Harps claim Youths Cup glory

SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League Youth Cup Final

BT Harps 1

Killavilla United 0

Report: Gary Culbert in Moneygall

BT Harps are North Tipperary Youth Cup winners after edging out Killavilla United in the final at a sun-splashed Moneygall on Saturday.

A delay in kick-off ratcheted up the nervous tension amongst the large crowd and the young men on the pitch, which resulted in a very nervy start to the game.

It was evident from the off that Killavilla preferred going long over the top to their pacey forwards, whilst Harps tried more to build their attacks.

Both sides had good chances; Darren Doyle almost scored for Villa after four minutes, but it was ruled out for offside, whilst Mark Davidson was wasteful at the other end with two big chances. Michael Fitzgerald rounded the BT net-minder on fifteen minutes but ran out of pitch before he could apply the finish, while Jack Ryan went close in the 25th minute after beating a few men down the left, but his effort from a very tight angle flew over.

In truth, both teams were lacking someone with a cool head that was willing to put their foot on the ball and orchestrate play. The result was a scrappy game which was going to be decided by the finest of margins and it was Killavilla who would blink first.

With just four minutes to go before the break, BT Harps got in down the right side before putting in a deep cross to the back post which evaded both Ciaran Barry and Jack Ryan, the latter raced out to the left corner flag to retrieve the ball. Ryan and his marker were nip and tuck to get to the ball first, but it didn’t matter as the BT man out-muscled his opponent before making his way towards goal, only to be unceremoniously brought down by Lee Doran inside the box. Ciarán Barry stood up to take the spot kick and coolly slotted it into the bottom left corner, sending Adam Wallace the wrong way.

On the stroke of half-time, Eanna Guilfoyle cleared a low header from a corner off the line to ensure BT went in ahead at the break.

Just like in the first half, Darren Doyle again had a goal ruled out for offside while at the other end Ciarán Barry drew a good save out of Adam Wallace in the 57th minute after a poor back pass to the Villa shot-stopper.

The Roscrea crowd got behind Killavilla, who were showing signs of improvement. Seán Delaney was growing into the game down the left, but for Villa the same pattern was hampering their chances – forcing the early ball over the top to Darren Doyle when it is just not on. Villa’s chances of getting something out of the game were dealt huge blow midway through the half when Josh Tynan was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident.

Noel Doran’s charges were hoping that they would get one chance, and in the 87th minute Michael Fitzgerald slipped Darren Doyle in down the middle, but Tom Bourke – who had nothing to do all game – made a fine save with his feet to deny the striker his moment of glory as BT Harps held on for victory.

BT Harps: Tom Bourke; Paddy Hickey, Shaun Jordan, Brian Bourke, Eanna Guilfoyle; Michael Coffey, Ciaran Barry, Jack Ryan; Killian Fennell, Joseph Bourke, Mark Davidson.

Subs: Jack Johnson for Coffey (60), Sean Purcell for Barry (72),

Killavilla United: Adam Wallace; Jack McEvoy, Kyle Bergin, Lee Doran, Jamie Conlon; Richie O’Brien, Josh Tynan, Josh Moriarty; Darren Doyle, Michael Fitzgerald, Seán Delaney.

Subs: Jake Thompson for O’Brien (45), Ryan Moloney for Conlon (76), Josh Doran for McEvoy (79), Liam O’Reilly for Bergin (84).

Referee: David Butler