St Brendans Park FC News

There is definitely a feeling of what might have been or even should have been after this game played in Listowel in perfect conditions for a game of football. We started the game playing some well when we had the ball but Listowel were proving dangerous also. We did start to take control of the game for long periods as the first half progressed.  All that was missing was a goal that our play would have deserved. We were relatively comfortable at the back but were caught once or twice with long balls over the top which caused us problems which were sorted by Liam in goals on one occasion and a superb last ditch challenge by Kieran on another occasion. Liam had to come off the pitch after picking up a head injury when colliding with the post and he was replaced by Sean O’Connor in goals for the rest of the game. Park spent a lot of the remaining time on the attack and while we had a number of chances Cianan, Colin and Messiah up front were unable to get the ball into the net. HT 0-0

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first. Pressing but always a open to pace and balls over the top from Listowel. Again we had chances, lots of corners one which brought a great save from the Listowel keeper and another couple cleared from the line. On another occasion a long range free from Samuel hit the post and an effort from David was well saved by Jack in the listowel goal. With ten minutes to go it looked like we had finally made the breakthrough when the ball deflected to Messiah from a Listowel player and he finished expertly. However the ref blew for offside and we were starting to get the feeling that today may not be our day. On a break up the pitch Listowel won a corner. From the resulting corner kick the ball bounced around in the box and we failed to clear our lines and Listowel finished to the net. 1-0 to Listowel and only five minutes on the clock. The lads kept their heads up and went in search for an equaliser. We won another corner late on and from to break up the pitch again and with nobody home for Park scored a second to finish the game.
It was one of those games which we never looked like loosing but did. A break or a decision would have made all the difference but it is also something that we can learn lots from particularly in the decisions we make with the ball which is something as young players will come with time. Well done lads.

Squad: Liam Carmody, Jack Kearney, Kieran O’Connor, Sean O’Connell, Ben Hanafin, Samuel Aladesalumi, Conor Kerins, Sean O’Connor, Josh Connolly, David Feely, Danny Jeffers, Cianan Cooney, Messiah Chirwa, Colin Doody, Adam Wharton, Sean Hill .

Through Injuries and other commitments Park 13 C Team could only field a 10 man squad which meant a tough battle ahead for the lads and a lot of tired legs at the end of the match. The game throughout was played in a fantastic spirit with the ref having little to do and hardly one bad tackle throughout. The park lads dominated the play even with the one player disadvantage and were rewarded 15 mins in with a fine strike from Lasha to the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. Listowel were getting their fair share of chances a levelled before halftime from a well taken corner kick.

Just after halftime the park made a few key switches and with Ray going ointo midfield and Dara the lone striker, the Park took control of the tie 10 mins into the half and on the 45min Dara got the first of his brace of goals an assist from Ray. Ray was battling hard in midfield breaking up play and turning it into counterattack after counterattack and was rewarded on the 52nd minute with a fine strike past the outstretched keeper. With 2 mins on the clock Dara finished the game off with a lob over the keepers head to make it 4-1.

This was marvellous achievement by the team from one to ten who all battled and pressed to the bitter end against the odds. Well done lads 3 points and top of the table!!!

Players of Note:  Obina, Mohomad, Ewan, Conor, Luke, Dara .

Man of the Match: Ray McGrath– controlled the back line, and also when in midfield, superb defending & tackling in each 1v1 situation, cool as you like under pressure. Great vision to pick out a pass!! 

(U15) Division 1 ; Camp 2-2 Park B ,

We travelled to Camp for our second game of the year on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and returned home with a share of the points. We started off very slowly and were 1 down after 5 minutes. Camp were on top for the first 10 minutes but we started to settle down and start to get into the game. With that TJ McMahon stood up to the plate and scored a great individual goal.1-1 after 15 minutes.

We started to get on top now with great work from our midfielders of Elliott, Jordan, Liam and Ciaran. Camp still press forward but the back line were holding out with Gavin, Darragh, Greg and Luke. On the 20 minute mark we scored our second with Jack in goals playing a long ball up to Conor who still had a bit of work to do but held his head and slotted it home. We were well on top now and then right at half time they got there second. Half time 2 – 2.

Not much to say about the second half having all the play but failing to score. All and all our boys worked very hard in the second half and should have come home with the three points. So well done lads and a very special thanks to all the parents who travelled with us.

Man of the match, Conor O Sullivan.

(U17) League ; Castleisland 1-5 Park Fc ,

On a lovely Saturday afternoon the game got underway with the Park mounting an attack , they pass the ball around with Adan to James who is fouled. Jack takes the free kick but the keeper saves, Castleisland bring the ball down the field and a high ball is put in towards the box leads to the opening goal for Castleisland. 

Park carry on mounting attack after attack  but their efforts somehow come to nothing but then Adam gets a ball and sends a cross the width of the field to his brother Aaron who is brought down as he runs down the wing,. The resulting free kick sees Aaron take it from about 5 yards outside the box which he hits with tremendous force and it ends up in the back if the net 1-1 . Park now have the bit between their teeth and carry out several more attacks but the Castleisland keeper makes sure the half ends 1-1.

 The second half gets underway  Castleisland move the ball forward  and Jack saves the cross  .Park have several attacks on goal but can’t get through the Castleisland defence . David Oba then comes on for Kevin  with just 30 mins remaining and Aaron puts a ball through to Adam who slips it through to David who puts it in the back of the net 1-2 park .Conor puts the ball through to David he passes to Adam but his shot goes over the top of the bar.

Adam gets the ball runs down the wing and slots the ball to David he shoots it hits the inside of the post and into the net1-3 Park . Adam makes another run down the wing but the keeper runs out and takes him down red card .Park get the free kick just outside the box but Aaron’s shot just goes over the bar. Park are now cruising but keep pressing forward John puts a ball through to Aaron puts it past the last defender to David who puts it in the net for his hat trick .

Josh takes a throw to Shane who brings the ball up the field and slots it through to David who takes it and shoots past the keeper into the net for his fourth goal to make the final score 1-5 Park.

This was a game that was totally dominated by the Park for most of it  and a boost for the team going into their national cup game next week . It was a great performance by the whole team who each played their part well done lads . The quote of the week as he bowed after scoring his fourth goal was “welcome to the David Oba Show” priceless

Team.. Jack Rodgers, Mirlind Xhemaili, Dean Scanlon , Shane Jordan, Jack Donohue John Ward, Conor Higgins, Kevin Browne, Aaron Ward, James O’Connor, Adam Ward, Josh Wadding, David Oba.

Goal scorers , Aaron Ward 1,David Oba 4

M.O.M   , David Oba .

MID-ERM SOCCER CAMP ;

St Brendans Park FC 4 Day Mid-Term Camp begins on Tuesday November 1st at Christy Leahy Park for boys and girls aged 6yrs to 13yrs from 10am – 2pm . €40 per child , extra sibling €20 .

ACADEMY , Ages 4 to 10 ;