Park 2, Mungret Regional 2 (AET) Park won 3-1 on penalties
A rousing Cup tie that had everything was witnessed on Saturday afternoon at the KDL. In very wet and windy conditions, both sides gave us great entertainment and could not be separated after full time or even after extra time.
A new look Park side started confidently and soon began stringing passes together, creating some early opportunities. Mungret however soon came to grips with the game and posed a threat in and around the Park penalty area. Park however, opened the scoring, when after a goalmouth scramble, Ryan Guerin neatly finished from close range. Ryan was excellent at centre back ably assisted by Adam Walker, Darragh Walsh and Marc Brick. Somewhat against the run of play, Mungret got back on terms with a speculative effort and the sides went in 1-1 at the break.
Mungret started brightly in the 2nd half. It was a great battle in the middle of the pitch with great performances from Adam Sheehy and Jack Twamley who worked tirelessly. Going forward, Dan Fisher, Cianan Cooney and David O’Callaghan were proving a real threat with John O’Connor expertly leading the attack.
Mid way through the second half, Mungret edged in front and were beginning to dominate possession. However, this Park side refused to yield and 10 minutes later a superb John O’Connor finish made it 2-2!
For the remainder of normal time it was end to end in a game that could have gone either way and indeed Liam Carmody was called upon to make some excellent saves.
Extra time arrived and if anything, the Park boys raised their game further, This was helped by the arrival from the bench of Conor Kerins, Matt Healy, Ben Hanifin and James Charles, all making a massive contribution.
After over an hour and a half of football, the referees whistle went and the sides were locked at 2-2!
The dreaded penalty shoot out arrived. Ryan Guerin, Dan Fisher and David O’Callaghan found the net. Mungret scored their first penalty, however Liam Carmody denied them on 3 occasions and it would be the Park who would progress to the 3rd round!
