Match Reports

Mullinahone B 7–1 St Nicholas

Liam Hicks struck a hat-trick and Conor Magiure added a double as Mullinahone B recorded a comprehensive Division 3 victory. The hosts dominated the opening half, weathered a spirited St Nicholas response after the restart and then accelerated away with a burst of second-half goals.

Mullinahone controlled possession and the early tempo, making the breakthrough after 15 minutes through Mike Cooper. Hicks added the second in the 20th minute before Steven Hickey produced a fine strike in the 32nd to give the home side a 3–0 interval lead.

St Nicholas returned with renewed purpose and were rewarded almost immediately. Ryan Kieran scored in the 46th minute to make it 3–1, and the visitors continued to push as they tried to bring themselves back into contention.

Mullinahone regained their authority with two more goals from Hicks. He struck in the 55th minute and again on the hour to complete his hat-trick, ending the visitors’ recovery hopes and restoring the hosts’ firm control.

With fresh legs introduced, Magiure added to the tally in the 66th minute and scored again three minutes later. Those quick-fire goals completed the 7–1 scoreline and capped a prolific afternoon for the home attack.

PRO Verdict: Hicks’ finishing stood out, but Mullinahone’s response to the early second-half setback was equally significant. St Nicholas briefly threatened a recovery before the hosts reasserted themselves. Magiure’s double added further weight to an emphatic attacking performance.

Dualla 3–4 Bansha B

Bansha B claimed the points by the narrowest of margins in a seven-goal Division 3 encounter away to Dualla. The visitors’ four-goal return proved just enough, with Dualla scoring three times but finishing one goal short.

It was an outcome with plenty for both attacks to show for their efforts, although Bansha were the side to come away with the reward. For Dualla, scoring three and still missing out underlines how costly each concession proved in the final reckoning.

PRO Verdict: Four goals away from home delivered the points for Bansha B. Dualla’s three-goal response shows an attacking return to build on, but the result also highlights the importance of reducing what is conceded at the other end

Powerstown 4–0 Suirside

Powerstown got their first league points on the board with a commanding four-goal home victory. Their attacking combinations produced four different scorers, while an important save from Peter Boland helped keep Suirside from finding a route back into the match.

The hosts set the early tempo, with Dylan Bates finding the side-netting as Powerstown pressed for the opener. Their persistence paid off in the 24th minute when Bates drove a low cross into John Alan Lowes, who finished to break the deadlock.

Suirside’s best opportunity followed, with Sean Moroney going one-on-one against Boland. The Powerstown goalkeeper made an excellent save to preserve the lead, an intervention that gained further significance when the hosts doubled their advantage in the 37th minute. Lowes controlled Boland’s long delivery and slipped Bates through to finish, reversing the roles from the opening goal.

Powerstown resumed their attacking rhythm after the break and settled the contest with two goals in quick succession. In the 57th minute, Charlie Barlow’s deft chip released Brendan Guiry, who finished low past the advancing goalkeeper.

Just a minute later, Barlow became the scorer. Lowes found him in behind and he finished well to make it 4–0, completing a decisive burst that put the result beyond Suirside’s reach.

PRO Verdict: A strong team performance, with Lowes involved in three goals and four players sharing the scoring. Boland’s save at 1–0 helped preserve the platform for the win. Once Powerstown added two goals in quick succession after the break, the result was secure.

Rosegreen 5–2 SC&K

Rosegreen Rangers opened their points account in entertaining fashion, scoring five times in their first home league game of the season. The result was built on some excellent finishing, with Stephen Brabston’s second-half double helping the hosts pull away from a competitive SC&K side.

Rosegreen began the brighter and made the breakthrough in the 14th minute. Elliott Thompson curled a low free-kick around the wall to put the home side ahead. SC&K posed problems from set-pieces, particularly long throws, and one of those deliveries led to their equaliser seven minutes later. The clearance reached Jack Moore outside the box and he rifled a volley into the bottom corner.

The visitors’ satisfaction was short-lived. Within a couple of minutes, a well-worked Rosegreen move reached Ian Shelly, who unleashed an outstanding left-footed effort that went in off the post. It restored the hosts’ lead and supplied another high-quality finish in an eventful opening period.

