Crettyard United have won 3 out of 4 home games.
Form: W L W D W

Carlow Rovers
Form: L L D L W

Crettyard United have won 3 out of 4 home games.
Form: W L W D W

St. Patricks Boys
Form: L W L W D

Crettyard United 7

St Patrick's Boys 0

A devastating first half showing from United and Lee Salter saw them ease past St Pat's to maintain the pressure on New Oak at the top. The opening goal arrived on 11 minutes, Jack Brady's ball over the top released Salter and he held off the challenge from Anthony Lawler to slot home. We Pats struggling to get into the game the second arrived shortly afterwards, this time Crig Comerford opening the visitors defence for Salter to net again. The game was as good as over when Salter netted his third from the penalty spot on the half hour. Never a side to ease up, Crettyard added 3 more before the break, Gearoid Cuddihy crossed for David Kelly to head home at the back post for the fourth before Cuddihy got on the scoresheet himself after United were awarded a second penalty. Kelly finished off the first half scoring with a neat volley, Comerford again with the assist as Crettyard went into half time 6-0 ahead. Pats managed to hold it together in the second half and created a few half chances for Liam Byrne, Chris Gual and Jamie Malone but all were wide of the mark. At the other end Danny Curry made a couple of fine saves to keep Crettyard at bay but United did have the final say as Cuddihy netted his second late on as he controlled Danny Doyle'cross and slotted a seventh for the hosts who had stand out showings on the day from Craig Comerford, David Kelly and Danny Doyle. Best for Pats were Chris Gaul, Danny Moran, Anto Lawlor and Dylan Costigan

Crettyard United 2

Ballymurphy Celtic 0

In one of the few games to survive the weather at the weekend Crettyard took full points to close the gap on New Oak to just 3 points as this season's title race begins to hot up. Crettyard began with the string wind on their backs and dominated for long periods but were struggling in front of goal. Gearoid Cuddihy cracked a free kick off the post midway through the half and the usually lethal Lee Salter saw a couple of efforts go the wrong side of the post. United finally opened the scoring just after the half hour, Celtic failed to deal with a free kick into the penalty area and Salter pounced on the loose ball to slot it beyond Kyle Foley in the Ballymurphy goal. At the other end Anto Jordan and Jack Foley were a handful for the United defence but couldn't get clear sight of goal. The second half saw wind assisted Celtic with more possession but chances came and went for Dara Tobin and Declan Brennan. In these tight games you have to take you chances went they come along or you get punished and that's exactly what Crettyard did. The introduction of Ryan Byrne brought new energy to the Crettyard attack and the chances started coming again. Kyle Foley denied Salter after he was released on goal by Danny Doyle on 75 minutes but 5 minutes later the young 'keeper was powerless to stop Doyle doubling the lead after good work from Salter and Byrne. As always with Celtic they battled to the end but it's rare for United to drop points from such a strong position. It's now 7 straight wins in the Premier Division for United since losing to Celtic back in November while Celtic haven't managed a 3 pointer since that game. Best for Crettyard on the day were Craig Comerford, Lee Salter and Danny Doyle while Ballymurphy were best served by Paul Kirwan, Killian Harvey and Mikey Sullivan.

Crettyard United 2 Deen Celtic 0

Crettyard United came out on top in this derby encounter in Kileen on Sunday afternoon. Crettyard created all the early chances but found the Celtic keeper in inspired form who produced some stunning saves. The home side kept persisting and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Suzanne Meagher created space for herself down the right wing and her first time cross found the head of Aisling Behan who made no mistake from close range. The second goal would follow shortly and it was a carbon copy of the first, this time it was Tamara Agar who was hand to slot home. Both sides created chances for the remainder of the game but were guilty of wasting those opportunities and Crettyard held out for a deserved 3 points in a tough contest.Best for the winners were Aisling Behan, Tamara Agar, Suzanne Meagher and Patrice Whelan

