LYRE ROVERS 3

CLONAKILTY SC 3

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

HAVE Lyre Rovers delivered a huge twist in the West Cork League Premier Division title race? We’ll soon see, but their draw with reigning champions Clonakilty Soccer Club in Lyre on Sunday certainly wasn’t predicted beforehand.

A local derby that burst into life in the second half saw Lyre put a serious dent in Clonakilty’s title ambitions. Having been 1-0 and 2-1 down, Rovers belied their mid-table status to surge 3-2 ahead. Only a late Chris Collins penalty denied the hosts a famous victory.

The three-in-a-row-chasing visitors pushed hard for a winner but had to settle for a share of the spoils. Dropping league points for only the second time this season opened the door for Togher Celtic to leapfrog Clonakilty into first place. Celtic duly obliged with a 7-0 win away to Drinagh Rangers B.

‘To be honest, we were poor and never got going,’ Clonakilty manager John Leahy admitted to The Southern Star.

‘We are happy enough to get a point. It was a derby match. I expected nothing less from Lyre. They deserved their point. We could have won it in the end but I think that would have been unjust if we did.’

Lyre Rovers' Finn Moroney hammers home a goal from the penalty spot against Clonakilty Soccer Club. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Lyre’s league campaign may be over, but their hunt for silverware continues. A Beamish Cup quarter-final against Castletown Celtic and a Premier Division Cup semi-final against Togher (both at home) mean there is still plenty to play for.

‘We played very well today,’ Rovers manager Tom Barry said.

‘The lads played well enough to get a result but we didn’t deserve to lose it either.

‘This result will give us confidence going into two big cup games. We have finished the league on a high with a good result against the best team in the league. That shows we deserve to be here.’

Rovers began their final league fixture with the possibility of securing a joint fourth-placed finish.

Their three-in-a-row, double-chasing opponents’ need for victory was far greater. A tenth triumph in 11 league outings would have maintained Clonakilty’s title push.

The visitors threatened from set pieces and the hosts on the counter-attack during a frenetic opening ten minutes. A succession of corners and free-kicks, including a strong penalty shout, kept Clonakilty on the front foot but Lyre’s defence refused to yield.

Another Lyre breakaway saw Cian O’Donovan force Adam O’Regan into a save as Rovers’ confidence grew.

Any attempt by Clonakilty to settle was thwarted by Lyre’s incessant work-rate. As a result, a derby high on effort but low on quality remained scoreless midway through the first half.

Lyre Rovers' Barry Kirby takes on Clonakilty's Chris Collins. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Lyre centre-backs Conor O’Neill and Donal Buckley repelled a series of attacks until the 41st minute. A move that started down Clonakilty’s left flank saw James O’Donovan whip a low cross into the penalty area. Arriving late, Eoin Murphy met the delivery with a first-time effort that flew into the bottom corner. It was 1-0 at the break.

Pushing higher up the pitch, Rovers equalised early in the second half when Mattie Lyons set up Rohan Powell to make it 1-1. Undeterred, Clonakilty responded through Chris Collins just shy of the hour mark to restore their lead, 2-1.

Lyre, playing superbly, levelled for a second time when Finn Moroney converted from the penalty spot after 77 minutes.

Under intense pressure, the Premier Division champions were rocked by the concession of a third goal nine minutes from the end. Mattie Lyons seized upon a defensive error, raced clear and flicked the ball past Adam O’Regan to make it 3-2.

Clonakilty emptied their bench but Lyre’s defence held firm until the visitors were awarded an 88th-minute penalty. Chris Collins made no mistake.

Despite going close in injury time, Clonakilty had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

So, a fascinating three-way battle between Togher, Clonakilty and Drinagh will decide the Premier Division title in the coming weeks.

Lyre Rovers: Eoin McKennedy, Finn Moroney, Barry Kirby, Conor O’Neill (captain), Donal Buckley, Cian O’Donovan, Rohan Powell, Aaron Griffin, Roy O’Driscoll, Mark Kelly, Matt Lyons.

Subs: Keith Nyhan, Dylan Murphy, Jamie Santry, Alan Brickley, Aaron Ryan, Stephen Shannon, Oisin O’Neill.

Clonakilty Soccer Club: Adam O’Regan, Reuben Henry (captain), Rob Downey, Charlie McShane, Eoin Murphy, Joe Edmead, Chris Collins, James O’Donovan, Ethan Draper, Mark Irwin, Odhran Bancroft.

Subs: James Calnan, Cal O’Mahony, Luka Mohan, Tomás Batterberry, John Deegan, Alan Murphy, Iain O’Driscoll.

Referee: Tadg Sheehan.