win in league for seniors
Kerry District League Premier A
Killarney Athletic 2 Classic F.C. 1
The A team moved eight points clear of a plucky Classic side with the home part of a double win over them in the league. Challenging conditions in the form of a dry pitch and swirling wind made for a scrappy opening. Classic threatened early on as Athletic failed to clear their lines with any conviction. The dependable Brian O’ Connor had to be alert to keep the away side at bay and Mark Griffin tried his best to rally the troops. Soon enough, Inio Lopetegui and David Gleeson began to show some good touches on the flanks to bring Athletic more into the game and combined with O’Reilly and Crowley to link up with forward men Denis Galvin and Paul Lynch (inset).
0-0 at the break, Athletic showed more composure early on in the second, building well from the back only for Classic to take the lead against the run of play. With nerves-a-plenty, enter the stalwart Paul Lynch with a finish from close range to level matters. An injury to Mark Griffin saw Seán O’ Donoghue enter the fray and with midfield – in particular Brian O’Reilly – showing more intent, Athletic pressed in search of a winner. After a strong run, Lynch had only the keeper to beat but he drove it over the bar. Not to be denied however, a well driven corner from Lopetegui reached Lynch in the box and his powerful header could not be stopped. JP Mullins went close with a looping effort close to full-time but Athletic will be happy to have shown good heart to clinch a vital league win.
Team: Brian O’ Connor, Mark Griffin (Sean O’ Donoghue 75), Conor Farrell, Gary Moynihan, Patrick McClure, Brian O’Reilly, Martin Crowley (JP Mullins 85), David Gleeson, Paul Lynch, Denis Galvin, Inio Lopetegui.