50 Golden Memories

The first official strip purchased by the club was the Crystal Palace outfit which we purchased in 1973. The story of our first Anchor Shield Victory in 1974. Killarney Athletic (who were holders of the trophy were our opponents in the final which was played in The Demesne in Killarney.

The Park became favourites to capture the league title after inflicting, on Tralee United, their first league defeat of the season. We were now one point behind Tralee United, but had two games in hand and they were a point ahead of Caherciveen and had one game in hand over last year’s champions.

After a very even first half, which saw The Park turn over leading 3-2, the home side dominated the second half and were well worth the final margin of 5-2. Mikey Sheehy opened the scoring after ten minutes and John Regan levelled for United from a penalty shortly afterwards. Three further goals were scored before half time, two for The Park Mikey Sheehy and Josh White, and one for United from Mickey Curtin. United never got to grips with the situation during the second half and John Joe Naughton wrapped up the points for the home side with a fine run from the halfway line before easily beating Michael O’Connor and then tapping the ball past John Crean. Mikey Sheehy completed his hat-trick late in the game.

St Brendan’s Park  6   -  0  Callinafercy              

A magnificent display by the Park saw them capture the Rose Cup for the first time when they beat Callinafercy 6-0 in the final in Tralee on Sunday last. The winners scored three goals in each half and their defence never looked in danger from a Callinafercy attack that was completely subdued after the first fifteen minutes. The Park started favourites and quickly went about justifying that tag. After ten minutes, from an indirect free kick inside the area, the ball came to John Joe Naughton and he opened the scoring. Seven minutes later a good move up the right wing saw Noel Kelter place David Diggins for the second goal. Up to this Callinafercy were giving as good as they got, with John Byrnes a constant threat up front, however they were now forced to come more and more into attack and this created gaps in the back which The Park’s lively attack accepted. A fine run and cross by David Diggins was headed against the crossbar by John Joe Naughton and Josh White, following up, headed home number three.

When John Joe Naughton scored his second and The Park’s fourth goal fifteen minutes into the second half the final was as good as over. Naughton had scored many goals for us, but his second goal was a classic. Noel Kelter won the ball on the right wing and avoided two tackles and continued his run which took him deep into the Callinafercy half. At this stage John Joe was screaming for the ball and Kelter’s delivery was with pinpoint accuracy. Naughton’s first touch was magic, he took the ball down with his right leg and blasted it to the net with his with his left leg to score one of the goals of the decade. The winners relentlessly kept attacking and added further goals from Noel Kelter in the 70th and 78th minutes.

St. Brendans Park 2-2 Killarney Celtic
(Park won 5-4 on penalties)

This game was a great advertisement for Kerry soccer with both sides playing open, attacking football that treated the supporters of both sides to a spectacular match for most of the 110 minutes played.
Celtic got off to a dream start after two minutes when they were awarded a free on the half-way line. Park were guilty of turning their backs on the play and the ball was floated to Dermot Lyne who seemed to be shooting for the far post, but the ball ended in the net at the near post.

Six minutes later Sean B. O’Callaghan ran on to a through ball from John Dowling and shot to the net from eight yards. Dermot Lyne was causing problems for the Park defence and was unlucky not to score on a number of occasions.
Park went 2-1 ahead in the 18th minute when John Dowling floated a free kick to the where Sean C. O’Callaghan headed home. Danny Diggins, Sean B. O’Callaghan, and Noel Kelter had the upper hand at midfield where Noel Kelter constantly out jumped Ray Hoctor. Tom O’Shea got the equaliser, and the goal of the game, in the 20th minute when he picked up a ball in midfield and raced through a hesitant Park defence to shoot an unstoppable shot to the net giving goal keeper, Johnny Conway, no hope of saving. Celtic were on top for the next fifteen minutes, but a lot of their hard work was wasted when their front runners were caught offside.

The second half continued where the first half finished with both sides going all-out for goals. The battle of the day was between Tim Leahy and Tom O’Shea with Leahy coming out on top. Frank O’Donnell, after a hesitant start, settled well and began to go forward more with the ball. Both sides had chances to the all-important winner. With Johnny Conway in superb form for the Park the best efforts from Celtic’s were well contained while at the other end Park were denied by the woodwork after some brilliant play by Liam Ronan.

