Penalty miss costly for Parkvilla survival prospects

When you're struggling things just don't go your way as Parkvilla found out tonight in a crucial Leinster Senior League Div 1B must-win game at Claremont Stadium against Portlaoise when they missed a penalty (see video clip).

Trailing to a 15th minute Oisin Fitzpatrick goal for the visitors, who included former Laois GAA goalkeeper Mick Nolan between the posts, Parkvilla huffed and puffed through the opening half and were still 0-1 adrift at the interval.

However, they clawed their way back into contention in the second-half with a spirited performance, although they made hard work of it, and it looked like they had been handed a lifeline with about five minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty.

There was a delay in the spot kick as the referee had to deal with a separate incident that saw Portlaoise player Jody Dillon red-carded.

Dillon played for the Irish Defence Forces last week as they narrowly missed out on a place at the CISM European Championship finals following a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw with the French Armed Forces in Galway.

After Dillon's departure, Parkvilla player-manager Andy Williamson took the spot kick and he was wide of the target with his effort, but wasn't helped by the fact that he slipped in the process of taking the penalty.

A draw would have been a valuable point for Parkvilla who now have three games remaining (two at home) as they battle to avoid the drop to junior football - something they will be anxious to avoid as they celebrated a 50th anniversary this year.

There is also the fact that a drop down from the intermediate grade would end a long tenure at the intermediate level that goes back about 40 years.

Parkvilla will travel to Dublin on Sunday morning to play Kilnamanagh.

Three teams will be relegated - bottom side Wicklow Rovers are already relegated and two from Parkvilla (20 pts), Confey (20pts) and Drogheda Town (18pts) will also depart.

Parkvilla - Ken Hughes; Sean Lally-Starrs, Andy Williamson, Chris O'Neill, Callum Cooney, Ken Ratty, Dale O'Kane, Dylan Bollard, Ger Lynch, Cathal Kennedy, Marcus bailey. Subs - TJ McManus for Kennedy and Michael hand for Baileu both 75 mins.