Everyone that was at this game on Saturday morning saw two very evenly matched teams play for a place in the u11 Kerry Cup final. It was a big occasion for the boys as it was their first semi-final and there was certainly some nerves around. It’s never easy to reach a final and this proved to be the case again.
1st Half
The first half started with Listowel on top, seeming to be first to each ball and when we did manage to get the ball we were losing possession a little too easily. It was important for the team to weather the early storm. Liam was doing really well in goals to keep the ball out and with Jack, Edward, Josh and Ben in front of him they were managing to keep things level. As the half wore on the Park boys started to get some control in midfield where Darragh, Conor and Cianan were being made to work really hard to try to get some ball into Colin up front. At this stage the game was nip and tuck and looked like it was going to go the distance. Sean came on in defence, Danny and David in midfield and Cillian up front. We still were struggling to get the upper hand and were limited to a couple of long range efforts on goal which their keeper did well to keep out. Listowel continued to be a threat.
HT 0-0
2nd Half
Having got through the first half at 0-0 we were confident that the lads were going to be stronger in the 2nd half and so it proved to be. We started much better and started to create some chances. With about 10 minutes gone in the second half Colin cut in from the left and struck a shot into the top right corner of the net. One up and starting to play. A second goal came a few minutes later when the ball broke to Conor at the edge of the box and he hit it first time into the corner. 2-0 and things looking good. At this stage Listowel pushed everything forward trying to get back into the game and for the most part we were defending really well but starting to play deeper and deeper to see out to the final whistle. However, things were going to change and did so really quickly. Listowels first goal came from a breaking ball at the edge of the box which was hit through a sea of legs and into the goal, 2-1 and nerves appearing again. The lads regrouped and were nearly there. The last play of the game was a corner to Listowel which Liam did well to punch out but it fell to a Listowel foot and with the last kick of the game the ball hit the crossbar and bounced agonisingly over the line. 2-2 and we were going to Extra Time.
FT 2-2
Injury Time and Penalties
The boys were understandably disappointed and we worried how they might react to what had just happened. We need not have worried. They battled really hard for the 10 minutes each way but no goal came to either side even though both sides went close. And so it was penalties……
The penalties were as nerve wreaking as the rest of the game had been. Having missed our first two penalties things weren’t looking positive but Liam had managed to save their first penalty. We scored our next three and Listowel scored two and missed one…..sudden death. Both teams scored their sixth penalty and when Cillian score the seventh the pressure was on the Listowel player who missed. We were through to the final.
Penalties are a really tough way to lose and while we are delighted to get through we also have a thought for Listowel who played very well in a sporting contest.
Report and Picture by P.Doody
