Dillion’s hattrick the highlight as Stradbally net 2026 off to a cracking start

CCFL Div 3 

 Stradbally Town 5 

Killavilla Utd 2 

A CRACKING contest to shake off the post-Christmas cobwebs at Charter Road on Sunday morning as the home side hosted Roscrea side Killavilla.

Stradbally were first on the mark when John Clancy fired home from eight yards with a fine finish just six minutes in and all looked good for the men in green.

Killavilla came right back into the game playing some nice football with their number nine the fulcrum of their attack and it was he who equalised on 22 minutes after a mix up in the home defence.

The rest of the half was an even affair but right on the stroke of half time the home time retook the lead through Benny Lawlor who slotted home from close range at the back post, always a great time to get a goal leaving it 2-1 at the break.

With underfoot conditions heavy it was great credit to both sides the level of play in the second period. Stradbally had chances through Jody Dillon and Benny Lawlor to extend the lead but it was the Tipp men who drew level again with a fine cross to Anto Shelly’s back post headed home on the hour mark.

This seemed to spring the Stradbally men back into gear and when Conor Buggie put Jody Dillon through on 66 minutes he made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 3-2.

The game was very much still in the balance with Killavilla still looking very dangerous in attack and both Jack Deegan and Eamon Delaney had to defend resolutely at times to maintain the lead. The next goal was crucial and it was Dillon again on 73 minutes just getting to the ball ahead of the away keeper 16 yards out to delicately chip the ball to the roof of the net, a fine finish.

The points were made sure of on 85 minutes when Ben Dillon put the perfect cross in for Dillon to complete a 30 minute second half hat-trick to leave it 5-2 at the end.

A terrific game despite the conditions with Killavilla contributing so much as well. Both teams will hope to be still in the hunt for league honours when the reverse fixture comes around later in the season.

For Stradbally Colin Beale, Jody Dillon and James Devoy were top performers in an all-round good team performance with a strong bench the difference in the second half.

Stradbally’s attention now turns to the last 16 of the Leinster Junior Shield where they Travel to Wexford & District league side Blackwater FC next Sunday the 18th in what is sure to be another terrific contest.

STRADBALLY TOWN: Anto Skelly, Colin Beale, Jack Deegan, Eamon Delaney, Podge Fitzpatrick, John Clancy, James Devoy, Cillian Maher, Benny Lawlor, Fionn McEvoy and Jody Dillon.

Subs: Justin Lalor for Maher, Conor Buggie for McEvoy, Eoin Buggie for Fitzpatrick, Ben Dillon for Clancy, Charlie O’Brien for Beale, Tadgh Mullen, Noah Delaney, Gavin Langton, Jack Larkin and Cailium Kelly.