Villa denied debut double
SOCCER: CCFL Division 1 Michael Dolan Cup Final
Rosenallis 2
Killavilla United 1
Report: Gary Culbert at Priory Park, Ferbane
Temperatures soared and tempers flared in Ferbane on Sunday as Killavilla United and Rosenallis shared four red cards in an ill-fated Michael Dolan Cup final that never really got going as a footballing spectacle.
Having gone unbeaten in the league, Killavilla went into this game with high hopes of competing a CCFL First Division league and cup double, but in the end they left with two red cards and defeat to mid-table Rosenallis - a side they had easily defeated 6-0 in their only league encounter this season.
Rosenallis got off to the perfect start when Jack Friel rose high at the back post to head in a very early corner kick for the Laois side.
Killavilla dominated the remainder of the first half, but Brian Brooks’ side could not find the key to unlock the Rosenallis defence. Indeed, Villa’s approach play was a bit disjointed at times. The pitch didn’t help; narrow and short, especially in comparison to the vast carpet that these players are used to at Villa Park. This hampered the Roscrea side’s ability to launch balls over the top for their pacy front three to run onto, or their overlapping full-backs to take advantage of. In Gallan United’s ground, these balls ran harmlessly out of play or through to the keeper.
Still, throughout the first half, Rosenallis could not keep hold of the ball for any meaningful period of time, but they did offer a small threat on the counter, which kept Villa honest at the back.
At times in the first half, Villa lost the run of themselves from a footballing point of view; they rushed their build-up, trying to force the equaliser instead of picking apart their opponent like we are so used to seeing from this top side. Perhaps this was due to the fact that they were such heavy favourites coming into the game, or maybe it is because it is so unusual for Villa to be behind in a game.
The second half became more physical, as Rosenallis dragged Villa into a dogfight. Their magnificent intensity has been a defining characteristic of this hugely successful side. Since taking over, Brian Brooks has done a fine job instilling discipline, ensuring that Villa use controlled aggression to their advantage. However, on Sunday in the searing heat, the temperature gauge cracked; the pot boiled over; Villa lost control.
Even in the day and age of multiple video angles of the incident, a melee following a harmless Villa corner kick, it is still almost impossible to say how many players should or could have been sent off. In the end, Ian Treacy and Ruairi Murphy were both dismissed for Killavilla while Eoin Dunne saw red for Rosenallis.
A goal down and a man down now, Villa had 25 minutes to produce a miracle. However, their task was made almost impossible when the other Friel brother, Charlie, exploited the man advantage to find time and space on the edge of the area before finishing emphatically passed Aaron Mulready for 2-0.
But there was another twist in the tale when Rosenallis saw red once more with James Walsh sent off. With parity restored, Villa’s nine players began to turn the screw on the Rosenallis nine. Substitute Jamie Ryan had a huge chance to pull one back, but the big man was unable to convert into an empty net following Miko Pasalic’s square ball.
It was quite symbolic that one of Villa’s calmest players in the squad, substitute Maurice Walsh, was the one to finally find a breakthrough. The centre half firing in unmarked at the back post from a corner kick.
There was three minutes of injury time remaining. Villa got another corner and it really felt like the stars were going to align for the Roscrea men, who down through the years have never known when they are beaten. However, on this occasion Killavilla United had left themselves with too much to do, too late.
It was a disappointing end to a hugely successful return to the CCFL. Next season will be a huge step up though, as Killavilla enter the top table of midlands football. Rumour has it that the top teams in the CCFL Senior Division only take one or two weeks off training between seasons; Villa won’t have long to dwell on this defeat before Brooks has them out on the training pitch once more!
Player of the Match: Ben Lynch (Killavilla United)
Rosenallis: Peter Doyle; James Walsh, Eoin Dunne, Jack Friel, Gerard Glancy; Nathen Walsh, John Dunne, Adam Finlay, Conor Conroy; Niall Conroy, Charlie Friel.
Subs: John Lennon for N Conroy (60); Jack Hyland for C Conroy (60); Dylan Gorman for J Dunne (75); Niall Doolan for Finlay (80); Ristea Inout for N Walsh.
Killavilla United: Aaron Mulready; Eddie Simmons, Ian Treacy, Micky Ryan (Capt), Tom Ahern; Robbie Farrell, Darren Coleman, Kevin Fitzgerald; Johnny Corboy, Ruairi Murphy, Ben Lynch.
Subs: Jamie Ryan for Corboy (70); Dylan Carey for Fitzgerald (75); Miko Pasalic for Lynch (81); Maurice Walsh for Ahern (81).
Referee: William Stokes.