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.