Precious points for Kilsheelan United in chase for Tipperary League Division 3 promotion

Clonmel Credit Union League Division 3

Burncourt Celtic 0 – 1 SC & K United

Promotion chasers Kilsheelan United visited Ballyhurrow on Sunday morning and came away with three precious points after an intriguing game in which both sides had chances to win.

Conditions were tough but both teams settled into the game, though the visitors had the better of the early exchanges.

On 25 minutes, the game had its first major effort on goal when Marc Cagney swept up a through ball but the Kilsheelan United attacker collided with him and it was deemed a penalty. However, the taker missed the target much to the relief of the home crowd and there were no more real efforts before the break, leaving the score nil-all at half-time.

The second half saw much of the same, a tough uncompromising midfield battle, with both teams trying to eke out chances that were proving hard to come by. It looked like it may end scoreless until eight minutes from time, when a long throw by Ruairí Doyle deflected off an unlucky Burncourt Celtic player and found its way into the net to put the visitors in front.

Burncourt tried to get back into the tie after this, but with a lead to protect Kilsheelan United closed out the game and took the three vital points in an exciting title race.

Killenaule Rovers 0 – 3 Tipperary Town

This game was played in Tipperary town and the home side got off to a strong start when Tony Byrnes, in his first outing of the season, jinked past two defenders before putting the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs to open the scoring in the seventh minute.

Confidence grew in the Tipp camp, with Tudor Ignot going close on a few occasions. They finally got that elusive second goal when Jamie Ryan came up from the back and pounced with a neat finish early in the second half.

Killenaule Rovers worked hard and came close a few times but Timmy Esmonde was solid between the posts and had the air of a man who was not going to be beaten.

The game was wrapped up late on when Ray Kelly, who was introduced as a sub in the second half, caught a strike cleanly to send a shot past the goalie ten minutes from time.

Cahir Park 1 – 1 Ballingarry Albion

Both teams needed a win here on Sunday, as things are tightening at the top of the Third Division, but in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils, with the game finishing on a goal apiece.

The first 20 minutes were pretty even before Cahir started to carve out the better chances. It was a surprise, therefore, when Albion took the lead in the 35th minute when Dylan Walsh converted against the run of play to put his side ahead, a lead they kept to the break.

Cahir, though, put the screws on again in the second period and finally got their reward when Kieran Condon converted an excellent volley from the edge of the area. It proved to be enough for a share of the spoils , perhaps not what either side desired but a point nonetheless.