A very good start where we failed to convert some good chances, poor defensive work which gifted our opponents three goals and an improved second half performance were the Park story of this game. That’s not to take away from a fine Listowel Celtic performance but when the Park boys look back on this they will know it could have been so much better.
Thomas Burke had an early chance on a breakaway to put Park ahead but his attempt to chip the keeper went well wide. On ten minutes Matt Lukco’s fine attempt from the corner was cleared off the line and the game already had a sense of the inevitable about it.
The game was free flowing and open with some half chances at either end but it was Listowel Celtic who opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Thomas Burke lost possession on the halfway line, play quickly switched to the other side of the pitch and while Gearoid Fitzgerald saved the initial shot, Jack Sheehan was on gad to score from six yards. Ten minutes later Jake Kelly, as he usually does against Park, pounced when Park failed to deal with a corner to make it two nil at the break.
Padraig McCannon and JR Tshikota were both on for the Park now and doing well in centre midfield. It was JR, on his debut for the 15s, who, following good work by Niall Sertutxa and himself broke through the Celtic defence to coolly beat the keeper and reduce the deficit to one just seven minutes after the restart. A fine finish by JR.
Park played some really good soccer for the next 15 minutes or so but could not get the equaliser and it was Celtic’s greater hunger which prevailed in the end. Park were already crowned league champions and Listowel still had second place to cement and their desire to ensure that position was obvious. Niall Sertutxa’s fine headed effort which hit the post was the closest Park came to getting a second.
Michael Kennedy applied the coup de gras with 15 minutes remaining when he had a simple tap in after Park had gone to sleep at a Celtic throw in near the end line.
Three one probably wasn’t a fair reflection on the game but Listowel definitely deserved their win.
A disappointing end to our fantastic league campaign but we have learned many lessons from this game.
We must now get back in action and prepare well for our upcoming cup final against either Camp Juniors or Killarney Celtic. Neither would be worried about us having seen this game.
Our thanks to the Listowel Celtic team and management who, very sportingly, clapped us out onto the pitch as league champions. Great sign of the club and the young men who were going for their third league win in a row.
Thanks also to the parents for driving and the support on the night.
Panel:
Gearoid Fitzgerald, Raul Vnczel, Matt Lukco, Dylan Casey, Adam Ward, Jake Deering, Michael O’Gara, Kevin Browne, Ruairi O’Kelly, Niall Sertutxa, Thomas Burke, Padraig McCannon, JR Tshikota and Junior Bio.
Match Report by P.Carmody
