4th placed Baltinglass Town play host to League leaders Parkville United at Parkmore Baltinglass at 7 pm

Baltinglass Town come from a confident 1-4 win away against Carlow Rovers.
Form: W L L    Home Form: L

Parkville United has yet to be beaten in this competition, having won every game.
Form: W W W    Away Form: W

Parkville United has yet to be beaten in this competition, having won every game.
Form: W W W

Burrin Celtic has yet to win in this competition.
Form: L D L

Parkville United 0

Ballymurphy Celtic 1

A lone second half strike from Phil Cresswell was enough to win this tie for Celtic and give their Premier Division survival hopes a huge boost.

The win leaves Celtic just four points from safety and with games in hand on all the clubs above them it drags a host of clubs, including Parkville into a hunt for points to beat the drop. The best chance of a quiet first half fell to Ballymurphy and Cresswell on 26 minutes, his header brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar and away to safety by the Parkville keeper.

Celtic began the second period well but it wasn’t until just after the hour that the only goal of the game arrived. MJ Doran fired a shot on goal, the United 'keeper did well to save it but when the rebound fell to Cresswell he made no mistake as he swept home to make it 1-0. After that it was all Parkville but a combination of solid defending and good goalkeeping from Paul Foley was enough to see Celtic over the line and reward the efforts of Anto Jordan, Tom O’Neill and Paul Foley.

Parkville United 2

Hanover Harps 2

Parkville twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils on Sunday.

The hosts started well but struggled in front of goal while Hanover had efforts from Cathal Coughlan and Alan Shaw, both from distance, go narrowly wide. Harps opened the scoring on 25 minutes, Eoghan Byrne slipped a couple of tackles on his way into the penalty area, when a United defender did get a block on the youngster the loose ball fell to Conor Clack who kept his composure to slot Hanover in front. Parkville went in search of an equaliser before the break but despite plenty of possession they rarely threatened Anto McGrath in the visitors’ goal.

The second half was just ten minutes in when United found their scoring touch. A quick break from defending a corner saw their front man out pace the Harps rear guard and he neatly slotted home for 1-1. That joy was short lived however as Harps next attack yielded their second goal. Stephen Chalton was fouled 25 yards out and Alan Shaw guided the dead ball into the top corner to put Hanover back in front. Thereafter there were chances at both ends, Shaw flashing a shot narrowly wide on 75 minutes before Parkville eventually found an equaliser with five minutes left on the clock to earn a deserved point.

Best for Hanover on the day were the evergreen Pa Dowling, Eoghan Byrne, Conor Clack and Simon O’Shea.

Parkville United 6

Burrin Celtic 1

Parkville took on a depleted Burrin side who could only muster nine men.

They were up against it right from the kick-off but credit to Burrin they battled hard and it took Parkville until seventeen minutes before they scored their first goal which came the boot of the prolific Brian Byrne for 1-0. Burrin equalised just five minutes later, when a ball ‘over the top’ caught out the Parkville defence and it was latched on to by Dan Smyth, who coolly scored to make it 1-1. Parkville’s superior numbers saw them dominate possession and they went on to score four more goals before half-time through a brace from Brian Byrne who completed his hat-trick and one apiece from Luke Byrne and Eoghan Cannon making it 5-1 at the interval.

Brian Byrne went on to score his fourth in the second half and that completed the scoring at 6-1 as Burrin put in a fine defensive team effort to prevent Parkville adding to their tally in what was a heroic display from them for which they deserve much credit.

Parkville United 1

Killeshin FC 4

Two goals each for debutant Kieran Hennessy and Adam Steed saw Killeshin claim the points in Tullow on Sunday.

Hennessy took just five minutes to open his account when he volleyed Killeshin in front, Steed with the assist, as the visitors were off to a flyer. Steed and Hennessy were giving the United rear guard a horrid time and it was little surprise when Hennessy netted his and Killeshin’s second midway through the half, his curling shot from the edge of the box finding the net despite the best efforts of Sean Tompkins in the Parkville goal. United went on to dominate possession for the remainder of the half but couldn't find the goal their play merited before the break.

That changed five minutes after the restart, Jack Kennedy and Gareth Doyle linking up well before feeding the ball to Tom Pollard out wide, Pollard’s cross finding Paul Fitzgerald who neatly finished to halve the arrears. United pressed on in search of an equaliser but Killeshin defended well and then struck for their third just after the hour, Dylan Regan picked out Steed on the edge of the box, the striker skipping past a couple of challenges before firing Killeshin 3-1 ahead. Gareth Doyle spurred a good chance for United before Steed put the game to bed for Killeshin, Chris Connors with the assist as Steed slotted home number four.

