Our U13 Premier team had one hell of a battle on Saturday morning against a very good Killarney Athletic side. With Murt Scott Park looking and playing extremely well despite the weather, both teams fought hard for every ball across the pitch for 70+ mins.

Athletic setup defensively and looked to release their star striker at every turn, but he was marshalled exceptionly all game by Fionn Clifford, Daithi Allen & Ruben O'Leary Griffin. Adam Fleming, Luke Bartlett & Alex Finn fought hard in midfield but couldn't find the right ball to unlock the Athletic defence in the first 35mins. The best chance of the half came after a fantastic counter attacking run down the right by Killian O'Sullivan, who skinned 3 defenders and put a nice ball across the box, only to see it roll harmlessly away the far side to a white shirt with no Ballyhar Blue in sight. H/T 0-0

Ballyhar shifted formation for the 2nd half and began to go at the visitors. O'Sullivan's pace and a few driving runs from Fleming caused Athletic problems, but the final ball was still missing. Chances started to come for both sides, with Ballyhar grateful for the brilliant Noah Browne in goals who pulled off 2 or 3 outstanding saves to keep the sides level. At the other end Patrick O'Connor found himself through on goal twice, but on both occasions they fell to his left side with the Athletic keeper saving easily on both occasions. With Ballyhar edging the game as it wore on, disaster struck on 63 mins, when Athletic were awarded a penalty following another save from Noah Browne, a scramble in the box and some last ditch tackling. It was a gut punch for the lads who had fought so hard all game and were the better side for most of the 2nd half. It was expertly dispatched by the Athletic striker giving Browne no chance from 12 yrds. It took the wind out of Ballyhars sails, and despite some last-minute efforts, it wasn't to be.  F/T 0-1

The feeling around Murt Scott Park at the final whistle from both sides, was that neither team really deserved to lose it, but that's sport. The lads put it up to one of the best teams in the county and keep improving every game in their first season at Premier level.  Best for Ballyhar were Fionn Clifford, Killian O'Sullivan, Ruben O'Leary Griffin, Adam Fleming and MOTM Noah Browne.