Parkvilla display lots of character for another win

Parkvilla produced another match-winning performance when they survived a stern Confey test in the Leinster Senior League Div 1A at Claremont Stadium, Navan last Thursday night. Excellent headers in each half paved the way to victory, but there was a little bit of class about the winning goal which arrived from substitute Ciaran Rogers with 10 minutes remaining. Parkvilla manager Bredan Kennedy will be pleased with the reward of another three points which keeps the Navan men at the business end of the table although he might be disappointed that his side conceded a rather soft equaliser only two minutes into the second-half. However, the hosts showed considerable battling qualities in a fast-paced game and deserve enormous credit for the manner in which they carved out a victory that, for long periods, looked like it might never materialise. The Navan side hit the front midway through the opening half when Dave O’Neill headed to the net from Alan Kerr’s cross from the right despite a despairing effort from Confey custodian Stephen O’Connor. Kerr worked extremely hard for Parkvilla, doing most of his work down the right wing, but on the other flank the hosts looked equally potent. Kevin Dunphy’s pace was a constant threat and for the opening 20 minutes he had Confey very much on the backfoot. Andy Williamson was a useful ally while David Hosie spread the ball around in midfield. After conceding the goal, Confey upped the tempo and dominated the remainder of the half which kept central defenders Andrew Rogers and Kenny Ratty on their toes. Ratty had to deputise for Chris Kennedy who was on the bench following an injury he sustained against Skerries a fortnight ago. Kennedy made a brief appearance in the closing stages and will be keen to get back into the heart of the defence. He might have to wait for that opportunity as Ratty was very composed under pressure and covered on a number of occasions when Gary McCrossan was exposed in the right back position. Confey huffed and puffed without any reward and were fortunate that Fred Griffin escaped with a yellow card when he was late arriving to challenge Kerr after 30 minutes. Parkvilla’s only problems with referee David Murphy, who had a good game, were of the verbal variety. Confey were on terms soon after the restart when Colm Maye’s speculative shot from outside the area looped over Sean O’Gorman. At that stage it didn’t look good for the hosts. Some solid defending thwarted the Kildare side’s momentum and gradually Parkvilla regained the initiative. Manager Kennedy replaced Hosie and deployed Colin Lynch in midfield with Ciaran Rogers moving into attack. Kerr and O’Neill were the main threats in quick counter attacks, mainly down the right. Kerr went close twice and Wayne Russell was also narrowly wide before Ciaran Rogers headed the winning goal in the 80th minute. Buoyed by that, Parkvilla surged forward and contrived to miss a gilt-edged opportunity in the 87th minute, they had three attempts in a piece of pin-ball before Confey hoofed the ball away. Substitue Jamie Blake also hit the post before the end, which included five minutes injury-time. The outlook at Claremont Stadium is good, but the concentration levels will have to continue improving. Parkvilla - S O’Gorman; G McCrossan, A Williamson, K Ratty, A Rogers, D Hosie, W Russell, A Kerr, D O’Neill, C Lynch, K Dunphy. Subs - C Rogers for Hosie 62 mins, J Blake for O’Neill 85m, C Kennedy for Russell 89m. Confey - S O’Connor; R Stokes, S Kinsella, A Honniball, K Watkins, P Byrne, P Darcy, C Cawley, F Griffin, C Maye, J Hayden. Referee - David Murphy (Meath Branch ISRS)