Clodiagh Rangers finish the season on a high with a derby win over Thurles Town

North Tipperary District League - Division 2

Thurles Town                   1

Clodiagh Rangers B         5

Clodiagh visited old rivals Thurles Town on Sunday last for this important NTDL Division 2 clash in a final-day game that went the way of the mountain club.

The large crowd in attendance didn’t have to wait too long to be entertained as both sides went toe to toe from kick-off, with no quarter offered or expected.

Clodiagh began well with Blaine Carroll pushing forward and Ailbe O’Donoghue impressive up front.

On 21 minutes Clodiagh were awarded a fortuitous penalty and Paul Ryan stepped up, sending the keeper the wrong way to give Clodiagh a deserved lead.

Ryan doubled the lead on 28 minutes when he rose to meet Blaine Carroll's corner with a powerful header, once again leaving the keeper stranded.

Oisin Treacy put Clodiagh three up in the 36th minute when he latched onto Tom Ryan's incisive through ball leaving Thurles Town with a mountain to climb.

Thurles managed to pull one back before the break to give themselves a lifeline with a well-struck free kick.

The second half began as the first ended with Clodiagh on the attack and the pressure paid off in the 64th minute when Pa Dwyer complimented a fine performance with a goal of his own to put the game beyond the reach of the home side.

Substitute Jim O’Dwyer confirmed the win on 82 minutes when he latched onto Seamus Cullagh's excellent through ball to send the travelling support into raptures.

An impressive result to finish the year for Clodiagh’s second team sets them up nicely for a title challenge as the season reaches a climax.

Clodiagh Rangers B: Mickey Griffin, Pa Dwyer, Blaine Carroll, Niall Shanahan, Paul Ryan, Oisin Treacy Tom Ryan, Jack Butler, Tom Purcell, Ailbhe O’Donoghue, Rian Treacy

Subs: Jim O’Dwyer, Michael Browne, Stephen Gleeson, Huey Purcell, Seamus Cullagh.