Killavilla secure CCFL Division 1 title
CCFL Review
Killavilla United
Division 1 champions: Killavilla United secured the CCFL division 1 title on Sunday continuing their perfect campaign of ten wins from ten with a 3-0 away win over Ballymahon of Longford.
Ruairi Murphy contributed no fewer than four goals in the day with Ben Lynch and Johnny Corboy also finding the target.
Ballymackey FC
Ballymackey Women welcomed Mountmellick United to Ballinree in the Combined Counties Football League Women’s Premier Division, and as always between these sides, it proved to be a keenly contested encounter.
The home side made four changes to last week’s starting lineup and began the game brightly, but a disciplined Mountmellick defence proved difficult to break down. The breakthrough finally came on 25 minutes when Aoibhínn Delaney produced a superb through ball to split the visitors’ defence, sending Christine O’Keefe through centrally. She showed great composure to finish confidently one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The lead was short-lived, however, as a low delivery from the right byline wasn’t dealt with, allowing Mountmellick’s centre forward a simple tap-in at the back post.
Ballymackey continued to threaten, with Stephanie O’Sullivan, Karen Hogan and Amber DeLewis all going close. The decisive moment arrived when Allison McDonnell showed excellent vision on the right wing, picking out DeLewis as she made a clever run in behind the left side of the Mountmellick defence. A superb first touch set her up perfectly, and she finished smartly at the near post to restore Ballymackey’s lead.
Mountmellick, as always, remained a serious threat, and it took a top-class save from Darra Bourke to preserve the advantage. Ballymackey stood firm defensively and finished the game strongly to secure a well-earned victory.
Some of Ballymackey’s younger players impressed with under 17s Lily-Kate Kenneally and Isabella Meehan particularly catching the eye. The Player of the Match award went to Sadhbh Connolly, who marked her first senior start with a tigerish and commanding display in midfield.