Jimmy Carr brace helps St Michael's overcome Clonmel Celtic in Tipperary Premier League
Clonmel Credit Union Premier League
St Michael's 3 Clonmel Celtic 1
St Michael’s by virtue of a strong second half performance took the points at Cooke Park in their last match before Christmas, as they finished their Premier League year with their sights on securing another title.
Celtic made the brighter side to the game and took the lead on nine minutes when Darren Sweeney got on the end of a cross to find the corner of the net.
Five minutes later the hosts thought that they had levelled the game but David Slattery’s headed effort from a Russell Quirke cross was saved by Fabian Kerton in the Celtic goal.
Kerton was having an inspired game, and thwarted Jimmy Carr and Paul Breen twice more, to ensure his side kept their slender lead to the break.
But he was beaten three minutes into the second period, when the Saints were awarded a penalty kick after Paul Breen was fouled in the area, and Jimmy Carr made no mistake from twelve yards out.
Joey Mulcahy went close twice shortly afterwards, and just before the hour mark, things got even harder for the visitors when they were reduced to ten men.
The home side then began to completely dominate, and took the lead in the 65th minute when Carr again got on the scoresheet, heading home an Adam McGrath cross.
Sixteen minutes from time they got the insurance goal, when Kerton spilled a Russell Quirke free kick and Colin Bargary scored from close range, ensuring there would be no unlikely equaliser from a very game Clonmel Celtic side, as the current champions slowly gain ground on the early season league leaders.