Fenit Samphires -v-Killarney Athletic.

Dessie May 07Our under 16 Team played Killarney Athletic at home on Saturday in their third league game of the season. Conditions were ideal for the game.

For the first ten to fifteen minutes, both teams were evenly enough balanced, with Killarney possibly shading it. Killarney were well drilled, and were very sharp and alert from the kick off.  Our lads were caught with short kick outs and quickly taken throw-ins on several occasions, before they adjusted to the tempo of their opponents.

At centre mid, Fenit’s pairing of Aidan Healy and Ivan Parker, was a good match for their counterparts. Gary Hanafin, who was Fenit’s first player to acclimatise to Killarney’s short pass out from goal, out muscled the Killarney back, to put his partner, Mitchell Holland through for Fenit’s first real chance on goal. Playing wide to the wings, Aidan & Ivan gave Denis Cosgrove and Cian MacGarry good ball , and with their speed, Cosgrove and Mac Garry provided Fenit with several excellent crosses which Fenit were unable to capitalise on. Fenit hit a purple patch between the 20-30 minutes of the half, with Aidan Healy and Ivan Parker taking control of centre mid. Mitchel Holland went close to opening the score on three occasions. As it was, Killarney got the opening score, after an excellent piece of quick passing.  Both Gary Hanafin, and Mitchell Holland had opportunities to restore Fenit to parity, but were unable to take them. Eoin O’Brien pulled off a spectacular save as the half ended to keep Fenit in touch at the break.

Killarney bolstered by their lead, were determined to try and end the game, and our backs had their work cut out for them in the initial exchanges of the second half.  Dessie McCarthy, at right full back, gave an excellent account, and when Killarney switched their focus to the left Fiachra Griffin proved equal to their efforts. Fenit’s centre back pairing of Cormac O’Connor and Gearoid Carmody, dealt well with several dangerous movements. Killarney were unlucky not to have extended their lead with an excellent strike, which was inches wide of the target.

Having weathered the storm, it was now Fenit’s turn to exert the pressure. Aidan Healy at centre mid, played a lovely though ball to Ivan Parker who slipped it to Mitchell Holland. Holland lobbed the ball over the hapless Killarney keeper to restore Fenit to parity. Within minutes, Parker and Holland repeated their interchange to give Fenit the lead. Killarney kept their head, and continued to pass and attack, but Fenit had now developed their own rhythm. Cosgrove and MacGarry were devastating their opponents on the wings, Healy and Hanafin fought hard to control the centre, Holland’s pace and determination was causing havoc in the Killarney’s defence. Fenit were comfortable, and controlling the game. Gary Hanafin and Ivan Parker had five excellent efforts and should have ended the game as a contest.  As it was the dark horse, Holland, got his hat trick to make it 3-1 to Fenit.

Kevin Devane, and Darragh McGarthy came on for Mitchell Holland and Aidan Healy. Titouan Leprince made his debut coming on for Denis Cosgrove on the left wing. Kevin took over where Mitchell had left off, and continued to pressurise Killarney’s backs.  Darragh was lively and aggressive in the centre.  Titouan latching on to a well place pass from Fiachra Griffin, drove up the wing before delivering an excellent cross on the deck which Fenit should have converted.

Killarney were not dead. A missed tackle and slip, gave them an opportunity which they took to bring the game back to 3-2 with 15 minutes to go. Fenit were not going to let this game get away. Killarney’s  goal galvanised the lads again, and Gary Hanafin hit a pile driver to put day light between the teams.