Charleville and Athlunkard Villa serve up thrilling Limerick District League Healy-Webb Cup final showdown

Premier 'A' Healy-Webb Cup final:

Charleville 2 Athlunkard Villa 2 (Charleville won 4-3 on pens aet)

CHARLEVILLE captured the Limerick District League's Premier 'A' Healy-Webb Cup in dramatic fashion on Wednessday evening when they came back from two goals down to beat league champions Athlunkard Villa in a penalty shoot-out at Jackman Park.

Mired in the bottom half of the league table, few could have seen Charleville overturn the champions, but they were superb on the night, never giving up even when things looked bleak.

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The Healy Webb Cup was introduced for competition a couple of seasons back by former Vereker Clements players who wanted to honour two men who guided them through the 1960s, '70’s and '80s, Gerry Webb and Bro. Nick Healy.

Sadly, Wednesday’s final coincided with the funeral of Bro. Nick, but he would surely have enjoyed the contest in his name.

Once they were out of contention for the League, Charleville put their full focus on the Cup and that determination shone through their performance, even when they looked dead and buried.

Goalkeeper Jesse Smith had a superb outing making several vital saves before coming up trumps again in the ensuing penalty shoot out.

Darren Butler was excellent at centre back marshalling the tricky Villa striker Famara Kassama.

Further up field, Luke Doyle and Colin Quaid were always in the thick of the action with both also finding the target.

While understandably disappointed at the result, Villa should brush themselves down and take in what has been a wonderful season. They are in the Premier League for the first time in their history and there is nothing but a positive vibe around the club.

Centre backs Jack Clancy and Dave Frawley were superb on night while the work ethic and skill of John Keogh fits the Villa type perfectly.

Charleville were first to threaten after five minutes when Luke Doyle played a ball over the Villa defence for Aaron O’Connor to race through but his shot was well saved by Pa Reardon.

The League champions took the lead just on the ten-minute mark. Shane Cope delivered into the area where Sean Markham, his first effort blocked, followed up to bundle the ball over the line.

Sean McCormack rattled the Villa crossbar with a rasping effort from 30 yards and after the break at the other end, Smith pulled off a stunning save at the foot of the post to keep out Lorcan Feeney’s header.

Villa doubled their lead minutes later when a superb through ball by Markham sent Famara Kassama clear and the top scorer made no mistake from ten yards.

Charleville kept battling and got reward when Colin Quaid’s inswinging corner flew over everyone, into the top corner of the net.

The Cork side’s revival looked dead when Villa were awarded a spot kick but Danny Taylor’s well struck effort brought another super save from Smith.

In the 87th minute Charleville were pressing for an equaliser when the ball fell to Luke Doyle. He let fly from outside the box and with the keeper unsighted, the ball nestled in the corner to tie the game.

With the clock deep in injury time Smith made a rare error when his kick-out fell at the feet of Villa sub Ousman Darboe but the keeper made amends with a vital save to send the game to extra time.

Two cautious sides played out the extra-time scoreless so penalties were called for and Smith topped off his performance saving twice to seal a memorable win.

Charleville: Jesse Smith; Kristen O'Gorman; Gavin Mullins; Darren Butler; Frank Herr; Luke Doyle; Sean McCormack; Donal O'Connell; Aaron O'Connor; Colin Quaid; Joe Kavanagh. Subs: Darren Casey; Mark Kavanagh; Jason Collins; D Waters; Dion Curtin; Jason O'Hara; David Parajnak.

Athlunkard Villa: Pa Reardon; Ben Dillon; Shane Cope; Jack Clancy; Dave Frawley; John Keogh; Sean Markham; Lorcan Feeney; James Frahill; Danny Taylor; Famara Kassama. Subs: Ousman Darboe; Darragh Peters; Donal O'Doherty; Glen Mitchell; Mustapha Jaiteh; Aidan Mair; D Grimes.