Trumera Rovers B 1, Tullamore Rovers 1.

Rovers Fail to Flourish

Trumera Rovers B 1, Tullamore Rovers 1.

Tullamore Rovers ended their season with a draw and will now have to wait on other fixtures before knowing if they will make promotion. Division 5A has been the most hotly contested in the league with the second promotion spot behind Westend being a three horse race to the very finish. Rovers could have secured at least a play off place with a victory in this fixture but it wsn’t to be. Rovers couldn’t capitalise and despite a numerical advantage they didn’t have the luck this time around. The first half of this match in Mountrath was played at a frantic pace with Rovers looking to get in behind the Trumera defence on every occasion but to their credit the home side defence held the line well and Rovers got frustrated. Despite the Rovers dominating possession they had every little in the way of decent opportunities and could have been behind had it not been for a good stop by Dave Menton in the half hour mark. John Healy was getting forward for Rovers and Ian Harvey venture forward on number of occasion but opportunities still went a begging. The best chances for Rovers in the first half came with Pat Tyrell coming close twice and Derek firing over from close range. The second half seen Rovers up a gear with Pat Tyrell moving up front in search of a goal. Phil Evans and Paul McDonald had more space in the second half as Rovers tried to spread the play wide in an effort to get in behind the Trumera fullbacks. On sixty minutes the goal came, a quick throw by Dolan on the right found Ronan Heffernan who squared the ball to Brendan Kenny on the edge of the box who fired a dipping volley into the top corner. Rovers were on top and manager Lar Byrne brought in Jimmy O’Brien up front to try and seal the victory. Rovers could have made it two on successive occasions when both O’Brien & Heffernan were denied when straight through on goal. Rovers were left to rue those opportunities as the Trumera hit back with a goal on 75 minutes following a corner on the right. It was tough on Rovers but it was always going to be a risk with only the one goal advantage. Rovers pushed all forward for the remainder with Ian Harvey joining the midfield in an effort to get the winner. Trumera looked dangerous on the break as Rovers piled forward and had it not been for some die hard defending by Deano Tyrell once again it could have been worse of the Tullamore men. Tyrell had another great game in the heart of the Rovers defence. Time ran out for Rovers and they now have wait on results elsewhere to see if they have made secured second spot. It would be a fantasist achievement this club in its inaugural year to achieve promotion and after an impressive season the Rovers players will feel that they deserve to be playing in Division 4.
Congratulations to the winners of the s2005/6 season awards – Mick Kilmartin picked up player of the season and top scorer trophies, most improved player went to Derek Dolan and the goal of the season was awarded to Paul McDonald for his strike against Noreside Celtic.
The players would like to thank Joe Lees Bar for their support throughout the year and Ted and Keith Garry for the playing facilities sin Killeigh.
All match reports available at www.tullamorerovers.blogspot.com