The game remained tight for the rest of the half and the opening 15 minutes after the restart, with clear chances limited. Rosegreen then found the move to extend their advantage. Adam Lyons and Brabston combined before the ball was played across the six-yard box for Corey Hynes to finish.

Shelly’s quick thinking helped produce the fourth. An alert throw-in found Brabston in space and he slotted past the goalkeeper. SC&K kept working and reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Mark Heffernan, who finished well after the ball fell to him in the Rosegreen box.

The hosts had the final word. Robbie Kelly slipped a well-weighted pass through the defence and Brabston finished between the goalkeeper’s legs to complete his brace and seal Rosegreen’s first three points at the third attempt.

PRO Verdict: A welcome win for Rosegreen, with Shelly’s quality and awareness complementing Brabston’s finishing. SC&K caused problems and scored twice, but the home side created the more decisive openings as the second half developed. Five goals provide plenty of encouragement for Rangers.

Peake Villa B 3–2 Tipperary Town

Peake Villa B showed the value of staying in a game, twice recovering from deficits before overturning Tipperary Town in a lively five-goal encounter at the Tower Grounds. A decisive four-minute spell in the second half transformed the contest for the hosts.

Jason Sutton opened the scoring for Town in the 17th minute, giving the visitors the early advantage. Villa captain Adam Garrett brought his side level in the 28th minute, but the respite was brief. Just two minutes later, Sutton claimed his second goal to restore Town’s lead and send them into half-time 2–1 ahead.

Villa emerged with renewed purpose after the break. Manager Mark Lennon made changes early in the second half, and the home side found the response they needed in the 66th minute. Darren McGuire played the ball through and Colm Jimmy Pearson reached it to finish, bringing the teams level for a second time.

Pearson was involved again four minutes later, this time as the provider. James Burke supplied the finish to make it 3–2 and put Villa in front for the first time. Having worked so hard to reverse the scoreline, the hosts protected their advantage through the remaining exchanges to claim three valuable points.

PRO Verdict: Villa’s second-half response and the impact of Lennon’s changes decided an entertaining game. Pearson’s goal and assist were central to the turnaround. Sutton gave Town a strong platform with his double, but Villa made the most of their decisive spell after the interval.

Peake Villa 1–0 Two Mile Borris

Dale Loughnane delivered the decisive moment in a closely fought Premier League encounter, finding the top corner late on to earn Peake Villa all three points. With both defences giving little away, this was a game that demanded something special to separate the teams.

Villa fashioned the better chances before half-time, but Josh Coady proved a formidable obstacle in the Borris goal. Pippy Carroll brought a fine save from the visiting goalkeeper and then went close again in the 34th minute, sending his effort just past the post. Shortly before the interval, Loughnane got in behind the Borris defence, only for Coady to get down well and block.

The second half remained finely balanced. Both back lines were alert to danger, and Borris threatened to make the breakthrough themselves when Lorcan O’Toole met a header, with Willie Tierney producing the save required to keep Villa level.

The winning goal arrived in the 82nd minute. Michael Quinlan supplied the lay-off and Loughnane struck right-footed into the top corner, finally beating Coady with an outstanding finish. Having found the breakthrough, Villa saw out the remainder of the game to complete a hard-earned victory.

PRO Verdict: A narrow win built on defensive concentration and one excellent finish. Coady’s saves kept Borris firmly in contention, while Tierney’s intervention mattered at the other end. Loughnane’s strike was a fitting way to settle a game of such fine margins.

Cahir Park 2–0 Bansha

Cahir Park opened their points account with a deserved home success, turning first-half pressure into a winning position after the interval. Adam Hennessy supplied the breakthrough with a superb finish before Cian O’Dwyer added the second to reward the home side’s persistence.

Park had the better of the opening half, but finding a way through was another matter. Bansha defended resolutely, while their goalkeeper produced several important saves to keep the game scoreless. For all their territorial advantage, the hosts reached the break still needing a moment of quality in front of goal.

That moment arrived in the 47th minute. Hennessy took aim from 20 yards and curled an excellent effort into the top corner, finally giving Park the lead their pressure had threatened to produce. It was a finish worthy of breaking a stubborn resistance.

Bansha remained only a goal behind until the 68th minute, when the home side made a corner count. The visitors could not complete the clearance and O’Dwyer finished from a narrow angle to establish a two-goal cushion. Park’s two second-half strikes proved enough to secure the three points and a clean sheet.

