With little more than local pride to play for, both teams served up a decent game for spectators at the Park last Saturday. Park were missing quite a few from their squad but it was probably the fact that this was their third game in ten days, along with all their other sporting activities, that lead to a very sluggish opening 20 minutes.


Sean Carmody came very close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when his free from 30 yards out was just over the top but that was as good as it got for Park in the opening quarter. When Darragh Louth was brought down by Adam Ward ten minutes in, Kevin Williams stepped up to drive his penalty past stand in keeper Michael Slattery.
More pressure from Dynamos, and indifferent play from the Park, saw the Dynamos lads win a series of corners and frees which would eventually yield a dividend. Poor marking and commitment at the back post gave a Dynamos player loads of time to fire in their second and put them 2-0 up.
Were Park about to lose their unbeaten record in Kerry this season? Questions were certainly being asked.
Thomas Burke was beginning to settle down up front for the Park and it was one of his mazy dribbles and crosses which finally got the Park off the mark and back into the game. Eight minutes before the break he went on a run and fired in a cross which was diverted into his own net by the unlucky Williams.
Five minutes later a wonderful run and link up with Jake Deering saw James Rusk find himself with a real scoring opportunity but the Dynamos defence just scrambled the ball away as Rusk was about to pull the trigger.
All the pressure was coming from the Park boys now and eventually they got their reward.
Right on the stroke of half time, Dynamos failed to clear Adam Ward’s corner and after what seemed like an eternity Matt Lukco finally took charge of proceedings to slam home the equaliser.
That was to be the finish of the scoring but only heaven knows how. Chances at both ends that should have been converted, and good saves from both keepers, meant honours would be shared. Indeed the final action of the game saw a ball bobble around the Park area, hit players and the post and somehow stay out. A draw between these two good young sets of players was just reward for an entertaining afternoon’s soccer. One of the highlights of the second half was the performance of young Padraig McCannon who handled himself very well on his first competitive outing for the U-15s.

Park U-15As with their mentors, friends and supporters who were presented with the Kerry Schoolboys U-15 Premier League trophy after their game against Dynamos on Saturday.
Park U-15As with their mentors, friends and supporters who were presented with the Kerry Schoolboys U-15 Premier League trophy after their game against Dynamos on Saturday.

Afterwards Padraig Hartnett, secretary of the Kerry Schoolboys league was on hand to present a trophy to Kerry Premier League winning captain Michael Slattery.

Captain Michael Slattery accepting the trophy from League secretary Padraig Hartnett
Captain Michael Slattery accepting the trophy from League secretary Padraig Hartnett

 

Training resumes on Tuesday night in preparation for the Kerry Cup Final. Players to be there at 7.40pm

 

Panel vs Dynamos:
Michael Slattery, Matt Lukco, Adam Ward, Sean Carmody, Jake Deering, Kevin Browne, Michael O’Gara, James Rusk, Ruairi O’Kelly, Thomas Burke, Niall Sertutxa and Padraig McCannon. Special thanks to Seb for providing cover in case of injuries.

Happy Park Boys, Dan Goggin, Sean Carmody and Michael Slattery after they were confirmed League champions following their game against Dynamos on Saturday.
Happy Park Boys, Dan Goggin, Sean Carmody and Michael Slattery after they were confirmed League champions following their game against Dynamos on Saturday.

 

Report by P.Carmody

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Contact

Club Secretary: Colm Mc Loughlin
Phone: + 353 87 934 8441
Email: info@stbrendansparkfc.com
Address: St.Brendans Park FC, Buntalloon, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Eircode: V92 V250