It looked like Frank O’Donnell had scored the winner when he met a corner kick on the volley, but incredibly as Celtic player cleared the ball off the line. Michael Dempsey and Noel Kelter linked up well to open the play but were denied by a good save from the keeper. Michael Daly was only inches wide with a header, for Celtic, and the usually reliable Tom O’Shea miskicked from close range and the chance was gone.

Extra time produced no further goals with both sides showing signs of fatigue after the exhilarating ninety minutes. However, both sides could have scored, a superb effort from John Joe Naughton was narrowly wide and Tom O’Shea had an effort saved by Johnny Conway.
In the penalty shoot-out Johnny Conway saved Celtics third penalty and Tim “Tiger” Slattery ensured victory when he scored Park’s fifth penalty.

The club’s most regular international was undoubtedly “Chalkie” Joseph White, originally from St. John’s Park, Tralee. “Chalkie Joe” travelled all over the World with the Irish International deaf team. He is the holder of a World Cup Silver Medal which he won in New Zealand in 1989 when the Irish side created the shock of the tournament by beating hot favourites Italy (2-1) who had four players shown yellow cards for their aggressive play. Ireland went on to beat New Zealand (8-0) and South Korea (5-0) but unfortunately, they lost the final to England (5-0).

He captained the Irish team when they played in the 18th World Deaf Games in Denmark in 1989.
Amongst the teams in their group were Russia, Belgium, and Argentina, who had defeated the Irish Youths Squad two years earlier. “Chalkie Joe” was hoping to create his own bit of history by adding to his goal tally which reads 19 goals from 34 international matches and two more goals would have taken him into the Irish record books.

”Chalkie Joe” and his brother Larry, another prominent club member, who is a regular on the Munster Deaf side, followed in their father’s footsteps in starting their careers. “Chalkie Joe” won many domestic honours with the club before moving to Knock agree after getting married to local girl Eilish O’Keeffe.

St Brendan's Park 2 - 1 Callinafercy

A large crowd witnessed an excellent final of the inaugural Guinness Over 35 Cup at Tralee Dynamos grounds in Cahermoneen when a much fitter Park side, inspired by the legendary Mikey Sheehy defeated a game Callinafercy side 2-1. It was a fitting climax to a competition that was enjoyed by al 18 participating teams and from the reaction of the players spectators this competition that will grow in the years ahead.

The Park, managed by John O ‘Flynn, were the stronger outfit with many of their players still playing in the Premier Division in the KDL. But the man who stole the show was Kerry footballing legend Mikey Sheehy who controlled midfield. His passing and running into space caused havoc in the Callinafercy ranks and he looked the complete player despite having lost a few yards in pace. Sheehy seemed to lift his side at important junctures, and he bought the best out of Johnny Conway, Liam Ronan, Tim Slattery, Josh White, Michael Duggan, and Tim O’Brien.
Callinafercy contributed to a lively game but lacked a scoring forward with Ger O’Driscoll getting a very poor supply at centre forward. Frank Walsh was their best player at midfield while Gerry Foley, Moss Joy, Tom Johnstone and keeper Pat Clifford could not be faulted, and they missed the services of injured duo J. P. O’Sullivan and Johnny Connor.

The Park dominated the first half and should have scored in the 10th minute when Mossie Kelliher’s big cross was met by Michael Duggan but his shot was taken off the line by Gerry Foley. Then Ted Kennedy missed a half chance for Callinafercy before Park almost went ahead in the 16th minute. Sheehy went on a dazzling run and was taken down just outside the box. Like old times he floated the free kick, with a touch of magic, over the wall and it was bound for the top corner, but Callinafercy keeper Pat Clifford tipped the ball over the bar for a super save. Then Sheehy had another shot parried away by the keeper to deny Duggan who was closing in. Callinafercy were under great pressure and it took superb defending by Foley, Joy, Curran, and Walsh to keep the Park scoreless until half time.

Early in the second half Michael Duggan, Sean O’Callaghan and John Dowling all went close following good approach work by Mikey Sheehy and Josh White. Then in the 42nd minute Park took the inevitable lead. Tim Slattery and Josh White did the spadework down the left wing, Sheehy left the cross go to the far post where John Dowling drove the ball goalward and in an attempt to clear the ball Gerry Foley deflected it into his own net. Four minutes later Park increased their lead when Sheehy with a great through ball for Duggan to score and keep his record of having scored in every round of the competition.

