REVIEW: Harps made to work as Premier Division champions get off the mark

North Tipperary & District Soccer League - Review

Premier Division

Having coughed up nine goals to Ballymackey in the Shield, it was no surprise to see Portumna manager Mark O’Sullivan adopt a low block when his newly promoted side made the hour-long journey to take on the champions.

Although Harps dominated possession, they found it increasingly hard to break down the visitors. Portumna lined out in a 5-3-2 and were fairly comfortable to just sit deep and soak up the pressure.

However, that game plan relies on no mistakes, and when the keeper spilled a Harps corner after the hour mark, only for Lorcan Campion to capitalise, Portumna had to come out.

Substitute Killian Fennell made a big difference after coming on in the 54th minute, and he got on the scoresheet to make it 2-0. The visitors pulled a goal back through Jakub Wysocki to leave the game in the mixer heading into the final furlong - which is all that Mark O’Sullivan could have asked for considering their lack of bodies on the day.

Indeed, the perfect snatch-and-grab performance almost came to fruition with the last kick of the game, but star man Wysocki was unable to find the target.

Plenty of positives for newly promoted Portumna, whilst Harps are yet to hit full stride.

BT Harps’ Sean Paddy Geurins captained Munster against Cork City Under-21s in a friendly on Monday night as preparations ramped up for the 2026/27 UEFA Regions' Cup.

Back in March of this year, Munster won the 2026 FAI Amateur Inter-Provincial Tournament, thus earning the right to represent all of Ireland at Europe’s top amateur football competition. The 2026/27 rendition runs across two rounds of qualifying before leading to an eight-team final tournament in the summer of 2027.

Qualifying starts in November with all eyes turning to Cork, as Ireland are the host nation for their Group B games against Belarus, Croatia and Malta. Munster will hope to repeat the heroics of the 2015 Irish representative side, who won the tournament outright on home soil.

Rearcross 3-1 Holycross

Davy English has returned to the helm at Holycross, and brought some familiar faces back to the fold too. The new-look side gave Rearcross a scare early on when Calum O’Connor curled a beautiful free-kick into the top corner after seven minutes, but the sides were level on the half-hour mark when Stephen Rochford scored from distance.

Rochford then completed his brace on the stroke of half-time from close range after the keeper spilled a high ball. His older brother James completed the scoring on the hour mark to put Rearcross off to the perfect start.

Next up for Paul Carey’s side is a troubling home encounter with in-form Ballymackey.

In the North of the county, Ballymackey came from a goal down to defeat Ardcroney 5-2, while Shinrone United got the better of neighbours Moneygall on a 1-0 scoreline.

Second Division

In Ballinaclough, Nenagh Celtic had to come from behind against BT Harps ‘B’ to win in their first league match back since returning to the NT&DL. Harps were the better team in the first half, during which Abdul Ali forced Paul Walsh to clear off the line and Josh Quinlan struck the crossbar.

Harps took a deserved lead at the start of the second half, Cathal Leahy converting from the penalty spot after Marco Quinlan was brought down by goalkeeper Jordan Leigh.

Harps started to tire from the effort expended in the first half and Celtic caught them with two goals in five minutes. Johnny Reilly made it 1-1 with a lovely goal bent into the top corner from the left side, before Roberto Ipsalat got on the end of a trivela cross from Brian Mitchell to complete the comeback.

John O’Reilly, Brian Mitchell and Jamie Mitchell all impressed for Celtic, whilst there were plenty of positives for Harps, as young players Josh Quinlan, Paul Coonan, Abdul Ali, Fionn Slevin and Michael McCarty all proved they are more than ready for men’s senior football.

Credit must also go to referee Colin O’Gorman, as this was far from an easy assignment given the vocal Celtic crowd in their new home of Ballinaclough.

Clodiagh Rangers struck late with a controversial penalty to deny Cloughjordan an opening-day win on the road. The visitors went into the final 25 minutes 2-0 up thanks to a Dean O’Meara strike in the first half, assisted by Kieran Cahill, and a Michael Hennelly goal in the second half, also assisted by Kieran Cahill.

But Clodiagh are nothing if not fit, and it was no surprise to see them pull this one out of the fire late on thanks to a Thomas Purcell finish and a late, late penalty for skipper Oisin Treacy.

Fearghal Doheny was the best on the day for Clough, whilst the scorers were the shining light for Clodiagh.