Clinical Temple Villa dump Mullingar Town out of cup

Temple Villa 6 Mullingar Town 1

By Connla McCarthy

Temple Villa were merciless in their dismantling of the hosts Mullingar Town on a cloudy and mild Saturday afternoon in Dalton Park.

Thanks to a first-half brace from Kieran McNally, and further goals from Aaron O’Neill, Mark Gannon and Michael Okpeaye, the visitors held a comprehensive four-goal advantage at the break.

Jamie Loran’s 16th-minute goal was the only reply from Mullingar, as Okpeaye completed his brace four minutes into the second half to put the result beyond any doubt.

After a slow start, the match exploded into life when Kieran McNally opened the scoring for Temple Villa six minutes in.

Mullingar had a fantastic opportunity to strike back only two minutes later, but Johnny Keegan pulled his shot wide.

Three minutes later, the hosts' net would ripple again. Darren Nugent took full advantage of a failed offside trap attempt to charge down the left wing and square the ball perfectly to Aaron O’Neill at the far stick for a simple finish.

After going two down, Town enjoyed their best spell. Johnny Keegan had a penalty shout denied and then, in the 16th minute, they pulled a goal back. Cian McGrath’s beautiful deep cross found its way to Jamie Loran, who managed to get his toe to the ball before Paul Bannon and find the back of the net.

Dean Kavanagh, Barry Egerton and Cian McGrath then had further chances for Mullingar, but couldn't convert.

Temple Villa got goal number three in the 28th minute. Aaron O’Neill and Nazar Zubkov were involved in the build-up, before Mark Gannon found a way to turn and send his right-footed effort beyond Alan Farrell.

Further chances came the way of Darren Nugent and Nazar Zubkov thereafter as the visitors assumed control of proceedings.

Four minutes later James Craughwell found Michael Okpeaye in behind the Mullingar backline. Okpeaye rounded Farrell and slid the ball into an empty net.

Villa could have extended their lead, but Gannon, O’Neill and Okpeaye squandered opportunities.

The fifth goal was beckoning though, and a minute into added-time at the end of the first half, O’Neill setOkpaeye on his way. He unselfishly gave the ball to McNally and he applied the finish. Half-time score: Temple Villa 5, Mullingar Town 1.

Temple Villa made sure of their spot in the next round of the Combined Counties Cup when Michael Okpeaye scored his second four minutes into the second half.

Man of the match: Mark Gannon (Temple Villa).

Mullingar Town: Alan Farrell, Mick O’Rourke, David Masterson, Mark Brady, Oisin Tyrrell, Dean Kavanagh, Jamie Loran, Gerry Bowen, Johnny Keegan, Barry Egerton, Cian McGrath. Subs: Breece Fadian for Mark Brady (58), Jack Hall for Barry Egerton (66).

Temple Villa: Paul Bannon, Mark Gannon, Ian McCormack, Liam Flynn, James Craughwell, Kieran McNally, Aaron O’Neill, Brendan McCormack, Michael Okpeaye, Nazar Zubkov, Darren Nugent. Subs: Damien Rushe for Aaron O’Neill (53), Donovan Hermbusche for Darren Nugent (59), Jason Hyland for Liam Flynn (64).

Referee: Kevin Jones.