27 March 2006

Next Fixture: Westend Utd. V Tullamore Rovers

Next Fixture

Westend Utd. V Tullamore Rovers

Sunday April 2nd 2006

Venue: Springfield, Tullamore.

Time: 11:00am

Tullamore Rovers 2, Noreside Celtic 1.

Combined Counties League
Canon Division 5A

McDonald Belter Steals Victory.

Tullamore Rovers 2, Noreside Celtic 1.

A stunning second half strike from blues midfielder Paul McDonald was enough to give a hard earned victory to Tullamore Rovers over Noreside at Fentor Park in Killeigh. Both teams came into this game on the back of impressive form which as seen both teams keep pace at the top end of the table. The first half was a rather scrappy affair and the abysmal weather conditions made it extremely hard to for both sides. Both sides had chances throughout the first half and Rovers’ keeper Dave Minton did well on a number of occasions to deal with free kicks that were swirling around on the box under a stiff breeze. The Rovers midfield had to be competitive throughout the game and Brian Cosgrove had a fine game, again his aerial ability was crucial for Rovers. Pat Tyrell was playing wide left for Rovers and he used his pace on two occasions to get in behind the Noreside defence, the game could have been opened up more had Rovers utilised Tyrell’s pace on more occasions. Likewise on the other side of the middle Phil Evans managed to trouble the Noreside backs with some deep crosses and on occasions he used his pace to cut inside trying to carve open an opportunity. The first half seemed to going nowhere until on 43 minutes, Mick Kilmartin was taken down on the edge of the box as he was chasing down the ball; the referee was in doubt when pointing to the spot and leading scorer Kilmartin duly dusted himself down before converting the penalty with clinical precision. The Noreside keeper managed to go the right way but Kilmartin power and accuracy proved too much. The penalty was the last real action of the half and Rovers counted themselves lucky to be in front. The Rovers players were given a dressing down by Manager Lar Byrne at half time due to the basic errors being committed all over the field. It wasn’t long into the second half before Noreside were level, a dangerous free kick whipped from the right caught the Rovers defence out and Minton was left to watch the ball fly into the top right corner. The goal served as a wake up call to rovers who began to scrap that bit harder for the ball. Ian Harvey tightened up the back line and his distribution in the second half enabled Rovers to build once again. Deano Tyrell was once again excellent for Rovers’, getting forward and chasing back with some important challenges in the back line. His counterpart at right back Brendan Kenny was solid again and dealt well with the Noreside wingers, Kenny managed to get the ball forward on a couple of occasions which helped out the midfield greatly. Rover’s second half was more committed and with the aid of the wind behind them Rovers and Dave Sweeney in particular were able to put more pressure on the visitors. The winning goal game on the hour mark for Rovers and it was a goal worth of winning any game. Paul McDonald picked the ball up about thirty five yards out on the right and moved inside with it. McDonald couldn’t find support around home so he unleashed a powerful shot the from outside the box that curled neatly into the top right hand corner of the Noreside net. It was exactly what the Rovers need and the gaol enabled them to dig deeper to seal the victory. Dave Sweeney who had led the line for Rovers, was a constant throne in the side of the Noreside defence before he was forward to retire due to a knee injury after 70 minutes, Ronan Heffernan replaced him upfront. Jimmy O’Brien and Derek Dolan came on for Rovers also as the manger reshuffled the pack with a view to sealing another valuable three points for the Tullamore men. Westend Utd. and Ballybrittass also picked up victories this weekend which means that the promotion hunt is still on for the four teams at the top. Rovers have three games left and you would have to feel all the points from those games are necessary now. The big game for Rovers comes next weekend as the face local rivals and title challengers Westned Utd. The reverse fixture earlier in the year ended in a 2-2 draw.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Mentin, Deano Tyrell, Ian Harvey, Brendan Kenny, John Healy, Paul McDonald, Brian Cosgrove, Pat Tyrell , Phil Evans, Dave Sweeny, Mick Kilmartin. Subs: Ronan Heffernan for Dave Sweeney, Derek Dolan for Pat Tyrell, Ji8mmy O’Brien for Brendan Kenny.

Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lees Bar in Church Street Tullamore for Sponsorship. The team would also like to thank Ted and Keith Garry for the playing facilities at Fentor Park in Killeigh.

13 March 2006

Ballybrittas B 0, Tullamore Rovers 2; 12/03/2006

Rovers Still in the Hunt.

Division 5A
Ballybrittas B 0, Tullamore Rovers 2.

Tullamore Rovers ensured their promotion hopes are kept very much alive with an impressive victory of Division 5 table topers Ballybrittas B. The Tullamore men put in a spirited performance to claim a victory in a lively and entertaining encounter in Ballybrittas on Sunday morning. Rovers dogged defending was the key to this win with Ian Harvey putting in a sterling performance in the heart of the blues defence. The entire Tullamore backline were the best they’ve been all season with excellent performances from Deano Tyrell, Brendan Kenny an John Healy to ensure the home team couldn’t event get on the score sheet. The clean sheet will be of particularly enjoyed by the Rovers keeper Dave Minton who had a solid game in front of the posts. For a period of the second half Tullamore had to dig deep when a serious of corners from Ballybrittas tested Minton but he stood up to the aerial treat well and was in control of his box on all occasions.
The Rovers players new that this was a pivotal game in the run in this season and those three points were a must if promotion was to be a reality, but they also new that Ballybrittas weren’t top of the league by chance. The Laois side are tough team to beat as Tullamore found out in the reverse fixture earlier in the season in which Ballybrittas picked up all the points thanks to a three one victory. Everyone knew this match would be tighter, there was much more a stake now and games like these are one by the team that sees an opportunity and grads it - that’s exactly what rovers did. After a game that ebbed and flowed throughout the first 45 without any clear cut chances form both sides it was clear that the first goal would be crucial. Five minutes after the restart Tullamore were in front, a free kick inside the rovers half after was thumped forward by Ian Harvey who picked out Paul McDonald just inside the Ballybrittas box and McDonald showed a deft piece of skill to turn and volley home into the top right corner. The midfield battles were important in this game and a lot of the play was coming through the centre, Brian Cosgrove and Paul McDonald were controlling the play and looking to set Dave Sweeny or Mick Kilmartin away on goal and every opportunity. Phil Evans did well on the right wing and Pat Tyrell whose determination to win every ball and get forward which helped the Tullamore forwards. Tullamore second was another opportunist finish, this time a ball played through the centre again seemed to be heading for the safety of the keepers arms but for some reason the Ballybrittas stopper hesitated and let the ball run under his body. Mick Kilmartin took flight, and sensing a goal he out sprinted the keeper to the ball and slid home the all important second goal for rovers. The remaining quarter of the game seen the Tullamore defence become even more resolute under pressure from the home team. The introduction of Derek Dolan, Ronan Heffernan and Jimmy O’Brien late on for Rovers ensured they had the steam to see to see another victory for the blues. The final whistle was greeted by cheers from the Rovers players who know they’ve taken big three points but with four game left its all still to play for. Maximum point’s form the remaining games must still be the blues target to if they are o grad that promotion spot.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Minton, John Healy, Ian Harvey, Deano Tyrell, Brendan Kenny, Pat Tyrell, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Brian Cosgrove, David Sweeny, Mick Kilmartin. Subs: Derek Dolan for Phil Evans, Jimmy O’Brien for Pat Tyrell, Ronan Heffernan for John Healy.

All match reports available at www.tullamorerovers.blogspot.com

Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lees Bar in Church Street Tullamore for their sponsorship.
The team would also like to thank Ted and Keith Garry for the playing facilities at Fentor Park in Killeigh.