Best for Killeshin were Declan Bolton, Kieran Walsh, Shane Martin and Brendan McDonald. United’s best included Jamie Welsh, Tom Pollard and Dylan Sheridan.

Parkville United 4

Hanover Harps 1

Parkville were on top from the off and took a 1-0 lead on ten minutes to stun Hanover.

Hanover registered their first effort on target on 21 minutes when David Adebayo played in Arnus Umbartas but his shot was well saved by the Parkville keeper. Hanover’s keeper Matthew McCutcheon was in fine fettle and he single-handedly was keeping them in the game with excellent saves on 28 minutes and 35 minutes. Ben Akerele- Smith and Corey Connally were defending well and they soaked up a lot of Parkville pressure, but they went on to add a second goal, from a corner on thirty eight minutes and when Hanover failed to clear their lines just two minutes before the interval they were again punished by Parkville to make the score 3-0 at half-time.

In the second-half Hanover played slightly better but they found themselves further behind as Parkville scored again on 57 minutes to 4-0 down and a real mountain to climb to get back into the game. The game then moved into an end to end period with both sides create an error in the Parkville defence some half-chances but none were taken that is until Hanover’s Junior Akinduro pounced on an error in Parkville’s defence on 76 minutes to make it 4-1. On 88 minutes Hanover’s Ryan Brady came close to pulling another goal back, when he struck a venomous shot against Parkville’s post, but it rebounded to safety.

Parkville saw out the rest of the game to emerge as easy 4-1 winners against a lack-lustre Hanover team in what was a confident well-drilled and clinical team effort whilst best for Hanover were Matthew McCutcheon, Ryan Brady and Ben Akerele-Smith.

Parkville United 0

Slaney Rovers 0

The point earned in Tullow sees Rovers level on points with Hanover at the top of the table although both New Oak and Crettyard have played less games.

On a cold morning there was little goal mouth action in the opening quarter before things started to warm up a little before half time. Slaney passing up on a couple of excellent chances to open the scoring, the first falling to Daniel O'Brien who fired into the side netting before Lubomir Lesko brought smart save from the United's Sean Tompkins. Parkville's best chance of the half fell to TJ Kavanagh but his volley flashed across the face of goal and went wide.

The second half saw United have an early chance for Dillon Kenny but his 20 yarder just cleared the crossbar. Rovers keeper Fergal Harmon then saved twice to keep United out, TJ Kavanagh and Jack Kennedy both denied by good saves. Despite United making most of the chances the best opening of the game fell to Rovers late on as O'Brien set up Lesko but his shot crashed off the crossbar and the sides had to be content with a point apiece.

Best for United were Tom Pollard, TJ Kavanagh and Jamie Welsh. Standing out for Rovers were Stephen Farrell and Ruairi Tompkins.

Dolmen Celtic 1

Parkville United 3

Performance of the day definitely went to Parkville as they took to the field with just ten players after their squad was depleted through injuries.

The win even more impressive when you consider Celtic won the reverse fixture 5-1. The ten men took the game to their hosts from the start and were unlucky not to be in front early on as Paul Fitzgerald went close. As Dolmen grew into the game, they began to pose a threat at the other end but the centre back pairing of Robbie Sheridan and his 16-year-old son Dylan was proving a tough nut to crack and the sides went into half time goalless.

The second period was only five minutes in when United hit the front, Gaz Doyle firing home from all of 25 yards for 1-0. Dolmen were rattled and Tom Pollard almost doubled the lead only to be denied by a smart save. However, the ten men wouldn’t be denied for long and on the hour mark it was 2-0, Fitzgerald keeping his composure as he slotted home after good work from Sam Sheridan. Ten minutes later Dolmen lost a man to red card to even up the numbers and as is often the case the sending off spurred on the hosts and they duly scored to halve the deficit on 75 minutes. United keeper Sean Tompkins pulled off a couple of excellent saves to keep Celtic at bay before teenager Dylan Sheridan rounded off a superb performance for both himself and his team to a well taken goal to put the destination of the points beyond doubt.

Sam Sheridan was the standout performer for United on a day where all ten stood up to be counted.

