Match reports for week ending February 14
Nationalist Premier Division
Castle Rangers 1
Hanover Harps 0
Hanover’s title ambitions took a major hit as an Eddie Davis thunderbolt coupled with a man of the match performance from Paddy O’Brien in the Rangers goal sealed victory for the hosts.
While not quite a St Valentine’s Day massacre, the loss could be fatal to Harps who now require Crettyard to lose at least twice in their remaining six league games, a scenario that would appear unlikely given the champions are unbeaten in the league since the 2013/14 season. Hanover dominated the first half but failed to put away any of at least a half dozen clear chances that came their way. Graham Delaney saw his shot well saved early on by O’Brien, quickly followed by O’Brien racing off his line to save a Daryl Hayden effort with his feet. Another fine save denied Mark Davis on the half hour and the pattern of the game was set, Hanover making chances, O’Brien making saves. Hayden and Delaney were both thwarted again as the game went to half time at 0-0.
The second half started in the same vain with Harps pressing for the opening goal but when it arrived on the hour mark it was a fine 20 yards strike from Eddie Davis and Rangers, Davis picking up the ball 25 yards out and as the Hanover defence backed off he cracked an unstoppable shot past Jamie Hennessey into the bottom corner. The last half hour saw wave after wave of Harps attacking play but again O’Brien was equal to anything thrown at him, a fingertip save from Hayden with ten minutes left the pick of them. Majid Omeara missed Hanover’s best chance late on when he headed over an open goal from six yards and Rangers held on for the win, a reward for the efforts of Cailin Canning, Niall Davis and man of the match O’Brien.
Baltinglass Town 2
Parkville United 1
Dan O’Brien’s goal six minutes from time added to his strike just before the interval won this Premier division match for Baltinglass as Parkville’s unbeaten new year run came to an end.
Both sides struggled in the opening exchanges and chances were at a minimum in difficult underfoot conditions. Parkville got into some great crossing positions but the delivery into the box was poor and gave the waiting strikers little chance. Nick Nolan has United’s only chance of the half but he blazed over from 18 yards on the half hour. Baltinglass opened the scoring three minutes before the break when O’Brien finished well from a Sean Horan pass.
The visitors started the second half with purpose and Nick Nolan went close before Graham Byrnes shot from distance was well saved. United continued to probe as Conor McCarney became more influential as the game wore on and it was his pass that provided the opening for Nolan to score the equalizer on 70 minutes, Nolan’s volley giving the Baltinglass net minder no chance. The pace of the game dropped after this and as heavy snow began to fall it looked like a draw was on the cards until O’Brien rose highest at the back post to head home Gareth Doyle’s cross and win the game for the hosts.
Best for Baltinglass were Chris Redmond, Paddy Barry and Paddy Sinnott. Parkville’s best included Phil Smithers, Dave McCarney and Ross Hanley
LFA JUNIOR CUP R4
Kilbarrack United 3
St Patrick’s Boys 0
St Pat’s made their exit from the Leinster Junior Cup as three second half goals from the AUL Premier A side sealed the win.
St Pat’s played well in the opening period and had a fair share of possession but lacked a cutting edge in from of goal, the best chance of the half falling to Dominic Byrne but he couldn’t finish after good work from John O’Neill and Ross Townsend as the teams went into the break at 0-0.
Kilbarrack struck for the lead early in the second half but Boys responded well and created a number of chances, Conor Clack coming closest for the visitors before two late goals for the hosts put the match beyond the Boys who had impressive showings from Brian Maguire, Conor Clack and Ross Townsend.
DOUGLAS JEWELLERS’ CARLOW CUP
Palatine Celtic 0
New Oak Boys ‘B’ 3
New Oak second string had a deserved victory at the VEC to qualify for Round 3 of the Cup.
Boys started well and bossed proceedings in the first half, but missed a few good chances of going ahead including a Reece Denniffe penalty. It was 0-0 at half-time.
In the second half a super run from Musa Solmain set up Darren McGuill to open the scoring. Five minutes later Boys were in the driving seat when Daryl Coleman was allowed to turn on the edge of the box before rifling to the bottom corner of the Pal net. As Celtic pushed forward to try and get back into the game, in a swift counter attack Evan Dooley played in Keelan Brennan who squared for Darren McGuill to tap home and insure victory for the Boys.
