Villa's McKervey keeps AC Celtic attack at bay

A strong second-half performance from Temple Villa proved to be the catalyst for victory against AC Celtic at Athlone IT last Saturday. After an even first-half where neither team could find a breakthrough, it was the home side who looked the more likely to open the scoring. But it was the visitors, courtesy of a Shane Nugent header, who grabbed the lead and were able to hang for the remainder of the game. Starting brightly, AC Celtic carved out the contest's first opening after four minutes. Taking the ball down the right wing, striker Bobby Malone then cut into the penalty-area and hit a low strike to the near post. But 'keeper David McKervey reacted well to divert the ball away with his left foot. On nine minutes, Temple Villa showed their attacking capabilities when skilful midfielder Darragh Kelly threaded a perfect ball in behind the AC defence for Ogie Hollywood to run on to. Hollywood muscled his man away from the ball, but 'keeper Kieran Cleary closed the angle down and was able to complete a fine save. Ian Rosney then went close for AC from long range on eleven minutes but genuine goal chances soon became hard to come by for both sides. The home side were enjoying the majority of possession but doing little with it, while Temple Villa were looking dangerous on the counter-attack. With 28 minutes on the clock an AC Celtic corner was cleverly worked short to Sam Moran. Moran whipped an inviting cross to the box and although Bobby Malone failed to make contact with the initial header, the ball sat up perfectly for his strike partner Ian Rosney. But Rosney skewed his shot well wide from just eight yards when he certainly should have at least worked the 'keeper. A minute later, Moran - one of AC's more influential players on the day - burst forward from midfield and rifled a dipping volley goalwards. McKervey was alert, however, and got behind the ball well. Right on the stroke of half-time, Villa carved out the best chance of the game so far. Picking the ball up ten yards outside the AC penalty-area, Ryan Browne neatly picked out Ogie Hollywood who had an unhindered run at goal. But just as he did earlier, he saw his shot blocked away wonderfully by McKervey who had once again rushed from his line in response to the danger. At half-time the score remained 0-0. Villa emerged for the second-half in determined fashion and they were nearly gifted an opening goal when Kieran Cleary fumbled an Eric Fallon cross. But with the Villa players closing in, Cleary managed to regain possession at the second attempt. The opening goal wasn't far away and, on 45 minutes, Villa got their reward for a fine opening to the half. After getting to the end-line, Ogie Hollywood stood up a perfect ball to the six-yard box where striker Shane Nugent was waiting unmarked to nod the ball to the net. Ian Rosney looked to hit back immediately but his long-range shot a minute later was easily dealt with by McKervey. Looking to increase their lead, Villa launched another attack on forty-eight minutes that culminated in Darragh Kelly volleying inches wide of the top corner. Down the other end Bobby Malone tested out McKervey once again with a curling effort after a lay off from substitute John Gaynor. But Villa were now in the ascendancy and creating all the chances. On 54 minutes, full-back Kieran Allen lifted a lovely ball over the top for goalscorer Nugent to run on to. The striker took the ball first time on the half-volley but saw Kieran Cleary pull off a superb diving save just as the ball looked destined for the bottom corner. On 66 minutes, Bobby Malone thought he had equalised for Celtic when he ran on to a loose ball on the edge of the box before absolutely lashing the ball right-footed toward the top-corner. The shot beat the 'keeper but also missed the target by mere inches. A goalkeeping blunder very nearly gifted Villa a second goal. After a free-kick was swung in from the left, Kieran Cleary allowed the ball to slip through his hands. The ball then rebounded off the post into the path of Darren Claffey but he blazed over from six yards. With two minutes remaining, a Villa kick-out was allowed to bounce in behind the AC defence where Eric Fallon ran onto the ball and lofted it over a stranded Kieran Cleary only to see it rebound off the crossbar and away. Ogie Hollywood then had a shot cleared off the line by Richie Moran as the game ticked over into stoppage-time. Fallon, Gary Larkin and Darren Claffey all went close for Villa as the visitors finished out the game strongly but they couldn't find a second goal. It mattered not, though, as they hung on for a 1-0 away victory. AC CELTIC: Kieran Cleary, Adam Tobin, John Harte, Richie Moran, Eamon Quigley, Sam Moran, John Monaghan, Jamie Grehan, Tony O'Neill, Ian Rosney, Bobby Malone. Subs: John Gaynor for J. Grehan (49'), Deane Tone for J. Harte (52'), Ronan McCormack for T. O'Neill (52'). TEMPLE VILLA: Davie McKervey, Gary Larkin, Lee Colgan, Jack O'Meara, Kieran Allen, Eric Fallon, Jack O'Kelly-Lynch, Darragh Kelly, Ryan Browne, Shane Nugent, Ogie Hollywood. Subs: Darren Claffey for R. Browne (58'), Roger McGrath for L. Colgan (61').