To their Credit Callinafercy fought back, Ger O’Driscoll came to midfield and Tom Johnstone and Frank Walsh were playing better. Callinafercy scored in the 68th minute when a Ger O’Driscoll corner was not properly cleared by the Park defence and Gerry Foley scored a spectacular goal from just outside the box. Callinafercy tried hard for the equaliser but the Park defence stood firm until the final whistle. Both teams made huge contributions to what was an excellent final with all players giving their all, but Mikey Sheehy was undoubtedly the man of the match displaying that extra bit of class.

Park: John Hoare, Mossie Kelliher, Johnny Conway, Liam Ronan. Tim Slattery, Sean O’Callaghan, Mikey Sheehy, Josh White, Tim O’Brien. John Dowling, Michael Duggan.

Sub. Brian McCarthy.

Bremen  0 - 2  St. Brendan’s Park 

The ‘Babes’ from The Park shot down Dublin high-fliers Bremen in their own back yard to make it to the last 16 of the 1997 FA Junior Cup The aces from the air Corps were further stunned when they learned that seven of the St. Brendan’s starting eleven were under nineteen years of age. The real ‘Babe’ of the Park pack was Gareth Clifford who at sixteen years of age stands at 6’3” who scored a stunning goal from, midfield. St. Brendan’s have benefited from the blossoming talent of a schoolboy side that reached the semi-finals of the FAI Under 17 Cup two years ago following which Ger Lynch got a trial with Crystal Palace. St. Brendan’s were only one of nine teams that made the last sixteen and among them were Ballymun United and Usher Celtic from Dublin and Munger Rangers and Fairview Rangers from Limerick. Elsewhere there was wins for Kilusty (South Tipperary),t. Anne’s (Carlow) Passage (Cork) and Hibs (Galway).

In response to growing demand we started our Academy in 2002. This academy caters for the up and coming stars of the future, starting at under six and has a cutoff point of nine years of age, and runs every Saturday.
When we started the Academy, it would run in conjunction with the schoolboys/girls season (September to May) which was the coldest time of the year so another major decision was made to run the Academy from March to October and it has been a major success that has been welcomed by all involved, particularly the parents and guardians of the children.
Our Academy continues to grow each year providing a wonderful opportunity

St Brendan's Park ‘A’  4 - 2  St Brendan's Park ‘B’

Cup competitions often throw up some unique fixtures and this Castle Bar League Cup game in Cahermoneen was certainly a strange one, pitching Park ‘A’ against Park ‘B’ – teammates against teammates.
However, this didn’t stop the game from being a very competitive one and there was added spice in a closely contested ninety minutes with both sides very evenly matched. The skill level was high, with good passing movements.

The first half was an evenly contested affair, both sides trying to get their opponents measure while trying to settle into a playing pattern. It was soon obvious that The Park A had more attacking power and they looking more likely to make the breakthrough, this was thanks in part to the intelligent midfield play of Padraig McCannon and David Conway who sent a number of probing balls over the heads of the Park B defense for Owen Moynihan and Richie Greer to run onto. Greer was in terrific form and he was causing the Park B defence no end of bother. It was he who opened the scoring, in the 10th minute, when he latched a good pass from David Conway and lashed the ball past Tom Costello in The Park B goals. It was no more than the A side deserved as they had more penetration up front.

In contrast, The Park B side were working hard and putting together some excellent moves thanks to Daniel Bohane, Martin Courtney and Mark Greensmith, but they were unable to get past The Park A defence where Timmy Lynch and Adrian Quirke were rock solid and many passes by Park B were intercepted.
However, the Park B side kept trying and got their reward when Mark Greensmith shot home the equalizer after good build up play by his teammates. Their joy was to be short lived as Park A’s potent striker Owen Moynihan restored the lead after the B defence had failed to clear the ball.

