Killavilla lose little in National Cup final defeat

SOCCER: SFAI Girls’ Under 14 National Cup Final

Greystones United 2

Killavilla United 0

Report: Thomas Conway at Evergreen FC, Kilkenny

Sometimes, it just isn’t your day. But never mind the result of this SFAI Under 14 National Cup Final, never mind that Killavilla United were ultimately undone by two late, opportunistically-taken goals by Greystones, never mind the heartbreak that inevitably followed the final whistle. ‘Villa may not have achieved their objective, but my word, did they pour their heart and souls into this game, and into this competition in general.

Their journey here was not an easy one. It featured seven games, all the way from a surprise 3-1 victory away to Aisling Annacotty in round 1, to a tense, nail-biting 1-0 triumph over Burrin Celtic in the semi-final. They fought admirably to get to this point, and though things didn’t quite work out on a sweltering day just south of Kilkenny City, they still infused their supporters with emotion and pride, fighting until the final whistle, even after the result had been sealed.

The truth was, Killavilla were beaten by a better side here. Perhaps not overall but certainly on the day itself, Greystones were refined and polished, skimming the ball around the pristine surface and retaining possession for long periods. The Wicklow outfit started well - they created, and they threatened, but Villa’s defensive stealth ensured there was no breakthrough, courtesy of a multitude of vital interceptions from their back four and composed saves from their net-minder, Addison Feehan.

In the end, it was two late goals that sealed it. Killavilla were perhaps a tad unlucky. They were being outplayed but had they held on and forced extra-time, or even a shoot-out, perhaps the outcome could have been very different. The Roscrea side had pressed their Wicklow opponents relentlessly for much of the game, but there was a sense, as the final fifteen minutes arrived, that bodies were starting to tire. Indeed, that transpired to be the case.

There were exactly 63 minutes on the clock when Greystones broke the deadlock, in a move catalysed by the imperious Aoife Wall, whose performance from centre-back ranked amongst the finest of any on that field. Wall’s long ball bobbled and bounced along the wing before eventually making its way to Kitty O’Beirne, who floated a threatening cross into the area. Foy was on hand to dispatch the finish, sending the sizable Wicklow contingent of supporters on the sidelines into raptures.

That duo, of O’Beirne and Foy, combined again to net Greystones’ second deep into the stoppage time. On this occasion it was Foy who turned creator, gently guiding the ball into the path of the onrushing O’Beirne, who took several touches before sweeping a low finish into the bottom-right corner from just inside the box. Really it was the culmination of a brilliant counter-attack, a flowing move up the field which Villa could do nothing about.

The Roscrea side were, at that point, flinging bodies forward in desperate hope of finding an equaliser. Ultimately it would elude them, and O’Beirne sealed the deal in perfect style.

The loss might have been devastating, but there were a myriad of positives from a Killavilla perspective. Goalkeeper Addison Feehan was exceptional, making a multitude of last gasp saves and interventions. Left-back Aoife Moore was arguably Villa’s most outstanding player. Moore was a joy to watch - she works tirelessly and passes with outright conviction, generally setting in motion a Villa attack.

There was a sense, however, in hindsight, that both weather conditions and injuries may have played their part in the Roscrea side’s demise. The players had grown visibly tired by the final quarter, and that was when Greystones struck, netting two killer goals to dash Killavilla dreams and secure the Under 14 National title.

Player of the Match: Aoife Wall (Greystones United)

Greystones United: Amelia Murphy; Aoife Dempsey, Aoife Wall, Bella Tuthill, Charlotte Townsend, Cliona Foy, Emily O’Driscoll, Juliette White, Kate Patchell, Keela Rebelo-Lawless, Kitty O’Beirne. Subs: Maria Dwyer, Naoise Morris, Robyn Tuthill, Poppy Smith, Sara Slevin, Siofra O’Farrell.

Killavilla United: Addison Feehan; Aoife Moore, Saoirse Hoyne, Lucy Hayes, Caitlin Fanneran, Lucy Moloney, Kathryn Stoyanova, Kayleigh Delaney, Sasha O’Keefe, Callie Cullinan, Zoe Nash. Subs: Kaela Crampton, Chloe Moloney, Laura Brereton, Rosanna Bergin, Anna Rose Loughnane, Jasmin Tynan Murphy, CeCe Moloney, Kate Cunningham, Alicia England.