Spirited fightbacks from Wilderness Rovers, Cashel Town in Tipperary Premier League

Wilderness Rovers 2 – 2 Two Mile Borris

All the main action of this tie came in the second half, with the 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 clearcut enough for either side to take advantage and the teams went to the break level at 0-0.
The second half continued in similar fashion, and when goals came two came in quick succession, both for Borris.

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 53rd and 62nd minutes.
At this stage the away side were in control and it looked like Wilderness Rovers had a mountain to climb. But after making some astute substitutions, they clawed their way back and reduced the deficit in the 73rd 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 Rovers 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 equaliser 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.

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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 defeat 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 23rd minute when Zak Keating latched onto a poor clearance from the Cashel defence and tucked the ball past the stranded Cashel ‘keeper to 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 Rovers went to the break in front.

Cashel 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 really trouble an obstinate Vee Rovers backline.

Then things got worse for the home side, when a second defensive error led to a Shane McGrath free kick that was initially saved by ‘keeper Gearoid Slattery, but only into the path of the onrushing Rob Childs to fire home and double his side’s 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 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 Cashel support.

That was the last chance of note in the game, with the spoils shared, and both sides are now desperately chasing points as the sands of the seasons begin to finally run out.