Park welcomed Mullingar Athletic to Tralee for the last 16 tie in the National Cup on Saturday.
On a sunny afternoon that was ideal for playing good football, Park opened the brighter and forced early corners but Mullingar stood firm and started to create some chances and corners of their own.
A shot over the top from Sean O’Connell was the closest Park came early on but they were putting some decent passages of play together.
The deadlock was broken when Kieran O’Connors beautiful ball into the box was flicked expertly to the net by Josh Connolly. The game ebbed and flowed after this and after a period of Mullingar dominance it looked like they must score but Samuel Aladesanusi brilliantly cleared his lines.
Some excellent defensive work by Sean Hill and his partner Kieran O’Connor ensured that the Mullingar Athletic boys were stopped every time they looked like getting the equaliser and slowly Park regained the momentum.
With minutes left to the break Sean O’Connor struck a brilliant second. It was just what the team and large crowd were begging for and they got it in some style.
Cianan Cooney decided to get in on the act early in the second half when after hard work by Messiah Chirwah and Conor Kerins he got on the end of Sean O’Connor’s through ball to give the Park boys some breathing space. With the shackles off Park were now in full flow. They weren’t being ruthless enough in from of goal though as Cooney and Chirwah both had narrow misses. Cooney set his sights better after that miss though and produced some lethal finishes after excellent link up work between himself, Colin Doody and David Feeley to end up with four for his afternoons work.
Adam Wharton, Jack Kearney, Ben Hanafin and Danny Jeffers also played big parts in a victory that the whole squad earned. All 16 players gave their everything from start to finish and while it was a pleasing result the Park boys will know that there are big challenges ahead and there is plenty to improve on.
A special mention to the Mullingar Athletic team, mentors and supporters who, while obviously disappointed with the result, were most gracious afterwards and we wish them all the best for the remainder of their season.
Thank you to all the parents and supporters who made the day a special occasion for the boys.
Thanks to Poga, Tommy, Pa and everyone else who helped out.
Finally it would be remiss not to mention and thank Colm McLoughlin and Christy Leahy. Park FC to the bone, it was humbling to watch these two men putting in the hard work before the game to get everything in order. Thank you both from all the squad.
Our next fixture is
Saturday 25th February 2017
Sketchers SFAI U13 Cup Regional Semi-Final
St.Brendans Park FC? v ?Charleville Fc .
Your support would be greatly appreciated .
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Match report by Pat Carmody , Photo’s by Brenda Doody .
