The third competitive match of the season for Park’s u12 A squad was against familiar foe as Listowel Celtic A provided the opposition for the SFAI National Cup 2nd round game. This was the third meeting between the sides in the last four competitive games that the Park have played, going back to last years Kerry Cup semi-final. The Park had won the previous two games, the first on penalties and the second after a very hard fought 3-1 victory. There was no doubt that this was going to be a close encounter again, and so it proved.
First Half
The game started at a frantic pace with both teams struggling to get hold of the football. However it was the Park who were the more composed in possession and were the more threatening in attack. The first real attempt at goal fell to Cianan at the edge of the box when he was set up by a pass from Colin. His shot was heading for the bottom right corner before the Listowel keeper made a great save. Our defence of Jack, Sean, Darragh and Josh were being well marshalled by Liam whose accurate kick outs were starting a lot of Park’s attacks. Clear cut chances were proving hard to come but Park’s midfield of David, Conor and Cianan were proving a hand full for the Listowel defence. The Park pressure resulted in a succession of corners which was causing the Listowel back line all sorts of pressure but no goal was coming. Cianan who picked up an injury was replaced by Ben with Daragh moving into midfield. Daragh made an instant impact when he went on a powerful run beating a number of players before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the Listowel net. 1-0 to the Park and no more than they deserved on the first half performance. Venice, Samuel and Cillian came on to add much needed energy in the run up to half time.
Second Half.
While the Park controlled most of the first half they weren’t to have things all their own way in the second as Listowel were very quick out of the blocks and putting our defence under lots of pressure. In general the lads were dealing with things pretty well, with Samuel in particular heading away anything that was coming high into our box. Midway through the half the Park had started to regain some control when the game changed quickly with Listowel scoring a couple of quick goals from nothing. All of a sudden it was 2-1 to Listowel and our cup ambitions in trouble. The lads really upped the pace in search of an equaliser and with a handful of minutes to go it came. Colin was fouled on the edge of the Listowel box and dusted himself down to hit the free around the wall into the bottom right corner to give the keeper no chance. 2-2 and we were heading for extra time.
Extra Time
The night was beginning to close in by the time extra time started with both teams hunting in search of a winner as no team wanted penalties. The first half was very even with Park coming closest to going ahead when a free from Colin was excellently tipped onto the cross bar by the Listowel keeper. The Park defence and midfield were doing a great job of keeping Listowel at bay and so we moved on to the second period of extra time. Park had lots of corners in the game which was a reflection of the pressure that they had put Listowel under throughout the game. The deliveries had put Listowel under pressure all night and it was felt that it was only a a matter of time before Park scored from a corner. And so it happened when a great delivery to the back post fell to Sean who finished and the Park found themselves 3-2 up with a handful of minutes to go. Listowel threw everything at Park but we seemed to be coping quite well until the final move of the game when we hesitated at the back and Listowel nipped in to score an equaliser with the last kick of the game. Penalties followed and while Liam saved the only penalty of the shootout Listowel were victorious by 5-4.
It was a really competitive game of football played by two good teams and it was a pity that they had to meet this early in the tournament. Well done to Listowel and best of luck in the next round. For the Park it was a tough loss to take but they will learn from it. Training continues Wednesday’s and Fridays.
Report by Pat Doody .
