Denny Premier A 2013/14

Sunday 16th February 2014
Kerry District League
St Brendans Park 1-3 Castleisland FC

By Tommy Naughton

Castleisland FC travelled to Tralee on Sunday and took all three points away to go back to the top of the Premier A division. On the day they deserved the win and could have made it a lot easier but for some poor finishing in the first half. This was the home sides first defeat in the league and when you consider they were missing five players who would normally start, they know that they can perform a lot better.

St Brendans Park kicked the game off but couldn’t have believed they would be behind within 14 seconds. Kevin Moran in the Castleisland goal Kicked a long ball down the field, Park’s centre back Paudie Bailey misjudged the flight of the ball and it bounced over him sending Dean Poolman through on goal and he made no mistake with only the keeper to beat.

Park responded well but David Courtney’s effort from just inside the box was saved easily by Moran. Aidan O Callaghan nearly doubled the visitors when his header from a Sean og corner was headed of the line by Graham O’Leary with 15 minutes gone. Three minutes later they had an even better chance when Stan Divane found Sean og unmarked in the box but Jamie Kelly saved well low to his left.

David Courtney again tried to get the Park in to the game but his shot was just over the bar after some good work by O’Leary on the left wing.

Five minutes before the break and it should really have been two nil. Stan Divane made a long solo run from the half way line on the left wing, cut inside to the box but his goal bound shot was blocked by the sliding David Magee. The ball broke kindly to Mike Hannafin inside the six yard box but somehow Jamie Kelly managed to save his shot at the expense of a corner.

Park’s last chance of the half fell again to David Courtney after Fergal Maunsell had pulled the ball back to him. His low shot looked as if it could find the bottom corner but for a great block by Paul Carmody.

The home side came out in the second half knowing they would have to improve if they were to get anything out of the game. Fergal Maunsel’s free kick from the left wing seemed to catch out the Island keeper with it coming back of the bar before being cleared to safety.

Minutes later Maunsell again threatened but his shot was blocked by the chest of Barry Lynch and they broke quickly down field but a heavy touch by Stan Divane with only the keeper to beat let Kelly pounce to secure possession.

On the hour mark Sean og put Stan Divane in behind the offside trap but he fired wide of the far post. The home side got level with fifteen minutes remaining. Fergal Maunsel whipped in a free from the left wing and Anthony Murphy rose highest to head powerfully home.

Two minutes later the home side nearly took the lead after a great through ball by Courtney found Murphy. His shot from just inside the box beat the keeper but came back of the far post. Adam o Rourke reacted quickest but his shot was blocked away by Martin Moriarty.

Park were now having their best spell of the match and David Courtney saw another shot on target saved by Kevin Moran. However this game was decide with five minutes to go when Castleisland struck twice in a minute for the win.

Aidan O’Callaghan was first to score when he headed home a great goal from a Sean Brosnan free kick and then Stan Divane broke the offside trap after a great through ball from Martin Moriarty and made no mistake to kill the game off.

The home side’s final chance fell to Jesse O’Sullivan but his snap shot under pressure was saved by Moran. Park were reduced to ten men in injury time when David Courtney received a straight red for kicking out and a minute later the final whistle went and Castleisland clamed a deserved victory.

St Brendans Park: Jamie Kelly , Fiachra Dunne , David Magee, Paudie Bailey , Graham o Leary , James Duggan , Adam o Rourke, David McLoughin, Fergal Maunsell, Antony Murphy, David Courtney , Jesse o Sullivan .

Castleisland FC: Kevin Moran , Pierce Brosnan , Paul Carmody, Barry Lynch, Aidan o Callaghan , Shane o Loughlin, Sean og Kirwan, Mike Hannafin , Dean Poolman, Sean Brosnan, Stan Divane , Martin Moriarty , Maurice Hickey, Jonathan Downey, Steven McCarthy.