CCFL Round-up

By Gary Culbert

Killavilla United are simply box office. Whether it's in the NT&DL or the CCFL, they’ve proven time and time again that there is too much fight in a Roscrea dog; they just don’t know when they’re beat.

Tullamore were the latest team to find that out, as the impressive facilities at Leah Victoria Park on Friday night in the Leinster Junior Cup provided the perfect backdrop for a Ruairi Murphy-inspired comeback midway through the second half.

Tullamore started like a house on fire; Villa couldn’t lay a glove on them for the first five minutes. But right on cue, the Villains scored from their first foray into the opposition half, as Ruairi Murphy was brought down just outside the box after composed play from Darren Coleman kept the attack alive. Johnny Corboy struck the resulting free kick, which ultimately deflected in off a defender who was distracted by the presence of Miko Pasalic.

Villa began to get great joy down their right side of attack, with Pasalic and Murphy combining well. The game opened up then, and unlike what we are used to with Villa, it turned into a bit of a basketball match. Young keeper Aaron Mulready proved his worth during this time, but he was undone by a 25-yard daisy-cutter in the 40th minute.

Tullamore’s tails were up now, and they would have taken the lead straight from the restart had Mulready not been so quick off his line. Alas, the home supporters would not have to wait long, as Tullamore netted from a free kick to make it 2-1 at the break.

The lack of control from Villa in the first half was slightly alarming, but Ruairi Murphy alleviated any fears just after the restart, with a strike from 25 yards out in a central area which rattled the net - game on.

The Roscrea side were on top at the start of the half but soon got pulled into a dog fight. Tullamore took the lead once more, and Villa started to lose the run of themselves then.

Brian Brooks introduced Dylan Carey from the bench in a bid to gain more control in the middle of Leah Victoria Park; the substitution worked a treat. Villa came back into the game and equalised from a deep free kick that was beautifully whipped in by Darren Coleman. Ruairi Murphy heading the ball expertly into the ground to deceive the keeper at the back post. The Villa players retrieved the ball from the net and placed it on the centre circle for their hosts; they smelt blood.

Ben Lynch was the other set of fresh legs onto the field.

The youngster’s work rate and energy were rewarded with what turned out to be the winning goal, as Murphy pulled it back from the end line for Lynch to turn home from six yards out.

Darren Coleman received an honourable mention for his role as quarterback on the night, but it was Villa’s number ten, Ruairi Murphy, who was named the player of the match for his two assists and two goals, which ultimately saw Villa safely through to round two.

Killavilla United: Aaron Mulready; Eddie Simmons, Ian Treacy, Michael Ryan ©, Tom Aherne; Darren Coleman, Kevin Fitzgerald, Josh Wynne; Miko Pasalic, Ruairi Murphy, Johnny Corboy. Subs: Dylan Carey for Wynne; Ben Lynch for Pasalic