Our u13s travelled to Tralee on Wednesday evening to take on one of the top sides, St Brendan's Park in the 1st round of the Cup. After an initial nervous start, Ballyhar settled well into game. The defence of Cornally, Fleming, O'Brien and Templeman coped well with the early pressure being applied by the Park attack. Ballyhar grew into the game and created a number of excellent chances. Ryan Quilter, Ryan Vickers and Diarmuid Casey all had good opportunities to score but failed to find the net. Ballyhar were in a real purple patch in the game and had a very clear shout for a penalty, when Quilter was brought down, but it was somehow adjudged to have been just outside the box.  With missed opportunities comes the potential of paying the price and with 8 minutes to go to half time, Park took their chance to go ahead. Ballyhar failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to an unmarked player who finished well from close range. Half time 1-0.  

Ballyhar needed to come out of the blocks fighting in the second half, however it appeared their efforts in the first half just could not be replicated. Park took full advantage, getting their second goal just minutes into the second half. Despite all the promise shown by Ballyhar it was Park who pushed on from there, converting a number of further chances.

Ballyhar never gave up though, and the lads gave it everything with Sean O'Leary, Daire Cornally, Jamie O'Brien and Jack Kelly chasing and continuously harrying the opposition. Congratulations to Park who are an excellent side and we wish them well in the next round of the Cup. 

Best for Ballyhar were Jamie O Brien, Calum Templeman, Daire Cornally and MOM Sean O'Leary.