08 March 2006

Next Match - Ballybrittas B V Tullamore Rovers

Next Match

OWL League Divison 5A

Sunday 12th MArch 2006

Ballybrittas B V Tullamore Rovers

Venue: Ballybrittas
Kick Off: 11:00am

06 March 2006

Tullamore Rovers 4, Shinrone B 1. 05/03/2006

Tullamore Rovers Hit Back

Tullamore Rovers 4, Shinron B 1. 05/03/2006

Cosgrove Double seals victory for blues.

Tullamore Rovers hit back with four goals following conceding of goal against the run of play early in the first half. Rovers put in a solid performance which keeps them in the promotion hunt. Tullamore had been stumbling of late, dropping points at home to Westend and Clara as well as crashing out of the cup, but this was a much better showing and the result will breathe confidence back into the team. The Shinrone goal came after a speculative lob from 30 yards deceived Dave Minton in the Tullamore gaol and sailed into the roof of the net. The goal came on 25 minutes into the first half and it gave Shinrone a boost that seen their best page of play follow suit. Prior to that Tullamroe were well on top and creating plenty of opportunities. Emmet Kenny who was playing on the wide had a shot that narrowly flew over the cross bar, Paul McDonald came close also. Tullamore upped the tempo of the game once gain searching for the equalisers and it wasn’t long coming. The through ball from midfield found Mick Kilmartin in space and he took one touch before firing past the Shinrone keeper. The first half was solid with the Tullamore defence looking particularly good. Brendan Kenny was strong at right full and ventured forward to aid the forwards whenever he could, John Healy at left full had a sound game and wasn’t afraid to play the ball out of when given the chance. Deano Tyrell and Ian Harvey were rock solid at centre back; Tyrell was willing and able to cover all areas as a last man and managed some crunching tackles to keep the Shinrone strikers quiet. Harvey pushed forward whenever he had a chance and crated some good opportunities with some slick passing. Following the half time break Tullamore took complete control. The signs were ominous early on Derek Dolan played in Paul McDonald who fired narrowly wide, then Dolan found Cosgrove whose low drive from 15 yards skimmed the post. Moments later Cosgrove turned up on the opposite side of the 18 yard box, this time he didn’t miss and fired a beauty into the bottom right corner, the ball pinging off the inside of the post for good measure. The goal set Tullamore on their on their way and as Tullamore’s confidence grew Shinrone backed off even more. Dave Sweeny and came in midway through the second half and ran the front line very well. Sweeny providing some nice touches around the box for Mick Kilmartin to latch onto. On the hour Sweeney was reward with a goal after the Shinrone defender struggled to deal with another through ball, the balls seemed to canon off the defenders leg and into the net but it was Sweeny’s persistence in the box that caused the error and no doubt he will claim the plaudits. Pat Tyrell also came on in the second and he was a constant treat. At this stage Phil Evans and Paul McDonald were controlling the middle of the park, Evans was hustling the play as usual, Pat Tyrell came on the right and Ronan Heffernan at right full. Pat Tyrell was immediately in the action with some great runs down the right. It was cross form Tyrell that led to the fourth goal for Tullamore, Cosgrove yet again was ghosting into the box and managed to control the ball and fire into the top corner, the goal completed the rout for Rovers and confidence is back with blues yet again. Rover’s manger Lar Byrne was delighted, he had challenged his players to come up with goals and they did just that. There's five games left for Rovers now and this is just the result that could have them firing toward the finish line on all cylinders. The challenge now from the manager is to win all the remaining games, let’s see how the Rovers players respond to that.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Minton, Brendan Kenny, Ian Harvey, Deano Tyrell, John Healy, Derek Dolan, Emmet Kenny, Brian Cosgrove, Paul McDonald, Phil Evans, Mick Kilmartin. Subs: Sweeney for Dolan, Tyrell for McDonald and Heffernan for Healy.

Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lees Bar on Church Street for their sponsorship also thanks to Ted and Keith Garry for the playing facilities in Fentor Park, Killeigh.
All match reports available at www.tullamorerovers.blogspot.com