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You are > Home > Soccer: Park pass a stern test from Newcastlewest
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Thursday, November 13, 2003
Soccer: Park pass a stern test from Newcastlewest
By: Ger O'Brien
Under-14 National Cup
Newcastelwest 1, Park 2
AS events transpired, Park had the most difficult match of the three Kerry under-14 teams in action, but they were not found wanting in this hard earned, yet deserved win over a strong Newcastlewest side.
The game was played on the super surface at the home side’s former League of Ireland pitch and a full strength Park side took the game to their opponents from the kick off.
Alan Sankar was Park’s Man of the Match and he gave notice of his intent with some strong runs down the left early on. After six minutes, Tadgh Mackessy had Park’s first real chance but goalkeeper, Tim Collins, made an excellent save at the striker’s feet. Park continued to press forward and on 19 minutes, Barry John Walsh headed over from a Mark O’Sullivan free kick.
With Park controlling the game, Newcastlewest were restricted to playing the long ball for their strikers, Hartigan and O’Brien, but Park keeper, David Noonan, was alert to this threat, coming quickly off his line to avert any danger. Walsh also led his defence very well, with great support from Barry Commane, Alan O’Donoghue and in particular, Daniel Moriarty.
In the 28th minute, O’Sullivan split the home defence with an astute pass, but Mackessy just failed to reach it at the far post, but two minutes later Newcastlewest responded when Colm Downes fired a free kick just over. This scare seemed to add more urgency to Park’s play and on 32 minutes, Sankar was just wide with a good shot. The reprieve didn’t last long though, and with two minutes to the break; Park finally got the breakthrough their pressure deserved, with a carbon copy of Liam Miller’s goal for Glasgow Celtic the previous Wednesday.
The Park version saw Mackessy provide the cross for O’Sullivan to nod down “Hartson style” to the waiting Kevin Moroney, who finished with the same authority as the Bhoy from Ballincollig. O’Sullivan almost added a second a minute later, but Collins saved his headed effort, to leave Park 1-0 at the break. The second half saw the Tralee lads up the tempo of the game as they went all out to kill off the opposition.
They were rewarded after just seven minutes when skipper, Denis McElligott, drove at the home defence and his shot struck the right hand post, with Sankar on hand to finish the rebound to the net. Newcastlewest responded well, but Bennis was off target with a shot three minutes later and Park regained control, but the ubiquitous Sankar saw another effort fly just wide.
At this stage, Park introduced Ross O’Callaghan on the right wing and he made an immediate impression with his strong attacking runs and his willingness to cover defensively. There was still a kick left in the home side, however, and with eight minutes left Downes cut through the heart of the Park side on a mazy dribble, before slamming a shot into the roof of the net.
This ensured a nail-biting climax to the game for Park and their loyal band of travelling supporters, but the introduction of Kevin O’Shea into a midfield holding role, beside the hard grafting Anthony Shanahan, ensured there was no further joy for Newcastlewest.
So, Park survived and advance to round three where they face another difficult away assignment against Geraldines from Limerick city.
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