Russell Quirke's curler keeps St Michael's on track for Tipperary Premier League title

Clonmel Credit Union Premier League

Bansha Celtic 0 – 1 St Michael’s

St Michael’s continued their push for another Premier League title with a single goal win in their local derby battle with a Bansha Celtic side struggling for points to try to move away from the dreaded relegation zone.

The home side started the game well and were well set up in a game that was nip and tuck for the first quarter of an hour.

But eventually the visitors began to dominate exchanges in the middle of the field and got what proved to be the winning goal in the 25th minute. The ball fell to the always lively Russell Quirke who evaded two tackles before curling the ball into the top corner from 15 yards out.

This spurred the home side into action and ten minutes before the break were unlucky not to be level when Eoin Halpin cut in from the right only for him to hit straight at Adrian Walsh in the visitor’s goal.

First half Rhys O'Regan hat-trick keeps Clonmel Town in Tipperary Premier League hunt

Both sides had some half chances before the break but both keepers were equal to them.

The second half started the same as the first ended with plenty of good football played on a heavy Celtic Park.

Ten minutes in, the visitors almost extended their lead only to for David Slattery to be denied by the post.

Darren McGrath then had a great chance to level the game but couldn’t get a clean shot away.

Fifteen minutes from time, Saints’ Adam McGrath was unlucky to see his free kick come back off the crossbar, in what was the last real chance in a very entertaining game with plenty chances.