CCFL Review
BALLYMACKEY
By John Delaney
Ladies: Ballymackey advanced to the last 16 of the Leinster Women’s Junior Cup with an emphatic 6–1 victory away to a strong Maynooth Town side in Kildare on Sunday.
The visitors were dealt an early setback when Maynooth struck in the second minute, capitalising on a bright start that saw Ballymackey under pressure in the opening exchanges.
Despite seeing less of the ball initially, Ballymackey carved out promising chances through Amber DeLewis and Christine O’Keefe, both of whom went close to levelling the game and signalled what was to come.
The equaliser arrived on thirteen minutes with Aoibhin Delaney slipping a perfectly weighted pass through to O’Keefe, who made no mistake at the second time of asking.
The goal settled Ballymackey, and with Thia McCarthy working tirelessly in the holding midfield role, Delaney and Kate Cavanagh began to dictate play in central areas. Cavanagh then threaded another incisive through ball for O’Keefe, who coolly finished to give Ballymackey the lead.
The home defence struggled to cope with the relentless runs in behind from O’Keefe, DeLewis, and Stephanie O’Sullivan, as well as the creative supply from Delaney and Cavanagh.
Amber DeLewis added Ballymackey’s third to create breathing room, and from there the attack fully clicked into gear. Both O’Keefe and DeLewis completed first-half hat-tricks, sending Ballymackey into the interval with a commanding 6–1 advantage.
There were no further goals in the second half, with Ballymackey’s defence adopting an uncompromising approach that limited the hosts to very few clear-cut opportunities.
At the other end, the Maynooth goalkeeper was instrumental in preventing Ballymackey from extending their lead, producing a series of excellent saves in one-on-one situations.
It was an impressive overall display from Ballymackey, though the final scoreline was somewhat harsh on a talented and youthful Maynooth side. The Leinster Football League outfit showed plenty of quality, but Ballymackey’s experience and game management ultimately proved decisive. Emma Nolan delivered a strong performance at full-back, while Chloe Whyte was a dominant presence at the heart of the visitors’ defence. Player of the Match honours went to Kate Cavanagh, who produced a complete midfield display—dictating the tempo in possession and contributing tirelessly without the ball.
Team: Darra Bourke, Emma Nolan, Nicole Ryan, Karen Hogan, Chloe Whyte, Thia McCarthy, Kate Cavanagh, Aoibhín Delaney, Stephanie O’Sullivan. Subs: Gillian McKenna, Shauna Egan, LilyKate Kenneally, Ava O’Rourke.
KILLAVILLA UNITED
By Gary Culbert
First Team: Killavilla United’s run in the Leinster Junior Cup came to an end on Sunday in Kilkenny, as Bridge United emerged 3-1 winners in very testing weather.
Villa found themselves a goal behind inside the opening five minutes and struggled to get a foothold during the first half. Bridge were awarded a penalty just seven minutes into the second half and duly converted to leave the Roscrea men with a mountain to climb.
However, Villa are well known for their never-say-die attitude and showed great spirit to get back into the game through substitute Miko Pasalic, who halved the deficit with his third goal of the season.
Brian Brooks emptied his bench late on, and Villa fought hard until the death. There was one more goal in the game, but it went the way of the fourth-placed team in the Kilkenny & District League Premier Division.
And so, Killavilla tasted defeat for just the sixth time in the calendar year. Four of those losses came against Tipperary sides, and one each against Waterford and Kilkenny opposition. It was a valiant cup run which included some significant scalps, but Villa will have to dust themselves off quickly, as there is more cup action this weekend. Brian Brooks’ side have been drawn away to Abbeyleix Athletic in the John Farrell Combined Counties Cup. Villa were 3-0 winners when the sides met two weeks ago in the league in Villa Park, so the Laois side will be hoping that Father Breen Park can nudge this cup tie in their favour. Kick-off is at 11 am on Sunday.
Second Team: Killavilla United ‘B’ came out the right side of a five-goal thriller when rock bottom Ballybrittas United came to Villa Park on Sunday.
The visitors took an early lead from a direct free kick. Killavilla got back on level terms with a superb volley by Glenn Loughnane, to leave it 1-1 at the interval.
The home side were behind again in the second half when a lovely through ball was finished low past Villa’s new keeper, Vlad Bodrov. Killavilla upped their intensity in response, and it was now a constant barrage of attack after attack on the Ballybrittas defence. The siege finally paid off with six minutes left when Enda Moore levelled for the Villains. Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Dan Ryan popping up late on to send Villa joint fifth, with plenty of games in hand on all the teams above them. They have a one-hour journey to Walsh Island Shamrocks this Sunday as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Under 19: Killavilla lost 2-0 away to league leaders Killeigh on Saturday in the First Division. Noel Doran’s side are away to Edenderry Town in the second round of the Under 19 Cup on Saturday at 2.00pm in Paddy Maloney Park, Edenderry.
Under 17: League leaders Killavilla United host second from bottom Killeagh on Saturday at 2.00pm in Villa Park.