Tommy Healy Memorial Cup Quarter Final 2014

Kerry District League,
Friday 11th June 2014
Tralee Athletic 2-4 Mitchels Avenue

By Tommy Naughton

Mitchel’s Avenue overcame Tralee Athletic in a local derby to book their place in the last four of the Tommy Healy Memorial Cup on Friday. The game was a very entertaining match with both sides giving everything with some fantastic goals and amazing saves. We even had the referee order a water break mid way through the second half which to everyone seemed a bit strange with no sign of the sun in Kerry in a few days. This was Tralee Athletics first game in a number of weeks while Mitchels Avenue were looking to put the disappointment of losing the division 2B league final the week before behind them.

Within the opening minute the first real chance of the game feel to Tralee Athletic after a wonderful back heal flick by Luke Reidy sent Breandan Savage through but he fired wide from just inside the penalty area. Luke Reidy was again the supplier minutes later when he played Chris White in but his shot hit the side netting at the near post without testing the keeper.

The opening goal came after fifteen minutes when a Chris Sullivan free from the right wing was headed out to the edge of the box where Sean O’Reilly fired a low shot to the back of the net. Mitchels could have doubled their lead from a similar free shortly afterwards when Lorcan Seymour rolled the ball to Sean O’Reilly but this time Mark Sheehy saved his well struck effort.

Tralee Athletic who had to start the game with only ten men now had eleven and were starting to get more ball. Luke Reidy nearly had them level but his curling effort crashed back of the far post with the keeper beaten. Tralee Athletic did however get level on the half hour mark with a great goal. Joe Kinsella swung in a corner that was headed clear but Jason Quirke met it on the volley from 30 yards out which flew to the top corner like a rocket.

This didn’t seem to have a great effect on the Mitchels lads as three minutes later they were back in front. Lorcan Seymour picked out the run of Darren Breen with a delicate chip over the defence , Darren beat the advancing keeper to the ball and rounded him to roll the ball home and put his side two one up at the half time break.

The second half started where the first had finished with both sides going all out for more goals with Breandan Savage hitting the outside of the post after being set up again by Luke Reidy who was having a great game. Mark Sheehy then produced one of the saves of the season when he went full length to finger tip a Robert O’Sullivan shot away from the top corner.

Darren Breen should really of put the Mitchels two goals up after again Lorcan Seymour put him through but this time he shot high with the keeper to beat but saw his effort crash back off the crossbar where Robert O’Sullivan fired the rebound over. On the hour mark Jason Quirke added his name to the list of players to strike the goal frame when his long range attempt came back off the crossbar with the keeper looking on.

Tralee Atheltic did get level again within three minutes. Peter Nammock had to react quickly in the Mitchel’s Avenue goal to save from Joe Kinsella but when the ball broke outside the box to Daryl Byrne he made no mistake driving the ball to the back of the net which seemed to surprise and delight his manager and Dad Rory.

The game was now poised for a great finish with neither team wanting to see a replay. Again Mark Sheehy had to produce heroics with another superb save to deny Lorcan Seymour on this occasion. With only twelve minutes remaining Mitchels Avenue regained the lead. Chris O’Sullivan picked up the ball on the right wing before crossing towards John John Hegarty, Mark Sheehy came to punch away but couldn’t get enough on it and the ball fell to Lorcan Seymour who made no mistake and dispatched the ball into the empty net.

Tralee Athletic now had to pour men forward and Peter Nammock had to save twice in seconds to keep Mitchels ahead first from Declan Carroll and then from Chris White. With three minutes remaining the game was over as a contest. Mark Sheehy who was having a good game between the sticks tried to play a foot pass out from the edge of his box but it went straight to Darren Breen who was left with the simplest of task to roll the ball into the empty net from twenty yards out. Mitchels Avenue will now face Valley Wanderers in the Semi Final in another Tralee Derby.

Tralee Athletic; Mark Sheehy, Brian o Sullivan, Daryl Byrne, Joe Kinsella, Luke Reidy, Jason Quirke, Niall o Donnell, John Rael, Chris White, Breandan Savage, Declan Carroll . Subs ; Eoin Sugrue for Niall o Donnell ( 45 mins) .

Mitchels Avenue; Peter Nammock, Danny o Shea, Chris o Sullivan , David Hennessey, Darren Breen , Peter Murphy, Robert o Sullivan , Lorcan Seymour, Aaron o Keefe, Mark o Sullivan . Subs ; John John Hegarty for Mark o Sullivan (55 mins) .

Referee; Willie Gorman