STILL ALIVE
Park Utd Seniors 4 Everton 2
After this pulsating display on Friday night last Park seniors chances of survival in the Munster senior league div1 are still very much alive with 2 games to go. This was a must win game for both sides on Friday night last and thankfully it went Park’s way.
The first 10 minutes saw Everton exert huge pressure on Park’s defence but Park stood strong and eventually got going. Jimmy Sheehan and Pierce Murphy were outstanding in midfield and both had a say when Park nosed in front on 13 minutes. Murphy released Shane Masterson down the left and he took off down the line and whipped in a brilliant cross that saw the inrushing Jimmy Sheehan apply the finish, putting Park 1 nil up. This ignited Park all over the field. Our backline of Dave Dineen, Dario Green, Ryan Donegan and Willie O’Brien were outstanding, breaking down every Everton attack. Colin Stack played in front of our midfield and supported our lone striker Tommy Dalton well.
It was on the wings where we penetrated the most. Daire Cronin and Masterson were working their socks off. Park’s pressure forced 2 great saves from the visiting keeper, but there was nothing he could do about Park’s 2nd on 27 minutes. Stack was fouled outside the box and when Tommy Dalton struck the free kick it found its way to the net via a deflection. Park didn't care as they now had a vital but dangerous 2 nil lead.
On 40 minutes the large home support witnessed a brilliant goal, Masterson picked out Cronin with a pinpoint pass, he weaved his way around tackle after tackle and picked his spot, dispatching brilliantly beyond the outstretched arm of the Everton keeper and giving Park a 3-nil lead at half time.
Park were warned at half time not to be complacent as an early Everton goal would hand them a lifeline. This wasn't happening as we controlled midfield with Pierce Murphy pulling the strings throughout. In the backline Ryan Donegan was majestic as were his fellow defenders. With 15 to go the hard working Dalton was replaced by Dylan Reidy-Price and he had an immediate impact. He was barely on the field 5 minutes when he found himself one on one with the Everton keeper, with the outside of his right foot he curled it around the keeper and into the net via the left hand post for a brilliant goal and 4 nil to Park with 10 minutes left. Surely game over.
Everton, who are also in a relegation battle, never gave up and got one back with 6 minutes left. Almost 2 minutes
later they pulled another one back to make it 4-2 and all of a sudden the mood around Brigown Pk had changed. It could have been a lot scarier as we entered injury time as Park had to rely on keeper Jack O’Brien to pull off a magnificent save and deny Everton a 3rd. Thankfully we got our act together in injury time, slowed the game down and held on for a massive 3pts.
We now have 2 away games left Wilton and Bandon, we will probably need to win one of those at least to maintain our status in div 1. We have no fixture this weekend but face Wilton away on Saturday week, 13th May. Hopefully we can get the win on that day and not having to travel to Bandon looking for 3pts on the final day of the season.
Team: J O’Brien, Donegan, Dineen, Murphy-Green, W O’Brien, Cronin, P Murphy, Sheehan, Masterson, Stack, Dalton. Subs: Finn, L Murphy, A O’Brien, Reidy-Price, Bane.
TOUGH Castleview 3 Park Utd Senior Ladies 2
History was made by the club
on Wednesdayw night las week t when our first ever adult ladies team represented the club in a competitive competition. Away to
Castleview was always going to be a tough ask but what a performance this group of girls put in. The team and management were in dreamland after the first 45 minutes when goals from Heather King and Stacey Dawson saw Park hold a 2-nil half time lead. Castleview are seasoned campaigners though and they got their act together in the 2nd half, scoring 3 without reply and condemning Park to a defeat on their first ever league outing.
By the time you read this the girls will have had a chance to put points on the board with a win on Wednesday night, 3rd May. This is a completely new squad and have no doubt results will come with the more games played.
CONGRATULATIONS
Along with our youths winning the league our U12 schoolgirls team lifted their league crown in Ballinhassig on Saturday last. Great credit must go to their coaches Kieran and Warren who saw their
side go through their league campaign undefeated. All the girls on this squad deserve huge praise for the effort and commitment they put in all year and a massive thank you also to all the parents who travelled and supported this team throughout the season. It's onwards and upwards now for this group of girls.
FIXTURES
Sunday, 7th May. MSL Junior League Div 2. College Corinthians v Park Utd: Castletreasure: 10.45am.
WEEKLY LOTTO
At the time of writing no lotto draw results were to hand on account of the bank holiday. Please see results elsewhere in this paper.
BUSINESS SIGNS
We have now reached 41 advertising signs around our new all-weather facility and these have really added to the look at our fabulous facility. We sincerely thank every business that has come on board thus far. It you would like your business, or company etc displayed at our grounds, please contact John O’Shea, or Dave O’Connor for more details.