Dismal in the Pop Keller Cup
Park Utd Seniors 3 Macroom 3 aet (Park lose 3-0 on penalties)
Dismal is the word that sums up our home display in the Pop Keller Cup on Friday night last at home to lower ranked Macroom. Indeed at one stage all was going to plan when we raced into a 2 nil lead inside the first 20 minutes.
With 10 gone Ger O’Neill put us 1 up when he seized on an opportunity that fell to him from a Park corner. Five minutes later it was 2 nil when Tommy Dalton was brought down by the Macroom keeper and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Dalton dusted himself down and took the spot kick and although the keeper saved it Tommy was on hand to apply the finish. It looked at this stage we would win it comfortably, chance after chance we scorned and we were made to pay for it within a 10 minute spell before half-time when Macroom banged in 2 goals to level matters going into the break.
It was like we pressed the self-destruct button. A stern halftime talk was gone out the window less than 10 minutes into the second half when a long range Macroom effort came off the crossbar and hit keeper Aaron O’Brien in the back and into the net, putting the visitors 3 -2 ahead. We missed chance after chance to draw level but it did come with 10 to go when Tommy Dalton put a pile-driver into the top left hand corner.
More woe was to follow after that when we were reduced to 10 men and we entered 10 minutes each way extra time with a mountain to climb. We dug deep in this period and had chances in both halves but again we were guilty of poor finishing. Willy O’Brien kept us in it with an unbelievable goalline clearance and before we knew it the dreaded penalty shoot-out was upon us.
This was one to forget for us as we missed our first 3 and Macroom scored their first 3 to knock us out of this year’s competition 3-0 on penalties. We now have 3 league games left with nothing but wins needed if we have any chance of maintaining our division 1 status.
Team: A O’Brien, Masterson, Murphy, Green, W O’Brien, Finn, Cronin, O’Neill, Sheehan, L Murphy, Stack, Dalton. Subs: Bane, P Murphy, Donegan.
MUNSTER FINALS
We had the honour of hosting two Munster finals on Sunday last. Congratulations to Waterford girls who won the U19 Cup final and to Club DC from Tipperary who won the Munster U19 Shield final.
Finally, a massive thanks to all club volunteers who gave their time on Sunday last.
FIXTURES
Saturday 22nd U17 League 2: Grenagh Utd v Park Utd in Grenagh at 2pm. Junior League div 2: Park Utd v Lakewood in Brigown Pk at 5.30pm. Sunday 23rd Youths div 1: Buttevant v Park Utd in Abbey View at 2pm.
WEEKLY LOTTO
Jackpot €5,950. Weekly lotto draw was held in the Ramble Inn on Monday night last. The numbers were 5, 15, 16 and 23 which yielded no winner. We thank you for your continued support. Tickets are available from usual outlets or from our door to door seller John Ryan.
SYMPATHIES
We were saddened to hear of the passing of the late Jim Moher, Ballygiblin. Jim was a dedicated club man and will be sorely missed by all. To his wife Peggy and family we offer our sincere sympathies to you all at this difficult time.