There is definitely a feeling of what might have been or even should have been after this game played in Listowel in perfect conditions for a game of football. We started the game playing some well when we had the ball but Listowel were proving dangerous also. We did start to take control of the game for long periods as the first half progressed. All that was missing was a goal that our play would have deserved. We were relatively comfortable at the back but were caught once or twice with long balls over the top which caused us problems which were sorted by Liam in goals on one occasion and a superb last ditch challenge by Kieran on another occasion. Liam had to come off the pitch after picking up a head injury when colliding with the post and he was replaced by Sean O’Connor in goals for the rest of the game. Park spent a lot of the remaining time on the attack and while we had a number of chances Cianan, Colin and Messiah up front were unable to get the ball into the net. HT 0-0
The second half continued in a similar vein to the first. Pressing but always a open to pace and balls over the top from Listowel. Again we had chances, lots of corners one which brought a great save from the Listowel keeper and another couple cleared from the line. On another occasion a long range free from Samuel hit the post and an effort from David was well saved by Jack in the listowel goal. With ten minutes to go it looked like we had finally made the breakthrough when the ball deflected to Messiah from a Listowel player and he finished expertly. However the ref blew for offside and we were starting to get the feeling that today may not be our day. On a break up the pitch Listowel won a corner. From the resulting corner kick the ball bounced around in the box and we failed to clear our lines and Listowel finished to the net. 1-0 to Listowel and only five minutes on the clock. The lads kept their heads up and went in search for an equaliser. We won another corner late on and from it Listowel broke up the pitch again and with nobody home for Park scored a second to finish the game Listowel 2 – Park 0.
It was one of those games which we never looked like loosing but did. A break or a decision would have made all the difference but it is also something that we can learn lots from particularly in the decisions we make with the ball which is something as young players will come with time. Well done lads.
Squad: Liam Carmody, Jack Kearney, Kieran O’Connor, Sean O’Connell, Ben Hanafin, Samuel Aladesalumi, Conor Kerins, Sean O’Connor, Josh Connolly, David Feely, Danny Jeffers, Cianan Cooney, Messiah Chirwa, Colin Doody, Adam Wharton, Sean Hill .
Report by Pat Doody .
