Mounthawk Park under lights, clear skies and a fine surface the scene was set for a memorable occasion with The Park Lads were hoping to improve on last season to take the inaugural John Joe Naughton Cup back to Christy Leahy Park. on the other hand it was the first cup final for this killorglin side who had came through a tough semi and were determined to go all the way. The legendary name on the Cup was enough to fire up any Park side and by God they played with grit and determination to take the Cup back home, some might say it was destiny!

 

1st half

The park lads started with purpose from the minute the whistle sounded and pressed forward at every occasion, Kevin, Junior and Colin took control in the middle third, with Mervin and Nathan raiding down the flanks. Killorglin were defending well though and with half chances from Mervin and Sean in the early minutes being blocked by a defensive blockade. It was all park pressure with the park lads passing and moving the ball with purpose and the raiding of the wingers finally unlocked the steely defensive on the 10th minute a fine movement on the right from Nathan to Junior in the middle who found Mervin on the left , a fine cross to Sean who smashed the ball to the net 1-0 up, immediately from the tip off the park lads pressed high up the pitch a ball back to Rhys saw him hit Mervin down the left wing who took the ball to the bye line to cross into Sean and with his left foot stroked the ball past the keeper,11 mins in 2-0 up, Colin unlucky not to fine the net with a fine strike that hit the cross bar with Nathan’s follow up diverted out for a corner.

This gave the Killorglin players heart and the next 10 mins had a purple patch coming close on a couple of occasion to be denied by fine saves from Gavin between the sticks for the the Park. Half time whistle 2-0 to the park

2nd Half

A quick team talk and the park lads came out with a pep in their step and started to find their passing and move game again creating further half chances. Colin hitting the bar again, Liam came in for the injured Mervin to create another dimension, Nathan was on fir on the right side and 13 mins in the Park broke the hearts of the Killorglin side when Nathan hit Colin in the centre with a pinpoint pass for colin to drive a low shot to the net 3-0 up, The park management cleared the bench with Conor coming in for nathan, Armin for Kevin and Greg who was coming back from an injury, for Rhys.

With fresh legs on the Pitch the park drove on and were the hungrier of the sides playing with confidence taking control of all sectors with the back four having little to do. Armin was showing great composure in the middle and with a fine pass to Colin who slid the ball thru to Sean, jinking past 2 players with a one on one with the keeper and a hatrick at stake there was only going to be one result as Sean hit the net with a fine left footed strike 4-0.

The final whistle and the Park were crowned Cup Winners!!

Well done to the Lads with a fine composed display of Total football, in the way it should be played.

The Park management would like to thank the Killorglin Squad and Management Team on a fine sporting game and kind comments at the final whistle it takes two good sides to make a great final and we wish them success in their league campaign.

Also many thanks to the Parents and home supporters who helped to cheer the lads over the winning line.

Next up is a mouth watering tie with Killarney Celtic in a battle to take the league to a playoff decider.

     

Players of Note: Gavin, Mervin, Kevin, Junior ,Cian, Rhys, Nathan

 

Man of the Match: A tough choice that couldn’t be split by the park management, Colin Walsh battled hard in the middle of the park with superb display of tackling, passing and forward movement which bagged him the third goal and an assist for the fourth. It was hard to look past Sean McGrath hitting a fine hatrick in his maiden final.

Squad on the Day: Gavin Doody, Kevin Goulding, Armin Heinrich, Junior Ankomah, Colin Walsh,  Mervyn Shalemba, Nathan Gleeson, Liam Tobin, Sean McGrath, , Conor O’ Sullivan, Tide Osinubi, Rhys Keane, Darragh Moriarty, Cian Purcell, Greg Scanlon.

 

Reminder: Training times next couple of weeks will be Mon and Fri @ 7-8 pm. We have a crucial league title decider coming up so if the squad is to have further success to end this season, all players need to attend all training sessions!!