Knigh United end Borrisoleigh’s perfect start as goals flow in NT&DL lower divisions

League leaders Borrisoleigh had their perfect start to the season brought to an abrupt halt by a steely Knigh United side on Sunday afternoon.

Knigh started the stronger and opened the scoring with a tidy finish into the bottom corner by Daniel Butler. The goal came after just seven minutes and was courtesy of some fine combination play between James O’Meara and Stephen Flynn in midfield.

Borris nearly responded straight away, but chances were few and far between as the game turned into a midfield battle. Any time that Borris did get near Kieran Ryan’s goal, they were stopped dead in their tracks by the impenetrable centre-back pairing of Joe Shanahan and Darren Moran.

Borris keeper Mikey Kennedy was quick off his line on more than one occasion to snuff out potential one-on-ones, but there was little he could do for Knigh’s second on the stroke of half-time, as the energetic Lenny Raleigh tore into the box to finish off Stephen Flynn’s low cross.

2-0 down at the interval, the league leaders were in unfamiliar territory and thus had to make some changes.

Borris came out swinging in the second half and created a good chance from a long throw at the back post which should have got a goal back.

Further chances came and went for Borrisoleigh, but Knigh always felt like they had them at a comfortable arm’s length.

With seconds remaining, the result was put beyond doubt when youthful substitutes Zakk Ryan and Ruairi Hackett combined, with the latter finishing from a tight angle on the touchline after Mikey Kennedy was caught in no-man’s-land.

Borrisoleigh’s JD Devaney, Jerry Kelly and Sean Shanahan gave their all, but they just came up against a more experienced and technical side on the day, with Bryan McGee and Lee Mitchell proving instrumental for Knigh in the heart of midfield.

GOALS GALORE IN LOWER DIVISIONS OF NT&DL

Defending is often an afterthought in the lower reaches of junior soccer, as Templetuohy and Knigh United ‘B’ proved on Sunday when just the 12 goals hit the net in Templetuohy.

The home side netted five times thanks to an Eoin Stakelum brace and a goal apiece from skipper Sean Gleeson, striker Adam Butler and Finbarr Ryan.

Knigh scored seven of their own through a James Quigley brace and a goal each from Michael Quigley, Johnny McGrath, Barry Hogan and Kevin Moore.

The best on the day for Knigh were Neil Cahalan up front and the midfield duo of Barry Hogan and Cathal Hanrahan. For Templetuohy, Eoin Stakelum, Adam Butler and Sean Gleeson all impressed.

Borroway Rovers and Arra Rovers played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Portroe on Sunday morning.

A Tommy Brophy-less Borroway came up against a renewed Arra Rovers side, who had Eoin Moloney in their side for a league game for the first time in one year.

Indeed, it was the NT&DL Premier Division medal holder, who was once one of the brightest prospects in the NT&DL, who opened the scoring after a Robert Seymour shot was parried by Jamie Fernecombe in the Borroway net.

Borroway were two behind when Moloney was brought down in the box in the 50th minute by Emmet Ralph. Up stepped club legend, and indeed NT&DL legend, Dermot O’Halloran, converting into the net at the tender age of 45.

The Thurles men stayed plugging away, and they got their reward just five minutes later when Josh Connolly finished a Paddy Stakelum cross. Borroway were level on the hour mark when player/manager David Bourke lashed home from inside the area.

The comeback was complete on 72 minutes when Bourke climbed highest to head home a Mark Purcell cross.

However, the Thurles men’s joy was short-lived, as Diarmuid Boyle crossed for Eoin Moloney to complete a stunning return to league football for the tricky winger.

The game ended in a draw, which was probably a fair result in the end.