Dogged defender guards goal against terrier-like attack
April 1995
DESPITE the terrier like defence of The Park B players in their Kerry Cup Clash with Lenamore Celtic it was the dogged determination of a collie called ‘Bilbo’ which kept their goal intact for most of the game.
Lenamore striker Liam Weir unleashed a shot which went growling past Park keeper John Hoare but in nipped ‘Bilbo’ and kept the ball out of the net.
The Lenamore team members howled in protest but referee Brendan Kerins rejected appeals for a goal and the game continued. Lenamore scored later in tiie game through Tony Mulvihill to win the game and advance to the next round of the Greyhound Bar KO Cup.
Park keeper John Hoare who works with FAS in Tralee admits that Liam Weir’s shot had him licked.
“The ball was heading for the net but for the dog it would have been a goal for sure. Everyone knows we have a dogged defence but now they know its true,” he joked.
Would be goal scorer Liam Weir from Ballylongford who works with Kerry Agribusiness in Listowel, said he was sure he had collared a goal.
I hit the ball past the keeper and it was headed for the net. I turned away and the first 1 knew about the ball being stopped was when I heard the bark,” recalled Liam wlio is also a member of the Kerry junior football team panel.
Collie “Bilbo” is owned by Barry Noon an of Urban Terrace
in Tralee who said that his charge was none the worse for wear after the event.
The FAl’s head inspector of soccer referees in Kerry, James Finnegan, said that referee on the day Brendan Kerins was right in his decision.
“It is just the same as if a bolt of ” lightening struck the ball and stopped it going into the net. The correct decision was made. It might might seem a bit unfair but once the ball did not cross the line, a goal could not have been awarded.” he said.