On a wet windy evening this was certainly a game of two halves due to the windy conditions.
The 1st half was dominated by Castleisland who piled on the pressure on the Park defence, but true to their character and led by the captain on the night Gary Carey who was assisted by Alan McElligott and Eoin Lynch the park defence held strong, clearing their lines time after time. Sean Collins in goal pulled off some fine saves, the park midfield and forward line moved the ball well but the final pass was cut out by the Castleisland defence.
A lapse in concentration and the Park lads were 2 down as Castleisland struck with 2 goals in 2 minutes within 10 minutes of half time.
The park created a couple of chances themselves through Gearoid Dillane and Dylan O’Sullivan and were unlucky not to score.
The 2nd half and with the wind at their backs the Park boys were a different team, after a couple of minutes they had settled into the game and started to move the ball with style up the pitch with fine displays of passing and support play between Atim Abnoun, Jacob Lukco on the right and Ruairi O Kelly, James Lawlor on the left. The park were creating chance after chance through David Fitz, John Holmes and Kiwi Killeen but to be denied by the keeper or the width of the post
Finally with 10 minutes to go and shear individual brilliance Dylan O’ Sullivan broke through to beat five Castleisland players to smash the ball to the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance, a sublime goal that even the great Messi would be proud to claim. 3 minutes later and the sides were level through a tap-in from Evan Murphy from close range.
The park lads tails were up and through good link up play from Owen Moynihan and Ed Moynihan they pushed on to get the winner but unfortunately time ran out.
The Castleisland management commended the Park on their style of play and sporting attitude throughout the game.
The Parks lads should be proud of themselves for a fine performance particularly in the 2nd half.
Keep up the Good work!