Clonmel Town deal severe blow to St Michael's prospects of winning another Tipperary league title

Clonmel Town 2 – 1 St Michael’s

Although results elsewhere mean that Clonmel Town cannot win the Premier League title, they still managed to put a huge dent in the Saints’ attempts to win their seventh championship in a row by toppling them in a very entertaining game in The Complex on Sunday.

The first half saw both teams really go at it from the start, with Town having a lot of possession.

However, the visitors looked the more dangerous, with Jimmy Carr constantly tormenting the Town defence.

Evan Comerford was a rock in the Town goal and he pulled off two outstanding saves to keep the game all square.
Michael’s also hit the bar on two occasions while at the other end Rhys O’Reagan, Ashley Laslett and Jack O’ Donnell all went close.

The second half was nine minutes old when a great ball by substitute Alan O’Donnell found Rhys O’Reagan, who jinked his way past two players before firing under the ‘keeper to put Town a goal up to the delight of their supporters.

After this the home side sensed blood and began to pile on the pressure, almost doubling their lead when a scramble in the goalmouth was eventually cleared by the Michael’s defence.

It was only a matter of time before Town scored their second, and it came when Jamie Ahearne picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

Ashley Laslett was causing all sorts of problems up front for Town and they had chances to extend the lead.

However, the league champions weren’t done and began to get on top again, pulling a goal back with a quarter of an hour left, when Ashley Kelliher scored with a delightful lob to set up a tense finish.

St Michael’s were really pushing on now and Evan Comerford once again made another fine save to keep his side in front.

They soaked up everything thrown at them and when the final whistle blew there was relief among the Town supporters, who had waited a while for this victory over their old rivals.