It was a big day for the U13A’s who have been on a great journey this season. This journey had taken them to the last 8 in the country and an opportunity to go one step further. The opposition came in the form of Evergreen F.C. from Kilkenny, unbeaten all season and themselves on a very good run. However, most of the teams that the Park boys have come up against recently have been unbeaten so this was not likely to be a factor.
It was a blustery day in Christy Leahy Park when both teams took to the field, a procession behind the Referees and the Linesman adding to the occasion. The game started with Park playing with the elements. From early on it was clear that Evergreen F.C. were going to be a stern test for our boys. They were quick to the breaking ball and strong in the tackle. There wasn’t much between the sides in the early exchanges with both teams feeling each other out. The first real incident in the game came when Colin picked the ball up close to his own box and went on a strong run most of the pitch before being fouled just on the edge of the box. The resulting free was just over the bar. It was not long after this that Cianan picked the ball up on the same side, getting into the box and his quick feet drew the defender into committing a foul, penalty. Sean O’Connor stepped up and buried the penalty, to make the score 1-0 to the Park.
The game was being keenly contest and both sides were struggling to control the middle of the pitch for any extended period and some of this was down to the weather which was making the game hard to play. Park were lucky to stay one up when an Evergreen player struck a fierce shot from outside the box, Liam was beaten but the ball came off the crossbar. At the other end, the ball broke to Conor at the edge of the box and a great effort came off the crossbar also. Park continued to press for a second and created a couple of really good situations but were unable to play the final ball to get a shot away. 1-0 at half time and nothing decided.
The lads knew that Evergreen were going to come out strong in the second half. Evergreen would have the weather at their backs and would be hoping to use it early. Unfortunately for our lads that is exactly what happened. Four minutes into the second half Evergreen won a corner from the right. A great delivery and a bullet header resulted in Park’s slender advantage being wiped out in an instance. It was important that Park settled the game down and keep possession for a few minutes. However in less than two minutes after the first Evergreen had taken the lead. A cross from the left was met with a fabulous header and the ball nestled in the corner. 1-2 to Evergreen.
The danger now was that Evergreen would get more goals and the game would be beyond our lads. However, the Park lads have plenty of character and dug in for a period, worked hard and tried to create when they could. The elements meant that it was difficult to get the ball forward and to keep it there. A good effort by Messiah that was just wide and a free-kick from Kieran that drifted agonisingly past the post were as close to restoring parity as Park got.
Unfortunately the national piece of the National Cup is over for this group of players for this year. It has been an incredible effort from all the squad and there has been many more good days than not so good. There are many more big days to come this season so there is no time to be overly disappointed. Well done to Evergreen who lost in the last 8 last year, hopefully an omen for our lads.
Well done to all the players who battled hard today. Thank you to the team in Park that had the pitch looking great. Especially thanks to the parents who supported the lads from the sideline and in bringing food etc. to provide hospitality that is second to none.
Squad: Liam Carmody, Jack Kearney, Kieran O’Connor, Sean O’Connell, Ben Hanafin, Samuel Aladesanusi, Conor Kerins, Sean O’Connor, David Feely, Danny Jeffers, Cianan Cooney, Messiah Chirwa, Colin Doody, Adam Wharton, Sean Hill
