Munster Junior Cup Peake Villa 1 - 1 Clonmel Celtic AET Peake Villa 2 - 1 Clonmel Celtic
This was Villa's first outing of the new year in what is a big month for the club with Cherry Orchard of Dublin coming down next Sunday.
Villa started well and could have went ahead in the first minute when Dale Loughnane's strike was heading for the top corner only for a great save by the Celtic keeper Brian Sweeney. It was pretty even after that until the 29th minute when Villa tought they took the lead when Gary Lyons headed in from a Pippy Carroll free kick only for the offside flag to go up. Matthew McKevitt made a great run in the 40th minute and slid the ball through for Dale Lougnane but the pass was a little too strong and Sweeney came out to smother the ball.
Stephen Ryan was called into action in the 44th minute when he made an excellent point blank save from a Sean O Heara header. 0-0 at half time.
Gary Lyons came close again with the head in the 47th minute. Clonmel Celtic nearly took the lead but O Heara's shot was deflected for a corner. Jamie Maher had a great chance for Villa in the 68th minute only for his shot to go wide. Villa took the lead in the 74th minute when Pippy Carroll took a free kick out on the left that went to the far post where Gary Lyons headed back across goal at the tightest of angles to find the top corner. Villa made a couple of substitutions with James O Sullivan and Kevin Croke coming on for Maris Baltins and Jamie Maher. Celtic were pushing hard for an equaliser and it came in the 89th minute when O Heara got in behind the Villa defence only for Ryan to make a great save but the rebound fell to O Heara again and he made no mistake the second time finding the bottom corner. Villa still had time for one last attack and substitute Kevin Croke nearly won it for Villa only for an excellent one handed save from Sweeney in the Celtic goal.
The game went to extra time and both teams deserve credit showing great fitness levels in a pulsating game of football. The winner came 7 minute's into extra time when James O Sullivan received the ball from Mckevitt and O Sullivan turned the defender twice to make the space and found the corner of the net in what was a great individual effort from the player manager. Celtic weren't finished and two great clearances from first Lyons and then Loughnane from corners insured Villa would make the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup and set up a home tie against St. Micheals in a fortnight but before that they have Cherry Orchard in the FAI Junior Cup round of 32. Some great performance's today from captain Pippy Carroll, Gary Lyons, Mouse Fogarty and Dale Loughnane but veteran defender Alan Leahy was man of the match putting in a great performance in the centre of defence.
Division Three League Kilusty 1 - 2 Peake Villa B.
Peake Villa B were away to Killusty on Sunday and came away with a 2-1 win. The first 30 minutes were even with both teams having good chances. Villa came close when Stevie Fewer broke through from midfield only to have his shot saved. Villa made the break through in the 41st minute when Damo Walczak was taken down in the box and Andrew Halloran scored from the penalty spot.1-0 at half time.
The second half was the same again both teams having chances but again villa scored, Andrew halloran driving through midfield before releasing daragh Byrne down the left, Darragh put in a great cross to the back post for Ronan McGuire to head home. Killusty got one back in the 85th minute to make it a nervous last 5 minutes but the lads defended well to see the game out and keep them on top of the table.
Youths League Cahir Park 4 - 6 Peake Villa
The youths travelled to Cahir in the league and came away with all three points in a high scoring game that saw Ronan McGuire score 5 to add to incredible tally for the season so far and he assisted 6th which was scored by Jack Ryan Casey. A slow start to the season has put there chances of winning the league to an end but with a lot of the team underage next season they will be fighting for honours.
U16 League Peake Villa 1 - 1 St.Kevins
This was a tight affair with both teams missing some key players. The break through came with 15 minutes to go from a fine strike by Kevin Patan. They didn't hang on though and Kevin's equalised 5 minutes later.
U12 Girls League St.Kevins 0 - 3 Peake Villa
The girls travelled to Newhill and came away with all three points playing some great football. It wasn't until just before halftime that they took the lead with the Kevin's keeper making some excellent saves. The goal was scored by Maria Ralph who was a constant thorn in the Kevin's defence all day. Villa went 2-0 ahead with 15 minutes to go from a fine strike from captain Missy Condon. Villa's third was great link up play between Maria Ralph and Chloe Shorly with Chloe finding the corner of the net.
Next Sunday our Junior A team play Cherry Orchard of Dublin at home in the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup at 2pm.
Your support would be appreciated. There will be a cover charge of €5 with kids free.