Castleisland into the semi-finals

RATTOO Rovers won their first title in this age bracket at Mounthawk Park on Sunday evening with an epic win over The Park.

It looked as if The Park were heading for victory when they held a 1-0 lead going into the last 6 minutes of the game, but two late strikes by the Ballyduff boys stunned their opponents.

Inspired by the silken skills, creativity and speed of Nathan McGrath on the right side of midfield and Eric Daly down the middle Rattoo Rovers were by far the more creative side over the 90 minutes and were deserving winners at the end.

Colin Walsh had an early chance for The Park, but he could not keep his shot down while down the other end Cian McGrath was denied by a good save by The Park goalie Conor Hayes.

The Park made a substitution after 32 minutes with Alfie Christie replacing Jack Sheehan. Eric Daly then set up Dylan Moriarty, but he failed to test the The Park keeper.

Just before half time some fancy footwork by Mervyn Shalemba opened the Rattoo defence and his powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Rattoo keeper Shane O’Sullivan.

The Park made a substitution at half time with Nick Izeha replacing TJ McMahon. Rattoo were on the front foot at the start of the second half and a great over the top ball by Dylan Moriarty found Nathan McGrath but he shot just inches wide.

The Park went ahead in the 63rd minute after sub Alfie Christie won possession near half way out on the sideline. After making a bit of ground he sent in a shot come cross which looped in over the head of the Rattoo Rovers keeper to give the Tralee side the lead.

However, Rattoo responded very positively and were showing a lot of creativity. They scored the equaliser in the 84th minute when a Nathan McGrath free kick was played in to a packed goalmouth where players from both sides scrambled to get a touch on the ball and Dylan Moriarty squeezed the ball over the line among a forest of players.

Now Rattoo had their tails up and headed out in search of a winner. It came as the game moved into added time when they forced a corner kick.

It was delivered into the danger zone by Nathan McGrath and as players done their utmost to get to the ball Bernard O’Callaghan reacted quickest and he blasted the ball to the net from five yards for a sensational winner.

It was a marvellous team effort by Rattoo who played with great passion, fire and spirit.

While the Rattoo Rovers senior side have been performing poorly this season they have some really talented players coming up through this under 17 side and if they can keep them together prospects for the future at senior level in Ballyduff will be very optimistic.

RATTTOO ROVERS: Shane O’Sullivan, John Paul O’Carroll, James Donegan, Kevin Goulding, Diarmuid O’Mahoney, Bernard O’Callaghan, Nathan McGrath, Eric Daly, Cian McGrath, Dylan Moriarty, Padraig Walsh Subs: Reece Keane, Sean Lucid, Laim Dowling, Jake Brosnan McCathy

THE PARK: Conor Hayes, Liam Magee, Luke Dennehy, Cian Purcell, Andrew Murphy, Nathan Holden, Jack Sheehan, Dara Moriarty, Mervyn Shalemba, Colin Walsh, TJ McMahon Subs: Alfie Christie, Nick Izeha

REFEREE: Adrian O’Shea

DOMINOS PIZZA RESERVE CUP 1/4 FINAL

Killarney Athletic B 3 Castleisland B 5

CASTLEISLAND progress to the semi-final after a good win over Killarney Athletic in a high scoring game.

Ben Cooney was the star of the show for the winners scoring a hat trick while Seán O’Donoghue and Danny Feehan completed the scoring for the islanders. Chris O’Meara (two) and Dan O’Sullivan scored for Killarney Athletic.

They play CG Killarney in the semi-final next Sunday.

Ballymac Celtic 5 Mitchels Avenue 6

SUPPORTERS got great value for money in this game with Moichels Avenue coming out on the right side of an eleven goal game.

Seán O’Reilly 3, Lorcan Seymour, Scott Hennessy and Robert Lynch scored for the winners while Dwyer Tobin 3 and Jack O’Shea 2 scored for Ballymac.

Mitchels Avenue now meet Killorglin in the semi final.

SSE AIRTRICITY UNER 17 LEAGUE

KERRY return to their league programme after a four week break next Sunday when they travel to play Cobh Ramblers.

The break came at a bad time for Kerry as they just had recorded their first win of the season after defeating Limerick in the Mark Farren Cup. However, they will go into this game with a lot of confidence and will be hoping they can come away with a favourable result.

FIXTURES

WEDNESDAY JUNE 27 Dominos Pizza U17 Cup Semi Final

(extra time & pens if needed)

7-30 Ballyheigue Athletic v St Brendans Park, Mounthawk Park

FRIDAY JUNE 29

Dominos Pizza Over 35 Cup Semi Finals

(extra time & pens if needed)

7-00 Tralee Dynamos v Classic FC, Mounthawk Park

8-15 Castlemaine United v Listowel Celtic, Mounthawk Park

SUNDAY JULY 1

SSE Airtricity U17 League

2-00 Cobh Ramblers v Kerry DL, Cobh

Dominos Pizza Reserve Cup Semi Final

(extra time & pens if needed)

2-30 CG Killarney v Castleisland B, Mounthawk Park

Denny Youth League Final

4-30 Killarney Celtic v St Brendans Park, Mounthawk Park

RESULTS