Willow retain title

WILLOW Park have retained their Combined Counties Senior Division title after an epic championship deciding play-off tussle with neighbours St Peter"s at Lissywoollen last Thursday. Both sides were level on points after 18 league matches and so a one-off play-off was required to settle the championship issue. With so much at stake, it was always going to be an extremely tense and nervy affair - but not too many could have predicted such a nail-biting finale to the title race. St Peter"s defender Brian Carr put his side in front during a first half in which the Connaught-side outfit dominated matters and caused countless problems to Willow"s defence. There were worried faces in the Willow camp at the break. It seemed a long way back for a team which failed to create any clear-cut goalscoring chances during the opening 45 minutes. But the champions came storming back in the second period. They pushed St Peter"s back time and time again, and eventually the pressure told when Michael Harney headed an equaliser for battling Willow, who were determined not to give up their title without a serious fight. Both sides put on a superb show for the crowd of close to 600 and not even extra-time could settle the contest. Unfortunately, it would eventually be penalty kicks that settled the season-long saga. It was a wholly unfortunate way for St Peter"s to lose the title but a sweet, sweet moment for those of a Willow Park persuasion. Of course those who missed penalties will be distraught - but they have no need. Both sets of players were outstanding on the night and the town genuinely has two strong junior sides it can be proud of. The fact this was one of the most enthralling games to be played at Lissywoollen since its opening two years ago says it all really, so both sides can be pleased they gave everything they had. Both teams received a boost prior to kick-off as Willow"s Mark Nicholson was passed fit to play despite injury, while it was a similar story for Stephen Mullan of St Peter"s. During the opening half, the men in green and white caused lots of problems to Willow from set-pieces. Early on, Mark Sherlock"s shot was deflected wide for a corner kick and Willow had a scare from the resulting set-play as "keeper Ian Bolger slightly misread Michael Collins" delivery, however, the ball eventually drifted wide for another corner which Tom Silke headed well over Willow"s crossbar. Earl Gaylard was then punished for a foul just outside Willow"s penalty area, but Mark Sherlock drove his low effort wide of Bolger"s goal. Just like the meeting of these two sides a couple of weeks ago, the game never threatened to boil over and was played in a brilliant competitive but fair manner. Referee Pat Geoghegan issued five yellow cards throughout proceedings but always officiated in a fair and approachable manner and deserves great respect for the way he handled two meetings of these great rivals in the past few weeks. The best chance of the opening 20 minutes fell to Mark Sherlock after Gaylard mistimed a clearance but Sherlock seemed to shoot too early and his effort rose well over the crossbar. Eight minutes later, Brian Frawley teed up Gary McHugh but his half-blocked shot flew over Keith Hynes" crossbar. On 34 minutes, Robert Shine"s loss of footing almost cost him dearly as the Willow defender prevented Sherlock racing clear on goal by using his hand. Luckily for Shine, right-back Jimmy Mullally was covering so Shine was only issued with a yellow card. St Peter"s failed to make the resulting free kick pay though, as Collins" flighted shot went well over the bar from just outside the box. But the St Peter"s pressure was beginning to mount and they took a deserved lead on 36 minutes when Brian Carr headed home Dave Donohoe"s corner kick. It could have got worse for Willow but the superb Peter Sherlock made a terrific block to deny Mark Sherlock. The best Willow could offer before half-time was when Colm Hyland crossed into the six-yard box but Silke made a good clearance. Both Mark Sherlock and Brian Caldwell threatened to increase St Peter"s advantage before the interval but were narrowly off target. Willow, though, were pretty relieved to hear the half-time whistle. The second half was entirely different as Willow improved dramatically. Aidan Hyland was first to go close for Willow but his solo run ended with a disappointing shot going wide. The same player then knocked the ball into Benny Magennis and his flick set up Frawley, but his effort was bravely blocked by Carr. Colm Hyland then rolled the ball into the path of Peter Sherlock but Hynes held his strike comfortably. On 73 minutes, Aidan Hyland"s drive was always rising too high before Collins supplied a great cross from the left flank that Mark Sherlock headed straight at Bolger. Willow introduced Michael Harney for the closing eleven minutes and he delivered within four minutes of coming on for Mullally. McHugh floated over a brilliant corner kick from the right side of the field and Harney climbed highest in a crowded six-yard box to head a precious equaliser for Willow Park. Willow were on a high now and almost earned victory when both Mark McConnell and Aidan Hyland went close in the dying moments. Bolger also made a good double save from Caldwell in the final minute as extra-time came upon us. Chances were few and far between in the extra 20 minutes but Frawley"s moment of magic almost earned him a winner three minutes into the second period. St Peter"s piled everyone into Willow"s box for a last minute free but Silke failed to hit the target from Collins" free kick. Both teams got off to a disappointing start in the penalty shoot-out, with Harney having a firm penalty saved by Hynes before St Peter"s substitute Gareth Gaffey watched in horror as Bolger stopped his spot kick. Adrian Carberry and Brian Caldwell"s successful penalties put St Peter"s 2-1 up after three penalties, with Colm Hyland"s well taken kick followed by Shine"s effort which missed the target. Stephen Mullan then missed the target as well, but Aidan Hyland and Mark McConnell made no mistake for Willow. Unfortunately, Patrick Craughwell was the last to miss - rough injustice on one of the most honest and hard working players in the league - and Willow lifted the trophy for the second year running. WILLOW PARK: Ian Bolger; Jimmy Mullally; Peter Sherlock; Robert Shine; Earl Gaylard; Gary McHugh; Colm Hyland; Mark Nicholson; Brian Frawley; Benny Magennis; Aidan Hyland. Subs: Mark McConnell for Nicholson (69 mins); Michael Harney for Mullally (79). ST PETER"S: Keith Hynes; Pascal Dillon; Adrian Carberry; Tom Silke; Brian Carr; Patrick Craughwell; Dave Donohoe; Stephen Mullan; Mark Sherlock; Brian Caldwell; Michael Collins. Subs: Aidan Warde for Donohoe (58 mins); Gareth Gaffey for Dillon (98). REFEREE: Pat Geoghegan.