Peake Villa u17 qualify for the FAI u17 National Cup semi-final.
Back Row (LtR): Adrian Quinn (Manager/Coach), Max Hackett, Kevin Patan, Eoghan Tinkler, Dylan Maher, Cian Stakelum, Kieran Costello, Darren Flood, Christy Moore (Physio) Brian Cleary (Coach)
Front Row (LtR): Jack Kelly, James Armstrong, Liam McCormack, Henry Fogarty, Jack Casey (Captain) , Tony Galvin, Jordan Fahey, Stephen Donovan.
Missing from photo, Sean Ryan (Player) & David Donovan (Coach).
Match Report FAI u17 Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
Peake Villa 3 - 2 Springfield Ramblers (Cork)
Scorers: Darren Flood (1) Kevin Patan (1) Max Hackett (1)
Villa got off to a dream start in this huge game when Darren Flood latched onto a dropping ball off the volley on the edge of the box which took a slight deflection on its way into the back of the net. This set the tone for what would turn into an open cup game. Villa were linking up well up top, but Springfield responded to the Villa early lead and slowly grew more into the game. They levelled the tie when a set play wasn't cleared, and it was well finished from close range to make it 1-1. The rest of the half was end-to-end with both sides looking dangerous and the away side had a 15-minute spell on top but were mostly limited to shots from distance which Eoghan Tinkler was equal to the task of stopping them scoring. Springfield had three clear chances during this period, the first was when a kick-out was intercepted by the Springfield striker who found him-self one-v-one against Eoin, who stayed on his feet and made a great save. The second was a reflex shot from just inside the box, which Eoin parried over the bar with a great reflex save. The third was an excellent point-blank save. Half-Time Peake Villa 1 - 1 Springfield.
The second half was a very entertaining affair with Villa having a strong breeze in their favour looking most dangerous. In the first few minutes Darren Flood, Max Hackett and Liam McCormack all came close to putting Villa ahead, but the Springfield keeper made some great saves. Villa after some continuous pressure on the Springfield goal finally received their reward when they were awarded a penalty for a handball when Liam McCormack controlled a through ball first time and flicked the ball up, to pass the last defender as he was motoring down on the Springfield goal. Kevin Patan coolly dispatched from the spot 2-1 to Villa. Springfield came straight back at Villa and levelled just 3 minutes later with a sweetly struck effort from just inside the box to make it 2-2. Villa showed true grit and determination in their efforts to break the deadlock. Max Hackett was unlucky with a shot on goal the went narrowly wide, which was followed up by an excellent effort from long range by Darren Flood which had the keeper beaten but went narrowly past the wrong side of the post. Villa continued to limit the scoring chances of the Springfield attack with every member of the squad hungry for the ball and the win. Villa piled on the pressure to force a break of the deadlock, with the remainder of the lads out on their feet from working for the badge and Villa finally breached the Springfield defence with 2 minutes left on the clock, when after some great work from Darren Flood on the bye-line he found the cross which Max Hackett met with thunderous header to get Villa's neck back in front. The lads kept their composure to see out the game with the final result at full time 3-2 to Villa.
This was a superb never say die performance from a special group of lads, they all played outstanding with front 3 of Darren Flood, Kevin Patan and Liam McCormack leading the line so passionately. Villa's back four of Jordan Fahey, Dylan Maher, James Armstrong and Kieran Costello were very solid in defence with Jordan and Kieran on the wings giving great support to the midfield trio of Cian Stakelum, Jack Casey and Max Hackett. and captain Jack Casey playing through the pain barrier just shows what this team is all about. A great team effort from the squad.
Match Report SFAI u15 Skechers National Cup Quarter-Final
St Kevin’s Boys 2-1 Peake Villa
Scorer: Alex Garcia Diaz (1)
Villa travelled to Dublin this morning to take on St. Kevin's Boys (SKB) in this SFAI Cup quarter final. Villa lost the toss and SKB elected to play with the strong wind at their backs for the first half. Villa started brightly and had most of the play for the first 10 minutes as both sides were testing each other out. Villa's Alex Garcia Diaz and Darragh Stakelum were combining well in midfield to feed both Liam McCormack and Cathal McElgunn, who created a few chances but were well marshalled by the two SKB central defenders. Villa were hit by a sucker punch on the 11th minute when a quick flowing move of passes from the back, ended up on the right wing where the SKB winger was given too much time to pick his pass and he played a sublime diagonal pass that split the Villa central defenders for the onrushing SKB striker to gather the ball at pace and place a ball past the outrushing Josh Coady in goals to go one up. Villa responded and following a lovely move down the right-hand side Danny Treacy placed a perfect pass to Alex, who skipped passed the SKB defender and spotted Liam unmarked in the box, but his pass was intercepted by the SKB keeper to prevent the equaliser. Villa's Darragh Stakelum combined with Liam McCormack down the left and Liam raced into the box only to be clipped from behind, only for the referee to flag it as a goal kick to the bewilderment of the travelling supporters. Both sides were adapting to the strong wind and SKB for the next 10 minutes seemed to be playing that little bit more direct passing football which again resulted in a break down the left had side by the SKB left winger who sent in a low hard cross into the box, unfortunately Josh came out to gather the ball but the bounce of the ball went under his body and straight into the path of the SKB striker who calmly finished the ball into the back of the net. SKB were now 2-0 up, Villa reacted positively and continued to have a number of chances on goal but were unable to convert. 5 minutes from the end of the first half, Tony Galvin played a lovely through ball into the path of Alex who hit first time and the ball finished up in the back of the net. 2-1. Villa pushed for the equaliser before half-time but just could not get past a resolute SKB central back pairing. Half-time 2-1.