The second half promised to be a cracker with both teams upping their performance, but the first twenty minutes of the half belonged to the Park A who finally killed off their club mates. They put the pressure on from the start and extended their lead after just five minutes thanks to Richie Greer’s second goal. With the ball being moved across the pitch the Park B defence were caught out of position when Greer received the ball in the corner of the box, he moved forward, unmarked, and nudged the ball past the keeper who could only watch as the ball rolled into the net to give the A side a 3-1 lead.
At this stage the Park B were being pushed back into defence where Pa Baily and Noel Carr were working overtime to keep the A side out but further up the field the Park B midfielders were unable to keep onto the ball. With P. J. Houlihan and Adrian Horan pushing up and Paul Hennery working hard up the right wing there was constant pressure on the B defence.
It took a great save from Tom Costello to prevent Park A scoring their fourth goal when he turned a vicious low drive from Owen Moynihan around the post. The Park A continued, and they were awarded another corner in the 57th minute which was headed into the path of Adrian Quirke who blasted it to the back of the net from close range making it 4-1.

They could have scored another goal in the 75th minute when there were three attackers against one defender, but the chance was missed. Mark Greensmith brought the Park B back into the game when he scored his second goal. Green smith’s first effort was saved by Tommy Naughton in the Park A goals but when the ball came back to Greensmith his shot beat Naughton from a tight angle.
Park A responded immediately with Mark Ronan’s fierce shot being turned over the bar by Tom Costello who also saved another shot by Greer. Park B also raised their game and a great run by Barry Leahy set up a great chance, but the danger was cleared.

Park A: Tommy Naughton, Adrian Horan, PJ Houlihan, Timmy Lynch, Adrian Quirke, Paul Hennery, Mark Ronan, Padraig McCannon, Owen Moynihan, Richie Greer, David Conway.
Park B: Tom Costello, Noel Carr, Pa Baily, Liam Martin, Jonathan Conway, Daniel Bohane, Joe Duggan, Martin Courtney, Mark Greensmith, Barry Leahy, David Courtney

Killarney Celtic  3 - 4  St Brendan's Park

Celtic Park, Killarney saw, arguably, the best two teams in Denny Premier A clash and, after a titanic battle, it was The Park who took the points, but they had to do it the hard way.
In a cracking game Killarney Celtic took a two-goal lead but it possibly happened too early as park had the time to get back into the game and this they did with a terrific display, inspired by Damien Reid.
Right from the kick-off both sides attacked and on a perfect pitch and blazing sunshine it was a great advertisement for Kerry soccer.

Celtic should have scored in their first attack, but Jonathan Sparling’s shot hit the crossbar while at the other end martin Spellman prevented Damien Reid from opening the scoring.
Celtic opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Denis Moriarty scored from a corner and it looked all over for the park when Sparling made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.
Celtic tightened up their game as ark came at them and they succeeded in protecting their two-goal lead until the 40th minute when Adrian Quirke scored for Park and Damien Reid had the teams at 2-2 four minutes later.

At the start of the second half Spellman made a terrific save to deny Quirke and Celtic should have regained their lead but Moriarty shot wide of an empty net. Fifteen minutes into the half Reid put in a great cross for Greensmith to put park in front for the first time. Pak increased their lead when Reid finished a Timmy Lynch free to the net and with time almost up Peter McCarthy scored Celtic’s third goal.

Park: A. Deane, Martin Bowler, Adrian Quirke, Timmy Lynch, Brian Spillane, Brian Donovan, James Wall, Aiden O’Sullivan, Poga McCannon, Mark Greensmith, Damien Reid.

Sub. Declan O’Carroll for Donovan.

Darren Carey, Kevin Cunningham, Timmy Lynch, Martin Courtney, Mike McCannon, Brian O’Donovan, Tommy Griffin, Adam Moore, Mark Tangney, Poga McCannon, Aidan O’Sullivan, James Dunne,

St Brendan' s Park  4 - 3 Currans

The Park advanced to the Greyhound Bar Cup Quarter Final by beating Currans in Tralee at the end of
February. On paper, the Park were strong favourites for this encounter and took to the field in a sparkling new kit sponsored by Adrian and Gerrard O‘Sullivan of the Castle Bar. However, Currans took no notice of reputations and they stormed the Park goals and went ahead after two minutes. Cathal Daly was fouled on the left wing and ex-Kerry footballer Kieran Scanlon fired in a tremendous thirty yard free to give the visitors the shock lead. They should have doubled their lead in the 10th minute when James Flynn put Leonard McEnery through, but the striker shot over the Park goals.

