We captured the blue ribbon event in Kerry Cup soccer after a one nil victory against our biggest rivals and neighbours Tralee Dynamos . Played on a very wet pitch both teams played some lovely passing football . This game showed how strong the League would be if Tralee Dynamos were in the top division and it wont be too long more before this happens and we can look forward to these derby matches more often .
The opening period saw us dictate the game with some high pressure and quick tempo . Neither team created very much chances from play as both defences were very strong and the midfield battle saw each team cancel each other out . The best chance of the half fell to Antony Murphy but he shot wide at the near post when shooting across the goal seemed to be the better option . Our only other chances came from set pieces but we were unable to score from these. At the other end Jamie Kelly hadn’t a save to make in the first half as we dominated possession .
The second half saw Dynamos up there performance and created a great chance midway through the half only for Fiachra Dunne to make a last ditch tackle to avoid what certainly be the opening goal . David Courtney then saw his effort from a tight angel just fly past the far post . Again the half was dominated by set pieces but neither team could win the aerial battle when it mattered to score . Both teams were then reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when an off the ball incident saw David Courtney retaliate to an incident involving Jonathan Hanafin and the referee showed no hesitation in sending both players off . Aaron Eager Moriarty then replaced Mike Conway with ten minutes remaining and what a sub he was to be . A David Conway corner was sent into the box and Aaron being the smallest player on the pitch got his head to ball and sent it over the line to give us the lead with only 90 seconds remaining of normal time . A minute later we were down to nine when Martin Bowler was sent off for reacting to a stamping offence which the Match referee or assistance didn’t see but the player involved apologize after the final whistle for this offence .
Moments after the sending off the final whistle was blown and the celebrations started . It was especially nice to win this cup as its also our main sponsor and Aidan o Connor was on hand to present the trophy to Adrian Quirke and Con Barrett . Hard luck to Tralee Dynamos but there has to be winners and losers in cup finals but from our point of view winning a local derby is great and even better when its a cup final . Best for park were Con Barrett , David Conway , David Rogers. Man of the Match was Fiachra Dunne .
Team ; Jamie Kelly, Fiachra Dunne, Con Barrett, David Magee, Ryan Downey, David Courtney, David Conway, Mark o Sullivan, Mike Conway, David Rogers , Antony Murphy . Subs- Aaron Eager Moriarty for Mike Conway, Martin Bowler for David Rogers, Adrian Quirke, Jesse o Sullivan , Stephen o Sullivan ,Greg Healy.
