CCFL Review

BALLYMACKEY

By John Delaney

Portlaoise 2–5 Ballymackey

Ballymackey Ladies continued their good run of form in the Combined Counties Football League Women’s Division with a 5–2 victory away to Portlaoise.

The visitors made a flying start, taking the lead early through Kate Cavanagh, who weaved her way through the Portlaoise defence before calmly finishing one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Amber DeLewis doubled Ballymackey’s advantage soon after, slotting home following fine build-up play from Allison McDonnell.

Portlaoise, a good footballing side, pulled one back with a volleyed finish from a corner. However, DeLewis quickly restored Ballymackey’s control, completing her hat-trick with two quick-fire goals. Her third was the pick of the bunch Cavanagh released McDonnell down the right, and her superb cross was met by DeLewis at the back post with a powerful header.

The hosts managed to grab a second just before the break to give themselves hope heading into the second half. After the restart, Ballymackey continued to dominate possession and play with confidence. Their pressure paid off when Thia McCarthy brilliantly lobbed the keeper from a tight angle to extend the lead to three goals and seal the away win.

It was probably Ballymackey’s best all-round performance of the season, with controlled possession and flowing football throughout. Nicole Ryan made a welcome return from injury, adding further depth to a strong squad.

There were standout displays from Isabella Meehan, Thia McCarthy, Emma Nolan, hat-trick hero Amber DeLewis, and player of the match Kate Cavanagh.

Ballymackey now have a rest week as CCFL sides compete in the first round of the Leinster Junior Cup. They have received a bye to the second round, where they will face the winners of Tallaght Town and Maynooth FC.

KILLAVILLA UNITED

By Gary Culbert

Junior ‘A’: Killavilla United advanced to the last 32 of the Leinster Junior Cup thanks to A 3-0 over Carlow’s Hanover Harps in Villa Park on Sunday.

Second half goals from new signing Robbie Farrell, as well as Ben Lynch, and Dylan Carey were the difference, but there were huge performances all over the pitch.

Brian Brooks had to shuffle his deck in attacking areas as Ruairi Murphy and Johnny Corboy were absent. Josh Wynne came in on the wing for Murphy, whilst new signing from Old Fort Celtic in the Leinster Senior League, Farrell came in up top for Corboy.

Both sides found it difficult to get any rhythm to their play in the first half, with little in the way of clear-cut chances. In the second half, the home side upped their intensity and broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when a pass from Josh Wynne found Robbie Farrell, and the 21-year-old steadied himself before firing a lovely shot beyond the reach of the keeper into the top corner.

Killavilla continued to press, and having scored four the week prior, Ben Lynch fired a daisy-cutter into the far corner to double the lead on 71 minutes. Substitute Dylan Carey continued his influential start to the season with a goal five minutes from time to put a bit of gloss on the win.

Miko Pasalic impressed with his pace and trickery, but the player of the match was Josh Wynne on his return to the starting eleven. The former Moneygall man was full of running down the flank and his perfect assist for the first goal was an important moment in the match.

Villa will look to continue their winning start to life in the CCFL at home to Gallan United at 11.00am this Sunday.

Team: Aaron Mulready; Eddie Simmons, Ian Treacy, Maurice Walsh, Tom Ahern; Darren Coleman, Kevin Fitzgerald, Ben Lynch; Miko Pasalic, Josh Wynne, Robbie Farrell. Subs: Dylan Carey, Jamie Ryan, Junior Egharevba, Lee Doran, Josh Wynne, Ben Leamy, Matthew Moore.

Junior ‘B’: A late Craig Phelan goal saw ten-man Killavilla United ‘B’ make a winning start to life in the third division of the CCFL. The 41-year-old left it late in Killeigh against the newly promoted Cloneygowan Celtic. Phelan has now scored in each of Villa’s last five games, whilst it’s three goals in two games for young Tynan.

Next up for Adrian Elbert’s charges is a trip to Kilcormac on Sunday in another third division game. The home side finished second in the division last season but were not promoted and drew with the league leaders in their only game so far so this will be a significant test for the Roscrea side. Kick off against St Michael's Athletic is at 2.00pm in Frankford, Meadowlands.