Gradually, the Park began to come more into the game via Aidan O’Sullivan and Poga McCannon, twice in the first twenty-five minutes, they hit the Currans post following corners. The Park deservedly levelled matters in the 26th minute when David O’Leary finished another sweeping Park move to the Currans net.
However, Currans didn’t lose hope and regained the lead on the half hour when Kieran Scanlan intercepted a defensive pass and hit a cracking shot into the top corner of the net. Park rallied again and levelled matters before the break. Tommy Costello started a good move down the wing, crossing to James Dunne at the far post and he set up Aiden O’Sullivan to fire the Park level at the interval.

The Park played with the strong easterly wind in the second half and took the lead after two minutes when Timmy Lynch headed in a corner kick.
The Park upped the tempo after this thanks to strong displays from Martin Courtney and James Wall in
midfield. However, Philip Carey and John Daly played well at the back for Currans to curtail the Park’s
chances to a minimum. Nevertheless, the Park struck again in the 70th minute. Poga McCannon squared a ball to James Wall who hit a vicious drive from thirty-five yards which the Currans keeper Kevin Moran did well to save but James Dunne was on hand to shoot home the rebound to put Park 4-2 ahead.

The Tralee side looked on the way to the quarter finals, but Currans had other ideas. They kept their composure and pulled a goal back in the 86th minute when Noel Crowley found John Flynn at the back post with a measured cross. Park keeper Darren Carey did well to save but was unable to get a hand on Flynn’s shot from the rebound .
Currans tried hard to snatch an equaliser in the closing minutes but could not find a way through the Park rear guard.

Park: Darren Carey, Mike McCannon, Tommy Griffin, Timmy Lynch, Joe Duggan, Tommy Costello, James Wall, Martin Courtney, David O’Leary, Poga McCannon, Aiden O’Sullivan.

Substitute; James Dunne for Joe Duggan

St Brendan's Park  2 - 1  Tralee Dynamos 

Kerry soccer certainly was not the winner in this contest. Some of the incidents that took place had nothing to do with sport. At the outset I have to say that the referee Kevin O’Regan had a marvellous game. He took appropriate action on the incidents he saw, but he just could not act on incidents happening behind his back. Most of the first half was an excellent cup match played in pouring rain and both sides adapted well to the conditions and played fantastic football.

That was until the first incident took place that would drag Kerry soccer back into the dark ages. Comments from the stand seemed to enrage a Park FC player who appeared to throw a punch at a spectator and was shown the red card by the referee. A second Park player was then red carded, allegedly for being spat at.
The third part of this disgraceful trilogy involved a Park player and a Tralee Dynamos official. Comments were passed that were not complimentary and we had the upsetting scenario of a player being restrained by a teammate from going in the direction of the side-line where the official was standing. On this occasion the referee produced a yellow card. Obviously, the Kerry District League will take appropriate action based on the referee’s report.

On the positive side of this encounter we had three goals in the first half. A David Rogers cross was headed to the net by Con Barrett in the 20th minute to give Park the lead. They held this lead for minutes until James McIntyre rifled a brilliant free to the top corner from twenty-five yards. The final goal of the half and the match was scored by Stephen Moriarty in the 41st minute when he drove a pile driver from thirty yards that took a wicked deflection end route and gave Chris Hegarty no hope of saving.

Park; Tommy Moriarty, Johnny Keane, Daniel Moriarty, Denis McElligott, Rory Kelly, David Rogers, Stephen Moriarty, Joe Wall, Con Barrett, Eric Boylan, Kieran Hurley

Dara O’Brien, Kieran Hurley, Ross O’Callaghan, Paudie Bailey, Paul Barrett, David Clifford, Graham O’Leary, Eoin McMahon, Greg Healy, Pa McCarthy, Con Barrett, Joey O’Connor, David McLoughlin, Graham O’Sullivan, Ruairi Keane.

St. Brendans Park  3 - 3  Killarney Celtic

With four minutes to go in this drama filled encounter the most unlikely result was a draw, because at that time Killarney Celtic had a two-goal lead. Like all good thrillers this encounter kept supporters of both sides intrigued up to the final whistle. The first half was all one-way traffic with the Killarney side dominant ion all sectors. They took the lead in the 10th minute when John McDonough took a short corner to Chris Brady whose cross was headed home by Geratus Poketaurus.

