Back to back Youths Cup titles for Fenit

FENIT Samphires became the first Kerry side to win back to back Jimmy Falvey Memorial Cup titles after a narrow win over The Park at Mounthawk Park on Saturday evening in a very entertaining game.

The seasiders had to win this game the hard way as they were pressed all the way by The Park who with a bit of luck could have taken it to a replay. They matched their opponents in most departments of play, but they were found wanting in the final third of the pitch as they badly lacked penetration up front.

It was a game that kept referee Seamus O’Mahoney very busy as there were a lot of fouls and he had to produce a litany of yellow cards to keep things in order. Fenit were the more constructive side in the first half with Christopher Murphy a thorn in the side of the Park defence with his penetrating runs lightening pace, trickery and agility on the ball very difficult to contend with.

Fenit had a great chance to go ahead early on when Christopher Murphy was put in one on one with the Park keeper, but the custodian was very brave and made a great block with his leg. Then down the other end Ciaran Killeen created an opening for Conor O’Brien but he was unable to find the target.

Fenit went ahead in the 25th minute when Christopher Murphy capitalised on a defensive error using his silken skills to leave three defenders in his wake and he finished to the net from close range.

The Park then had a good spell of possession but they looked like breaching the Fenit defence.

Blake Bolster did go close for the Tralee side when he made a 20 yards run and cut into the box, but he was denied by a good save by the Fenit goalie.

Fenit almost doubled their lead just before the break when Gearoid Dillane found Sean Collins with a corner kick and his header was taken off the line by Maciek Morawski.

Fenit made a change at the start of the second half with Conor Lowe replacing Jack Lynch, but they seemed to go into their shells and protect their slender lead and The Park upped their game in search of an equaliser. While they put a series of attacks together they were lacking the killer instinct up front.

They had three long range efforts from Conor O’Brien which were easy saves for the Fenit goalie they put two efforts over the top while their best effort came in the 67th minute when the excellent Ciaran Kileen set up Cian Holden and his screamer of a shot from just inside the box skimmed the crossbar.

With The Park concentrating on attacking and trying to secure a goal they left themselves exposed at the back and Fenit hit the sucker punch in the 72nd minute when a great run by Sean Donnellan forced a corner kick.

It was floated into the box by Conor Lowe and sub Eoghan McElligott took the ball down and drilled it low to the bottom corner. To their credit The Park did not give up the chase and they got a lifeline in the 82nd minute when they pulled one back.

A free kick from Blake Bolster was taken down by Cian Holden and he showed great composure as defenders converged on him putting his shot away in emphatic fashion from 10 yards.

They piled on the pressure in the concluding stages of the game to try and engineer an equaliser launching high balls into the box, but the Fenit goalie Ciaran Murray was excellent with his handling throughout the game was impeccable.

There was a great reception for the captain of the Fenit side Christopher Murphy as he was presented with the cup by Marie Falvey mother of the late Jimmy Falvey.

He paid tribute to his players for the big effort they put in and commended The Park for running them so close in the game.

He said it was a privilege to accept the cup in honour of such a great player as the late Jimmy Falvey. FENIT SAMPHIRES: Ciaran Murphy, Alan McElligott, Dean Meehan, Sean Donnellan, Ciaran Carmody, Austin Clifford, Gearoid Dillane (David Lenihan, 56 mins), Sean Collins, Cormac O’Brien (Eoghan McElligott, 65 mins), Christopher Murphy, Jack Lynch (Conor Lowe, 46 mins) THE PARK: David Oba, Maciek Morawski (Dean O’Connell, 56 mins), Mark McDonnell, Dylan Burns, Adam Ward (Kevin Browne, 86 mins), Ciaran Kileen, Pa Roche (Alex Rowan Keane, 69mins), Blake Bolster, Aaron Ward, Conor O’Brien (Eoin Lynch, 81 mins), Cian Holden

REFEREE: Seamus O’Mahoney