PRECIOUS POINT
Bandon 0 Park Utd 0
Park seniors made the long trip to Bandon on Saturday last and put in a tremendous display over 90 minutes to earn a share of the spoils in what could be a precious point in their plight to remain in the first division for next season.
Man for man Park were outstanding all over the field and with a bit of luck could have sneaked all 3 points. Bandon who are having a very good season are a good footballing side but found it hard to break down a resolute Park defence. Our make shift centre half pairing of Willie O’Brien and Dario Green were outstanding as were Pierce Murphy and Eamon O’Sullivan. They protected Paul Masterson’s goal with vigour and made his job between the posts much easier.
For the first time in months we were able to pair Ger O’Neill and Dylan Bradley alongside each other in midfield and this had a major bearing on Park getting a result. The tenacity of O’Neill and Bradley was unreal and Bandon couldn’t cope. Colin Stack played the no. 10 role and he was spraying passes out left and right to our 2 wingers Shane Masterson and Dylan Price. The hardest job of all fell to lone striker Corey McCarthy but in fairness his efforts saw him go on to have one of his best games since he returned. He won numerous frees, but it was his distribution that saw Park heap the pressure on the Bandon defence.
Chances were limited though, but we knew at the break we had the breeze behind us and that chances would come. With the score at nil all 5 minutes into the 2nd half McCarthy won a free kick. Colin Stack stepped up and grazed the top of the crossbar with a dipping effort. Park were well on top and it only looked a matter of time before the goal would come. Simon Bane came on for Shane Masterson and within minutes both himself and Price had chances but last ditch defending prevented the opportunities. Bandon are no bad team and they had their moments as well, but as in the first half both Dario Green and Willy O’Brien were outstanding and in front of them O’Neill and Bradley were covering every blade of grass. Corey McCarthy who had run himself into the ground was replaced by Paddy Hanrahan and the fresh legs gave us impetus. All this time though the clock was ticking.
Bandon made 3 substitutions and went at Park and with minutes to go their tricky no. 9 got in on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant tackle by O’Brien. We knew at this stage a draw would be a good result and we held possession as much as possible and ran down the clock for a deserved draw and a precious point.
Team: P Masterson, O’Sullivan, O’Brien, MurphyGreen, Murphy, S Masterson, Stack, O’Neill, Bradley, Price, McCarthy. Subs used: Bane, Hanrahan.
PARK JUNIORS - GOAL FEST Lakewood 6 Park Utd 4
In Ovens on Sunday afternoon last on Lakewood’s new all-weather pitch, Park juniors put in a marvellous display but just came up short in the finish. Had Park had one or two more subs the outcome could have been different as they had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men due to injuries.
The homeside took the lead inside 10 minutes but their joy was short lived as Aaran O’Brien equalized with a rocket of a free kick on 15 min. Five minutes later and a great move saw park take the lead when Mark Bane applied a good finish. Then on the half hour mark Lakewood equalized and right on half time they took the lead when it was evident that park keeper Jack O’Brien was pushed as he collected the ball. The goal stood and Park trailed 3-2 at the break.
Ten minutes into the 2nd half it was 3-3. Another O’Brien rocket of a free kick was parried by the keeper, but Oisín Morrissey was on hand to apply the finish. Park’s joy was short lived though as with 25 minutes gone in the half a slick move saw Lakewood go in front 4-3. Five minutes later they scored again from a blatant offside position that infuriated Park. They now had a 2 goal lead and Park were down to 10 men as Shane Murphy joined Kevin Finn on the sideline with an injury.
Park had already used their only sub when Kevin got injured early in the game. Park to their credit never gave up and Tommy Dalton with 5 to go put Aaron O’Brien away and he rattled the net making it 5-4. Then with Park pushing for an equalizer Lakewood broke and scored their 6th which again was a blatant offside goal. It stood and minutes later when the whistle blew Park were condemned to another defeat with no thanks to the man in the middle.
Team - J O’Brien, Finn, O’Shea, Murphy, Keane, Bane, O’Connor, McMillan, Morrissey, A O’Brien, Dalton. Sub – O’Flynn.
PARK YOUTHS - A BIG ASK Villa FC 7 Park Utd 0
It was always going to be a big ask of our youth team to get a result away to Waterford City kingpins Villa FC in this Munster Youth Cup quarter-final played in Waterford on Saturday last. This Villa team are now in the Munster youth Cup semi-final and also the FAI Youth Cup semi-final which is no mean feat.
Although the scoreline makes it look like one-way traffic, it was far from it as in the first half hour the score remained at 0-0 with Park having the better of the chances. Two quickfire goals just before the break saw the homeside lead 2 nil at the interval. The 2nd half was fairly one sided as Villa introduced subs that were better than the players they replaced. A lot of the scoring was done in the last 15 minutes as Park were out on their feet and the opposition took advantage.
Overall, this team can be proud of their achievements and the Waterford opposition were full of praise for Park’s never gave up attitude. We wish them well in the future in both semi-finals.
LOTTO JACKPOT €1,450
Our weekly lotto draw took place in An Bodhrán on Monday night last. The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 15, 25 which yielded no winner. We thank you for your continued support. See lotto results elsewhere. Tickets are available from usual outlets or from our door to door seller John Ryan.
CLUB GEAR
Our official Errea club gear is now available in The Printhouse, Upper Cork St. Shorts and socks, tracksuits, hats, gear bags are all available.
FIXTURES
Friday, April 15th - John Hayes trophy Mayfield juniors v Park Utd juniors: Mayfield Park 7.45pm.