Vale Wanderers 7

Parkville United 1

Parkville started very brightly and were well on top for the first third with Cian Doran coming the closest when he got on the end of a through ball but his shot went just over the bar.

Parkville’s continuing pressure was rewarded on 31 minutes when Eoin Dempsey struck the ball sweetly into the bottom corner of the Vale net, to give them a deserved 0-1 lead. However, Vale were quick to respond and they equalised on 36 minutes to make it 1-1 and then just before the interval Vale scored again and they took this slender 2-1 lead into the break.

The second half saw a much more confident Vale team take to the field and on 50 minutes they increased their lead to 3-1. Parkville stayed strong kept up the pressure and didn’t give up but Vale were now on fire and took every single one of their opportunities and scored another four goals to make the final score 7-1 to give them a very convincing victory. To be fair to Parkville, the score doesn’t do justice to their performance but they were up against a very clinical Vale team.

It was a very fine all-round team performance from Vale, whilst best for Parkville were Paddy O’Reilly, Myles Hutton and Cillian Fagan.

Killeshin FC 2

Parkville United 3

Craig Staunton struck for a late winner as Parkville saw off Killeshin by the odd goal in five.

In a very open contest chances came and went at both ends Killeshin’s Adam Steed missing the first of them from six yards after just five minutes. United keeper Sean Tompkins beat away a long-range effort from John Fleming. Against the run of play United found themselves ahead on the half hour Gareth Doyle releasing Paul Fitzgerald who kept his cool to slot beyond the keeper as the visitors went into the break 1-0 up.

Five minutes into the second half and Killeshin were level Aaron McCafferty setting up Steed to make it 1-1. Liam Seery and Barry Ryan both wasted chances to give Killeshin the lead before Parkville again hit them on the break Staunton and Gareth Doyle linking up to create the opening for Paul Fitzgerald to net his and United’s second on the hour. Things got worse for the hosts when they lost a defender to a second yellow shortly afterwards but Killeshin made little of their numerical disadvantage as they hauled themselves level. Enda O’Rourke rising highest at a corner to make it 2-2 with 20 minutes left. Despite been down to ten men it was Killeshin who looked most likely to get a winner but a combination of poor finishing and some excellent goal keeping from Tompkins kept them at bay and they paid a hefty price with five minutes left on the clock. There appeared little danger when Staunton picked up the ball 25 yards from goal but a quick turn and ferocious shot saw the net rattled as United claimed the win.

Best for Killeshin included Barry Ryan, Enda O’Rourke and Isaac Talent. Impressing for United were Jack Kennedy, Tom Pollard and man of the match Sean Tompkins.

Parkville United 1

Dolmen Celtic 5

Celtic followed up last weekend’s emphatic win in Killeshin with another thumping win on the road, Joe Doran’s first half hat trick doing most of the damage as United struggled to contain the visitors.

Celtic flew out of the starting blocks and Doran had them ahead within 6 minutes with a neat finish. Constant pressure yielded goal number two ten minutes later, Doran again on the mark after bursting through the centre of the United rear guard before picking his spot. Parkville had no answer and on the half hour Doran netted his third from the penalty spot after Danny Thompson was fouled in the area.

The second half saw Parkville apply the early pressure and deservedly pulled a goal back on the hour, Tom Pollard finding the net at the second attempt after his first effort was well saved. United kept pressing but left themselves exposed to quick breaks and Dolmen duly took advantage of the gaps at the back. Paul Connor set Andy Brennan away and he rounded the keeper before slotting into an empty net to make it 4-1 on 80 minutes. United’s Paul Fitzgerald saw his shot brilliantly saved before another swift break from Celtic saw John Nangle cross from the left to set up Brennan for his second to cap a fine win for the Visitors and reward for the efforts of Joe Doran, Andy Brennan and Graham Delaney.

United’s best were Gareth Doyle, Tom Pollard and Adam Feeney.

Parkville United 2

St Patrick's Boys 2

The spoils were shared in Tullow on Sunday as Pats twice came from behind to claim a point, a point which means they climb out of the bottom two in the league. Parkville hit the front early, taking advantage of some slack defending to take a tenth minute lead. The visitors response was swift and they were level 7 minutes later, Johnny Flynn rising highest to head home from a corner. As the half drew to a close Parkville again hit the front to take a 2-1 lead into the break. With the second half just 5 minutes on St Pats levelled for a second time, Haitham Alkalbani skipping past 3 defenders before teeing up Eoin Murphy to slot home and make it 2-2. Parkville applied most of the late pressure as they went in search of a winner but a couple of smart saves from David Doyle in the Pats goal ensured that his team took a point. Best for Pats included Haitham Alkalbani, Tomas Murphy, Johnny Flynn and keeper David Doyle

Usher Celtic 6

Parkville United 0

Parkville exited the Leinster Junior Cup when they travelled away to Usher Celtic in Dublin on Sunday.

