Ballynanty make it 4 wins from 4 against Regional

Ballynanty Rovers continued their 100% start to the 2020/2021 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Regional United on Sunday morning. A goal just before half time by Arron Nunan was the difference between the sides.

Both managers had opposite situations to deal with as Regional manager Tom O’Connell picked the same 11 that drew 1-1 with Fairview on Thursday evening. However, Dave Dunphy had to re-shuffle the pack as he was without the suspended Jake Dillon, the injured duo Connor Ellis and Thomas Byrnes and Liam Brock was unavailable. As a result, Dan Lucey, Riain O’Connell, Derek Daly and Arron Nunan came into the starting 11.

Both sides were unbeaten and it was the visitors who began brightly and should have had the lead in the first 2 minutes when Jack Arra drove to the byline and crossed for the onrushing Ross Fitzgerald but the midfielder hit the ball straight at the feet of Stephen McNamara in the Ballynanty goal.

The quality of football was excellent in the first period on a perfect surface at Limerick Institute of Technology but it was from a poor clearance at a set-piece that afforded Ballynanty their first chance as Derek Daly’s shot from the edge of the box travelled just wide.

Ten minutes later, Regional almost took the lead from a well worked set-piece as Kieran O’Connell’s flick to the back post was directed goalwards by Adny Cowpar but Riain O’Connell was alive to the danger to clear off the line.

O’Connell had a very solid game at left-back. It was clear that the Regional management have worked on set-pieces with runners and blockers providing clear paths for their dangermen.

The Dooradoyle outfit were once again cursing their luck soon after when Arra once again drove to the byline before teeing up Kieran O’Connell. However, the former Limerick District League Oscar Traynor player scuffed his effort and Donal O’Connell forced a save from McNamara at his near post.

Regional were made to pay for their lack of clinical finishing on the stroke of half time when Derek Daly’s ball was flicked on by Adrian Power and Arron Nunan dispatched the ball beyond Kevin Walsh to give the home side a crucial lead.

The second half was lacking in quality in comparison with the first as O’Connell’s men searched for an equaliser. An overlapping run and shot from Tommy Frawley sailed over the crossbar.

But the biggest chance of the half for the away side fell to Donal O’Connell who profited from a strong run by substitute Pat McDonagh but he could not beat the advancing McNamara. Dunphy introduced fresh legs as Ger Barry replaced Alex Purcell and the former Limerick FC man was sent clear on two occasions as Regional committed men forward but he dragged his shot wide on both attempts.

Regional had one last attempt at the death as a searching ball from Dave Cowpar found Ewan O’Brien but the winger was stretching and blew the effort over. It was a massive win for the northsiders and Arron Nunan has managed to score two vital winning goals in the absence of Connor Ellis and they will be hoping the former Janesboro man can continue that form with Ellis ruled out for at least 4 weeks.

Next up for Regional is a home tie with rock bottom Geraldines while Ballynanty make the trip to Mungret to face Eddie Storan’s young side.

Ballynanty Rovers: Stephen McNamara, Michael Guerin, Dan Lucey, Adam Costello, Riain O’Connell, David Donnan, Jason Hughes, Derek Daly, Adrian Power, Alex Purcell (Ger Barry), Arron Nunan (Jamie Kelly)

Regional United: Kevin Walsh, Tommy Frawley, David Cowpar, Andy Cowpar, Killian Kingston, Ross Fitzgerald, Kieran O’Connell, Ewan O’Brian, Donal O’Connell, Shane Dillon (Pat McDonagh), Jack Arra