PRO Verdict: Patience was the key for Cahir Park. They kept working against a determined defence and were rewarded by Hennessy’s quality and O’Dwyer’s sharp finish. Bansha’s first-half resistance was commendable, but Park’s pressure ultimately told.

St Michaels 3–1 Cashel Town

St Michaels produced the response they needed under the lights at Cooke Park, putting their defeat to Peake Villa behind them with a purposeful 3–1 victory over Cashel Town. Goals either side of the interval gave Saints control of a contest in which the visitors had shown enough quality to make the home side work for their reward.

Saints wasted little time in making their intentions clear. Just two minutes had elapsed when Jake Cullen Jordan made progress down the right and sent a cross-shot into the corner of the net. Cashel responded positively, with Ciaran Fitzpatrick forcing a fine save from Adam Gallagher with an eighth-minute header. Their equaliser arrived in the 22nd minute, Daniel Fitzpatrick producing a neat finish to bring the sides level.

With the interval approaching, Saints found an important second goal. Jimmy Carr delivered a corner and Raid Mouras rose to head home in the 45th minute, marking his first goal for the club by restoring the home side’s advantage at a crucial stage.

David Slattery replaced Daniel O’Dwyer at half-time and needed only two minutes to make his mark. Shane Ryan supplied the cross and Slattery’s looping header found the net to make it 3–1. The pair combined again in the 49th minute, with Slattery going close before a knock brought his involvement to an early end and Willie Armshaw took his place.

Both sides used their benches as the game progressed, but Saints had done the decisive damage. Their work rate and efficient management of the remaining exchanges ensured Cashel were unable to undo that burst of scoring around half-time.

PRO Verdict: An assured response from Saints, whose goals immediately before and after the break changed the complexion of the match. Cashel’s first-half reaction deserved credit, but the hosts combined a threat from crosses with the discipline needed to protect their advantage.

Shinrone 3–3 SC&K after extra time

SC&K won 8–7 on penalties.

A late rescue act, a hat-trick for the opposition and a goalkeeper’s decisive intervention made this a cup tie full of drama. SC&K eventually left Shinrone with a place in round two after refusing to let the game slip away and holding their nerve in the penalty shootout.

The visitors enjoyed more of the ball in the opening half-hour and took the lead through Darren Kirwan. Introduced for the injured Jake Forristal, Kirwan made an immediate impact by firing into the roof of the net from distance.

Shinrone hit back through John Fitzpatrick, whose impressive free-kick brought the sides level before half-time. Fitzpatrick struck again early in the second half to put the hosts ahead, but SC&K responded when Sean Boland O’Reilly was fouled inside the penalty area. Kirwan converted the spot-kick for his second goal and a 2–2 scoreline.

Fitzpatrick completed his hat-trick around the hour mark to restore Shinrone’s lead. SC&K were left needing another response, and Jayden O’Regan supplied it with a dramatic late left-footed finish from distance to keep their cup hopes alive.

The sides ultimately had to be separated by penalties. With the shootout finely balanced, Kieran O’Donnell became SC&K’s match-winner on his first start for the club, saving the decisive kick to seal an 8–7 success and bring a memorable contest to its conclusion.

PRO Verdict: SC&K’s refusal to concede defeat earned them the chance to win it from the spot. Kirwan’s double and O’Regan’s late intervention were crucial, before O’Donnell supplied the final act. Fitzpatrick’s hat-trick deserves recognition in a tie that demanded repeated responses from both teams.

Cullen 3–1 Clonmel Celtic

Cullen survived a searching early examination before producing two late goals to knock Clonmel Celtic out of the Munster Junior Cup at Aisling Park. Celtic had opportunities to seize the initiative, but the home side’s ability to make decisive moments count carried them through.

The visitors began brightly and were unfortunate not to turn their early possession into a lead. Darren Hueston denied Patrick Ormand before Dylan McGrath cleared Kyle Cuddy’s follow-up. Celtic went close again in the 12th minute when Jack Aylward’s effort struck the upright.

