Knocknaheeny Celtic go top of the AUL Premier league after big win over Village United
The Knocknaheeny Celtic side that had a 5-1 victory over Village United in their Premier clash at Silverheights.
The game took off with both sides going toe to toe, but when Knocknaheeny got their noses in front, they grew stronger and stronger and proved worthy winners in the end with a competent victory.
After a bustling start, Village United’s Zak McCarthy’s floated free kick was headed on by Colin Hickey into the box where Shane Geraghty headed narrowly over.
Then, Knocknaheeny’s Kian Green found Craig Hourigan on the inside, who drilled goalwards, only to be foiled by Anthony Kiniry who threw his body on the line to produce an important block.
And from Pa Mooney’s corner, John Corcoran gathered, but was denied when his effort on goal was charged down by Kelvin Greaney.
A chance fell for Knocknaheeny at the other end when a delivery from a corner came into the path of the advanced Aaron Skillington, but he dinked over from the edge of the box.
This was followed by a turn and strike from Evan Burke which whistled wide of the upright.
The game was action-packed now as both sides really went at each other and Jamie Donovan was next to have a go when his low effort flew past the post.
Knocknaheeny Celtic came so close to breaking the ice when Chris Akhigbe gathered before taking a steadying touch to rifle low and hard past the far post.
A long kick-out from O’Donnell came for John Corcoran, but on the volley, he rifled over from 25 yards out before forcing Graham Murphy to make a save from his firmly struck effort, minutes later.
Then, from Pa Mooney’s corner, Jake O’Keeffe was unattended when he headed into the arms of Graham Murphy.
A diagonal cross from Colin Hickey arrived for Alan O’Regan, but his first-time effort from a narrow angle went off a defender to go out for a corner.
A chance at the other end fell for Knocknaheeny when Jamie O’Connell found a way through, but he drilled wide of the far post.
But, the ice was broken in the 38th minute when from a corner, Vinny Lonergan headed on for Kian Green to nod home Knocknaheeny Celtic’s first.
It could have been two for Knocknaheeny, but from Jamie Donovan’s low cross, Jamie O’Connell was denied by a point-blank save by O’Donnell.
But, when Derek Morrissy rifled over at the other end, it was all square when Zak McCarthy’s free kick from distance deceived the Knocknaheeny keeper as it found its way into the net to make it all square again at 1-1, just before the break.
With just two minutes into the second period, Village United came so close to taking the lead when Scott Lawlor saw his cracking effort come back off the upright before being cleared to safety, but soon after, Knocknaheeny nosed in front again – a neat passage of play commenced with Vinny Lonergan helping it down the channel to Kian Green, who squared for the unmarked Jamie Donovan to slam home and make it 2-1 on 50.
Knocknaheeny were having a very firm grip on the game now and went further in front when a lovely dink into space by Jamie O’Connell setup Jamie Donovan to guide home and make it 3-1 on the hour.
And after Stephen O’Donnell had to get his body firmly behind a forceful free kick by Chris Akhigbe, Knocknaheeny pounced again when after Christy Driscoll’s cracking effort was parried by the Village keeper, Jamie O’Connell was on hand to slam home from the re-bound to make it now 4-1 on 70.
With just minutes to go, the icing was put on the cake when Jamie O’Connell produced an excellent finish to the corner and wrap the points up in earnest for Knocknaheeny Celtic.
Village Utd: Stephen O’Donnell, Sean O’Donovan, Derek Morrissey, Jake O’Keeffe, Anthony Kiniry, Shane Geraghty, Colin Hickey, Zack McCarthy, Pa Mooney, John Corcoran and Alan O’Regan.
Subs: Scott Lawlor for Jake O’Keeffe (37), Nathan Kepple for Colin Hickey (60), Nathan Keegan for Derek Morrissey (70), Graham Cummins for Pa Mooney (73).
Knocknaheeny Celtic: Graham Murphy, Wayne Doherty, Aaron Skillington, Chris Akhigbe, Celvin Greaney, Vinny Lonergan, Jamie O’Connell, Craig Hourigan, Jamie O’Donovan, Kian Green and Evan Burke.
Subs: Salah Djeha for Kian Green (48), Evan Hourigan for Wayne Doherty (54), Christy Driscoll for Evan Burke (54), Jason Higgins for Jamie Donovan (65).
Referee: Paul Bowdren.
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