Athletic edge out Dynamos
MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP, KERRY AREA FINAL
Killarney Athletic 1 Tralee Dynamos 0
THE first piece of silverware of the new season was up for grabs at Mounthawk on Sunday evening where Tralee Dynamos and Killarney Athletic locked horns in the Kerry area Final of the Munster Junior Cup.
While only a solitary goal decided the issue at the end Killarney Athletic won the game with relative ease as Dynamos rarely looked like scoring and failed to produce a single shot on target over the 90 minutes.
For their part Athletic were the dominant side for most of the game but despite superior possession they were also lacking in initiative up front and only had a couple of shots on target over the duration of the game but fortunately for them one of these found the net.
Most of this game was played between the two boxes and did not make for very appealing viewing for supporters. Neither goalie had very much to do as play was breaking down in the final third of the pitch.
For a final it was a very disappointing game which did not give the small attendance much to enthuse about. Athletic were the better side on the day controlling midfield while they defended very well throughout the game and could have won it by a more comfortable margin if they had put their possession to good use.
The goal that won the game came in the fifth minute after a Shane Doolan free kick was nodded on in the box forcing Dynamos keeper David Hennessy to parry the ball and it fell invitingly to Ian Prendergast and he fired home from close range.
Straight afterwards he had another great chance when Darren Mulcahy made a great run down the left wing and drilled the ball across the six yard box and Prendergast just could not get the final touch to put the ball away.
Gradually Dynamos began to find their feet but they were enjoying no success up front as the Athletic defence ably marshalled by Shane Lyne and Shane Doolan were in charge of everything that came their way. Dynamos first half chance came in the 15th minute after a great run by Shane Lowth who offloaded to Adam O’Connell but his shot was high and wide.
Both sides had a few corner kicks and free kicks before half time but the scoreline remained unchanged with Athletic a goal to the good at half-time. Athletic had a chance to double their lead early in the second half after a Darren Mulcahy corner kick found Shane Lynch at the near post but he headed the ball wide when he should have hit the target.
As the half moved on both sides used their subs but scoring chances were almost non - existent with both goalies virtual spectators. Entering the concluding stages of the game Dynamos forced two corners kicks and their keeper David Hennessy went up front for them connecting with both of them but he headed wide on each occasion.
Athletic will be pleased with the win and they have a good young side that are showing plenty of spirit and enthusiasm and could be a force to be reckoned with in Premier A title race as the season progresses.
Dynamos are going through a transition period at present and while they will be pleased at reaching a final they will be disappointed that they lacked creativity up front on the day. There was a great reception for the captain of the Killarney Athletic side Ryan Carroll as he was presented with the cup by the secretary of the KDL
John O’Regan.
Athletic manager Stuart Templeman has added Brendan Moloney to his coaching staff this season and his experience of the game cross channel could prove very helpful taking Athletic into the future.
Athletic now go on to represent Kerry in the provincial competition and they have an away tie against Asling Annacotty of Limerick in the last 32.
KILLARNEY ATHLETIC: Gary Sugrue, Adam O’Connell (Tom Doyle, 75), Shane Lyne, Shane Doolan, Cillian O’Regan, Adyn Mulvaney, Ian Prendergast (Dylan Donna, 88), Ryan Carroll, Darren Mulcahy, Shane Lynch, Tadhg Doolan, Darren Mulcahy (William Courtney, 64)
TRALEE DYNAMOS: David Hennessy, Theo Diggins, Lliar Santi (Abegad Wondermariam, 78), Jonathan Burrows, Nemanja Samardic, Oliver Coffey, James Sugrue, Eoin Cassidy (Nathan Gleeson, 84), Darragh Lowth, Dave Townsend (Shane Carroll, 57), Shane Lowth
REFEREE: Ray Matthews