Tipperary Cup. The home side were giving many of their squad players a chance to stake their claim in the side, but they were made work all the way by a Dualla team that is riding high in their own Division in recent weeks. As was expected the home side dominated the possession in the first half but they were unable to fashion anything of quality and only had a couple of half chances by Rhys Byron and Mikey Nash to show for their efforts. The away side for their part had a number of half chances of their own, but in the end the two sides went to the break scoreless. If the watching supporters expected some more energy in the second period, they were left disappointed as again it was a rather disjointed game with the home side being forced into bringing in some of the big guns to try to pry open a watertight Dualla defence. The standard of ball into the front line improved when the likes of Jimmy Carr, Russell Quirke and Ashley Kelliher made their appearance but the final ball that might have made the difference proved elusive and the game finished scoreless, to the surprise of almost all the watching crowd. Eventually however, when it got to extra time, experience and fitness began to take its toll on the away side and after Ed O Dwyer had gone close twice, it was one of the likeliest sources, Jimmy Carr who turned in a cross five minutes from time to ensure his sides victory.
TSDL Premier League 29th January 2023 Match Report
Wilderness Rovers 2 – 2 Two Mile Borris
All the main action of this tie came in the second half, with the two sides sharing the spoils as they try to cement their position in the Premier League for another season. Though the first half was very competitive, with both teams trying hard to create chances, none were clear cut enough for either side to take advantage and the teams went to the break level at nil all. The second half continued in similar fashion, and when goals came, two came in quick succession, both for the visitors. It was Daniel Rafter who got the brace, underlining his ability as a deadly striker that has made him an important member of the Borris team this season, scoring in the fifty third and sixty second minutes. At this stage the away side were in control and it looked like the hosts had a mountain to climb, but after making some astute substitutions, they clawed their way back and reduced the deficit in the seventy third minute when a free kick delivered into the Borris area by Stephen Woods found Sean Brown, who controlled the ball and turned to strike it across the keeper into the corner of the net. After that the home side laid siege to the Borris goalmouth firing effort after effort towards the goal to no avail. Or at least that’s what it looked like until deep into time added on when a throw in from Cillian Hogan, saw Niall Kelly flick onwards to the back post where Kevin McGrath stuck the equalizer with a trademark header, to the delight of the home supporters. That was the last real chance of the game and the points were shared, which will probably be enough to see both safe come the end of the season.
Cashel Town 2 – 2 Vee Rovers
This game was vital for both sides as they fight to hang onto their Premier League status, and while neither side would probably have recovered from a loss in the game, they will both look back on the draw as a chance spurned to pick up what would have been three priceless points. The game itself was a helter-skelter affair with the home side starting brighter but unable to convert the chances created. This allowed the visitors to take advantage and they did so when they took the lead in the twenty third minute when Zak Keating latched on to a poor clearance from the Cashel defence and tucked the ball past the stranded Cashel keeper and put his side a goal up. After that the game settled into a tough midfield battle but there were no more goals in the half, and Vee went to the break in front. The hosts needed a strong start to the second period and they did come out all guns blazing, but similar to the first period they just couldn’t seem to find that final touch to rally trouble an obstinate Vee backline. Then things got worse for the home side, when a second defensive error lead to a Shane Mc Grath free kick which was initially saved by keeper Gearoid Slattery buy only into the path of the onrushing Rob Childs to fired home to double his sides lead. In fairness to Cashel Town, they could have folded at this point, but they showed great resilience and rallied, getting a goal back when a corner kick fell to the feet of Ciarán Fitzpatrick and he finished to the top left of the goal, ten minutes from the end. This set up a grandstand finish and the home side were awarded a penalty kick with five minutes left. But the chance went a begging as it was fired over the crossbar. This could have broken the home side, but they kept going and got their reward in the dying minutes when a ball was swung in from a corner kick by Darragh Browne and Kyle Ryan headed to the net to the delight of the watching home support. That was the last chance of note in the game, with the spoils shared, and both sides now desperately chasing points as the sands of the seasons begin to finally run out.
