Villa put to the sword by Annacotty in Munster Champions Cup

SOCCER: Keane’s Jewellers Munster Champions Trophy Quarter Final

Aisling Annacotty 7

Killavilla United 0

Report: Gary Culbert in Annacotty

Killavilla United travelled to Aisling Annacotty on Saturday evening for the quarter final of the Munster Champions Trophy knowing it was also going to be a difficult assignment for the North Tipperary & District League champions and that is how it proved as they fell to a heavy defeat to the reigning Limerick District League champions.

To their credit, Killavilla did not change their style of play in the face of adversity; Michael Lynch’s side played out from the back and put some good combinations together.

However, Aisling are a top team and pressed Villa high, often winning the ball back before the Roscrea side made it past the halfway line.

As ever, Tom Aherne was a bundle of energy in central midfield and consistently looked to get on the ball and make things happen. Their outlet on most occasions was a sweeping pass out to Michael Ryan, who was deployed in a more advanced right wing role.

Killavilla put in a huge effort throughout the opening twenty minutes to keep Aisling at bay; Dylan Carey cleared the ball off the line no less than three times, whilst Roddy Teehan made some heroic last ditch blocks to deny the nippy opposition.

Indeed, it is worth mentioning that there was a noticeable disparity in the physicality of both starting elevens. The Annacotty men were smaller, and as the match went on you could see just how effective their pace and low centre of gravity was, especially when running at the Villa centre backs, who are probably more accustomed to dealing with a more robust centre forward in the NT&DL.

It was from one of these situations - a centre back being isolated against a nippy forward - that the opening goal came from in the 23rd minute; Roddy Teehan had no option but to bring down the attacker, but it was in vain as the home side took the lead from the resulting free kick, Leon Daly firing in from 25 yards out.

Former Republic of Ireland amateur player, Conor Coughlan made it two on the half hour, but Killavilla almost clawed their way back into the contest in the 39th minute through a goal-bound Ian Treacy header following a set-piece from the right, but goalkeeper Stephen McNamara made an outrageous point blank save.

The timing of Aisling’s third goal, scored by Tom Kidd in the 41st minute, was a killer blow for Villa considering they had just gone so close to pulling one back.

Coughlan and Daly were on the scoresheet again for the Limerick side in the second half, whilst former players of Cobh Ramblers and Treaty United player Adam Foley and Conor Carew were also on target for the hosts.

This was a gruelling test of fitness and a tough defensive lesson for Killavilla United, but one that will no-doubt stand to them as the season progresses, particularly in the Munster & FAI Junior Cups when they are more likely to have their backs against the wall than in their domestic competitions.

Player of the Match: Leon Daly (Aisling Annacotty)

Aisling Annacotty: Stephen McNamara; Conor Carew, Joey Rush, Eliah Riordan, Alex Cuddy; Tom Kidd, Conor Coughlan, Paul Brennan, William Armshaw; Leon Daly, Adam Foley.

Subs: Adam O’Regan for Rush (59); Raid Mouras for Riordan (60); Sean Ezekannagha for Armshaw (69); Daren Coughlan for Kidd (73).

Killavilla United: Aaron Mulready; Ian Treacy, Roddy Teehan, Jason Fitzpatrick, Dylan Carey; Darren Coleman, Tom Ahern, David McNamara; Michael Ryan, Josh Wynne, Michael Fitzgerald.

Subs: Ruairi Murphy for Wynne (46); Ben Lynch for McNamara (51); Miko Palasic for Fitzgerald (65).

Referee: Andy Hall.