St Michael's win local derby to advance towards Tipperary Premier League crown

Clonmel Credit Union Premier League

Tipperary Town 0 – 5 St Michael’s

St Michael’s took all the points in the other derby game of the weekend at Arra Road in Tipperary town to keep up their bid to regain the Premier League title, on what was a rainy day with soft under foot conditions.

Saints had the lion’s share of possession from the start, and were ahead in the eighth minute when Cillian Coonan connected with a ball that broke to him and found the net from 20 yards.

It was 2-0 minutes later when David Slattery was on hand to finish from close range.

In complete control now, St Michael’s pretty much made the points certain when they added a third in the 20th minute, with Ed O’Dwyer heading home an Ashley Kelliher cross.

Tipperary Town had their best chance of the game on the half hour when Ryan Maher had a chance from a cross, but shot straight at Adrian Walsh.

Rhys O’Regan then had an effort saved and again Eric Higgins pushed a strong effort from him over the crossbar.

Russell Quirke with a shot and Cian Fadden with a header went close before the break but Saints were in control with their movement and passing and went in with a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead.

The second period followed a similar pattern to the first, with the league leaders having the majority of possession and chances. They added a fourth just after the hour mark when DJ Cremins executed a beautiful lob from the right-hand side of the area that beat goalkeeper Eric Higgins.

David Slattery added a fifth 14 minutes from time with a low shot to the net. Mikey Nash had a shot saved by Higgins late on but the game was long over as a contest, and the Saints continued their title challenge with three more points in the bag.