1 v 0 
Pike Rovers FCVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2022 | 2:00 pm | FAI Junior Cup | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Villa secure Junior Cup Victory
Conor Kilgannon was the hero for Villa FC as his 53rd minute strike enough to seal a first ever FAI Junior Cup for the Waterford club.
The game sparked into life from the get-go through Villa’s James Kennedy. The full back made a great run from kick-off down the right wing before cutting in and firing a shot at goalkeeper Gary Neville who displayed great reflexes to tip the ball around the post.
A frantic opening ten minutes followed with both sides showing tenacity which was always going to be difficult to maintain for forty-five minutes.
This showed in due course as the game settled into a typical cup final rhythm as chances came at a premium.
Pike appeared to be happy sitting in and hitting on the break but did come close to scoring in the 26th minute. Robbie Williams struck an excellent free kick from 18 yards out but his shot rattled the crossbar, much to the relief of Villa keeper Craig Dunphy who could only look on in angst.
That was as good as it got for Pike who were lucky to keep 11 players on the field in the opening half. Danny O’Neill and Eoin Hanrahan were lucky to escape with yellows for late challenges on Conor Signorelli and James Kennedy respectively.
Villa started the second half as they did the first with Conor Kilgannon going close when his shot hit the side netting from close range.
The winger would get his moment in the 53rd minute however as he tapped the ball into an empty net from a fantastic cross from James Kennedy which flew over Neville at his near post.
Pike began to loosen the shackles as they chased an equaliser. Steven McGann led the onslaught with a long-range effort on the hour mark while Luke Walsh somehow denied him in the 64th minute with a last ditch tackle inside the box.
Pike’s frustration was parmount in injury time as tempers flared over leading to Colm O’Loughlin and Evan Patterson being given straight reds.
Villa held out with the numerical advantage to seal a famous victory and a first ever national title at Turners Cross.
Timeline
Ground
| Turner's Cross |
|---|
| Beaufort Park, Turner\'s Cross C, Cork, County Cork, Munster, T12 E3H5, Ireland |
Final Whistle
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Game over and VIlla have won their first ever FAI Junior Cup with a deserved 1-0 victory.
Halfway through four minutes of injury time as Villa look to see out the game.
Two straight reds for Pike as tempers flare over here. O'Loughlin and Walsh.
Villa relieve the siege as the referee blows for a free out. Time running out for Pike with just a couple of minutes left.
Yellow for O'Connor for a cynical challenge. Another free for Pike but its dealt with.
All Pike as they chase an equaliser but have not been able to create a meaningful chance in the past 15 minutes or so. Paddy O'Malley comes on for them in place of Hanrahan.
Sub Kevin Barry has to go off with a niggle. Colin Daly on in his place.
Another sub for Villa as Conor Signorelli makes ay for Eoghan Rea.
Sub for Villa as Luke Walsh comes off for Mark Walsh.
Subs for both teams. Adam Conway comes on for Villa in place of John Tamen while Evan Patterson is on for Danny O'Neill.
What a block from Luke Walsh to deny Pike's McGann there. Certain goal if he didn't get that tackle in as McGann skipped past the defence with seemingly only the keeper to beat.
Pike coming into it now as they chase the equaliser. Steven McGann fires a long range effort which Dunphy does well to parry away.
First sub for Pike as Kevin Barry comes on for Aaron Murphy.
Kilgannon puts Villa ahead. Kennedy makes a great run down the left before crossing it into Kilgannon who taps it into an empty net.
Great chance for Villa there as Conor Kilgannon just hits the side netting after finding himself in a huge amount of space.
Back underway. No changes to the sides at the beginning of the second half.
Teams out for the second half.
Half time and it's a stalemate here at Turners Cross. A great start to the half but it has slowly descended into a typical cup final game with chances very much at a premium.
Speaking of Hanrahan he receives a yellow for a silly late challenge on James Kennedy. Luck not to see red for what was a nasty hand off.
Great run by Eoin Hanrahan there for Pike. He really should have had a shot as he beat four defenders before trying to lay it off to someone else.
All Villa at the moment. They're getting into the box far too easy from a Pike perspective. Their creativity in the final third is letting them down however.
Villa putting on the pressure again with a couple of corners put Gary Neville in the Pike Rovers goal has been very solid so far.
Best chance for Pike so far after Robbie Williams rattles the Villa crossbar from a free-kick just outside the box.
First yellow goes to Pike's Danny O'Neill for a nasty challenge on Conor Signorelli.
Aaron O'Connor with the game's second shot of the game but the Villa man's effort from long range after a nice layoff flies well over.
Villa edging the possession stakes so far with Pike looking threatening on the break. The game has settled down after a frantic opening few minutes.
Really good intensity to this game early on, tackles flying in everywhere with a great crowd to boot.
Villa nearly score from the kick-off as James Kennedy makes a great run down the right wing, cutting inside and firing a shot at Pike keeper Gary Neville who makes a great save.
Underway at Turners Cross, Villa playing into the Shed end for the first half.
Champions League music to boot which is a nice touch.
Teams out onto the pitch.
Hello and welcome to live text commentary of Villa FC v Pike Rovers in the FAI Junior Cup final. Kick-off from Turners Cross is at 2. Team news on the way shortly.