Cullen took the lead on the half-hour. McGrath was brought down, the referee awarded a penalty and Michael Elligot converted to give the hosts the advantage. Celtic continued to have a route back into the tie and found it in the 61st minute: a cross from the left was not dealt with, allowing Oisin O’Malley to strike an excellent finish into the net.

At 1–1, the contest remained open until Cullen struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining. McGrath sent a cross in from the right and Tony O’Neill applied the slightest of touches to guide the ball home.

Celtic pushed for another equaliser, but that pursuit left an opportunity at the other end. In the 90th minute, Mikey Stokes broke down the right and squared for Max Reardon to finish, settling the tie and completing a strong closing spell for Cullen.

PRO Verdict: Cullen’s early defensive interventions were every bit as valuable as their late goals. Celtic will reflect on the chances that went unconverted, while the hosts deserve credit for responding to the equaliser and showing composure when the cup tie was there to be won.

Cullen 3–1 Clonmel Celtic

Cullen survived a searching early examination before producing two late goals to knock Clonmel Celtic out of the Munster Junior Cup at Aisling Park. Celtic had opportunities to seize the initiative, but the home side’s ability to make decisive moments count carried them through.

The visitors began brightly and were unfortunate not to turn their early possession into a lead. Darren Hueston denied Patrick Ormand before Dylan McGrath cleared Kyle Cuddy’s follow-up. Celtic went close again in the 12th minute when Jack Aylward’s effort struck the upright.

Cullen took the lead on the half-hour. McGrath was brought down, the referee awarded a penalty and Michael Elligot converted to give the hosts the advantage. Celtic continued to have a route back into the tie and found it in the 61st minute: a cross from the left was not dealt with, allowing Oisin O’Malley to strike an excellent finish into the net.

At 1–1, the contest remained open until Cullen struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining. McGrath sent a cross in from the right and Tony O’Neill applied the slightest of touches to guide the ball home.

Celtic pushed for another equaliser, but that pursuit left an opportunity at the other end. In the 90th minute, Mikey Stokes broke down the right and squared for Max Reardon to finish, settling the tie and completing a strong closing spell for Cullen.

PRO Verdict: Cullen’s early defensive interventions were every bit as valuable as their late goals. Celtic will reflect on the chances that went unconverted, while the hosts deserve credit for responding to the equaliser and showing composure when the cup tie was there to be won.

Wilderness 1–4 Galbally after extra time

Galbally eventually emerged with a convincing scoreline, but they were made to go the distance by Wilderness in an absorbing Munster Junior Cup tie. The teams could not be separated after 90 minutes, with extra time and a numerical advantage proving decisive for the visitors.

James Sullivan gave Galbally the lead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute. Wilderness provided an immediate answer: just two minutes later, Michael O’Hara delivered the cross and Keith Cashman headed home to restore parity. That quick response ensured the sides went to the interval level at 1–1.

The contest opened up after the restart, with play moving from end to end and both goalkeepers making important saves. Neither side could turn its opportunity into a winning goal, and the score remained unchanged at the end of normal time.

Extra time brought the crucial shift. Sullivan converted a second penalty to put Galbally back in front as Wilderness were reduced to ten men. The hosts now faced the difficult task of chasing the game a player short, and Galbally made that advantage count. Cathal Flynn and Killian Peters added late goals to complete the scoring and secure a place in the next round.

PRO Verdict: The final margin does not reflect how closely matched the sides were over 90 minutes. Wilderness responded well to the first setback and competed throughout normal time, but the extra-time penalty and dismissal changed the task considerably. Galbally took full advantage to finish the tie strongly.

Vee Rovers 2–1 Mullinahone

Tiernan Power produced the moment of magic that settled an engaging youth encounter, striking late to give Vee Rovers a hard-earned victory over Mullinahone. Having already created the equaliser, Power supplied the winning finish to round off a man-of-the-match display.

Rovers started on the front foot and enjoyed plenty of possession, but their early pressure brought only half-chances. Mullinahone made their opportunity count in the 18th minute when a good passage of play drew a mistimed challenge inside the box. Jack Dunne converted the penalty to put the visitors ahead.

Vee continued to push for a response but struggled to find the final touch until the 43rd minute. Power threaded an excellent pass through to Harry Byrne, who kept his composure and finished to bring the sides level at the interval.

