U14 Tom Hayes Cup 1/4 Final: St Brendans Park 4 Ballyhar 1

U14 Tom Hayes Cup 1/4 Final: St Brendans Park 4 Ballyhar 1

Our U14's travelled to Tralee on Tuesday evening to take on an excellent Park team in the quarter final of the Tom Hayes Cup.

Both teams had good passages of play in the opening stages, with Ballyhar settling well into the game. Unfortunately, the breakthrough in scoring came when one of the Park forwards chased down a clearance from our keeper Daniel, which deflected off the strikers back and ended up in the Ballyhar net. After settling back into the game, the lads were unfortunate to conceed another before half time. This time when a free kick was put into the Ballyhar box by Park and came off the head of a Ballyhar player in his attempt to clear the ball. 2-0 The lads had every right to feel unlucky after being on top for spells during the half, but failing to create any clear chances against a quality team like Park. H/T 2-0

With a few positional changes at the start of the second half, Ballyhar set about getting back into the game. The midfield 4 of Jack Kelly, Gearoid Moynihan, Dylan Fitzgerald and Jamie Murphy all worked tirelessly, while the two Ryans were a constant threat when in possession. However, it was Park who were to get the all important next goal, finishing well inside the Ballyhar box. But to the lads credit, almost immediately, Ballyhar got a goal back when Gearoid Moynihan finished well from a corner. Ballyhar kept pushing for another goal but try as they did, the lads just couldn't breach an excellent Park defence again. Late on Park got the final goal, after lax marking by Ballyhar from a corner. F/T 4-1

Thanks to Park for a sporting game, and good luck in the next round of the Cup. Also, thanks to Adrian Quirke, who officiated to his usual high standard.

Despite the result, all players involved put in an excellent effort and team performance, with special mention for Dáire Cornally, who was exceptional at the centre of the defence throughout.