Bannon's heroics steer Villa into Counties Cup decider
Birr Town 1 Temple Villa 1 (AET, Temple Villa win 9-8 on penalties)
Temple Villa are now one win away from lifting the Combined Counties Cup for the first time since 1983 after their dramatic semi-final victory over Birr Town in a penalty shootout at DPD Park, Athlone last Saturday evening.
Willow Park hosted the first of this season's Counties Cup semi-finals with Birr Town from the Senior Division facing Temple Villa from Division One.
Villa enjoyed the perfect start when a well struck corner kick from Conor McCormack beat Birr Town goalkeeper Adam Duffy to give the slight underdogs the lead after only five minutes.
The next fifteen minutes saw the Temple Villa based side on top and looking the more likely to score.
As the half wore on, however, it was Birr who controlled possession and enjoyed two or three good chances through Ronan Bergin and Johnny Corboy.
As this stage Villa looked happy to sit on their lead and defended well with Sam Nolan and Shane O'Neill in good form, while keeper Paul Bannon looked very assured.
The second half continued in the same fashion and again Bannon was called into action making a good save from Nicky Molloy. Villa did create one great chance with great wing play from Aaron O'Neill almost linking up with the onrushing Dean O'Neill.
Birr had a gilt edged opportunity with five minutes remaining but headed just over from six yards.
On the stroke of 90 minutes, Birr got the equaliser their play deserved when Villa substitute James Craughwell was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area and Ronan Bergin converted confidently from the spot.
The first period of extra-time was very even as Villa pushed on a bit more with substitute Michael Okpeaye stretching the Birr defence on a couple of occasions.
The second period saw Birr create the better opportunities and Villa keeper Paul Bannon had to call on all his experience to keep out a few good efforts. None more so than a rocket from Ronan Bergin which was bound for the top corner only for Bannon to pull off an amazing save.
The dreaded shootout ensued and with both sets of takers showing nerves of steel, it was still all square going into the last two of 20 spot kicks.
Villa's Paul Bannon got down to save well and Donovan Hermbusche dispatched his penalty to spark great celebrations in the Villa camp.
It was a tough way for Birr Town to go out having played so well for the majority of the encounter, but it's Villa who march on to their first Counties Cup final in 41 years.
In addition to excellent goalkeeper Paul Bannon, the winners were well served by Sam Nolan and Shane O'Neill at the back with Kieran McNally and Darren Nugent getting through a huge amount of work in midfield.
For Birr, Ronan Bergin was a constant threat while Conor Hanamy and Ricky Fitzsimons also caught the eye.
Temple Villa will meet St Peter's in the final after the McCarthy Park outfit defeated Walsh Island Shamrocks 5-0 in the other semi-final played on Sunday last at Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore.
Man of the match: Paul Bannon (Temple Villa). The Villa captain and keeper, Paul Bannon put in an outstanding display and is a worthy choice for the man of the match accolade.
Temple Villa: Paul Bannon, Dean O'Neill, Conor McCormack, Sam Nolan, Shane O'Neill, Darren Nugent, Kieran McNally, Benny Magennis, Liam Flynn, Jay Hyland, Aaron O'Neill. Reserves: Donovan Hermbusche, Michael Okpeaye, Hugh Allen, David Cleary, James Craughwell, Damien Rushe, Ruairi Casey.
Birr Town: Adam Duffy, Ceilim King, Sam Smith, Max Boyd, Nathan Williams, Conor Hanamy, Ricky Fitzsimons, Nicky Molloy, Ronan Bergin, Johnny Corboy, Riann McLoughlin. Reserves: Conor O'Sullivan, Ben Pardy, Hubert Zakrzewski, Brad McEvoy.
Referee: Paul Malone. Assistants: Ultan Beaumont & Des McEnery.