Clonmel Celtic win to capture first ever Tipperary Youths League Championship

Youths League Division 1

CLONMEL CELTIC 2 PEAKE VILLA 1

After missing out with their first attempt, Clonmel Celtic finally secured their first ever TSDL Youths title in front of a large crowd at the bypass on Saturday, when they beat a strong Peake Villa side by two goals to one.

The home side looked nervous in the opening minutes and Peake Villa sensing there was something there for them began to get on top.

The hosts game plan seemed to be to play in the opposition half but every ball they launched forward was carried by the wind and failed to trouble the visiting defence. And they had to mind their own goal, giving up two early chances to the Thurles side, the first of which flashed over and keeper Oisin O’Donoghue getting down smartly to save the second effort effort.

Knowing a win might still allow them to catch the hosts in the table, the visiting team continued to probe and cause all kinds of problems, but were rocked back on the half hour mark, when Celtic finally opened the scoring after a fine free kick from Paddy Ormond found Jake Forrestal ghosting in behind the defence and he applied a clinical finish to put his side a goal up.

But the away side were almost level within a minute when a dangerous cross was met by a header that lacked power and was easily saved by O’Donoghue, who was having a solid game between the posts.

Then the Villa were presented with a gilt-edged chance to level, when they were awarded a penalty kick eight minutes before the break. However, O’Donoghue continued his inspired performance by diving full length to save the subsequent effort.

Things got even better for Celtic when they doubled their lead four minutes later, with Michael Prendergast slotting home after great work by Alex Greene to send the hosts to the break two goals to the good.

They nearly made the perfect start to the second half when Michael Prendergast raced clear but his effort was saved.

Villa still looked dangerous and were very much in this game and on 51 minutes they were denied again by O’Donoghue diving full length to tip a shot on to the crossbar.

With 15 minutes remaining Peake Villa finally got the goal their play deserved when a fine half volley from Ciaran Purcell eventually beat the home net minder.

They pushed for an equaliser but in truth it was Celtic who should have put the game to bed in the last five minutes with a succession of chances that they couldn't convert.

Fortunately, they didn’t need that third goal and the win against a good Villa side saw them claim their first ever title to huge delight from the crowd.