There was a nail biting cup tie on Saturday morning at Murt Scott Park as our U14s eventually put a valiant Listowel Celtic side to the sword in the 1st round of the Cup competitions.

The early kick-off didn't dull this Cup tie, with 2 teams scrapping it out for 70 mins to decide the tie. Missing 2 key players due to injury, Ballyhar were stretched from whistle to whistle as the battled hard against a tough Listowel outfit. With size and strength, Listowel defended well against the Ballyhar attack. Charlie Curran, Daniel Ryan, Ruben O'Leary Griffin and Killian O'Sullivan tested the visitors during the first half which saw few clear cut chances. Luke Bartlett and Jack Duggan scrapped well and dictated the game well in midfield. With a back 4 of Arron Looney, Darragh O'Sullivan, Eoin Cremin and Joshua O'Sullivan, playing together for the first time, they mainly had just long balls to deal with in the first half. While keeper Adam Quirke was called upon a few times to make some vital clearances. H/T 0-0

Well to say that things can change in an instant, was definitely the case in the 2md half as 2 penalties awarded within 90 secs of each other exploded the game into life. Firstly a great run by Curran was abruptly ended inside the box by a Listowel defender gave the ref and easy choice of pointing to the spot. The responsibility for it, was then put at Killian's feet, who connected poorly with it and hit it straight at the keeper. 90 seconds later off the back of that save, the ball bounced around the Ballyhar box and hit a defenders hand right in front of the ref. Again the decision was easy but the end result different as the Listowel captain  tucked it away for the lead. Despite all their possession and creativity, the home side were behind. 5 minutes later, with a total new found confidence Listowel pushed for another. When a throw-in was given away close to the end line, the Ballyhar defence was caught out of position, and the ball fell nicely for their substitute who rifled home a super shot into the bottom corner. 0-2

Ballyhar needed to steady the ship and get back into the game, and credit to the lads, they did just that. O'Sullivan, Ryan and Curran worked tirelessly up front, and they got a goal back when they pressed Listowel into a mistake and Daniel Ryan punished them to pull a goal back. With 20 mins left they believed they could pull it back, and sure enough it was again Ryan who get on the end of some nice passing moves to slot home the equaliser. 2-2 The final 10 mins were scrappy end to end stuff with both teams going for the winner. With just 5 mins left Listowel had an overload down the left and worked a shot that beat Quirke but hit the crossbar and came down the right side of the line for Ballyhar, who were relieved to see Brendan Flynn tracking back and clearing the danger. With extra time looming it seemed likely both teams were destined to play another 20mins, but Ruben had other things in mind when he set off down the left and put in a tantalising cross that missed Curran at the front post, had the Listowel keeper stuck to his spot and found it's way to Ryan at the back post who flicked it into the roof of the net for a last minute winner. The ref blew it up 2 touches later to break Listowel hearts and send Ballyhar through on the last kick of the game. F/T 3-2

Another gutsy performance by this Ballyhar team, who never gave up and had hard workers all over the field. Best for Ballyhar were Charlie Curran, Darragh O'Sullivan, Killian O'Sullivan plus MOTM and Hat-trick hero Daniel Ryan.

Best of luck in the Trophy to Listowel Celtic B