In the 2nd half Villa now had the advantage of the wind and began to have a lot more of the possession, SKB were content to defend their lead and pounce on the counter attack whenever the opportunity presented itself. 10 minutes into the 2nd half Villa had another penalty claim declined when Liam was again clipped from behind just as he was about to shoot on goal. The back four for Villa of Sean Condron, Shane Turner, Emmet Fogarty and Gavin Shaughnessy were solid in defence and restricted the SKB attack to only a few shots on goal. One of these shots was a point blank save by Josh in goals which had the visiting supporters clapping which was joined by the home supporters. Tony Galvin, Darragh Stakelum, Alex Garcia Diaz and Danny Treacy did their best to try and setup the front two to score the equaliser and combined excellently with Liam McCormack and Cathal McElgunn. Emmet Fogarty nearly had the equaliser when he got on the end of a Liam corner, but his header went straight at the SKB keeper. In the last few minutes the crossbar and the upright denied Peake Villa the equaliser. First, when Alex hit a superb curling shot from the left side, which beat the SKB keeper but the visitors were dismayed when it clipped the crossbar, from the resulting ball Tom O'Reilly (substitute for Danny) reflex shot came back off the upright and then Liam's shot from 3 yards was well blocked by the diving SKB defender and keeper who combined to put the ball out for a Villa corner. Full Time 2-1.
The SKB strength in depth within their squad allowed them to make a block substitution of 6 players with the 6 replacements every bit as skilled as the six that went off. It’s not many clubs would have that strength of players within the squad of 18 players. The Villa's Boys gave it their all and the club is justifiable proud of this squad of players, who gave a courageous performance against a well drilled and disciplined SKB side. The club would like to thank SKB for been excellent hosts and the grub provided was well appreciated by the management, players and parents, we wish you all the best against Letterkenny in the semi-final.
Match Report TSSDL u12 Premier League Peake Villa 3-0 Clerihan
Scorers: Tom Delaney (1) Artem Izhko (2)
The Villa u12a continued their fine league form with a hard-fought victory against a tough Clerihan team. Playing on a sticky pitch and with a swirling wind both teams struggled early. Villa started to get on top and Finn Jones, Eamon Groome, Tom Delaney and Artem Izhko all had half chances which weren't taken. Keith Loughnane delivered excellent quality from set pieces and two headers from Tom just missed the target. Clerihan had the final chance of the half but a quality save from Fion Fogarty kept the score 0-0 Half-time.
The 2nd half started with Villa starting with renewed determination and tested Clerihan twice early on. Finally, Tom's good work in the match was rewarded with his fine finish into the bottom corner. Villa continued to dominate and forced Clerihan further back and after 5 shots had been cleared in a row, Artem beat a defender and shot across the keeper into the bottom corner 2-0. Villa kept coming forward and won a free kick which was taken by Artem and ended in the back of the net 3-0. Villa continued their excellent play, creating some good chances for all their forwards but weren't taken. Full-Time 3-0 to Villa. This was another fine win and excellent team performance from this talented squad of players.
Match Report TSSDL u12 Division 1 League Peake Villa U12B's 5-1 Clerihan
Scorers: John Broderick (1) Cormac Fitzpatrick (2) Pierce Ivors (2)
Peake Villa started the game strongly and had a couple of good chances to go ahead but some good goalkeeping kept them at bay. Even though they were dominating Jack Bowe was called on to kept it scoreless with a great save one on one. From then one it was all Peake Villa, eventually John Broderick broke the deadlock with a cool finish after a great through ball from Sean Treacy. The next goal followed so...on after and was the goal of the game, Cormac Fitzpatrick volleying in from outside the box with his back to goal. Half-time 2-0 to Villa.
The second half was all Villa and they added 3 more goals through a Pierce Ivors double and another Cormac goal. Clerihan never gave up and managed to pull one back. Full-time 5-1 to Villa. A great team performance from all the squad, Kyle, Gabriel and Aaron were composed at the back and dealt with most put at them all day. Some great passing and football played by all, but Dylan Skehan was the clear MOTM.