National Cup U-14
Birdhill 0 Park FC 8
The Birdhill management had warned during the week that their side were young and looking for experience at this level and in fairness they were right. Birdhill were game opposition and held Park to just three goals in the first half but the Park boys were just too strong over the full seventy minutes.
When Josh Connolly opened the scoring with a long range shot in the first minute it looked ominous for Birdhill. Park were passing the ball well and opening the opposition up, but to their credit, Birdhill battled bravely even though they were being stretched all over the pitch.
Killian Murphy went close before Josh Connolly got his second, a fine goal ably assisted by Cianan Cooney. These two players combined again in the twentieth minute but this time it was Cooney finishing things off. Three nil at the break and no more than Park deserved.
Kieran O’Connor, Cooney, Conor Kerins, Ben Hanafin and Colin Doody all scored in the second half as the Birdhill team tired and they gave younger players some game time. It finished 8-0 on a wet afternoon in Tipperary.
There will be tougher challenges ahead and better performances will be required but it was still a good first competitive outing for the boys this season.
Thank you to all the parents for providing lifts and support and to Birdhill for their generous hospitality. We wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
A home game beckons in the next round.
Squad:
Liam Carmody, Samuel Aladesanusi, Seán O’Connell, Seán Hill, Kieran O’Connor, Conor Kerins, Colin Doody, Josh Connolly, Messiah Chirwa, Seán O’Connor, Cianan Cooney, Ben Hanafin, Luke O’Connell, Killian Murphy, David Feeley and Cian O’Neill.
