This week marks the start of the NT&DL clubs run in the FAI Junior Cup with 17 teams competing in 13 games. With that we at the Centre feels this gives us a great chance to give a more in – depth look at the Division 2 and 3.
Not surprisingly, these two divisions mount up to over 2/3 of all the goals in the 4 divisions so far this season with an astonishing 385 goals in 78 games, averaging out at 4.9 per game.
This weekend will have huge implications in the destination of the Division 2 title and promotion places.
Kilcommon FC v Portumna FC
Kilcommon welcome the Centre’s title favourites Portumna to Kilcommon Village knowing a win is a must if they are to challenge this season.Eamonn Naughton and Gary Ryan will aim to add to their goal tallies in this tight one but the Score Centre thinks that they have an impossible task on their hands in trying to stop the hugely successful strikeforce of Garry Curran, Sean O Meara and Gary Hogan. The away side, unbeaten in weekend fixtures this season will hope that the can capitalise on BT Harps B and Roscrea United B playing against eachother this weekend.
NTSC Prediction: Portumna
BT Harps B v Roscrea United B
Roscrea, who have a game in hand on their counterparts and league leaders BT Harps, will know they have a tough game ahead of them this weekend in Priory Place. With both James and Will Kavanagh on great form in recent weeks for the home side they will still hope that top scorer Dylan Loughnane can return to form in this huge game. Roscrea will look to regain top spot here and the likes of Stephen Murphy (5 goals), Joe Callaghan (6 goals) and Marc Woods (5 goals) will have to be at their best if they are to win this one. A big day for Roscrea’s Paddy Murphy sees him return to his old stomping ground.
NTSC Prediction: Draw
Cloughjordan B v Nenaghceltic Footballclub B
Cloughjordan entertain Nenagh Celtic in this one knowing they must improve in defence if they are to pick up their first win of the season. Although scoring freely, mainly through Dean O’Meara (6 goals), we think they’ll once again fall short of winning. Celtic, lead by an in form Terry Delaney (6 goals) will be tough to beat despite their unpredictable results as of late. We predict a comfortable win for the away side.
NTSC Prediction: Nenagh Celtic B
Nenagh Afc C v Clodiagh Rangers FC B
In This basement battle the Score Centre can’t look past a Nenagh C side that caused a major shock against Premier Division outfit Sallypark Odhráns Fc last week. Although points have been hard to come by Nenagh boast 11 different scorers in the league while their opponents have no player with more than one goal this season. Defences both look shaky here and a high scoring game is probable but a one sided one in our opinions.
NTSC Prediction: Nenagh Afc C
The Division 3 also looks like it’s going to be exciting this time around and with Gurtagarry Fc flying high the chase is on between Borrisokane Fc B, Lough Derg FC B and Ballymackey Fc B behind them.
Gurtagarry Fc v Streamstown Celtic B
Gurtagarry welcome the unpredictable Streamstown to Latteragh knowing a win is a must to keep the momentum going. League top scorer Paddy Pio O Rourke will look to put last week’s disappointment of missing guilt edged chances to one side and add to his 11 goal tally. With players like Ronan Kinane and Billy Corcoran on hand to chip in whenever O’Rourke doesn’t score it is very hard to see how Streamstown can prevent a loss here. The away side, who have just scored over half the goals of the home side but have conceded more than double, will have to be at their best here to avoid a big loss. Veteran players like Murty Grimes and Shane Carroll will have to play a more defensive role themselves and the ever dependant Ruairi O’Connor will have to help young Tom Ahern if he is to fulfill his potential. This one could be a bitter pill to swallow for the away side as we see a big loss here.
NTSC Prediction: Gurtagarry Fc
Ballymackey Fc B v Ballywilliam United
Ballywilliam travel to Balinree this week in the hope that they can get their season off the ground. Labelled this far as the whipping boys, having conceded 42 goals this far, they can welcome more players into the club with Burgess out of the Hurling now. They will surely improve and hopefullyDavie Corrigan can add to his two league goals. Ballymackey Fc B tho will be strong favourites here and have a lot of outlets for goals with Martin Flynn (10), Kevin and Rory Mounsey (7 and 6 respectively) in all competitions. A win is a must for the home side if they are to keep up with the leaders.
NTSC Prediction: Ballymackey Fc B
Lough Derg FC B Borrisokane Fc B
3rd play 2nd in this important game and both teams will go all out not to lose ground on leaders Gurtagarry Fc. The home side have alot of talented youngsters which include Ethan Mowat (6 goals), Keith Stritch (7 goals in all competitions) and Marco Federico (3 goals), but their best chance for goals comes in the form of Eric Monaghan (9 goals) who has be playing like a man possessed in recent weeks scoring in 6 out of the club’s 9 league games this far. Borrisokane tho have proved to be a tough nut to crack and do no concede many. With Matty Power (7 goals) and Liam Dunne (4 goals) scoring at crucial times this is a very hard match to call. With Borrisokane’s next league game surely against Gurtagarry Fc this will add to the occasion with the away side knowing this period could be their most defining over the season. The Centre is going to gamble on this and go for a home win.
NTSC Prediction: Lough Derg FC B
Shannon Rangers Fc v Sallypark Odhráns Fc B
In this intriguing affair goals should be aplenty with both teams scoring and conceding at will this season. The away side who have mustered up 16 different scorers this season so far with Paudie Ryan (5 goals) and the in form Eugene Foley (4 goals) topping the list. Goals can come from anywhere within this team but they themselves will have to look out for Shannon’s strikeforce with no less than 4 players scoring 4 or more goals so far this season. Keith Kelly ( 9 goals), Andy Austin ( 7 goals), Sean Moran (6 goals) and Willie Cleary (4 goals) will all look to add to their tallies knowing that they must win to keep in touch with the top of the table.
NTSC Prediction: Shannon Rangers
Rearcross FC B v Templetuohy Fc
In this basement battle Rearcross entertain an improving Templetuohy side. The home side who early on depended on Kieran Devitt for goals have struggled as of late losing their last 5 games. In contrast Templetuohy have gathered up 8 points in their last 5 games with much thanks to John Leahy (5 goals), Liam Ryan (3 goals) and Paddy Clavin (2 goals), who have all dug in deep in recent weeks to grind out some good results. This could be another week to forget for the Rearcross boys.
NTSC Prediction: Templetuohy Fc
The FAI Junior Cup returns this week and as we don’t know much about the teams from outside the NT&DL we feel as tho we can’t preview the games. We wish everyone the very best of luck.
Saturday 27th of September:
2pm K.O (Unless Stated)
FAI Youths Cup:
Clonmel Town v Nenagh AFC
B.T Harps v Moyglass Utd
FAI Junior Cup Round 2:
Lough Derg v Kilsheelan 1pm
Sunday 28th of September:
3pm K.O (Unless Stated)
FAI Junior Cup Round 2:
Peake Villa v Nenagh AFC
Two-Mile Borris v Arra Rovers
Donohill & District Fc v Barnane Fc
Clonmel Celtic v Roscrea Utd 3.30pm
Cahir Park v Moneygall FootballClub
Old Bridge v Thurles Town
Sallypark v Rearcross
Clodiagh Rangers v Wilderness Rovers
Cloughjordan v Streamstown Celtic
Borrisokane v Holycross Fc
Ballymackey v B.T Harps
Nenagh Celtic v Vee Rovers