Dylan Keightley, Eddie Brady, Musa Solmain and Reece Denniffe excelled for the winners.
MED BAR CUP
Hacketstown United 6
Nurney Villa 0
Hacketstown brushed aside a so called challenge from Nurney to advance to the semi-finals of the Med Bar Cup.
The home side were always the better side and took the lead on 27 minutes with a sweetly struck Niall Humpries shot to lead 1-0 at half-time.
Three minutes into the second half Humpries struck again for his second goal and the Nurney effort completely folded. Mark Joyce notched goal number three and substitute Shane McGrath helped himself to a hat trick as Nurney just played for the final whistle.
It was a fine team effort from the Utd side, who will now play the winners of the Kilree Celtic/Slaney Rovers quarter final.
For Nurney Thomas Murphy, Shane Mahon and Pat Fleming were best.
HERALD STRIKER DIVISION ONE
Celtic Stars 0
Crettyard United 2
A superb away performance from Cretty saw them defeat league leaders Celtic Stars in Clonegal.
With a performance of grit, determination and no shortage of skill the visitors were well deserving winners. Cormac Murphy put Utd ahead midway through the first half and the visitors could have been further ahead at half-time, as they had a couple of efforts taken off the goal line and the Stars keeper made a fantastic save to keep out a Shane Renwick effort.
The weather conditions deteriorated in the second half, but the pattern of the game remained the same with Utd on top. Cormac Murphy increased the lead with a shot from the edge of the box. Tony Darcy had a chance to reduce arrears for the home side, but blasted wide as the visitors went on to victory.
Starring for Cretty were James Brennan, Garry Rowan, John Graham and Pa O’Reilly. For Stars Darren Coleman, Ritchie Sinnott and Tony Darcy tried hard.
Vale Wanderers 1
Hanover Harps 0
A single second half goal decided this very evenly fought out Division 1 tie.
In a very entertaining game both sides had chances to take the lead, but they all went begging as Johnny Waters twice for Hanover was just off target. Also Lee Conran and Danny Darcy narrowly missed the target for Vale, as the first half ended scoreless.
Again the second half was very open with chances coming and going at both ends, until Vale put together a move involving Danny Darcy, Kieran Casey and Trevor Nolan to put Lee Conran in space and he finished well to break the deadlock. Hanover pressed hard for an equaliser forcing numerous corners, but Vale held on for victory.
Alex Round, Pat Meaney, Danny Darcy and Trevor Nolan impressed for Vale. With William Moran, Anthony Core and Johnny Waters best for Hanover.
WHITE’S PHARMACY DIVISION
Kilree Celtic 0
St. Anne’s 1
Despite missing two penalties the Saints done enough to earn all three points in Bagenalstown.
The first penalty came on 26 minutes, but Kilree keeper Nathan Byrne kept the spot kick out. There was little more of incident in the first half as the sides retired scoreless at the break
The ice was finally broken on 70 minutes with a superb goal from Andy McEvoy for a deserved lead for Anne’s. Kilree pushed for a leveller and Micko Salter headed just over. On 87 minutes the Ballylinan side were awarded another penalty, but again as with the first one Nathan Byrne made an excellent stop in the Celtic goal. The Saints went on to complete their win.
Kieran Farrell, Evan Philips and Jack Hickey were noteworthy for Anne’s. With Nathan Byrne, Jonny Dowling and Micko Salter best for Kilree.
Ballymurphy Celtic 8
Parkville United 1
The Bally boys moved into second position in Division 2 after this easy win at home.
The home side played some excellent football in the first half and took an eight-minute lead when Tom O’Neill scored direct from an excellently taken corner kick. Thomas Doyle with an unstoppable free kick doubled the lead after 16 minutes. Doyle then made it 3-0 just before half-time.
Kevin Foley piled on the agony for Parkville with a goal on 55 minutes. Foley got his second goal of the game soon after and Thomas Doyle completed his hat trick before Parkville got a consolation goal. Celtic had the final say with goals from Jack Foley and Benny O’Hanlon to complete a comfortable win.
