United fall as Villa win maiden Connacht title
Moyne Villa celebrate with the Connacht Shield trophy after defeating Westport United after extra time. Picture: Connacht Football Association
Moyne Villa capped off a brilliant week as they defeated Westport United after extra time to win the Connacht Shield title in Umbro Park.
They had the dream start after less than 90 seconds when Adam Barrett’s free kick was met by the head of Jason O’Reilly and he glanced it into the net.
The Headford side, who gained promotion to the Galway Premier Division midweek, could have added another three goals inside the first five minutes. A poor back pass saw Padraic Cunningham win possession, and he laid it into the path of Darragh Forde but with United goalkeeper Gary Cunningham off his goal line he sent his shot over.
Gary Cunningham had to be alert to then tip away Cillian McGlade’s skewed clearance from a Villa cross before David Quinn hit the crossbar from eight yards after a corner whipped in was kept alive by Forde.
United began to settle as the half wore on, with Cian Halpin ad Dylan O’Malley a threat on both wings. The latter was played through by Kevin Kitterick only to send his strike over the bar. The roles were reversed minutes later but, on this occasion, Villa goalkeeper Luke Jennings was out quick to deny O’Malley and Jennings, a former Mayo minor and U20 Gaelic football goalkeeper, was forced into action again on 36 minutes to stop Kitterick after he was played in by Harrison Quinn.
The pressure told six minutes before half-time when Dylan O’Malley’s through ball beat Sean Moran to find Kitterick and he slid it under Jennings for the equaliser.
Chances were more at a premium in the second half. United came close ten minutes into the second half with Dylan O’Malley coming closest ten minutes in the second half but he sent his shot over.
At the other end, Cillian McGlade was outstanding for United, and he was alert to deny Padraic Cunningham with a perfectly executed tackle to deny the former Galway United forward.
United had plenty of energy and industry but were lacking a killer touch and Villa nearly snatched late on. Substitute Kyle Greaney made a significant impact off the bench, and he nearly was through on goal only for McGlade to make another big challenge to stop the strike.
Extra-time arrived and Villa regained the lead when Padraic Cunningham’s strike was saved by his namesake Gary and substitute Dean O’Malley converted the rebound. A minute before the end of the first period, they were in the comfort zone and Adam Barrett had another pinpoint delivery, this time from a corner and Padraic Cunningham headed in at the back post.
United look for a way back in the second period, but Villa saw the game out comfortably to win a first ever Connacht title.
