Antonio Rea's late winner for St Michael's breaks Clonmel Town hearts

Clonmel Credit Union League Division 1

Clonmel Town 2 – 3 St Michael’s

Clonmel Town started this game on the front foot and could have been ahead on numerous occasions but left some chances go to waste, as their opponents were playing themselves into the game. They made that pressure count in the 14th minute when a great switch from Ben Smith found Kevin Kirwan, who finished excellently to put his side a goal up.

They continued to be the dominant side but Saints started to become more dangerous and almost caught them on the break when Danny O’Brien forced Dan Hayde into a world-class save.

There were no more goals in that first half and the second period started much the same as the first progressed, with the home side on the front foot. Jamie Ahearne finally doubled the lead with a superb strike from 20 yards in the 56th minute, as it looked like Town were going to win relatively easily.

But they continued to miss chances and this would come back to haunt them when Danny O’Brien slotted home in the 72nd minute to reduce the deficit.

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This caused a momentum shift in the game and The Saints began to overrun Town before getting an equaliser through Rhys Byron, who was all on his own in the six yard box nine minutes from time.
There looked to be only one winner from here and it took some brilliant goalkeeping from Dan Hayde to keep the home side’s head above water in the final ten minutes.

Alas for them, it didn’t prove to be enough when right at the death, with Clonmel Town pushing forward for the win that would keep them in the title race, they were caught short in defence and St Michael’s Antonio Rea took full advantage of a lightning counter attack to fire home a goal that secured the St Michael’s victory, leaving Town crestfallen at the end