TSDL First Division 29th January 2022-2023 Match Report
St Michael’s 3 – 3 Cahir Park
St Michael’s second team put a big dent in Cahir Park’s title hopes on Sunday morning when they held them to a draw in a very competitive game at the Complex. The two teams showed they were up for the game with both starting quickly and the hosts went close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Antonio Rea saw his header saved from a Cian O’Dwyer cross saved well. The visitors first clear chance came ten minutes later when Willie Dunne saw his shot saved by Robbie Mc Grath, but they finally opened the scoring just before the half hour mark when Darragh Conway’s header came back off the post and deflected off a defender to nestle in the net. This was the only goal of a half that was bubbling but hadn’t really exploded as it promised to do in the second period. The first quarter of the second half turned into a midfield battle with neither defence troubled until the home side finally created a clear-cut chance in the sixty fifth minute and David Buckley headed home a flick on from Adam Roche after a Cathal Berrigan corner. Within two minutes they had gone from behind to the lead, after Antonio Rea latched on to a defensive error and his delicate chip dropped under the bar, to the delight of the watching supporters. But they had barely finished celebrating when the visitors brought it back level again, after Barry Cooney found Seanie Kiernan who rose highest to plant a header in the back of the net. The game got frantic now, with both sides going hard for the win, and The Park looked to have won it when they went three goals to two up six minutes from the end, when Tom Keating’s corner saw Willie Dunne dive and head past the stranded keeper. But right at the death the home side got an equaliser that their work on the day deserved when a Dean Thompson free kick took a deflection off the wall and found left the visiting keeper standing helplessly flat footed as they ball found the back of the net. Cahir still pushed for a fourth that would secure another vital two points, and forced Robbie McGrath into making two fine saves in stoppage time, and right at the death a Stephen Duggan header hit the underside of the bar but stayed out, with the game finishing with a share of the points and a breathless watching crowd.
Old Bridge 2 – 0 Mullinahone
Though a lot hung on this game for both sides, for long periods of the game, it was a lack lustre affair with neither side really looking like they were able to really dominate the game. Bridge forced the issue early on and for the first quarter of the game, looked most likely to open the scoring, with chances going close from Colum Guiry, Jake Mulcahy and Jack Burke. In fact Burke had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside, and he also saw an effort come back off the crossbar. But the game had to wait until ten minutes before the break before the breakthrough finally came when a Shane Foley corner was headed to the net by Johnny Cagney despite the despairing efforts of a Mullinahone defender on the line. With half time approaching Kian Quinn kept out a Mullinahone attempt with a very good save. The second half continued along similar lines with the hosts putting on most of the pressure and they added a second when after a deflected shot went out for a corner kick, Cagney once again popped up to head the set piece home. Mullinahone to their credit did respond but the home defence dealt capably, and the game lost its shape after that as both sides made changes. The chances that were created in the final fifteen minutes were few and far between and Bridge were more than happy to take the points at the end, while Mullinahone, barring a miracle now, will be playing football back in the Second Division next season.
TSDL Second Division 29th January 2023 Match Report
Cashel Town 0 – 2 Cullen Lattin
Cashel Town’s seconds look increasingly beleaguered at the bottom of the Second Division after going down to a home defeat against form team Cullen Lattin on Sunday afternoon. The game was a competitive one with both sides swapping chances in the early part of the match. Sean Cormack went close for the hosts midway through the half but his shot slid wide, and Jack Price suffered the same fate with a headed effort shortly after. Cullen though were always dangerous on the break, spurning some good chances which left the game scoreless at the break. Five minutes into the second period the away side finally hit the front when a corner kick was swung in by Tony O Neill and after a scramble in the area, Mikey Elligott finally tucked away the ball to give Cullen the lead. The next twenty minutes saw the home side dominate as they tried to get back into the game, but the visitors defence held well and the hosts never really got a clear sight of goal from which to get an equaliser. With ten minutes left, Cullen secured the points with a second goal, with Mikey Stokes side footing home another peach of a cross by O Neill, pushing their side right into contention at the top end of the table.
