In a close contest today Ballyhar hosted a strong St Brendan’s Park team.

Both teams were looking to play a passing game and the ball was moving at pace right from the start. The Ballyhar defence led by captain Lachlan Leslie were holding strong in the early stages as the Park team pressed for an opener.

However, the central defensive partnership of Ewan Myers and Man of the match contender  Paddy Hurley stood firm.
The hardworking midfield quartet chased everything and have try Tralee boys no time to pick a pass. Up front Rian Comerford and Tomás Bolger we looking lively in the early stages linking up well and pushing the Park defenders deeper and deeper.

Park opened the scoring, against the run of play, when a mix up in the crowded Ballyhar box led to a ball running free and the pacy Park striker slotted home passed the advancing Evan Greensmyth.

1-0 to Park at half time.

A few tactical changes at half time and the introduction of fresh legs had a big impact and Ballyhar were level shortly after the break when Darragh McLaughlin pressed a kick out to set up Bolger who lobbed the keeper to level the game.    

The game was a tight affair after this with neither team wanting to concede. Central midfield pairing of Bryan Evan and Jack Cooper put in a massive shift and were dictating the play. On the wings Elliot Lyne and Jack Sheehy never stopped running and helped to ease the pressure on fullbacks Diarmuid Fitzgerald and Lachlan Leslie.

It was the Ballyhar keeper Evan Greensmyth who saved the day on two occasions with vital saves late on, with one leg block in particular from the very top drawer.

Subs Ollie Kirwan and Liam Smyth came in to help relieve the pressure on the defence and helped see the game out to a fair 1-1 draw that neither team can complain about.

Best on the day: Bryan Evans, Paddy Hurley, Evan Greensmyth and Elliot Lyne