What started out as a windy, showery May evening finished with the sweet sound of victory for an excellent Park team when they defeated Listowel Celtic in the Tom Hayes U-14 Kerry Cup Final at Tralee Dynamos pitch on Monday 12th May.
Played in front of a good crowd with plenty of welcome support from coaches, administrators, friends and family, Park took the initiative from the kick off. Although strong in the tackle and winning ball in most positions around the pitch Park created few enough clear chances in the opening minutes. Thomas Burke had looked lively up front and it was from a superb through ball from Dylan Casey that he opened the scoring. Taking a fine first touch in the box Thomas smashed a left legged pile driver past a helpless Listowel keeper after 10 minutes of play. Park had the advantage of a strong breeze and this along with their superior passing and movement was creating opportunities. Kevin Browne, James Rusk and Michael Slattery all went close while Michael O’Gara was just off side when he finished a move to the net. It was still 1-0 heading to the break when Listowel won a free kick on the edge of the box. A bit of confusion in the Park defence led to the ball flying through a crowd of legs and ending up in the back of the net. Listowel were back in the game and within a minute or so the half-time whistle went.
The Park boys have had many ups and downs during the season but they have learnt to cope with sucker punches. Once again they showed their mettle here. They came out of traps in the second half like greyhounds with their tails on fire. Within two minutes, Michael O’Gara turned the batteries up to full power and set about taking on the whole Listowel defence on his own. Just when it looked like he might be stopped he slipped a pass to Burke who made no mistake and put Park 2-1 up. Energy levels high, confidence high and dominating in almost all positions Park now needed to push on and get a third. In the eight minute they duly did. Michael Slattery played a sublime through ball for Thomas Burke to nail his hat-trick, score Park’s third and widen the gap to two.
Park continued to play fine football and soaked up the inevitable pressure from Celtic. Most of that pressure came in the form of long range efforts but led by goalie Gearoid Fitzgerald, the Park defence of John Ward, Dylan Casey, Matt Lukco and Sean Carmody were very secure and indeed got forward at times to support their midfield and attack. James Rusk and Kevin Browne were up against two quality players in centre midfield who are on the Kennedy Cup squad. Both Park boys ran themselves into the ground to ensure that honours in that area of the pitch went the way of their team. They were replaced by Niall Sertuxta and Conor Higgins who both finished the game strongly. Out wide Ruairi O’Kelly and Michael O’Gara were outstanding. Time and time again they defended stubbornly, fought for dirty ball and turned defence into attack with great purpose. Josh Wadding and Adam Ward came on to replace these two when they could give no more and again they got stuck in straight away. Up front Michael Slattery showed his class on numerous occasions and what can be said of the hat-trick hero? Thomas Burke had a wonderful night. His close control, willingness to take on players and coolness in front of goals was magnificent to watch. He was given a great ovation when he was replaced late on by Shane Jordan.
Great scenes of celebration erupted when the referee blew the final whistle and Park had finally secured the cup on a score line of 3-1. Thank you to Dynamos, the Referee and his assistants and to Listowel Celtic who all made it a great occasion for all both sets of young men.
This is a fine Park team with 20 players in the squad on the night. The numbers have been very important throughout as almost every player in the squad has started games this year and kept the competition for places high. Unfortunately Robin McCarthy couldn’t play but he had scored many fine goals for the team this year. Likewise the other lads who didn’t get to play on the night but who have been magnificent during the year. Donagh McMahon who was unlucky with injuries during the year, always performed strongly when called on and is one of those great characters every team needs in the dressing room. Aaron Ward who is as brave a goalie as you can find was unlucky to lose his place through injury but was there to keep the pressure on Gearoid and hopefully will continue to serve the Park well for many years to come. Finally Alfie Christie, the youngest on our panel and who played very well when called on late in the year will always have a ball attached to his feet. His best is yet to come.
Overall a fantastic finish to the year for this Park team. It was heart-warming to see them play up to their potential in front of all their supporters on a big occasion and when their captain, Sean Carmody, lifted the cup it was just reward and deserved silverware for their efforts.
On behalf of the management team of Pat Carmody and Eddie Wadding we would like to thank the players, their parents and the Park club for their support during the year. It is difficult for players to tog out on cold wet nights but they did it time and time again. It is difficult for parents, driving players here there and everywhere or trying to keep their sons focussed when the going gets tough but all did it, mostly with a smile and words of encouragement. Special thanks also to Warren McDonald for his efforts with the lads earlier in the year. Everyone’s help & support was much appreciated.
A special medal presentation will be held during the Park annual Open Day on Saturday 7th June where we will also get to see the U-14s of the future in action as the academy starlets put on a few exhibition games.
Best of luck to our U-16s in their National Cup Final and to Padraig, Jack and their U-13s in their upcoming Kerry Cup Final.
Park U-14A Cup Winning Squad:
Gearoid Fitzgerald, Aaron Ward, John Ward, Dylan Casey, Donagh McMahon, Matt Lukco, Sean Carmody, Shane Jordan, Kevin Browne, James Rusk, Niall Sertuxta, Conor Higgins, Michael O’Gara, Ruairi O’Kelly, Josh Wadding, Adam Ward, Thomas Burke, Michael Slattery, Robin McCarthy & Alfie Christie.
Report By P.Carmody