Rosegreen Rangers 6 – 2 St Nicholas
Rosegreen had to travel to Solohead to play this game, but they travelled in style, putting in their best performance of the season to win by six goals to two against a St Nicholas side that would not be used to being turned over by such a scoreline on their own patch at Danny O Dwyer Park. A very early sending off reduced the home side to ten players and this didn’t make their job on the day any easier, when the visitors opened the scoring in only the seventh minute courtesy of an effort by TJ Ryan. It only took six minutes for Rangers to add a second as they home defence were being overwhelmed by the constant attacks, and Ryan was once again found in space from where he made no mistake, doubling his and his sides tally. The added a third in the twentieth minute and looked like they were going to overrun the hosts, but the Saints pulled a goal back four minutes before the break when the always dependable Aaron Ryan Shiner crossed for James Scanlon to head home from close in. But any chance of this being a starting point for a comeback was shattered when just a minute later a Daithi Bargary goal for Rosegreen restored their three goal lead, which they took to the half time break. The home side made some half time changes, and only three minutes into the second period, they got a second goal when substitute Eoin Riordan fired home a brilliant effort from the edge of the area. Seven minutes later Rosegreen were awarded a penalty kick, but the shot struck the post and went to safety. But shortly afterwards, Ian Shelly was given the chance to make amends when the visitors were awarded a second penalty, and Shelly made no mistake from twelve yards out to extend the lead back out to five goals to two. The final goal came right at the end of the game with Gavin Ryan added a sixth in the final minutes, to cap off a good day for his side, and move them level with their opponents in the league table.
Clerihan 1 – 2 Galbally United
A game which had big points at stake at both ends of the table, saw Galbally start brighter and they took the lead in the twelfth minute when a cross come shot held up in the wind and after been tipped onto the bar and Eoin O’Sullivan was on hand to tap in from close range. Clerihan struggled to gt back into the game after this and had to wait until the half hour mark to have their first real chance of the half when a free kick was fired just over the bar. There were no more goals in the half, and both teams seemed anxious to commit too much forward in the second period. But eleven minutes in, a corner for the visitors was flicked on at near post and parried away, but before any defender was able to react to the save, O’Sullivan was on hand to head to the empty net for his and his sides second goal. Clerihan had to dig deep to get back into this game and almost did minutes later, but Sean Maher’s headed effort flew narrowly past the upright. With just nine minutes left, Maher wasn’t to be denied again, when he fired a free kick direct to the net, giving the visiting keeper no chance. Galbally quickly responded to this and minutes later hit the post, and a good chance thwarted by the excellent Eoin Power in the Clerihan goal. However those misses made no difference and they held on to claim the three points that will see them back at the top of the Second Division table.
TSDL Third Division 29th January 2023 Match Report
Moyglass United 3 – 2 Powerstown
Moyglass United threw the cat back among the pigeons in the Third Division and promotion races when they inflicted the first loss of the season on league leaders Powerstown on Sunday morning. Fired up for a good performance the hosts started the better, but it was the visitors who went ahead after a counter attack that Cathal McKeown finished off midway through the half. And just before half time things got better for the away side when they created a pacy counter attack and cut open the home defence before Darren Murphy finished to the net. This was how the game went to the break, and not many would have put money on the home side getting back into the game, but they started well again and pushed the league leaders back numerous times. But it still took until twenty minutes from time before they managed to make a clear enough chance to profit from and when that came Jamie Morrissey made no mistake to reduce the deficit. Five minutes later, they were level this time when Darragh Hurley found the net, and they has Powerstown the ropes. The knockout blow came inside the final ten minutes when a long Mike Hickey throw in caused the defence all kinds of problems, and ended up in the back of the net, giving the home side the three points and putting them firmly back in the promotion race.
Tipperary Town 4 – 1 Bansha Celtic
Not much separated these sides in Division Three and a tight game was expected, but with only minutes gone, the home side forced a corner, taken by Ryan Maher who found Nicky Cummins to head home from close range. That settled the home side and even though Bansha were a constant threat in the game with Kyle Hayes looking lively it would be the home side that doubled their lead just before the twentieth minute. With some excellent passing in the middle of the pitch, eventually finding Marian Duta who lifted the ball stylishly over the head of the Bansha keeper and into the net. Chances came and went for the visitors who again were left cursing their luck when the score went to three nil, after a quick ball from midfield saw Marky Roche step past the static defence and with a tidy finish over the keeper sent the home side into the break three to the good. The away side started the second half the better side and got a great chance to pull a goal back ten minutes in when they were awarded a penalty, but Mickie O Dwyer came up big with a fantastic save to keep his sides three goal lead. Minutes later, more pressure by Celtic resulted in a second penalty being awarded, and they made no mistake with the second effort with Kyle Hayes finishing beautifully to the keepers right, to make the score three goals to one. But this did not knock the home side out of their groove and they re-established their advantage fifteen minutes from time when Matthew Moroney picked the ball up in the centre circle, took off on a run, and once finding himself in the penalty area he side footed right into the corner to kill the game and shut the door on an unlucky Bansha who will definitely feel like the scoreline didn’t fully reflect the game.
