In a captivating league clash held at Athlone on 21 August 2025, Temple Villa FC emerged victorious against St Josephs, securing a 4-2 win. The match, which kicked off at 7:00 pm, showcased a blend of skill, determination, and tactical prowess from both sides, but it was Temple Villa who ultimately claimed the spoils.
Temple Villa lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a setup designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Sam Mellet took his position in goal, while the back four consisted of James Dullea and Cian Buckley as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Tiernan O'Shaughnessy and Dan Dwyer forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Oliver Cooney and Darragh Nee operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attack. The attacking trio featured Harry Donlon on the right, Tom Adamson on the left, and Reuben Davis in the central attacking role, with Christopher Coyle leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for the match included James Henson, Luke McCrossan, and Ryan Mahon.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage, but it was Oliver Cooney who first came close to scoring, striking the crossbar with a powerful effort in the 21st minute. Just two minutes later, Cooney made amends by scoring a header from close range, assisted by a well-delivered corner from Cian Buckley, putting Temple Villa ahead 1-0.
As the first half progressed, Tiernan O'Shaughnessy showcased his defensive skills by intercepting a dangerous St Josephs attack in the 32nd minute, preventing a potential equaliser. However, the momentum shifted slightly when Temple Villa made a tactical substitution in the 35th minute, bringing on James Henson for Harry Donlon. Shortly after, Luke McCrossan replaced James Dullea in the 36th minute, further adjusting the team's dynamics.
Just before half-time, Christopher Coyle doubled Temple Villa's lead in the 40th minute, scoring a stunning goal from outside the box after receiving a short pass from Reuben Davis. The home side managed to pull one back in the 43rd minute with a set-piece goal, leaving the score at 2-1 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw Temple Villa continue to press for more goals. In the 56th minute, Ryan Mahon was introduced, replacing Dan Dwyer to bolster the midfield. Reuben Davis came close to extending the lead in the 59th minute, hitting the post with a fierce shot. However, he would not be denied for long, as he scored a well-crafted goal in the 60th minute, finishing off a team move with a right-footed shot, assisted by Christopher Coyle.
Despite their two-goal cushion, Temple Villa remained on the offensive, with Coyle striking the crossbar again in the 63rd minute. Tom Adamson then added to the tally in the 65th minute, scoring a brilliant solo goal to make it 4-1.
St Josephs responded with a goal of their own in the 70th minute, scoring from outside the area with a right-footed effort, narrowing the deficit to 4-2. However, despite their attempts to mount a comeback, Temple Villa held firm, showcasing their defensive resilience and tactical discipline to secure the win.
The match concluded with Temple Villa celebrating a well-deserved victory, with Darragh Nee earning accolades for his influential performance throughout the game. The triumph not only boosts Temple Villa's league standing but also highlights their attacking prowess and defensive solidity as they look to build on this momentum in the upcoming fixtures.
