Killavilla advance to last 16 in Munster Junior Cup
By Gary Culbert
Munster Junior Cup
Killavilla United 1-0 Portlaw United
A late Michael Ryan goal was enough to see Killavilla United overcome Portlaw United in the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup in Killavilla on Sunday.
The Waterford dominated for large spells, but Killavilla hung in the game, thanks to the composure and physicality of midfield trio Darren Coleman, Dan Ryan, and David McNamara.
Clear cut chances were few and far between, and it looked like extra time would be required to separate these two evenly matched sides. However, as often is the case in close cup affairs, a set-piece decided the outcome.
Killavilla were awarded a free kick forty yards out in the 78th minute. The ball was floated towards the back post but inexplicably headed back across goal by a Portlaw defender to the feet of Michael Ryan, who somehow found time to turn and dig it out from under his feet and into the far corner of the net to the delight of his teammates.
With Killavilla professionally seeing out the game, the large travelling Portlaw faithful would have been praying for one more chance, which they got with the last kick of the game, but once again Aaron Mulready was off his line in a flash before flinging his body as big as possible in front of a shot.
Darren Coleman’s composure and leadership impressed, but Killavilla could not have done it without young keeper Mulready, who was the player of the match. In the next round, the Roscrea side are at home again and will go to battle against Cahir Park, Peake Villa, or Ringmahon Rangers.
Sallypark Odhrans 2-4 Regional United
A brave Sallypark Odhrans bowed out at the last 32 stage of the Munster Junior Cup to holders Regional United at the Garda College grounds in Templemore on Sunday.
The NT&DL outfit started very well and had the Limerick side struggling to get to grips with their intensity. Sean Ryan’s running power up front was causing all sorts of trouble for the Regional rearguard, who did not know whether to stick or twist after having an early run in with the speedy striker.
Regional just about survived the hectic opening quarter of an hour without conceding and were beginning to come to terms with the challenge, only for the Tipp side to take the lead from a corner in the 20th minute. Kieran Ryan looked to have overcooked the delivery to the back post, but Paul Walsh somehow headed it back across goal, where Jack Sanders was in the right place at the right time to head his side in front.
Ten minutes later, Sallypark doubled their lead when a quick throw from Jack Sanders sent Seanie Ryan through on goal, and he calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
This got Regional’s tails up and they piled on the pressure, Damien Corcoran in the Sally goal had to make a string of fine saves. Crucially, Regional managed to pull one back just before half time, this time utilizing a quick throw themselves to Kieran O’Connell who squared the ball to Brian O’Conner to tap home.
Regional made two changes during the interval and upped the ante for the second half. The equalizer came on the hour mark and was special piece of skill. Kieran O’Connell stuck his free kick from twenty yards straight into the top left hand corner with a ferocity that gave Damien Corcoran absolutely no chance.
Sallypark rallied again and tried hard to get back on top, but the third Regional goal came on the counter-attack. They got through one-on-one with Corcoran who made himself big, with the striker’s shot hitting the post but the rebound fell straight to the feet of the onrushing Oleg Vysochan who slotted home. Regional sealed the game with five minutes left when Sallypark were pushing hard for an equalizer, with Vysochan getting his second.
Sallypark performed very well on a day where a lot of people had them down to get a trimming, they did themselves proud and represented the NT&DL very well at a high level. Seanie Ryan was outstanding, whilst Bryan McGee and Paul Walsh were on top form too.
Premier Division
Ardcroney 3-0 Rearcross
Ardcroney got back to winning ways on Sunday with a 3-0 home win over Rearcross.
Jack Daly let fly from more than 35 yards early in the first half, catching the keeper off guard to give Ardcroney the lead. The home side were far from convincing at the back, but this depleted Rearcross side never did enough to test their hosts.
Rearcross did apply some pressure to the Ardcroney goal midway through the second half, Stephen Rochford going closest. Ardcroney killed the game late on when Liam Heffernan was brought down in the box and Jack Daly scored the resulting penalty.
The match was far from a classic as both sides were missing important players, but it’s a timely result for Ardcroney to get them back to winning ways ahead of the return of important players from injury and suspension.
BT Harps 9-1 Ballymackey
BT Harps bounced back with a staggering 9-1 win at home to Ballymackey on Sunday.
After the disappointment of the previous week’s heavy defeat to title rivals Killavilla, the Harps had a point to prove and they did it in style. Ben Stapleton opened the scoring in the fifth minute with his tenth league goal of the season and added three more to his tally by the 35th minute. Ballymackey pulled a goal back but were unable to handle Stapleton. In the 40th minute, he was hacked down for a penalty and had to be substituted as a result. Stevie Nolan converted from the spot to leave BT Harps 5-1 up at the break.
Henry Newman’s forward line were on fire, Stapleton might have been doing the scoring, but he was assisted all the way by the players around him. Although not on the score-sheet, JJ McLoughlin was having a fine game and he was taken down for another penalty after the break. Nolan made it 6-1 from the spot, but Harps weren't finished as they added three more goals courtesy of Mikey O’Meara and a brace from Rhys Loughnane. JJ McLoughlin had plenty of assists and Lorcan Campion put in an immense shift down the left, but player of the match was the league’s top scorer this season, Ben Stapleton.
Division 1
Moneygall were also big winners with a 9-4 home win over Birdhill on Saturday night. Sean Moroney, Jack O’Brien, and Niall Maher all scored a brace each for Moneygall with Cian Ryan, Cian McLoughlin and Dylan McCormack chipped in with a goal apiece.
Birdhill scored thanks to a brace apiece from Jack Delahunty and Aaron O’Neill.
Holycross were 4-3 winners over Portumna in Glenbane on Sunday. Holycross went ahead three times only for the Galway side to draw level each time, before the hosts fourth and final goal proved to be the winner. The title contenders found the net through Ben Slattery, a Calum O’Connor penalty, and a double from Jack Dwan. Portumna netted through an Adam Fogarty brace and one from Alan O’Meara.
Division 2
Killavilla United ‘B’ won 4-1 away to Rearcross ‘B’ on Friday night. Liam O’Reilly and Jason Fitzpatrick netted a goal each for the visitors, with Dan Ryan scooping the player of the match award with a brace. Oisin Kelly scored Rea’s only goal of the game.
Grange United were behind at the break in Moneygall on Saturday night, but a professional performance in the second half saw the experienced side come away with a 3-1 win.
Anthony Devereux gave Moneygall ‘B’ the lead in the fourteenth minute with a fine strike. But Jason McCormack was in flying form up front for Grange, the former Moneygall mercenary was brought down for a penalty in the 57th minute, which Brian Bowe dispatched, before scoring a goal of his own from right under the crossbar in the 64th minute. Grange put together an impressive flowing move to kill the game off on the 77th minute, Darren Drennan with a composed finish after a lovely backheel by Jamie Dooley.
Ballymackey ‘B’ won 5-3 away to Borrisoleigh on Sunday. Cathal Dervan scored twice for the Ballinree outfit, with James Kenneally, Craig Kenneally and Morgan Connolly also on target. Kevin Maher, Sean Shanahan, and John McGrath got the replies for Borris.
A Shane Hodgins strike and two from Alex Wade were enough to see Cloughjordan ‘B’ pick up all three points away to Templetouhy on Sunday. Christy Moore gave the hosts the lead in the 25th minute.
Youths
BT Harps were 4-0 winners at home to Holycross on Saturday thanks to a brace apiece from Marco Bovi and Dayle Hogan. BT’s Josh Quinlan was the player of the match.