Slaney Rovers 0

Crettyard United 4

Gearoid Cuddihy netted a brace of penalties as Crettyard made it 5 wins in a row to move into second place, 9 points adrift but with 2 crucial games in hand. Conditions were difficult for both sides but it was the visitors that adapted better and were ahead on 20 minutes when Danny Doyle won a penalty which was duly despatched to the net by Cuddihy. Fergal Harmon in the Rovers goal then pulled off two smart saves to deny Lee Salter and Cuddihy. Lubohir Lesko responded with a long-range effort for Rovers which just cleared the bar as United went into half time 1-0 ahead. Two goals in 7 minutes shortly after the restart put the game to bed for the visitors. Cuddihy was involved again as he released Danny Doyle on goal, Doyle keeping his cool as he rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net on 53 minutes. On the hour Crettyard had their third, another penalty awarded, and the outcome was the same as Cuddihy again converted from 12 yards. Lee Salter finished off the scoring for the visitors with 20 minutes left as Doyle turned provider to leave it 4-0 at the finish. Best for Crettyard included Gearoid Cuddihy, Colin Osborne, and Danny Doyle. Slaney's best included Joe Tompkins, Shane Murphy, and Mick Foley.

Newpark 5 Crettyard 5

An entertaining game took place in Kilkenny on a cold Sunday afternoon . Crettyard started a little brighter than the hosts and went ahead on 5 minutes, Deirdre O’Shea cutting in from the left and firing past the helpless keeper. Newpark started to get a foothold in the game and almost leveled through Ria Lawson and a Jenny Clifford free kick. Newpark were awarded an indirect free in the Crettyard box but quick thinking from Lawson and Clifford released Tina Wright for a tap in at the back post. Crettyard were awarded a comer on the half hour and their goal machine Aisling behan heade home to restore their advantage. Newpark were soon level again , Wright and Clifford combined to release Clifford who finished coolly.

The second half would continue in the same vain, Crettyard goin in front again, a quick free kick put Tamara Agar through on goal who made no mistake. Back came Newpark again , Annie Dunne with an excellent over the top pass released Chiara Cardillo whose first touch put her in to make it 3-3.

Now it was time for Newpark to take the lead , Jenny Clifford received the ball deep, taking on four defenders and firing a wonderful solo effort home.This time it was Crettyard’s turn to respond and Behan got her second of the game with a snapshot to level it up again. Crettyard scored their fifth when Tamara Agar got her second with a fine strike from a free kick. The scoring wasn’t finished there however , Abbie Wall played a stunning ball through to Amy Clifford who found herself through on goal only for the Crettyard keeper to make a fantastic save but unluckily the ball rebounded off the Crettyard defense and found its way into the net to tie the game up. Both teams deserve credit for a fantastic display

Ballymurphy Celtic 2

Crettyard United 0

Celtic produced a huge shock on Sunday and a result that could have a huge impact on the destination of the league title come next April. History shows us that the winners of this league rarely drop points to teams outside of the top 4 and when the dust settles at the end United could well look back on this fixture with regret. As for the game it was a story of chances missed, by United, and chances taken by Celtic. Crettyard's woes in front of goal began as early as the second minute when Gearoid Cuddihy blazed over from close range. A few minutes later Ryan Byrne beat the offside trap but couldn't beat Kyle Foley in the Celtic goal with only the keeper to beat. It didn't get any better for the visitors as Danny Doyle passed up a hat trick of chances before the half hour mark and then Celtic made them pay. Jamie Doyle swung in a corner and Kevin Foley brilliantly headed home from 12 yards to send Celtic into the break 1-0 up. The second half was more of the same, United creating and missing chances, some solid defending and great goalkeeping denying the visitors. Having taken everything United could throw at them Celtic pounced again to double the lead with 20 minutes left. United could only half clear a corner and when it fell to Martin Kavanagh on the edge of the box, he sent a cracking half volley into the bottom corner. United had a chance to get back into the game 5 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty, but Kyle Foley made an excellent save to deny Danny Doyle. Foley produced another couple of saves late on to keep out Lee Salter as Celtic held on for the win. Best for Ballymurphy included Kevin Foley, Martin Kavanagh, and Kyle Foley in goal. On a bad day for United they had solid showings from Craig Comerford, Colin Osborne, and Niall Purcell.