VILLA UTD 1993

VILLA'S GOOD START:




According to co-manager Martin O'Sullivan, Villa Utd did their best work early

on and 18 points from their first 11 games put them on the way to the

championship in Murphy's Stout AUL League 2. "However", he continued, "We

made hard work of it in the end, losing three games out of four. We then had

two games left and needed three points to take the title".



Villa did better. They won their last two matches, 3 - 1 against Afton Villa

and 2 - 0 away to Crosshaven. It was the first time that Villa won a league

and the first honour for most of the squad who have been with the club for the

past six or seven seasons.



One player, though, was completing a double. Striker Pat O'Callaghan was

getting his hands on the League 2 trophy for the second time, having been

successful with Leeds in 1984.



O'Callaghan, in fact, was the team's leading marksmen with 17 league and cup

goals to his credit from 31 appearances. Ray Murphy was just one short of

O'Callaghan's haul and others to contribute in front of goal were Flor

McCarthy (7), Liam Walsh (7), Morgan Kelleher (6), Martin Meaney (6), and

Michael Brosnan (5).



Villa scored in each of their 32 games, except for one and that was in the

President's Cup quarter-final which they lost 1 - 0 to Afton Villa. They also

reached the last eight of the City Challenge but made earlier exits from the

Saxone, the Corinthians, and the AOH.



O'Sullivan was disappointed with their cup form: "We should have won those

quarter-finals, particularly in the City Cup against Portview in which we led

1 - 0 and missed a penalty before conceding two soft goals. However, we were

quite happy to settle for the league in the end".



Villa Utd were founded in 1981 and entered a second team in the AUL in 1985.

The first team went intermediate in 1991/92 having just won the AOH Cup. In

1986 and 1991, they were runners up in the first division.



Seamus Flynn is the club chairman and the other officers are: Tim McCarthy,

secretary; William Punch, treasurer; John Murphy, vice-chairman. Other

committee members are: Michael Connors, William O'Donovan, Flor McCarthy, and

Martin O'Sullivan.



O'Sullivan's co-manager is Ger Rea who is also team captain. Rea and vice

captain John Murphy were elected by the players before the start of the

season.



The club held a very enjoyable end of season supper dance at which the

following awards were made: Niall O'Connell (Intermediate Player of the

Year); Brian Hennessy (Junior Player of the Year); Jim O'Connor (Top

Intermediate Scorer); and Pat O'Callaghan (Top Junior Scorer). Junior

midfielder Flor McCarthy got the Clubman of the Year Award.



O'Sullivan had great praise for the ECHO coverage of local soccer: "It

certainly boosted the lads during the year when we got some headlines". If

Villa keep it up, they'll get a few more next season.



Three of the 17 man panel took part in all 32 games: keeper Denis O'Driscoll,

centre back John Murphy, and midfielder Flor McCarthy. The other panel

members (appearances in brackets) were: Brian Hennessy (31); Ger Rea (29);

Denis Murphy (26); Sean Carroll (18); Donal O'Halloran (22); Morgan

Kelleher (25); Martin Hayes (22); Michael brosnan (15); Ray Murphy (25);

Liam Walsh (25); Pat O'Callaghan (31); Martin Meaney (20); Willie Punch

(19); and Martin O'Sullivan (3).



The champions for the previous ten years in League 2 are: Brideview Utd

(83); Leeds (84); Douglas Hall Utd (85); Leeside (86); UCC (87); St Mary's

(88); Bandon (89); Greenwood (90); Lakewood Ath. (91); and Ballincollig

Athletic (92).