Killarney Celtic doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Poketaurus slotted a Stephen Hayes shot to the net. Park pulled one back in the 69th minute when a superb Graham O’Leary free was hit with power and accuracy flew into the op corner of the net. Five minutes later good play by substitutes Pa McGrath and Trevor Nagle restored Celtic’s two goal lead. David Clifford scored what appeared to be a consolation goal in the 86th minute. In stoppage time Pa McCarthy beat the advancing Shane Murphy and it appeared that a defender had got back to clear the ball off the line but a linesman’s flag indicated the ball had crossed the line and a goal was awarded.

Park FC: Daragh O’Brien, Martin Bowler, David Magee, David Doyle, Con Barrett, Greg Healy, Owen McMahon, David McLoughlin, Adrian Quirke, Alan O’Shea, Pa McCarthy. Substitutes: David Clifford, Graham O’Leary, Garvin O’Callaghan.

Killarney Celtic: Shane Murphy, Chris Brady, David O’Sullivan, John McDonough, Terence Moriarty, Gary Keane, Peter McCarthy, Robert Watson, Stephen Hayes, Geratus Poketaurus, Chris Davies,
Substitutes: Trevor Nagle, Pa McGrath, Brendan Falvey.

Camp United  2 - 1  St Brendan's Park 

Park have only themselves to blame for this defeat, their commitment was questionable, they had no leader on the field of play and both teams spent the game bemoaning the referee’s decisions. Four players were shown red cards, two following a goal mouth melee, one for an illegal two footed challenge and one for a player who verbally expressed his views on the referees display, it could have been six red cards as two players were on yellow cards when they committed other infringements. Considering all the above this is going to sound ridiculous, but it was never a dirty game. James Scanlon gave Camp a two-goal lead with penalties on either side of half time and Stephen O’Sullivan pulled one back for the Park with minutes left to play.

It is a great feeling when a member of your club is selected to play for Ireland. But there is no description to express the feeling when that player captains his country in two U16 Internationals.
Jesse Stafford-Lacey had a good game against Estonia in Listowel and an amazing performance when he wore the captain’s armband in Celtic in Celtic Park two days later.
In the second game he controlled midfield and when he demanded the ball, he got it and you knew it was going to set up another Irish attack. Club coach Danny Diggins said “when Jesse goes on the field, he wants to do everything, and he does it better every time”

St. Kevin Boys  2 - 0  St. Brendan’s Park

The superb game was played on the excellent Wayside Celtic grounds in Dublin where there was a huge Park support to cheer on their history making squad who were the first team from the KDSL to reach a National Final.
St. Kevin’s had four internationals in their squad, and they were always going to be a difficult team to beat. Park opened brightly and began harrying their Dublin counterparts all over the pitch.

Gearoid Savage and Emmanuel Abubakar were doing well in midfield and following a good move involving these two and Fergal Ryan it led to Luke Moynihan shooting just wide. However, when St. Kevin’s got into their stride, they showed how dangerous they could be. Ross Nally was the first to go close and when he crossed for Neville Keegan whose volley was well saved by Conor Hurley in the Park goals.
In the 20th minute, The Park defence dithered on the ball and Jamie Kelly picked out Neville, who looked certain to score, but Hurley did well to push the ball away. This was followed by a succession of corners for the Dublin side, but the Park defence were rock solid.

Despite limited possession Jesse Stafford-Lacey was showing his class in midfield and almost played Ferdia O’Brien in, but Tracey was quick off his line. Ryan was close again, minutes later, after being put trough by Karl Mullins.
However, in the 30th minute Park’s hopes suffered a big blow. Eoghan Morgan had gone forward from the back for a corner and when The Park did not clear the ball quickly enough, he dispossessed a defender and crossed for Keegan who volleyed an overhead kick. Hurley went full length to his left and got a strong hand on the ball, it looked like a fantastic save but he was very unlucky to see it rebound off the post and into the net.
The Park were unlucky not to equalise when a free by Stafford- Lacey clipped the last player in the defensive wall.

The second half was again played with both sides creating half chances. Karl Mullins and Fergal Ryan were trying hard to get behind the St. Kevin’s defence – but were denied by a well drilled back four.
Park’s defence were also strong with Jamie Clifford and Stefan Okunbor both outstanding while Gearoid Savage was letting nothing past him and was very creative going forward.

