Killavilla legend Kirwan signs off with more silverware

SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League Premier Division Ricky Fogarty Cup Final

Killavilla United 1

Rearcross 0

Report: Gary Culbert in Moneygall

A Paul Kirwan goal midway through the second half was enough to secure the silverware for Killavilla United as they defeated Rearcross in the Premier Division Ricky Fogarty Cup final on Friday evening.

Rearcross arrived into this final off the back of a walkover, and their last competitive fixture before that was over two months ago; a 4-0 win over the newly crowned Premier Division champions, Arra Rovers.

In contrast, Killavilla came in off the back of an agonising extra time Tipperary Cup defeat at the hands of Sallypark, and had since turned things around with a win away to BT Harps in the semi-final of the Premier Division Cup.

The fallout from both games was that Villa were without two hugely important players for this final: their lieutenant at the back Pauric Phelan, missed out through suspension; whilst the extremely talented Joe Moloney picked up a bad injury in the semi-final.

This match was a typical cup final to begin with; it was clear that there were nerves on both sides. As you would expect, it was Killavilla who were the first to gain some control in the middle of the park, thanks in no small part to the dominance of Darren Coleman, who was calm and composed in his defensive role.

Both sides had chances in the first half, but it was Villa that looked the more threatening; hitting the woodwork in the 26th minute and going close again near the end of the half when Brian Moloney headed over an Eddie Simmons cross.

The running power of James Deegan was a constant thorn in the side of the ‘Villa defenders; the energetic forward was by far Rea's best player and was unlucky not to find the net in the first half, having been denied by the keeper Robert Rowe on more than one occasion.

Near the end of the first half, the Roscrea men started getting the ball into the feet of Brian Moloney, and that's when they really started to open Rearcross up.

In the second half, Moloney picked up where he left off, getting on a lot of ball and causing a great deal of trouble for Rea' defenders.

Villa manager Denis Moloney let just five minutes of the second half elapse before bringing young Ruairi Murphy off the bench for the ageless Craig Phelan, who had put in a really good, honest shift. Murphy was not long on when he was put through on goal, but a poor first touch let the lively winger down when really he should have made it one-nil.

Midway through the half, Killavilla started to cause a lot of trouble down the right and that's where the all-important goal originated from. The ever-willing Mark Dwyer was played in down the right corner after some neat build up play in the middle of the park between Darren Coleman and Brian Moloney. Dwyer crossed low and the ball made its way to the back post for the waiting Paul Kirwan, who, despite being in the swansong of his career, is still one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premier Division. Rearcross centre half, Eamonn Wade made several timely interventions in the first half to deny Kirwan, but this occasion the veteran marksman got free at the back post, took a good touch, and composed himself before meeting the ball on the half volley, as sweet as a nut, sending the Villa fans wild with a goal of the highest quality.

Rearcross never let their heads drop, and they were almost level when a Brian Nolan corner was powered onto the upright following Darragh Kennedy’s glancing header.

Killavilla came close to extending their lead when a Darren Coleman free kick was met by Micky Ryan at the back post, but the ball went wide. Coleman got a second yellow card with five minutes to go but Villa stayed strong.

The game was in the melting pot right up to the final whistle and Cathal Kennedy had to race off his line to make the save of the game in the 89th minute; a superb one-on-one block to deny Mark O’Dwyer.

Deep into injury time, Dwyer used his long legs and his seemingly endless energy reserves to again burst down the wing, this time the youngster skipped past the Rea' keeper before being hacked down by Eamonn Wade, who received a straight red card, which levelled the playing field late on.

In the end, NT&DL Fixtures Secretary Richard Fogarty presented the Ricky Fogarty Premier Division Cup to Killavilla. Many readers will know that this cup is named in the memory of Richard's late son, Ricky. Pauric Phelan lifted the cup, but there is no doubting that it was a special moment for club captain John Cordial, who has managed to come back from a serious injury to compete at the top table of football in North Tipperary once again.

It was a happy return to Moneygall for former club captain Eddie Simmons, and former player Dylan Carroll, who have not looked back since switching the red and black stripes for blue and black.

Under Eamonn Devitt’s tutelage, Rearcross have transformed from a mid-table Division 1 team into Premier Division title contenders, and the NT&DL's leading light in the Munster Junior Cup. In the past few days, it has been reported that Eamonn Devitt will be stepping down as manager of Rearcross. In his time as manager, Eamonn has picked up a Barry Cup medal and a Division 1 league winners medal amongst other accolades. We will no doubt see Eamonn involved in the NT&DL in some capacity in the future.

In similar news, Paul Kirwan is reportedly hanging up his playing boots. This writer cannot possibly do his footballing career justice, but it is safe to say that tales his ariel prowess, leadership, and finishing abilities will be talked about for decades to come in the NT&DL. Paul will never be far from Villa Park, however, his managerial success with Villa’s underage girls’ teams is highly impressive and only just beginning.

Player of the Match: Darren Coleman (Killavilla United)

Killavilla United: Robert Rowe, Dylan Carroll, Eddie Simmons, Ian Treacy, John Cordial, Michael Ryan, Mark Dwyer, Darren Coleman, Paul Kirwan, Brian Moloney, Craig Phelan.

Subs: Ruairí Murphy for Phelan (8); David Moloney for Ryan (80); Jamie Boland for Simmons (84).

Rearcross: Cathal Kennedy, Brian Nolan, Eamonn Wade, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Darragh Kennedy, Kieran Devitt, Paul Nolan, Conor Nolan, Michael O’Gorman, James Deegan

Subs: Philip Deegan for B Nolan (60), Stephen Rochford for Devitt (60); Nigel Ryan for Harrington (87).

Referee: John Hayes.