Published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2009 5:00pm

Cornally leads the way as Villa overcome St Coman's

Despite going one-nil down at Kilmacuagh Avenue last Saturday morning, Temple Villa battled their way to a deserved three-one victory over a highly skilful St. Coman's side.

St. Coman's had dominated the opening period of play and had deservedly taken the lead through an opportunist goal from Dean Slevin. But the second and third periods belonged to Temple Villa, who gradually worked their way back into proceedings before eventually taking the lead and holding out for the victory.

The Villa goals came from Ciaran Lynam, Cathal O'Brien and the excellent Harry Cornally. Cornally was the man-of-the-match by a long way and proved too hot to handle for the St. Coman's side.

Coman's too had a number of fine performers on the day but, having started so well, they eventually ran out of steam. Ian and Lorcan Daly both had fine games, but their main threat was posed by Daniel Heavin who was at the heart of every Coman's move throughout the game.

Coman's started the game at a fast pace and weren't long about testing out Iarlaith Cunningham in the Villa goal. After four minutes a mazy run from Ian Daly saw him beat two defenders before sending a shot goalward. But Cunningham did well to get his body in front of the ball.

A minute later Daly had a shot cleared off the line by an alert Jason Murphy while, just a few seconds later, a goalbound Daniel Heavin strike from distance was saved by the outstretched foot of Iarlaith Cunningham.

Coman's kept the pressure up on seven minutes when Matthew Farrell struck a volley that flew just wide of the target. And Farrell again went close a minute later but saw his effort saved by the in-form Cunningham.

Temple Villa had their first foray forward on ten minutes which ended in Lee Guinan-Malone making Coman's 'keeper Alan Henson work. But Coman's were dominant at this stage and it looked as though the opening goal would soon arrive.

And on twelve minutes it finally came when Daniel Heavin picked the ball up outside the Villa penalty-area. The number ten hit a rasping shot that was blocked but spilled by Cunningham. And following the rebound up was Dean Slevin, who slotted the ball to the corner of the net for a poacher's goal to give Coman's a deserved lead, one which they took into the first interval.

Temple Villa came out for second period of play looking for a way back into the game and after Harry Cornally went close in the opening stages, they were given a golden opportunity to equalise when a Coman's defender conceded a penalty, handling the ball on the line. Cornally stepped up to take the spot-kick but unfortunately drilled the ball wide with the 'keeper beaten.

But despite that setback, Villa were now pushing hard for an equaliser. Cornally was at the heart of everything and he stung the fingers of Alan Henson with a fierce drive on 22 minutes. The ball was fumbled but Coman's Ian Daly followed up well to clear away the rebound.

But five minutes later, Villa were back on level terms. And it was no surprise that it was Cornally who got the goal. Picking the ball up on the edge of the Coman's penalty area, he neatly skipped past a challenge before placing the ball to the corner of the net - a fine goal and a deserved equaliser.

Just before the second break in play, though, Coman's almost re-took the lead. Lorcan Daly picked the ball up in his own half and went flying down the right wing, skipping past three Villa challenges before finding himself with only the 'keeper to beat.

But his shot was a tame one and was easily saved by Cunningham.

The third period of play began with Coman's back on the front foot. Matthew Farrell went close with a looping effort that just missed the angle of post and crossbar.

Villa's Kevin Stone then saw his header fly wide while at the same end Ciaran Lynam was unlucky to see his volley at the back post saved by the foot of Alan Henson.

With five minutes to go, Villa were still attacking at every opportunity but couldn't find a way though.

That was until Cornally swung a corner in from the right. And rising highest in the box was Cathal O'Brien who headed to the net. It was a fine header which Henson, although getting a hand to it, could do nothing to keep out.

Two-one to Villa and with barely time to take a breath, they made it three-one. Sean Farrell went on a solo-run down the right before shooting at goal. Henson saved the ball well but the rebound fell to Ciaran Lynam who finished to the net with the 'keeper stranded. Three-one to Villa and that would be how it finished.

ST. COMAN'S: Alan Henson, Ian Daly, Lorcan Daly, Scott McLoughlin, Ciaran Hanevy, Matthew Farrell, Daniel Heavin, Ben O'Brien, Dean Slevin.

TEMPLE VILLA: Iarlaith Cunningham, David Mullins, Kevin Stone, Jason Murphy, Ian Murphy, Lee Guinan Malone, Ciaran Lynam, Cathal O'Brien, Sean Farrell, Harry Cornally, Jason Gillivan.