Kilsheelan United 1 – 2 Donohill and District
In form Kilsheelan United suffered a disappointing defeat on Sunday afternoon to a rapidly improving Donohill & District side, as things start to hot up at the top end of Division Three. Both teams settled into the game quickly, as the midfield area turned into a battle, with few real opportunities for either side of note. Those that were created seemed to fall to the home team with Billy O’Connor, Cathal de Faoite & Nathan Dolan all coming within inches of opening the scoring. However, the sides went into the break level. It was the visitors who settled better in the early moments of the second period, and they got the opening goal ten minutes in, when they were awarded a penalty and Michael O Neill slotted the spot kick home. Just after the hour-mark it became two to nil when a breaking ball fell to the feet of Dinny Crosse, who curled it into the bottom corner to give themselves some breathing room. Kilsheelan responded with some good work and deservedly got a goal back when a bouncing ball twenty five yards out fell to the feet of Jamie Roche and he volleyed into the top-corner of the Donohill net to get his side back into the game. The hosts had thee better of the last twenty minutes of the game, but were unable to get the equaliser and the visitors returned home with all three points.
TSDL Youths 28th January 2022-2023 Match Report
Tipperary Youths Cup, 1st Round
Two Mile Borris 4 – 3 Peake Villa (AET)
This local derby kicked off in dreary and cold conditions in Newhill on Saturday afternoon, but by the end of the game had warmed up into a real ding dong cup battle between two very good youth sides. The away team got off to a dream start when a home defender put a cross into his own net after just five minutes, and this gave Peake the impetus to dominate the early part of the game. It was panic stations for the home team who haven’t played a match in over two months and the lack of games really showed, when the Thurles outfit doubled their advantage in the twentieth minute thanks to a brilliant free kick from Michael Anthony McCarthy. Borris eventually woke up and started to get a hold on the game and pulled a goal back when Aaron Shanahan deservedly scored from a great strike outside the box. The hosts were starting to play some nice football at this stage and Jack Delaney and Tom Ryan created some great chances to score, but the ball just wouldn’t go in the net. Peake responded to this by restoring their two goal lead ten minutes before the break when Kieran Purcell was quickest to react to a defensive mix up to pass the ball into an empty net from six yards out. This was how the game went to the break and it was the home side that seemed to make the most of the stoppage, coming back out in flying form and pulling a goal back when Eamon Long hit a cracker into the bottom corner of the Peake net to make it thre goals to two, just before the hour mark. They continued to press and with fifteen minutes left in normal time were denied a goal when a defender stopped a shot from Jack Delaney with his hand on the goal line. Awarded a penalty and with the visitors reduced to ten men, Borris levelled the game when Louis Coughlan made no mistake with the spot kick as he drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net. This was the final score and the game went to extra time, being eventually decided by Eamon Long, who emulated his famous uncle Shane, and drilled another unstoppable shot past the Villa keeper from just inside the box to give Borris a hard fought comeback win after extra time.
Moyglass United 0 – 6 Shanbally United
Division Two Youths form team Shanbally United travelled to Moyglass on Saturday and finished with another good win that brings them level at the top of the league as it enters its final stretch. They started on the front foot from the first minute, and had a few half chances before eventually opening the scoring in the eighteenth minute This allowed the visitors to play with more freedom and they added a second before the break when Luke Morrisey found Cian O Reilly with a free kick, and the strike made no mistake from close in. Two up at the break, the second half was only four minutes old when Cathal Tobin added a third and pretty much put the game beyond the hosts. After that the visitors were able to let off the handbrake and they added another three goals in a very dominant second half performance with strikes by Luke Morrissey, Ben Frazier and Liam Carroll.
