St Brendans Park FC News

Superb Display by the Park 12s as they start to Peak now as a squad, a tough home draw v Pike Rovers, one of the top teams in Limerick District league.

The game didn’t disappoint in physical but fair battle with the Parks Lads largely dominating in a tense affair with 2 strikes from Dara sending the Park into the fourth round to loud cheers from the Home crowd!!!

The park couldn’t have asked for a better dream start as Dara’s bullet header from Callum’s corner was too powerful for the Goalie to keep out, 3 mins in Park 1-0 up. The park kept pressing against a strong pike defence and continued to create chances despite playing into a strong swirling breeze, which Pike seemed to get to grip with , as a lot of the shots going too long which was easy pickings for Richie in goal for the Park.

On the 20 mins mark, Dara hit the net again after the keeper spilled the ball but it was disallowed for interference from the other front man Jamie O S.

It was tit for tat up to the halftime whistle. Halftime score line 1-0.

The 2nd half and the Park seemed to deal with the wind a lot better than the visitors did in the 1st half, and started to pile on the pressure corner after corner, pinpoint deliveries by Damian but the Park couldn’t seem to breech the Pike Defence, chances from Jamie W, Jack, Obina went a begging, with Damian unlucky not to hit the roof of the net from a superb free kick only to be denied by the keeper. 15 mins to go and the visitors started to get on top creating a tense final quarter for the Park, a couple of changes and switches by the management and 7 mins from the time and Dara struck again this time with a left footer into the corner 2-0 and the life was drained out of the visitors but fair play they kept battling to the end. Final score 2-0 to the Park .

This was a massive scalp to take against one of the top teams of the Limerick District League. Superb squad performance from one to 15 who fought as a team. Well done lads the 4th Round Beckons with another mighty battle ahead away to Aisling Annacotty!!! No Fear!!!

Players of Note:  Odhran, Adam, Jamie O S, Luke, Dara, Michael, Damian

Man of the Match: Obina Izahi– controlled the back line, superb defending, physical but fair in the tackle, cleared his lines well cool under pressure.

(U17) FAI Cup 2nd Round ; Park Fc 2-3 Avenue Utd , AET

The game got under way with Park on the attack Shane puts a ball over the top to Adam who shoots but the keeper saves . The game quickly flows from end to end and Shane passes to Conor who puts it through to Aaron but the keeper again saves his shot.

Culan runs down the wing and passes to John but his shot goes wide. Avenue get a free kick outside the box and it breaks in the six yard box for a forward to slot it into the net 0-1 Avenue Utd with their first chance. Park start to come forward again and Culan passes to John who flicks onto Conor but the Avenue keeper is in great form and saves his shot. Park get a free kick about 5yards outside the box and Shane takes it which flies into the top right hand corner of the net to make it 1-1.at half time.

Second half gets underway Dean passes to Adam who puts it through to Conor but his shot goes wide . Jack passes out to Josh who puts the ball through to Culan onto John but his shot misses the target. Avenue get the ball down the wing the forward rounds two players crosses the ball across the box to the incoming player and puts the ball over the park defender into the net to make it 1-2 Avenue Utd.

Park now need to raise their game Kevin puts a ball through to Aaron but his shot goes just over the crossbar. Park get a free kick but Shane heads it over the bar , Jack puts the ball through to John who slots it to David he runs forward and slots it into the net past the advancing keeper to make it 2-2 full-time.

Extra time begins and park have to keep their composure and mount several attacks but the sadly they come to nothing . Avenue get a corner Which Shane heads it out to Mirlind who puts it forward to Aaron but once again the keeper saves his shot. Avenue get a free kick outside the box and although Park contest it ,the ball manages to hit of one of their players and finds its way to the back of the net 2-3 Avenue Utd.  Park  have several more chances and just in the dying seconds from a corner which comes in high but Adam heads over the bar  to make the final score 2-3 after extra time.

Every player on the Park team gave 100? and we couldn’t have asked any more of them they played well against a strong Avenue Utd side and on another day the chances would have gone in but well played lads your a credit to your club . We know your disheartened but now we have to get on with the job of trying to win the league.

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

M.O.M.    Josh Wadding .