The second half remained competitive, with both teams giving a good account of themselves and making changes in pursuit of a winner. Neither could find the decisive touch, and the prospect of shared points grew as the game moved towards its conclusion.

Power then supplied the difference. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he twisted into a shooting position and sent his effort into the top corner. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards, leaving Rovers with the three points after a determined comeback.

PRO Verdict: Power’s assist and late winner made him the outstanding influence on the result. Rovers kept searching after falling behind and were rewarded by two moments of quality. Mullinahone played their part in a competitive contest that remained in the balance until the closing stages.

Peake Villa B 0–4 SC&K

SC&K’s strong finish secured a clear away victory, although this youth fixture remained competitive for much longer than the final scoreline might suggest. Peake Villa B were still only a goal behind entering the closing ten minutes before the visitors struck three times to settle the outcome.

The young Villa side started well and remained involved in the early exchanges. SC&K made the breakthrough in the 26th minute through Adam Blanchfield, whose goal separated the teams at half-time.

Villa continued to withstand pressure after the restart and went close on several occasions themselves. At 1–0, the contest remained open, with the hosts still seeking the goal that would bring them level.

SC&K found the decisive second through Ben Roche in the 80th minute. Roche scored again in the 86th to complete his double, before Enda Nolan added the fourth ahead of the final whistle. That late scoring burst turned a narrow advantage into a convincing result.

PRO Verdict: SC&K deserve credit for finishing the game strongly and making their late opportunities count. Roche’s double proved decisive. Villa can take encouragement from remaining competitive for so long, although the final ten minutes changed the appearance of the scoreline considerably.

Clonmel Town 10–0 Peake Villa

Clonmel Town’s youths maintained their remarkable scoring form with a second successive 10–0 victory, this time securing passage through the first round of the FAI Youth Cup. Fred Ffrench Davis led the scoring with a hat-trick, while Leon Kelly and Shay Scully each contributed two goals.

Davis opened the scoring with a fine eighth-minute effort, giving Town an early foothold. The contest moved decisively in their favour late in the first half, when three goals in quick succession stretched the advantage to four.

Shane Hennessy struck in the 37th minute, an own goal followed in the 42nd and Kelly added another in the 44th. That sequence left Peake Villa facing a substantial deficit at the interval.

Town continued immediately after the restart. Davis scored his second in the 46th minute, and Kelly completed his brace in the 55th. Scully then added goals in the 66th and 70th minutes as Town continued to turn their attacking opportunities into a substantial return.

Daragh Beckett made his contribution in the 78th minute before Davis completed his hat-trick in the 80th to bring the tally to ten. Villa continued to battle to the end despite a difficult afternoon, but Town’s scoring power ensured an emphatic route into the next round.

PRO Verdict: An outstanding attacking return from Town, with the scoring spread across several players and Davis completing a hat-trick. The burst before half-time removed much of the uncertainty from the tie. Villa deserve credit for continuing to compete against a side in prolific form.

St Michaels 4–2 Cashel Town

Deccie Crowe’s tenure as St Michaels youth manager began with an entertaining cup success, but Cashel Town ensured Saints had to earn their passage. The visitors wiped out a two-goal deficit in an eventful first half before St Michaels regained control after the interval.

Saints opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Darragh Kelly headed home a right-wing corner. Robert Swords doubled the lead after 20 minutes, finishing from Christian Flanagan’s pass to put the home side in a strong early position.

Cashel responded within three minutes. Tomas Garcia Saeber intercepted Kevin Tobolski’s throw-out and found the net from 25 yards to reduce the deficit. The equaliser followed in the 31st minute: Tobolski made a superb save from Harry O’Connor, but Oisin Quirke was there to finish from close range.

The chances kept coming. Swords struck the post a minute later and subsequently headed just wide as Saints sought to restore their lead before the break.

It took only four minutes of the second half for the hosts to find their third, Flanagan getting on the scoresheet to make it 3–2. Both teams used their benches as the tie developed, before Davy Hogan converted a 72nd-minute penalty to give Saints a two-goal cushion and seal their place in round two.

PRO Verdict: An encouraging start for Crowe, with Saints showing the composure to recover after losing a two-goal lead. Cashel’s first-half comeback made this a proper cup contest. Flanagan’s contribution as both creator and scorer helped the hosts regain the initiative.