Portlaoise C 0, Tullamore Rovers 1.

CCFL Division 4A

Portlaoise C 0, Tullamore Rovers 1.
28th Jan 2007

Tullamore Rovers kept the pressure on at the top of the table with a hard fourth victory in Portlaoise. The win proved to be even more vital as news came through that table topper Heyward Celtic had lost to Clonaslee C. This now means that Rovers are 4 points away from top spot with a game in hand. Rover’s resilience was tested to the limit in this game as they were forced to play the final 15 minutes without team captain Deano Tyrell who was sent off harshly for two supposed late tackles, there was debate at whether the first should have even been deemed a free kick. It was unfortunate for Tyrell who was a having a great game at the centre of defence with man of the match Ian Harvey who barely but a foot wrong. The first half was very tight with very little room and a lack of any clear cut chances at both ends. The closest Rovers came to breaking the deadlock was a free kick from Ian Harvey that clipped the top of the cross bar while at the other end Portlaoise had one good chance but the centre forward skewed his shot wide form 10 yards. Brendan Kenny and Mick Kilmartin lead Rovers and were full of running and did well with the few quality balls they did receive. Phil Evans and Paul McDonald were strong in the midfield and both were particularly dominant in the air through the game. Clive Evans took the chance at half time to shake up the Rovers formation and went all out for the win pushing Brendan Kenny up front and switching Derek Dolan to the left wing. Rovers certainly were more attack minded in the second half and were beginning to look dangerous on the break with Pat Tyrell causing plenty of problems on the right with his surging runs. Rovers could have took the lead on 60 minutes when Billy Harvey was desperately unlucky to see his shot from just inside the box miss to the right, a goal for Billy would have toped and impressive performance. On the right John Healy and Derek Dolan were linking up well and did well defensively once Rovers went down to 10 men. The game changed with the sending off as Rovers ironically began to play their best football. Jimmy O’Brien was introduced to sure up the defence and he did brilliantly under allot of pressure during the last 15 minutes. Rovers used the loss of the man to their advantage as they sat back and began to work the ball out on quick counters attacks. The runs of Pat Tyrell on the right lead to a number of corners that kept the ball in the Portlaoise half. The goal came 10 minutes from time when Paul McDonald fired in the cross that deceived the goalkeeper and went straight into the Portlaoise goal. From that moment on Tullamore worked tirelessly getting tackles in and moving the ball out quick to ensure another vital three points in their title challenge. Rovers can also thank their keeper Jimmy Keenehan who was fantastic throughout the second have making two great saves, one from a one on one with the Portlaoise centre forward. That’s two clean sheets on the trot for Keenehan and Tullamore Rovers. Rovers are away in the cup next Sunday to Division 1 opposition Melville Utd. in Athlone.

Tullamore Rovers: Jimmy Keenehan, Billy Harvey, Deano Tyrell, Ian Harvey, John Healy, Derek Dolan, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Pat Tyrell, Mick Kilmartin, Brendan Kenny, Jimmy O’Brien.