Bansha Celtic won't give up Tipperary Premier status without a fight - Cashel and Wildies draw
Clonmel Credit Union Premier League
Bansha Celtic 1 Clonmel Celtic 0
Languishing at the bottom end of the Premier League table, Bansha Celtic really needed something from this game, and they delivered in style with a single goal victory against a Clonmel Celtic side that continues to blow hot and cold on their return to the top division.
Bansha started on the front foot and had a couple of half-chances inside the first ten minutes, as they attempted to impose themselves on the tie. They finally made a chance count on the quarter-hour mark when a long throw into the box was flicked on and Liam Murphy was on hand to finish from close range.
This prompted a response from the Clonmel side and they were the better team for most of the rest of the first half, but the home side’s defence managed to restrict them to a couple of long range efforts and they were unable to equalise before the break.
Bansha lost two players to injury at half-time and found themselves on the back foot for the remainder of the game, with the Clonmel side camped in their half and peppering their goalmouth with efforts.
But Bansha Celtic still maintained a threat on the break, and eventually held out to take all three precious points that will help them get back into the mix to climb to safety by season’s end.
Cashel Town 2 Wilderness Rovers 2
This was a massive game for both clubs in the hunt for points to get themselves away from the relegation zone, and although they had to be content with a share of the points, they will also have a case to make for leaving behind the three when the final whistle sounded.
Cashel started the better and were well on top for the first 25 minutes, missing a couple of decent chances due to poor striking and excellent defending by Rovers. Cashel were made to pay for that profligacy when the Wilderness were awarded a penalty just before the half- hour mark that was converted by Graham Kelly to give The Wildies the lead.
To their credit, Cashel came straight back with a goal of their own through Kyle Ryan, who finished well from ten yards and levelled the game.
The tie remained one all at the break and the second half was a tight, tense affair with both sides wary of giving away too much, given the potential importance of the final result.
Cashel eventually took the lead in the 60th minute, after a great cross from Kevin Keating was turned into his own net by a Wilderness defender.
On top at this stage, Cashel failed to capitalise and were punished a second time when a corner was headed in from close range by Sean Brown late in the game. A point each seemed a fair result at the end, but it leaves both still looking nervously over their shoulder as the season draws close to its conclusion.