The final match of the season for the Park lads in which they faced League Plate Champions Ballyhar. In their last meeting earlier in the league on their home turf Ballyhar beat the Park lads and were determined to end the season unbeaten in the Plate.
The Park lads on the other hand were fired up and were eager to get back to back wins.
1st Half: With the wind at their backs the Park started strongly, taking control of the game with superb passing and moving of the ball out of defence on both wings down the left through Sean, Eoin and Kiwi and on the right through Alan, Gearoid and Jack.
Within 7 mins the Park were rewarded for their great play with their 1st goal, a wonder strike from Owen “Minors” Moynihan from outside the box that burst the Ballyhar net. A minute later and the Park were 2 nil up when the Ballyhar keeper spilled the ball from a fine strike from Dylan with Kiwi in the right spot to tuck it away.
The park lads were on fire and were moving the ball with extreme confidence and struck again on the 12th minute with their third goal with a fine finish from Gearoid Dillane on the right.
Dylan O Sullivan was the pivotal play maker in the centre forward role in creating the Park’s goal chances and on the 21st minute his pinpoint pass to Jack Lynch left the Ballyhar defence at sea to allow Jack to tuck the ball past the keeper. 4 nil up and the Park were well on top but through a defensive error Ballyhar struck back just before half time.
2nd Half: The Park were playing into a strong wind and were under pressure defensively from the Ballyhar onslaught but credit to the Park defence as they coped bravely under the orchestration of Shane Walsh. Despite the pressure from Ballyhar, the Park still created great opportunities and through good goalkeeping were unlucky not to go 5 up with point blank strikes from Dylan Gearoid and Kiwi.
10 mins from time and Ballyhar struck to make it 4 – 2, true to the spirit of this Park team they were determined not to concede another goal and defended with great heart and determination.
In the 29th minute of the second half the Park lads closed out the game with a superb strike on the right from Dean O Connell that struck the inside of the post to finish 5-2 in favour of the Park.
Players of Note: Gearoid Dillane, Eoin Lynch, Sean Collins, David Fitzmaurice (Goalkeeper), Ciaran “Kiwi” Killeen, Alan McElligot, Dylan O’Sullivan
Player of the Match: Shane Walsh with superb control, passing and tackling in defence.
Squad on the day: David Fitzmaurice, Shane Walsh, Sean Collins, Jacob Lukco, Alan McElligot, Eoin Lynch, Owen Moynihan, Geariod Dillane, Ciaran Killeen, Jack Lynch, Dylan O’ Sullivan, Ed Moynihan, Dean O’ Connell, Atim Abnoun, John Holmes
Reminder – Training every Monday from 7.15 pm – 8.30pm at St Brendan’s Park Estate pitch.