Park brought on Andrew Philips, Kieran Carmody and Sam Tarrant who almost made an instant impact but pushed the ball just too far ahead and the chance was gone.
St. Kevin’s were being pushed back and Okunbar beat a number of defenders, but his final pass was intercepted, and the chance was gone. Park pushed forward for an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time when Kevin Clarke pounced on a loose ball and blasted it to the net to wrap up the game for St. Kevin’s Boys.

The Park and their management were devastated but Graham O’Sullivan and David Magee were proud of their players when saying “the boys have been brilliant all season and did everything we asked them to do. Yes, we came up a step short, but we showed we can live with the best, and the future, for these players, is bright”

St Brendan's Park  2 - 2  Tralee Dynamos

There are local derbies in all leagues that are fought with pride, passion, and survival of the fittest. In Scotland you Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic, in England you have Liverpool and Everton whilst in Kerry you have Tralee Dynamos and the Park which was contested with the intensity expected from these two great rivals. It was a game that was excellently refereed by Stuart Templeman who used a combination of the implementation of the rules of the game at the highest standard and common sense.

Park got the first chance of the game, but Josh O’Reilly was equal to Fergal Maunsell’s effort. Dynamos settled quickly and attacked up both wings with Danny Roche and Jonathan Hannifin stretching the Park defence. It must be said that Park matched Tralee Dynamos in all sectors for the opening half hour but both sides were guilty of missing goal scoring efforts. The opening goal, by Geratus Poketarus came in the 31stminute when Jonathan Hannifin and James Sugrue exchanged passes before Hannafin switched the ball to Poketarus who volleyed to the net from twenty five yards out from where he was hugging the side line for finish that is a contender for goal of the season.

After Park had missed several chances for the equaliser Tralee Dynamos increased their lead when Danny Roche, who was the playmaker supreme, won the ball and laid it off to Stephen Conway and took the return pass which he drilled low to Theo Diggins whose finish from thirty yards defied the best efforts of Jamie Kelly in the Park goals.

The high tempo of the first half was carried over into the second half and several yellow cards were issued to players from both sides. Park knew they had to get the next goal and following a number of goal mouth clearances they got the goal they deserved in the 70th minute when substitute Ferdia O’Brien, who had replaced Jesse O’Sullivan ran onto a Graham O’Leary cross to score from eight yards. This gave Park the lift they needed, and they forced Dynamos to defend deeper. After creating a few chances before the equaliser came from a Graham O’Reilly corner, in the 76th minute, that was finished from twelve yards by Con Barrett. It was ended to end football for the remainder of the game as both sides went for the all-important lead goal that eluded them.

Park: Jamie Kelly, James O ‘Sullivan, Con Barrett, Martin Bowler, Gearoid Savage, Graham O’Leary, Jesse O’Sullivan, Mark O’Sullivan, Michael Conway, David Courtney, Fergal Maunsell. Substitutes: Ferdia O’Brien, and Segun Duyville for Jesse O’Sullivan and Martin Bowler.

Tralee Dynamos: Josh O’Reilly, Maurice O ’Rahilly, Mark Fitzgerald, Jonathan Burrows, Jonathan Hannafin, Theo Diggins, James Sugrue, Stephen Conway, Jamie McIntyre, Danny Roche, Geratus Poketarus, Substitutes: Anthony Murphy and John Faragher for Poketarus and Diggins.

St Brendan's Park  5 - 1  Listowel Celtic

The Park, once again, displayed the quality of their coaching system when defeating Listowel Celtic 5-1 in the Denny U17 League Final. This result by the Tralee side is more impressive when taken into consideration the fact that St. Brendan’s Park FC lost thirteen of their players to the Kerry u17 SSE League of Ireland squad.

SSE U17 League of Ireland squad (2020)
The Park have always encouraged their players to make themselves available for the squads representing Kerry in the u17 SSE League of Ireland Squad and the following players 13 players, out of a total panel of 20 players, were selected in 2020

Gavin O’Brien, Liam Carmody, Robert Vasiu, Sean O'Connell, Adam Sheehy, Ryan Guerin, Samuel Aladesanusi, Jack Twamley, Cianan Cooney, Sean Kedzierski, Dan Fisher,Ronan Teahan, Cian Brosnan.