The Park A Under 14 side got 2017 off to a flying start with a good win over Camp Juniors under floodlights at the KDL.
Credit to both sides for a very entertaining match as conditions were difficult at times as a strong gale blowed with rain.
Camp had the benefit of the elements in the first half but found it difficult to take advantage. The Park side were very committed from the outset giving the Camp lads very little time and space. Indeed, at times the Park were playing some excellent football in midfield and supplying a front three of Tomas O’Sullivan, Darragh Caplis and Earnan Ferris, who were a constant threat throughout. The Park back three of Ryan Guerin, Jamie Fitzgerald and Alan Brosnan were in commanding form and gave little away to the Camp forward line. A midfield of Jack Twamley and Leon Gallagher were disciplined and covered the midfield well, with wide players Cian Brosnan and Robert Vasiu working hard up and down the channels.
The first half provided few clear cut chances for either side, so it was no surprise that the sides went in scoreless at half time.
The second half saw Camp pressing hard in the initial minutes but the Park breakthrough came after just five minutes when an excellent Leon Gallagher corner, aided by a stiff breeze found the back of the Camp net. The Park continued to play really well and looked particularly dangerous from set pieces and they were rewarded 15 minutes from time when Darragh Caplis continued his exceptional scoring form with a clinical finish to the bottom right hand corner of the net. Sean Kedzierski and Sean McGrath were introduced and provided renewed energy to the side and kept the tempo at a high pace.
Camp Juniors showed great spirit and for the remainder of the match pressed hard, winning a number of corners and free kicks. However, the excellent Sean Broderick was proving a big obstacle behind a well drilled defence. Camps determination was rewarded in the last minute when an excellent cross from the right was met with a brave header that found the back of the net. That proved to be the last action of the match however as the full time whistle went at the restart.
So four league wins from five from an ever improving Park side that continues to play really excellent football that bodes well for the remainder of the season.
Full Time : Camp Juniors 1, Park A 2.
Team; S.Broderick, A.Brosnan, R.Guerin, J.Fitzgerald, R.Vasiu, L.Gallagher, J.Twamley, C.Brosnan, T.O’Sullivan, D,Caplis, E.Ferris. Subs: (both used) S.McGrath, S.Kedzierski.
Match report by Ken Twamley .
