Our U-15As made a superb start to their National Cup campaign with a resounding 5 nil win away to Aisling Annacotty in Limerick on Saturday 18th October.
Park played against a strong breeze in the first half and while they took a while to settle down they also created some good chances. The best move of the half saw Seán Carmody get on the end of a fine Thomas Burke cross but his header went narrowly over. Michal Slattery and Niall Sertutxa were beginning to cause a lot of problems for the Anncotty defence and in the 19th minute Slattery got on the end of a Seán Carmody free kick to poke home from close range. Aisling Annacotty dominated the last 10 minutes of the half and but for a fine clearance off the line from James Rusk it might have been level at half time. As it was Park deservedly went in one ahead and now had a strong wind at their backs.
Aisling Annacotty started the second half well but stout defence by Gearoid Fitzgerald, Adam Ward, Matt Lukco, Dylan Casey and the aforementioned Rusk meant that shots on target were kept to a minimum. In the 12th minute, Park struck for their second and it was our two best players on the day who combined to lethal effect. A fine cross field ball from Rusk found Michael Slattery whose initial shot was too hot to handle for the Annacotty keeper and Slattery followed up to bang in the rebound.
Kevin Browne ran himself to a standstill in midfield and with Michael O’Gara, Sean Carmody and Thomas Burke now dominating in their positions more chances were to follow for the Park. Robin McCarthy had just replaced the hardworking Niall Sertutxa when he followed up a Thomas Burke shot to slot home Park’s third. Dan Goggin then entered the fray for the tiring Browne and gave additional bite and energy to our midfield. Two goals in the 30th & 31st minutes sealed the win. The first by Michael Slattery to complete his hat trick, the second a sizzler from Thomas Burke following a great ball by Robin McCarthy. Jake Deering, Raul Vnczel and Alfie Christie all showed up well when they made their appearances as substitutes and we now have a fine panel with lads working hard in training and pushing some of the established players for starting places. Ruairi O’Kelly, knee injury, was our unused player on a day when we could afford not to risk him.
Next up in the U-15 National Cup is an away trip to Nenagh who have defeated two Kerry teams, Mastergeeha and Killarney Celtic, to get to this stage.
Many thanks to the parents who drove the lads to Limerick. Your time, help and support is greatly appreciated. Also our thanks to Aisling Annacotty who were very gracious hosts even though the result didn’t go their way. Their all-weather pitch is definitely something we should aspire to in the Park.
Training on Tuesday nights is at the new time of 7.40pm until 9pm. See you all there.
Report by P.Carmody
