Peake Villa hit Clonmel Town for six in one-sided Tipperary Cup tie

Clonmel Town 1 – 6 Peake Villa

In swirling winds and worsening conditions, Peake Villa produced a performance of real authority, mixing direct, effective football with moments of sheer quality to dismantle Clonmel Town in this Tipperary Cup soccer tie. It was the kind of match where the weather can level the playing field but Villa refused to allow that, and imposed themselves more as the game went on.

The opening phase was scrappy, with overhit passes and a midfield battle developing as the wind swirled through the pitch. Town had their moments, notably when Conor Makim cleared a Pippy Carroll header off the line from a corner around the 16-minute mark, a moment that kept them alive early on and lifted the home crowd.

However, Villa found their cutting edge on 33 minutes and it was decisive. Kieran Hennessy struck twice in two minutes, both goals created by Ronan McGuire. In a match where chances were hard-earned, Villa were clinical and Town suddenly faced a mountain.

Town responded and gave themselves a lifeline before half-time when Jack Bourke headed home from a Graham Kelly free kick to reduce the deficit and keep hope alive.

Any talk of a comeback ended immediately after the restart. Villa’s first attack of the second half resulted in a crushing blow when a cross was diverted into his own net by Lekan Oki, and from that point Villa controlled the contest.

READ NEXT: Awards are 'a beacon for sporting excellence' in Tipperary

Dale Loughnane added another goal from close range as Villa’s pressure told, and then came the moment of the match: Pippy Carroll produced a spectacular overhead kick, a goal of genuine quality that cut through the gloom of the conditions.

SEE MORE: Tipperary writer launches poetry book with all proceeds going to charity

With multiple substitutions and Villa managing the game expertly, Hennessy completed his hat-trick to cap an outstanding personal performance and a dominant team display.