Tom O’Neill, Thomas Doyle and Kevin Foley starred for Celtic.
BURGER KING CARLOW DIVISION THREE
St. Joseph’s 0
Village FC 5
This was a dominant display from the away side as they bullied the home side all over the pitch.
Thomas Lynch opened the scoring in the eight minute and Aidan Nolan doubled the lead midway through the opening half. The Old Leighlin side led by two goals at half-time.
Joey’s tried their best to get back in the game, but Village soaked up the pressure and struck for a third goal with Thomas Lynch getting his second goal of the game. The game was now as good as over, but there was time for both Declan Kelly and David Dowling to find the net as Village eased to victory.
Derek Mara, Gearoid Foley and Thomas Lynch excelled for Village. With Kit Gaffney, Brendan Parry and Gavin Curran best for Joseph’s.
Hanover Harps 8
Vale Wanderers 1
A comprehensive win for Hanover in The Plots on Sunday over bottom of the league Vale.
Four minutes into the game Brandon Redmond fired to the Vale net from 30 yards range for an early lead. Redmond then turned provider as he set up Chris Bermingham to double the lead after 20 minutes. Two minutes before half-time Bermingham struck again to leave Hanover 3-0 up at the break.
Bermingham completed his hat trick minutes into the second half and Dillon Murphy made it 5-0 on 66 minutes. Two minutes later Mick Ryan fired home a pile driver from 35 yards to bring up the half dozen. Vale battled on and pulled a goal back with a brilliant effort 75 minutes. A minute later they were awarded a penalty, but the kick was saved by Craig Reilly in the Hanover goal. Enda Dunne and man of the match John McGrath then completed the scoring.
It was a great all round performance from the entire Hanover squad.
O’Neill’s Women’s Carlow Cup Rd 1
Newpark FC 1
Crettyard United 6
A tough game today for Newpark who battled hard against a very strong Crettyard side.
The Laois side started strong and were rewarded with an early goal by Niamh Power and just before half time Ashling Behan added another.
The second half was much the same Newpark had a few chances but the stronger Crettyard added four more goals. Newpark never gave up and got their award from a great pass by Suzanne Meagher to Denise Doyle who squared it to Maria Connolly for a tap in.
Crettyard’s goals came from Niamh Power 3, Chloe Ryan 2 and Ashling Behan.
SuperValu U18 Division
St Patrick’s Boys 7
St Fiacc’s 0
This was a clash of top v bottom, with unbeaten St Pat’s meeting bottom-placed St Fiacc’s in poor underfoot conditions.
The home side started at a slow pace and found it difficult to get up to their usual high tempo, however, they managed to get up to something like their normal speed and on 18 minutes, Luke Hand, chipped the St Fiacc’s keeper and Michael Dobosz headed home at the back post for 1-0. On 28 minutes, Martin Brigett played a great 40 yards pass that found Luke Hand and with his first touch he flicked it past the keeper for 2-0. Then shortly before half-time, Evan Lowry whipped in a fine corner and Martin Brigett rose highest to powerfully head home for 3-0 and St Pat’s took this score line to the interval.
Boys started the second-half at a very much higher gear and on 46 minutes, Brian Malone played a slide-rule pass to Luke Hand who went round the keeper and tapped home for his brace and a 4-0 score-line. Then on 60 minutes Jamie Farrell picked up the ball on half-way beat two players and passed to Luke Hand who completed his hat-trick with a smart finish. The goals continued to flow for St Pat’s as on 69 minutes Kelvin Corcoran found Brain Malone out wide left and from his fine cross Luke Fitzpatrick hit home a fine volley from 18 yards for 6-0. Finally, on 88 minutes Josh Moore found Luke Fitzpatrick out on the right and from his cross the ever-available Luke Hand was there to grab his fourth goal and complete a resounding 7-0 win and retain their unbeaten record.
Best for St Pat’s were Luke Fitzpatrick, Luke Hand and Brian Malone, with a hard working team effort from St Fiacc’s, but there was a gulf in class between the two teams and that just couldn’t be bridged.
