Sunday 24th February
TSDL Tipperary Cup 2nd Round
Full-Time: Junior A 1-1 St. Michaels
AET: Junior A 1-4 St. Michaels
Scorer: Pippy Carroll (1)
Peake Villa were back in Cup action at the weekend after last week's FAI Junior Cup exploits where they went out on Penalties, this was always going to be a tough encounter. Missing some regulars the boys accounted themselves very well against a very strong St. Michaels team. The first half was end to end in what was a proper cup tie and the opening goal came from the penalty spot in the 28th minute when the St. Michaels player went down in what looked like minimum contact. Villa heads did not drop though and defended excellently throughout. Villa nearly equalised before half time when Keith Cahill made a pin point cross to Alan Ryan whose shot was excellently saved by the Michael's Keeper. 0-1 at half time.
Both teams played some good football in the second half with chances at either end. In the last 20 minutes St. Michaels were happy enough to sit back and see out the game and defended well. It was always going to take something special to break them down and the move of the game came in the 87th minute when Alan Leahy who played wide to left to Tommy Teer, who fed Maris Baltins who played a clever one two with Keith Cahill who released Pippy Carroll who beat two and hit a screamer which had Michaels keeper looking on like a spectator, rooted to the spot. With the game heading to extra time Villa were dealt another blow when Alan Leahy who had an excellent game picked up a second yellow and Villa had to play Extra Time with 10 men.
This was the home side's undoing and Michael's pressed high with the extra man advantage and scored 3 in quick succession to see out the game. This was a good team performance from Villa who could have easily folded after last week's disappointment but to their credit they played with great spirit and the team work was there for all to see. Villa had no luck on the day with a dubious penalty given against them and a harsh sending off it was always going to be an uphill battle. Keith Cahill and Pippy Carroll were excellent on the day.
TSDL Division 1 League
Slieveardagh United 0-2 Junior B
Scorer: Jack Ryan-Casey (2)
Villa travelled to the Commons today with a bare squad due to a number of reasons but had a fantastic hard-fought win through a superb display from all 12 players available on the day. The back line of Darragh Byrne, Kevin Croke, Evan McCormack and Mark Lennon gave a great display. Despite a couple of close calls where the hosts hit the post, Villa took the lead after 12 minutes through the superb Jack Ryan-Casey with the assist from Adam Garrett. Villa continued to dominate the exchanges and after great work from Dale Loughnane and Eoin O'Dwyer setting up Adam Garrett on a couple of occasions but failed to find the net. Up front Kevin Patan and Adam Garrett were causing the home defence lots of problems. Villa failed to find another goal in the 1st half despite creating a number of chances and the hosts went close to equalizing, but for some superb last ditch defending from Kevin croke and in particular Evan McCormack. Half-Time 0-1 to Villa.
In the second half Villa continued to play excellent football on a rough pitch surface and in the 60th minute the hosts were given a lifeline and a chance to equalize when Mark Lennon stopped a goal bound shot on the line with his hand, he received a straight red card and the hosts awarded a penalty. Shane McGuire in the Villa goal pulled off a superb save from the resulting penalty to keep the Villa lead intact. Despite now playing with 10 men Villa continued to attack and went close through Eoin O'Dwyer, Kevin Patan and Jack Ryan-Casey but failed to convert their chances. In the 74th minute another Villa attacking move from Darragh Byrne and Stevie Fewer down the right who picked out Adam Garrett and his cross shot across the goal was finished to the net by jack Ryan Casey for his and Villa's second goal. Villa saw out the remainder of the game and could have had a couple more goals with Evan McCormack rattling the crossbar from a free kick and sub Jordan Fahy going close also. Full-Time 0-2 to Villa.
A good hard-fought win for Villa against the tough hosts with best on the day Shane McGuire in goal, Evan McCormack and Darragh Byrne in defence, Stevie Fewer and Eoin O'Dwyer in midfield, but man of match on the day with his 2 goals and all round display was Jack Ryan-Casey.