On a wet morning, Ballyhar U12 Girls welcomed Tralee Dynamos to Murt Scott Park.
Tralee sporting several Kerry players started the better when on 8 mins a perfectly delivered corner landing exactly where the Tralee forward wanted it, a beautiful strike followed and nothing could be done to stop the resulting goal. 0-1 Ballyhar missing a few key players set about their task in earnest with great tackling in midfield from Lucy Wynne, Niamh O'Sullivan and star of the game Anna Kate Daly. As Ballyhar started to believe in themselves more, they went forward menacingly looking for the equaliser, with it coming on the 20th minute. After seeing her first shot blocked Anna Kate Daly fielded the rebound and slotted home to the far corner of the net. The back three of Faye O Brien, Anna Fitzgerald and Emily O'Callaghan absorbed the resulting pressure with a few fine saves from Captain Aoibhinn Daly leading into the half time whistle. H/T 1-1
As expected Tralee piled on the pressure in the opening minutes of the 2nd half and when a loose ball caused confusion in the Ballyhar defence, Tralee pounced for their 2nd of the game. 1-2 To their credit Ballyhar rallied again, seeing several shots from Niamh O'Sullivan and Lucy Wynne saved and Ballyhar also hit the post twice. Sustained pressure from a corner kick saw a mad scramble inside the Tralee box, resulting in a goal for Ballyhar, debate rages as to who got the final touch but Ballyhar supporters were not complaining. 2-2. Near the end of the game, Lucy Wynne got on to a fine ball played forward, with her resulting strike beating the keeper but taking some paint off the outside of the post as it went wide. Both teams really went at it from here, with Anna Fitzgerald leading the defence for the home team. As they headed into the last few minutes or so, the long balls forward were causing Tralee trouble, with one ball finding Lucy Wynne who pushed forward, seeing her chance slotted home into the bottom left corner. F/T 3-2
It was a great performance from all the girls who showed great character to come frok behind and win. Best on the day for Ballyhar were a determined Naimh O'Sullivan, the mazy dribbler Lucy Wynne and a huge performance from Anna Kate Daly the player of the game.