Both sides started the game brightly and neither team really threatened the goal for the first 20 minutes. The home side were awarded a corner and they responded to the second ball the quickest and went 1-0 up. The Tullow side pushed for the equaliser and the only real chance fell to Craig Staunton whose shot from just outside the box was well held by the Usher keeper. It remained 1-0 going in at the break.

The second half seen a much improved and clinical Dublin side. 15 minutes in they got their second following some slack defending. Parkville pushed hard to try get themselves back into the game but were punished for leaving themselves open in search of a goal. Usher’s third came on the hour mark and ultimately killed the game off and in turn upped it another gear and grabbed their fourth on 70 minutes. They didn’t stop there and kept pressing the Parkville backline and forced an error which led to their fifth goal from close range. The winners’ grabbed their sixth just five minutes from time to see them through to the next round.

Best for Parkville were Eoin Brennan, Sam Sheridan and Robbie Sheridan.

New Oak Boys 0

Parkville United 3

Both teams came out in determined fashion but New Oak started the brighter as they put Parkville under immediate pressure but Dylan Hanley and Dylan Sheridan were well able to deal with New Oak’s offensive play although Brandon Doyle came close for New Oak Boys.

Parkville settled after ten minutes and took control of the game with Eoghan Cunane having a shot that went narrowly over the bar and Cillian Fagan also firing over the bar. The closest that Parkville came to scoring was when Cian Doran got on to a lovely through ball and shot low and hard but the New Oak Boys keeper saved well with his legs and the rebound fell to Dylan Gorman-Comerford but again his shot went over the bar. The interval came and it was scoreless.

Parkville spurred on by their first-half performance felt that the game was theirs for the taking and the initial break-through came from a corner as a poor clearance was latched on to by Dylan Sheridan and he rose like an eagle to back-heel over the New Oak keeper and into the net for a 0-1 lead. Parkville came close again when Eoghan Cunane floated in a free-kick and Dylan Gorman- Comerford met it with his head but saw the ball go just wide of the post. A few minutes later from a carbon-copy of the last free-kick and this time Dylan Gorman-Comerford met the ball squarely with his head and it flew into the back of the net for 0-2. With only two minutes to go Eoghan Cunane won a penalty when he was brought down and Cunane stepped up himself to take it and he slotted the ball home to make the final score a very comfortable 0-3 victory.

Best for New Oak Boys were Jordan O’Brien and Jack Lawlor whilst standing out for Parkville were Dylan Sheridan, Luke Byrne and Oran Black.

Hanover Harps 2

Parkville United 1

Hanover claimed the points in The Plots on Sunday morning but only after a man of the match display from goalkeeper Anto McGrath in the second half.

In an even opening quarter the teams traded missed chances, United’s Paul Fitzgerald and Hanover’s Eoghan Byrne with the best of them. Hanover broke the deadlock on the half hour, Colin Campion broke free and teed up Byrne, his effort was saved but Vincent Oba reacted quickest to the loose ball to put Harps 1-0 up at half time.

The second period saw Parkville press hard for an equaliser but with McGrath in mean form in the goal it proved elusive. Hanover broke upfield on the hour and won a penalty, a needless push in the back on Cathal Coughlan gave Phil Neenan the chance to double the lead from the spot and the midfielder duly obliged. Thereafter it was all United, McGrath denied Fitzgerald with his feet before diving full stretch to his left to push another Fitzgerald effort around the post when all present thought the ball was destined for the net. McGrath saved again from Tom Pollard before United eventually got a goal back with ten minutes left. Substitute Dillon Kenny saw his initial header saved by McGrath but the rebound fell nicely for him and he made no mistake the second time. The last chance of the game fell to Fitzgerald but again McGrath denied him with a super save as the hosts held on for all three points.

Best for Hanover included Simon O’Shea, Eric Dowling, Johnny Waters and man of the match Anto McGrath. Best on the day for United were Tom Pollard, Mickey English, Paul Fitzgerald and Robbie Sheridan.