Tipperary Youths Soccer: Clonmel Celtic edge nearer to title after derby win over Town

Tipperary Youths Soccer Division 1

Clonmel Town 0 – 3 Clonmel Celtic

Clonmel Celtic made another giant leap towards securing the Division One Youths title with a comfortable three-goal victory away to neighbours Clonmel Town last Saturday.

Celtic, who won the opening league game of the season against the same opponents very comfortably, went ahead after just 90 seconds when Jack Aylward pounced on indecision in the Town defence to finish neatly past John O’Connell.

Smelling blood right from the off, Celtic went in search of a second goal and only a last-ditch tackle from James Power deprived Reece Farrell in the tenth minute.

However, Town eventually settled down and both Cian McGrath and John Buckley produced two good saves from Oisin O’Donoghue, as the Celtic netminder showed his importance to his team. But nine minutes from the break, Celtic got a deserved second when Jack Aylward’s free kick from the edge of the box missed everyone and ended up in the corner of the Town net.

Town should have pulled a goal back immediately but Cian McGrath couldn’t manage to finish after being put through by a great Ronan Walsh pass, and the league leaders almost ended the half three up when Alex Greene’s shot hit the butt of the Town post and cannoned away to safety.

The second half was a far more balanced affair. In the 67th minute O’Donoghue pulled off a great save to deny Dara Walsh, and then Joey Browne did well to set up a shooting chance for himself but his shot lacked any real power.

But right on the stroke of full time, Celtic made certain of the points when Julian Kerton and Jamie Ryan, who were both excellent in midfield, combined to set up Alex Greene for a goal that his workrate deserved, and with it complete a comfortable afternoon’s work for the champions elect.