AUL: Coachford beaten by Waterford side Villa FC in Munster Junior Cup semi
The Coachford side that went down to Villa FC in the semi-final of the Munster Junior Cup at Ringmahon Park. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Coachford FC bowed out of the Munster Junior Cup after going down to Villa FC in an energy-sapping semi-final at Ringmahon Park.
Coachford had to endure some pressure over the first 45 minutes as the Waterford side certainly clicked and created some chances that they would have been disappointed to have missed. In the second half, the AUL side upped their energy levels to admirable heights as they produced some very good spells, but in these huge games where it’s really all down to fine margins, you have to take your chances.
It was a towering Coachford display despite the defeat, as every player left nothing on the pitch.
What a start it was for Villa when after being awarded a free kick outside the box, Aaron O’Connor slammed his strike into the bottom corner to hand the Waterford side a dream start on four minutes.
Villa continued on the front-foot and when John Tamen knocked it back for Aaron O’Connor, he steered wide of the post.
A neat ball into space from Dean Walsh played in Tamen, but he was denied by a fine save from Stephen Murray.
But, when Coachford turned defence into attack, an immaculate ball from Adam Murphy played Luke Casey into space, he went on to side-step Craig Dunpy before slotting home from a narrow angle on 11 minutes.
An immediate response by Village saw Imiren swivel before being denied by a solid block from Adam Murphy.
Following a corner ball, Villa’s Anthony Ebhonuaye was free at the far post, but he failed to get his effort through a populated goal-mouth before Mark O’Connell had to throw his body on the line to block from Aaron O’Connor.
The Waterford side were on top now and were enjoying lots of possession, but Coachford were defending like Trojans to great effect and it needed another brave block from Cialan O’Sullivan to deny Dean Walsh before Stephen Murray had to collect at the second time of asking from Imiren’s low effort.
A clearance arrived for Luke Casey, who showed neat control before releasing Matthew Bradley on the left and after the full-back took a touch, he was unlucky to see his fizzing low effort whistle agonisingly past the far upright.
A delightful ball from Dean Walsh played in Conor Kilgannon, but after his first effort came back to him, he failed to find the target with the goal gaping.
The final action then in a period dominated by the Waterford side was a fizzing effort from Imiren which Stephen Murray handled competently.
Coachford were rocked right back on their heels within just one minute of the second period.
Conor Kilgannon was allowed freedom down the left flank before crossing for the unmarked Dean Walsh to tap home with ease and make it 2-1.
But, Coachford were starting to show a spring to their step and after forcing a corner on the right, Mark Murphy powered his header home from Luke Casey’s cross on 56 minutes to make it game-on once again.
Coachford were certainly showing signs now of edging the contest and when Jamie Griffin released the overlapping Matthew Bradley down the left flank, the full-back’s low cross showed promise until an alert Craig Dunphy intervened.
What a chance fell for Coachford next when a delightfully weighted delivery from Matthew Bradley fell into the path of Luke Casey, but the striker uncharacteristically blazed over with a left-footed effort.
Villa started to drift back behind the ball now as Coachford imposed their game, but the AUL side’s hearts were broken when failure to clear their lines presented Conor Kilgannon with an opportunity to slot home into the bottom corner in the 85th minute.
Coachford piled on the pressure after that and came close on a few occasions as Luke Casey just failed to touch home from close range while a number of efforts cannoned off Villa defenders before the referee brought closure to what was an epic contest.
Stephen Murray, Dara Lynch, Matthew Bradley, Mark Murphy, Keith Linzell, Adam Murphy, Cialan O’Sullivan, Mark O’Connell, Luke Casey, Sean O’Sullivan, Jamie Griffin.
Gary Murphy for Mark O’Connell (87), Paul Mullins for Keith Linzell (89).
Craig Dunphy, James Kennedy, John Tamon, Anthony Eohonuaye, Luke Walsh, Conor Kilgannon, Conor Whittle, Dean Walsh, Aaron O’Connor, Mark Imern, Killian Griffin.
Sipho Dube for Mark Imiren (75).
Brian Higgins.
Mark Kennedy and Jay O’Loughlin Ryan.
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