Tullamore Rovers 4, Clonygowan 5.

CCFL Division 3A

Tullamore Rovers 4, Clonygowan 5.

Last minute goal rocks Rovers

Tullamore Rovers bad start to the new season continued on Sunday in Killeigh but the manner of the defeat was the most disappointing feature after a much improved performance by Rovers. This game was full of controversial incidents including two penalties and a sending off which changed the face of the game. Rover’s first half performance was excellent and they got off to a flying start when James Carty drove a splendid free kick into the top corner after 10 minutes. It was a just reward for the Rovers players who were playing some inventive football through the middle. Rovers went two in front midway through the first half when Andy Galvin, who was impressive throughout the game on the right hand side, put in a smashing cross for James Carty to nod home for his second. At this point Rovers were well on top and the Rovers defence were also snuffing out most Clonygowan attacks. The centre back pairing of Ed Finnerty and Billy Harvey were excellent trough the game with some tough and uncompromising tackling to keep the Clonygowan forwards at bay. However a bizarre moment on the stroke of half time gifted Clonygowan a way back into the game. Billy Harvey challenged for a ball on the edge of the box and was caught with a high kick from a Clonygowan forward, the players were involved in a scuffle and somehow a penalty to the away team was the end result. The penalty was put away and the sides went in at the break with Rovers leading 2 -1. Rovers picked up where they left off in the second half with Pat Tyrell in particular causing all sorts of trouble on the right wing, the Clonygowan full back had trouble dealing with his pace throughout the game. His brother Deano was operating in the middle of the park and had an excellent partnership going with Philip Evans that kept Rovers ticking over. Five minutes into the half it was a great through ball from the middle of the park that set JP O’Leary on his way toward goal , O’Leary was bearing down on goal only to be upended just has he was about to strike and the referee pointed straight to the spot. James Carty was the man who stepped up to the mark and smashed home for his hat trick. At this point Rovers were cruising and the full backs Pat Meehan and Andy Galvin were pushing on in support of the midfield as Rovers searched for another but the game changed midway through the second half for Rovers. A free kick was awarded outside the 18 yard box to Clonygowan. As the free was about to be taken Deano Tyrell was deemed to have encroached and was harshly awarded a second yellow card which signalled the end of his participation. It was long after before Clonygowan had got their second when the ball was fired home from close range despite the best effort of Pat Meehan and keeper Jimmy Keenehan to block it out. At this point Rovers manager Alan James introduced Jimmy O’Brien and Michael Connelly in an effort to keep Rovers fresh. But being a man down it was always going to be tough and the third goal came soon after when the Clonygowan forward picked up a spilled ball to fire home the equaliser. Ten minutes before the end Clonygowan went 4 – 3 up when a wicked deflection off Pat Meehan from a corner sailed beyond Jimmy Keenehan into the top of the net. Despite the goals Jimmy Keenehan can be glad of his performance as it could have been worse for Rovers after he pulled off two fantastic saves in either half. . With the game dwindling away at this stage Rover had to fight to get something out of it. The opportunity presented self with 10 minutes to go when Philip Evans fired in free kick from just inside the Rovers half for Derek Dolan to rise and head home an equaliser for Rovers. Rovers though they had done enough but there was one more twist in the game. The referee awarded a free down the right for Clonygowan, he allowed the indirect free to be taken without a whistle and Rovers were still asleep as the cross came in only to be met by a Clonygowan attacker who sent a loping heard into the top corner. This was a bitterly disappointing end to the game but Rovers will take heart from the performance and will look a some crucial decisions that denied them victory. This is a new Rovers team and there is no doubt of the talent in the squad but they are still in the process of gelling together as a unit.
Tullamore Rovers Management would like the following sponsors for their support in keeping the club running for the 2007/8 season – DeBruns Bar, Evans Cleaning Services, Carry Out off license, Michael Minnock Architectural Services, Esker Communications & Mex Car Cleaning Services
Tullamore Rovers : Jimmy Keenehan, Billy Harvey, Edwin Finnertty, Andy Galvin, Pat Meehan, Deano Tyrell, Phil Evans, Derek Dolan, Pat Tyrell, James Carty , JP O’Leary, Michael Connelly, Jimmy O’Brien, Seamus Halloran.