28 November 2005

Portlaoise C 2, Tullamore Rovers 1 27/11/05

OWL League Division 5A 27/11/05

Unlucky Rovers Punished In The Final Minute

Portlaoise C 2, Tullamore Rovers 1.

Tullamore Rovers will be bitterly disappointed with this result after they dominated long periods of the game and yet came away with nothing. Tullamore went into this game off the back of a defeat to bottom of the table Clara Town D and were looking to bounce back against table toppers Portlaoise C at Roseleign on Sunday morning. Prior to the match, both sides had observed a minute silence in memory of footballing legend George Best who had inspired legions of footballers across this country. The game kicked off after the fitting tribute and from the start it looked like it would be an open game with both sides intent on securing full points. Portloaise were intent on trying to carve Rovers open with a number of through ball in the opening minutes. Rovers centre backs of Deano Tyrell and Brian Cosgrove were doing well to cope under the high balls being launched at the Tullamore defence but after fifteen minutes it was a through ball that caught Rovers out and the Portloaise striker made no mistake firing past Dave Menton. Menton who had a good game for Tullamore could do little with the well taken effort that gave Portlaosie the initiative. Tullamore had to tighten things up and that they did. Full backs Brendan Kenny and John Healy were doing well to help out the centre backs and as the Tullamore began to come to grips with Portlaoise's high ball tactics the game started to favour Tullamore. There was very little happening in the middle of the park for the first twenty minutes but after the Portlaosie goal Tullamore began to take the ball down and start playing some football in order to create a few more chances. As the half went on Phil Evans and Paul McDonald getting on top winning and retaining possession the middle. Ian Harvey was starting to push forward for Tullamore and they started to gain territorial advantage and force Portlaoise in the concession of a number of corners. Brian Cosgrove tested the keeper with a header from corner as Tullamore began creating the chances and after a good spell of pressure the scores were level. The goal came ten minutes before the break when Phil Evans fired a ball into the box to Derek Dolan who laid off to Mick Kilmartin who fired a great volley into the top corner for a well deserved equaliser for Tullamore. At the break Tullamore manger Lar Byrne introduced Ronan Heffernan for Brendan Kenny as Rovers went all out on the attack to get the three points. During the second half Tullamore Stared to dominate and were playing some good football. Ian Harvey went close with a free kick and Derek Dolan had a shot saved by the Portlaoise keep as Tullamore pushed on. At this stage Tullamore were using all opportunities to get forward but their failure to create any clear cut chances was starting to cause frustration. A quick break on the hour mark from the Laois side ended with a shot across the Tullamore goal and this was their best effort of half. Pat Tyrell on the left wing was now causing all sorts of trouble for the Portlaoise defence with his good running and he was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when upended by the Portlaoise keeper after being straight through on goal. Shane Bracken came on for Derek Dolan and did well on the wing as the game looked destined for a draw. But in a cruel twist in the final minute Portlaosie pounced after a counter attack down the right to score a soft goal after confusion in the Rovers box, the goal condemned the Tullamore team to an undeserved defeat. The final whistle went and Tullamore now have a big task in the coming weeks to pick up points if they are to seriously contend at the top of the table.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Menton, John Healy, Deano Tyrell, Brian Cosgrove, Brendan Kenny, Ian Harvey, Derek Dolan, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Pat Tyrell, Mick Kilmartin. Subs: Ronan Heffernan (Brendan Kenny), Shane Bracken (Derek Dolan), Jimmy O’Brien.

Tullamore Rovers would like to thank their sponors – Joe Lees Pub, Church Street, Tullamore

21 November 2005

Clara Town D 2, Tullamore Rovers 1 20/11/05

OWL League Division 5A 20/11/05

ReportClara Town D 2, Tullamore Rovers 1.

