CCFL Review

Killavilla United

By Gary Culbert

Junior ‘A’: Killavilla United don't do things the easy way, and that's what makes them so good to watch. Despite dominating possession and chances created against Gallen United on Sunday, it took some inspired substitutions from Brian Brooks for them to continue their perfect return to the CCFL with a 2-1.

It's six wins from Villa’s opening six games, but it was far from plain sailing on Sunday in Villa Park. The visitors were shell-shocked by the sheer intensity and demanding nature of Villa’s start. Robbie Farrell started up top for Villa once again as both Ruairi Murphy and Johnny Corboy were injured. The former Portlaoise man went close inside the opening five minutes; he or any of Micky Ryan, Ben Lynch, and Josh Wynne could have put Villa ahead in the next ten minutes. But alas, their period of complete dominance ended without a goal.

The game was still mostly played in the visitors' half thereafter, but as the rain came heavy on the stroke of halftime, so did the sting in the tail. Without any warning, the ball was played through and Aaron Mulready was rounded as his defenders’ hands went up looking for an offside that wasn’t there. It was one of the visitors' first attacks of the game, and they were now 1-0 up at halftime.

Villa dominated possession in the second half, but without really troubling the Ferbane side, and the keeper looked more than capable whenever the low block was breached.

And so, as he has consistently done in this fledgling season, Brian Brooks looked to his bench for answers. Dylan Carey has provided those answers in abundance to date, so naturally enough the attacking midfielder was the first to come on.

And right on cue, Miko Pasalic went up for a header he had no right to win, and who was making a trademark late run from midfield, Dylan Carey. The substitute was brought down in the box and Tom Ahern made no mistake from the spot to leave this one nicely poised heading into the final twenty minutes.

Gallen missed a great chance to restore their lead almost straight away; it would turn out to be their last.

Villa were guilty of not pulling the trigger at times. But Brooks’ second substitute, Junior Egharevba, clearly has no issues in this area, as demonstrated when he was teed up by his captain, 25 yards from goal. The young Borris-in-Ossory man struck across the wet football, beautifully arrowing a perfect strike into the top corner, across the diving keeper.

There is real momentum with Killavilla, and the togetherness of the squad was on show for all after the final whistle, as they gathered into a tight huddle with their manager.

The league leaders will look to make it seven wins on the bounce when they travel to take on Mullingar Celtic this Sunday. Mullingar finished mid-table last season, albeit six points off last place; this is another game that Villa will be demanding a win from. Kick-off is at 11.00am in Gainstown.

Killavilla United (4.1.2.3): Aaron Mulready; Eddie Simmons, Micky Ryan, Ian Treacy, Tom Ahern; Darren Coleman; Robbie Farrell, Kevin Fitzgerald; Josh Wynne, Miko Pasalic, Ben Lynch. Subs: Dylan Carey for Lynch (62); Junior Egharevba for Pasalic (70); Lee Doran for Simmons (76); Jamie Ryan for Farrell (87)

Junior ‘B’: Killavilla United ‘B’ saw their league game called off in the eleventh hour due to a waterlogged pitch. Attention turns to the Leinster Junior Shield this Sunday as Villa Park plays host to Dublin City side Iveagh Celtic in the last 16. Kick-off is at 2.00pm.

Under 17: Killavilla United were knocked out of the Leinster Cup at the hands of Athboy FC in the second round. The visitors ran out 3-1 winners in Villa Park.