Neighbours to fight it out in play-off for Premier League survival

Clonmel Credit Union Premier League

Tipperary Town 5 – 0 Wilderness Rovers

Tipperary Town gave themselves a massive shot at escaping the relegation trap door with a five goal win at home to already relegated Wilderness Rovers on a sunny Sunday morning last.

Knowing nothing less than a victory would do, Olek Ivanov got the ball rolling at the Arra Road when he finished off a peach of a cross from Caleb Hickey in the 10th minute.

But they were extremely wasteful after that, missing a host of chances to extend their lead before going to the break a single goal to the good.

They found their groove however in the second half, and only four minutes in, added a second when Ryan Maher capitalised on a defensive error to finish from close range.

In the 60th minute, Ivanov linked up with Alex Mason and whipped a brilliant finish to the top corner to make it three.

That became four twenty minutes from time when Vinny Godfrey hit what has now become a trademark free kick that left the visiting keeper flapping at air.

Caleb Hickey rounded off a good display to finish a one on one and end the game with a fifth goal three minutes from time.

Cahir Park 2 – 2 Bansha Celtic

With Tipperary Town getting a big win at home, it was imperative for Premier League survival that Bansha Celtic get something from this game, and they duly managed a vital point in a pulsating 2-2 draw.

The home team got off to the perfect start taking the lead after just three minutes, thanks to a shot by James Darcy that finished low in the corner of the net from edge of area.

This gave the hosts control of the game, and they really should have killed it off with the chances they made inside the first quarter of an hour. But Celtic hung on, and got their reward for perseverance when they were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute that was finished to the net by Cian O’Dwyer to level the game.

The remainder of the first half was very even with few more chances and no more goals.

The hosts dominated the second half but failed to score, until veteran Chris Higgins finally found the net twenty minutes from the end. He finished of his own good work with a fine strike from ten yards.

But like busses another goal came along almost immediately when Eamon Quirke popped up at the end of a rare Bansha Celtic attack to score from the edge of the area.

That was how the game was to finish, giving Celtic some hope of survival, but their fate is now out of their own hands, so they will be left to wait and hope on the results of other games from here on in.