Club Notes April 30th 2010

Killarney Athletic Notes
Killarney Athletic Senior ‘b’
AC Athletic 2 Killarney Athletic ‘B’ 0
Killarney Athletic ‘b’ exited the Reserve Cup when they went down 2 nil to AC Athletic in Mounthawk Park. This was always going to be a tricky away assignment for the Killarney boys and their cause was not helped by the unavailability of Cian Tobin who was the hat trick hero in the previous round. The opening 20 minutes brought little in the way of any clear cut chances at either end as both sides ‘sized’ each other up in this first encounter between the teams. The hard bumpy pitch suited the Causeway men’s direct style of play, while Athletic endeavored to play ‘on the deck’. AC’s main treat came from their centre forward and Kerry hurling star John Mike Dooley who had a right battle with Athletics’ veteran defender Sean Donoghue who just about shaded the duel over the 90 minutes. Athletic enjoyed their best period of the game in a 15 minute spell just before half time when they created a number of good scoring opportunities through David Gleeson, Ryan Carroll and Gary Moynihan who saw his powerful shot from 25 yards just shave the crossbar. Then on the stroke of half time Athletic were handed the opportunity of taking a deserved lead into the break when they were awarded a dubious penalty decision, but the normally lethal Ossie failed to convert from the spot. AC started the second half the better as they won a lot of possession in their own half and continued to rain long balls down on the Athletic rearguard. Then a crucial period in the tie came on 60 minutes when a Gleeson corner was headed goal bound by Moynihan from close range only to be saved on the line by the AC defence and cleared to safety. Shortly afterward Dooley broke the deadlock when he capitalised on hesitancy in the Athletic box and scooped the ball to the net from close range. Try as they might Athletic found it difficult to create any clear cut chances for the remaining 20 minutes as they looked leg weary on the hard surface, with Eamonn Ahern coming closest with a header from a Micheal O’Sullivan cross from the left. AC scored a second deep into injury time to advance into the next round. Athletic will be disappointed to have lost a game that they were in control of for a long period but can only rue the miss chances and their lack of firepower up front. Overall the team can be pleased with their effort on the night with the two Sean Donoghues impressing in the heart of the Killarney defence.
Under 16 Cup
Killarney Athletic v Kingdom Boys
Athletic were back in action after a long lay off v Kingdom Boys in the Cup at Woodlawn on Saturday last. Kingdom Boys, who have reached the semi final of the National Cup, are always difficult opposition and it turned out to be a very good strongly contested game. Good defending particularly from Stephen Cahillane in goal fronted by Cillian Fitzgerald and Aidan Slattery helped to settle Athletic with Conor Doyle and Ronan Murphy doing very well in midfield. Kingdom Boys took the lead with an excellent goal after half an hour but Athletic equalised shortly afterwards with a great finish by James Devane after Conor Doyle and Ronan Murphy combined to create the chance. While each team had a player sent off one before half time and one immediately after half time it was never a dirty game with some excellent football played by both teams. Athletic found it difficult particularly late in the game and their lack of matches played in recent weeks was a big factor in that. With 2 minutes to go Kingdom Boys went ahead when a corner was deflected to the Athletic net when the game seemed to be heading for extra time. It would not be fair to single out any individual for special mention in what overall was an excellent team performance.
Ireland Under 16
After the game came the great news that Ronan Murphy had been called up to the Irish under 16 squad for a trip to Belgium this week where they will play 2 matches v the Belgian under 16s. All at the club are delighted for Ronan, who has been such a committed player at many different age levels for Athletic, and wish him all the best for the week.
Under 15 Cup
Killarney Athletic 1 Park FC 0
We started this game with only eight Under 15 players playing, so we faced an uphill battle from the start. We started the game at a good pace and we were rewarded with a goal from Ronan Murphy who won the ball in midfield and played a nice one two with Jack O’Connor before slotting the ball into the corner of the goal. The Park then had their purple patch and they hit the post and had an even better chance but Sam Tamir blocked what looked to be a certain goal. The second half was a real end to end game as we went for our second and we came close when Jack O’Connor left three Park players for dead and only for a fine save would have scored a wonder goal. Jack Cahill then out of nowhere spotted the keeper off his line and from 35 yards he let fly only to be denied by the crossbar. When the Park did threaten Kieran Murphy and especially Shane O’Sullivan thwarted them. Best for us were John Antica, Jack O’Connor, Ronan Murphy, and especially the U-14 players who showed up on short notice: Sam Tamir, Andrew Mulcahy, Denis O’Sullivan, Kieran Murphy and the outstanding Roy Kelleher in goal.
Thank You: Thanks to everyone who came out on Wednesday last to help with the Spring clean up initiative. It was a great success.
Athletic on the Web: Check out the new look www.killarneyathletic.com and feel free get in touch via the contact page. Comments facility coming soon.
Contact: If you have anything to add to Killarney Athletic notes please contact Mary McCarrick on 087 7750773 or mccarrickmary@hotmail.com
 

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 at 8:45 pm and is filed under Club Notes.

 

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