Tullamore Rovers had their five match unbeaten league run brought to an end in Clara on Sunday morning. Tullamore who were once again under strength were caught napping in the first 10 minutes when Clara pounced to score two early goals. Tullamore Rovers were too slow out of the blocks and paid dearly for their lack of concentration. The complexion of the game was changed, Clara took the initiative and their goals were giving them some well needed confidence after slow start to their league campaign. As the half went on Tullamore began to liven up and defensively Dean Tyrell and Ian Harvey began to come to terms with the Clara forwards. Brendan Kenny and John Healy were also doing well as Tullamore were starting to put the tackles in and winning possession in some key areas. As the game opened up Tullamore starting pushing forward in search of goals. Phil Evans had a few shots on goal but couldn’t trouble the Clara keeper and Paul McDonald put in a few fine crosses towards the end of the half but there was no one to take advantage for Tullamore. In the final minutes of the first half Pat Tyrell broke through for Tullamore only to be upended in the box and the referee to pointed straight to the spot. Ian Harvey stepped up to convert for Tullamore and bring them right back into contention. Rovers had the better of the second half but just couldn’t convert the chances as they searched desperately for an equaliser to keep the pressure on at the top end of the league. Clara Town dug in well to protect their lead and despite bringing in John Stone and Brian Cosgrove for Maurice Cunningham and Sean Morris, Tullamore still found that second goal elusive. Clara did have a spell in which they managed a few shots at goal but wayward shooting for the Clara forwards didn’t trouble rovers keep Dave Manton. Tullamore up the tempo toward the end and a succession of late corners maintained pressure on Clara. When a last minute free kick from Ian Harvey shaved the post Rovers knew it wasn’t to be their day. A harsh lesson for Tullamore Rovers who probably would have expected to win on Sunday. A frustrating morning for Rovers manager Lar Byrne but there’s still a long way to go in this league and Tullamore are still in a good position toward the top of the league and promotion is still well within their capabilities.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Menton, Brendan Kenny, Ian Harvey, Deano Tyrell, John Healy, Derek Dolan, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Pat Tyrell, Sean Morris, Maurice Cunningham. Subs: John Stone for Sean Morris and Brian Cosgrove Maurice Cunningham.

07 November 2005

Tullamore Rovers 6, Stradbally B 3 06/11/05

OWL League Division 5A 06/11/05

Killmartin Hat trick Seals Another Rover’s Victory

Tullamore Rovers 6, Stradbally B 3.

Tullamore Rovers continued winning ways with their forth victory on the trot over Stadbally at Fentor Park on Sunday. Rovers had a hard job containing Stradbally in the first half and the centre back pairing of Deano Tyrell and Ian Harvey did very well to keep the sheet clean. Dave Menton in the Tullamore goal was kept busy as Stradbally tried to catch Tullamore over the top on numerous occasions throughout the first 45. John Healy and Pat Tyrell were brought in at left and right back and were doing well to put in the tackles throughout for rovers. Tullamore took the lead near the half hour mark when Brian McDonald cut in from the right hand side of the box to drive a low shot across the Stradbally keeper and into the net. The goal came against the run of play but lifted Tullamore for the remainder of the half. Ten minutes later Tullamore extended the lead when McDonald grabbed his second of the game, this time the ball was crossed from the left and McDonald made no mistake sticking it firmly past the keeper from ten yards. Tullamore stared the second half brightly and midfielders Derek Dolan and Tom O’Gorman were starting to find more room along the wings. David Sweeney was getting forward when he had the chance as well as doing the tidying up work behind midfield when needed. But it was Stradbally that then got back into the game when a whipped free kick from the right that was headed home powerfully to leave the Tullamore needing to up the pace in order to kill off the game. The third Tullamore goal did come quickly, this time it was Mick Killmatin who fired home from just inside the box. Tullamore then enjoyed a good spell with Killmartin adding his second of the day before Phil Evans drove home a pile driver form 20 yards that sailed above the keep and into the top of the net to make it five one. Stradbally responded and a from a great free kick on the edge the box they reduced the deficit yet again. Tullamore were had to make a change when Dave Sweeny went off due to injury and was replaced by Morris Cunningham who filled in very well. Tullamore grabbed their sixth when Dolan stole the ball from the Stradbally defence before crossing to Killmartin to complete his first hat trick and round off a man of the match performance for the rovers stricker. Kilmartin has now notched up seven goals in six games for the Tullamore men. Manager Lar Byrne then made a few more changes bringing in Brendan Kenny for Tom O’Gorman and Sean Morris for Mick Kilmartin. Stradbally managed to grab a third near the end but the game was finished as a contest at that stage. Tullamore Rovers will be delighted with their recent fine run and will hope to carry that into the cup game against Rhode next Sunday in Killeigh. Their priority Lar Byrne and his team will still remain league promotion and this was a very valuable three points that will keep the pressure on both Portlaoise and Westend Utd. just above them.

Tullamore: Dave Menton, John Healy, Ian Harvey, Dean Tyrell, Pat Tyrell, Derek Dolan, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Dave Sweeney, Tom O’ Gorman, Mick Killmartin Subs: Morris Cunningham (David Sweeney), Brendan Kenny (Tom O’Gorman), Sean Morris (Mick Killmartin), David O’Connell.Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lee’s Bar in Church Street Tullamore.