MMI Golden Boot Top Scorers
Nationalist Premier Division: Peter Fagan, Castle Rangers 12; Lee Salter, Crettyard United 11; Graham Delaney. Hanover Harps 9; Daryl Hayden, Hanover Harps 8; Adam O’Rourke, Crettyard United 8.
Herald Striker Division: Darren McGill, New Oak Boys 10; Jason McAssey, Nurney Villa 7; Lukasz Niewandski, Celtic Stars 6; Mark Egan, Celtic Stars 5; Jason Kane, Palatine Celtic 5; Tony Darcy, Celtic Stars 5.
White’s Pharmacy Division: David McDonald, Kilree Celtic 14; Niall Humphries, Hacketstown United 13; PJ O’Rourke, Kilree Celtic 11.
Burger King Division Three: Daniel Thompson, New Oak Boys 14; John Nangle, New Oak Boys 14; James Brennan, St Joseph’s 11; Anthony Slevin, Nurney Villa 9.
Women’s Division: Aisling Behan, Crettyard United 28; Demi Donovan, Newpark AFC 26; Essmay Mannix, Hanover Harps 24; Denise Doyle, Newpark AFC 15; Leanne Tumelty, Parkville United 14.
Youths Division: Ceilum Darcy, Vale Wanderers 11; Michael Dobosz, St Patrick’s Boys 9; Martin Doyle, Palatine Celtic 8; Jack Nolan, Mill Celtic 8; Michael Murphy, Nurney Villa 7; Daniel Heffernan, Vale Wanderers 7.
Tables
Nationalist Premier Division
Team P W D L Pts
Crettyard United 10 10 0 0 30
Hanover Harps 11 9 0 2 27
New Oak Boys 11 6 1 4 19
Parkville United 11 6 1 4 19
Baltinglass Town 11 6 0 5 18
St Patrick’s Boys 11 5 1 5 16
Castle Rangers 13 5 0 8 15
St Fiacc’s FC 13 2 0 11 6
Killeshin FC 13 1 1 11 4
Herald Striker Division One
Celtic Stars 11 8 1 2 25
Hanover Harps 10 6 1 3 19
Nurney Villa 10 5 1 4 16
Crettyard United 10 4 3 3 15
Vale Wanderers 10 3 2 5 11
New Oak Boys 10 2 2 6 8
Palatine Celtic 9 2 0 7 6
White’s Pharmacy Division
St Anne’s FC 11 7 2 2 23
Ballymurphy Celtic 8 5 2 1 17
Hacketstown United 8 5 1 2 16
St Joseph’s FC 9 4 3 2 15
Slaney Rovers 10 5 2 3 11*
Kilree Celtic 9 4 0 5 6*
Parkville United 11 1 2 8 5
Burrin Celtic 10 0 2 8 2
* – 6 Points Rule 37
Burger king Carlow Division Three
Village FC 12 9 2 1 29
New Oak Boys 11 8 1 2 25
Mill Celtic 12 10 0 2 24*
Hanover Harps 12 6 3 3 21
Nurney Villa 12 5 0 7 15
St Joseph’s FC 13 3 4 6 13
Killeshin FC 13 3 0 10 9
Vale Wanderers 11 2 0 9 6
Slaney Rovers 10 1 2 7 5
* – 6 Points Rule 37
Women’s Division
Parkville United 10 8 0 2 24
Crettyard United 9 8 0 1 24
Hanover Harps 10 8 0 2 24
Ballymurphy Celtic 9 8 0 1 24
Newpark FC 11 6 1 4 19
Mill Celtic 9 5 1 3 16
Vale Wanderers 10 5 0 5 15
St Fiacc’s FC 9 3 0 6 9
Slaney Rovers 9 3 0 6 9
Kilree Celtic 10 1 1 8 4
Village FC 9 0 2 7 2
Nurney Villa 10 0 1 9 1
SuperValu Under 18 Division
St Patrick’s Boys 10 9 1 0 28
Nurney Villa AFC 12 6 4 2 22
Parkville United 7 6 0 1 18
Vale Wanderers 9 5 2 2 17
Mill Celtic 11 3 2 6 11
Crettyard United 9 2 4 3 10
Palatine Celtic 9 3 1 5 10
St Anne’s AFC 10 1 2 7 5
St Fiacc’s FC 11 0 2 9 2
