CCFL Review
By Gary Culbert
Men’s Division 1: Killavilla United 3-3 Mountmellick United
Killavilla United picked up another important point at home to Mountmellick United on Sunday thanks to a second successive 3-3 draw.
The visitors to Villa Park finished fourth last season in the Senior division, so there was no major shock when they tore into a 2-0 lead, with goals from Luke O’Connor and Colin Keegan leaving Villa with a mountain to climb after little over twenty minutes played. The Villains pulled one back almost straight away through centre-half Ian Treacy, leaving the Roscrea side trailing by the narrowest of margins at the break.
The second half saw the game turned on its head with Kevin Fitzgerald finishing from the penalty spot not once, but twice. The former Tipperary Cup winner with Moneygall converted his first in the 50th minute, before giving Villa the lead five minutes later.
Mountmellick emptied their bench and changed formation in search of an equaliser, and the pressure eventually paid off when Luke O’Connor found Jason Maher, who showed great technique to chest the ball down before finishing on the volley beyond Aaron Mulready in the Villa goal.
It might feel like two points dropped for Killavilla but the reality is that they are now unbeaten in two games and have very-much steadied the ship following that demoralising defeat in the Mullingar rain three weeks ago, which itself came off the back of a loss to Willow Park.
The positives don’t stop there for manager Brian Brooks though as Robbie Farrell returned to make his first appearance of the season since qualifying as a firefighter recently.
Dylan Carey also returned from injury in the draw while Ruairi Murphy edges closer to eligibility and will no-doubt be like a new signing when he returns from his lengthy suspension in the coming weeks. Things are certainly looking up for Killavilla United, and they have a very winnable game in the first round of the Leinster Junior Cup on Saturday night against Clara Town at 7.30pm in Stanley O’Hara Park.
Killavilla team v Mountmellick United: Aaron Mulready; Tom Ahern, Roddy Teehan, Ian Treacy, Dylan Carroll; Kevin Fitzgerald (Capt), Dylan Carey, Brian Moloney; Jack Walsh; Ben Lynch, Marko Pasalic. Subs: Robbie Farrell for Pasalic (11); Johnny Corboy for Carey (64); Maurice Walsh for Moloney (84).
Division 3
Killavilla United ‘B’ fell to a 3-1 defeat to Clara Town, leaving Villa with one point from their opening two league games. Adrian Elbert’s side host Temple Villa ‘B’ at 11.00am on Sunday morning.
Under 19
Killavilla United won 3-1 away to Killeigh on Saturday thanks to goals from former Shinrone United player Luke Hoctor, Marko Pasalic and Sean Moloughney.
The win sees Villa with three points from a possible six having lost their opening South Division game to Edenderry Town. Villa host Mountmellick United at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Under 17
Killavilla United fell to a 3-1 defeat to local rivals Birr Town in their opening South Division League game on Saturday, with Kelly Ogbebor netting the only goal for the Roscrea side.
Villa host Mucklagh at 4.30pm on Saturday.