Knocknaheeny Celtic reach semi-final of the Mossie Linnane Cup with win over Village
The Village United side that were defeated 2-0 on penalties by Knocknaheeny Celtic in the quarter-final of the Mossie Linnane Cup after it was 1-1 over extra time at Silverheights.
And what a performance we saw from Village United’s keeper Ryan Delaney, who produced a magnificent goalkeeping display over the full duration.
From the very off, the contest had a real cup-tie feel about it as both sides exploded out of the blocks showing huge energy.
And when Colm Healy’s cross came for Jack Leonad, he knocked it down for Kian Green, but a sharp Ryan Delaney came swiftly off his line to smother the danger.
Then, following nice build up play, Jack Leonard steadied before testing Ryan Delaney with a crisply struck effort.
Knocknaheeny were edging the contest now and a cross from Evan Hourigan found Kian Green in space, but Lloyd Fitzgerald’s solid block aborted the goal-bound threat.
But, Village nosed in front when Aaron Kemp’s low cross into the box found Colin Hickey who guided home from close range in the 18th minute.
Minutes later, Village were dealt a blow when Lloyd Fitzgerald was shown a straight red by referee Paul Bowdren.
With the numerical advantage now on their side Knocknaheeny’s Jordan Cuff saw two efforts in quick succession cannon off defenders near goal before Kian Green was also denied by a solid block from Darren McGrath.
Ryan Delaney then had to be alert to tip the ball over from a terrific effort from distance by Craig Hourigan.
Knocknaheeny continued to pile the pressure on now as Kian Green collected from Jordan Cuff before failing to get force on his effort from outside the box.
Ryan Delaney was once again forced into action when he had to produce a solid save from Colm Healy following good work by Jordan Cuff.
Then, Healy found a way through soon afterwards, but a magnificent tackle by Aaron Kemp saved the day.
When play shifted to the other end, Graham Murphy was forced to tip Colin Hickey’s dipping effort from 20 over to concede a corner.
But, when play shifted back to the Village’s defensive third, a ball broke for Colm Healy from a corner, but once again, Ryan Delaney was in the way to produce yet another solid block to deny the Knocknaheeny striker.
A terrific run followed from Jack Leonard, but when he helped on to Kian Green in a favourable position, he skewed over from in front of goal.
Arising then from a corner at the other end, Anthony Kiniry was unlucky to see his turn-and-strike from outside the box fly narrowly over.
The final action in a first 45 then was Craig Hourigan seeing his fizzing effort from a free kick flash agonisingly wide.
With just minutes into the second period, Knocknaheeny came so close to claiming an equaliser, but when Jordan Cuff collected from Colm Healy, his cracking effort cannoned off the woodwork before being cleared to safety.
Knocknaheeny were now frantically chasing what looked like an elusive equaliser as Christy O’Driscoll headed wide from Craig Hourigan’s assist before he fired wide with a low effort soon after.
Village had a chance at the other end, but Adam Geraghty fired straight at Grahm Murphy.
Murphy had to be alert minutes later to get behind Geraghty’s fizzing free kick from 25 yards out.
The game was eventually forced into extra time though in the 80th minute when from a cross, Chris Akhigbe took a touch before drilling into the Village net to restore parity once again.
Knocknaheeny had chances to win the game in the second period of extra time, but two magnificent saves by Ryan Delaney from Christy O’Driscoll’s efforts denied them that chance to do so, until they went on to win on penalties after Village missed the first four spot kicks.
Village Utd: Ryan Delaney, Aaron Kemp, Derek Morrissey, Lloyd Fitzgerald, Darren McGrath, Shane Geraghty, Colin Hickey, Aaron Smity, Anthony Kiniry, Adam Hegarty and Alan O’Regan.
Subs: Pa Mooney for Colin Hickey (60), Stephen O’Donnell for Alan O’Regan (65), Stephen Thompson for Derek Morrissey (65), Stephen Long for Adam Hegarty (75), Christopher Kiniry for Aaron Smith (80).
Knocknaheeny Celtic: Graham Murphy, Even Hourigan, Luke Greaney, Kelvin Greaney, Nathan Falvey, Craig Hourigan, Kian Green, Christopher Akhigbe, Colm Healy, Jordan Cuff and Jack Leonard.
Subs: Christy O’Driscoll for Luke Greaney (55), Andrew O’Donovan for Kian Green (67), Evan Burke for Chris Akhigbe (83), Jason Higgins for Kelvin Greaney (90).
Referee: Paul Bowdren.
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