Sun shining, pitch in great condition having accommodated two games earlier and good support for both sides, it was hard to believe that it was just a week to go to Christmas .
Strong early play from Danny Jeffers and his midfield colleagues ensured Messiah Chirwah could get in the festive mood early as he bagged himself a first half hat-trick. A fine solo effort on nine minutes was followed up by a quality finish five minutes later when he was put through by Adam Wharton’s exquisite pass over the centre backs head. His third nine minutes from half time was interspersed by a good finish from the Killarney boys following some confusion in the Park backline. A 3-1 lead at half-time was probably a fair reflection on how the game was progressing as Sean O’Connell, Adam Wharton and Cianan Cooney, who were all playing very well, had chances to put Park further ahead but were denied by crossbar, the post and the keeper.
Park started the second half well but weren’t finishing the game off. Shots rained in from Messiah, Cianan, Adam and Colin but to no avail. When you don’t take your chances you can be punished and it almost happened here. A Killarney player was fouled in the box and referee Seamus O’Mahony pointed to the spot. A fine save from Liam Carmody and clearance by Ben Hanafin ensured that Park remained two goals clear. Two minutes later that lead was extended to three when Messiah delivered a quality cross to Cianan who was calmness personified before he slotted home his first and Park’s fourth of the day.
In the twenty first minute, Jack Kearney made a fine tackle, Colin Doody put in a brilliant cross but Cianan’s shot was just off target. However a minute later Sean O’Connor did make it five with a belter of a finish following great work from Conor Kerins, Ben Hanafin and Colin Doody.
The same player finished the scoring with a penalty rammed straight down the centre right on the stroke of full time but just before that Cianan Cooney had capped off an outstanding performance with a sensational goal.
A good way to finish up for Christmas but there are some huge challenges awaiting us in the New Year.
Thank you to all the supporters who were there on the day. Happy Christmas to all our players and parents.
Panel: Liam Carmody, Ben Hanafin, Kieran O’Connor, Jack Kearney, Sean O’Connell, Samuel Aladesanusi, Danny Jeffers, David Feeley, Conor Kerins, Sean O’Connor, Cianan Cooney, Adam Wharton, Colin Doody, Josh Connolly, Sean Hill and Messiah Chirwah .
Match Report by Pat Carmody .
