Padraig Harnett - Media Officer Tralee Dynamos

TRALEE DYNAMOS 0 SPORTING FINGAL 1

The game started very brightly with both sides probing and set pieces causing problems for both defences. The best move of the opening minutes came with David O'Leary setting up Eoin Cassidy but his header was turned behind for a corner. At the other end Brian Fitzgerald bravely headed away an Adam White cross.

Front LtoR Damien Diggins, Dave O'Leary, Eddie Duggan, Maurice O'Rahilly, James Sugrue, Jonathon Burrows. Back LtoR Eoin Cassidy, Jamie McIntyre, Wayne Guthrie, Brian Fitzgerald, Stevie O'Mahony

Both sides were being restricted to long range efforts with Ross Gaynor going closest for Sporting Fingal and
James Sugrue's free kick being touched over by James Hussey. Dynamos were unlucky not to go in front in the 35th minute following a James Sugrue corner. Eoin Cassidy rose highest and powerfully headed the ball low to the keepers right and it looked for as second to be heading for the bottom corner.

However Hussey, who was outstanding all day dived full length to turn it behind. The decisive moment in the game came in the 39th minute when an Eoin Spate cross was headed home by Ross Gatynor despite the best efforts of O'Rahilly and Guthrie to give Sporting Fingal a 1-0 lead.

Stars of the Future: Kingdom Boys Academy & Coaches who provided the games at half time.

In the second half Tralee Dynamos gave their all to get back into the game and with James Sugrue winning alot of ball they spent much of the half on the attack. The won two early corners but just couldn't find that final touch. With Dynamos in control in the middle of the field it looked like an equaliser would come and they came closest in the 20 minute when Diggins and Cassidy again combined but the striker headed just over.

Piper Ger O'Mahony lead both teams and officals and mascots on to the pitch for our historic first League of Ireland game.

Sugrue put another great pass through in the 37th minute but Sporting Fingal keeper Hussey beat Cassisdy in a race for the ball and just managed to clear. On one of their rare forsys into the Dynamos half substitute Anthony McKay went close to extending Fingal's lead but Guthrie saved smartly at his near post. Dynamos rang the changes with Adrian Quirke, Theo Diggins and Adrian McHugh all coming on and it was Quirke who went closest following a free kick.

However time ran out on Tralee Dynamos courageous efforts and it finished 1-0 to the visitors. 

Speaking afterwards to Sporting Fingal manager Robbie Horgan he said that "he was delighted to come away from this very tough tie with the three points and a clean sheet ." While he was happy with the way his side played he said "that no side is going to get it easy when they visit Tralee".

From a Dynamos point of view, bar the result is was a very encouraging start to the A Championship. The game was played in front of a good sized crowd and the team proved that they can live in this company and not be overawed. 

Brian Fitzgerald was rightly named the Joe Flynn Signs sponsored Man of the Match although James Sugure and Wayne Guthrie were not far behind.

It's on to Bishopstown next on Saturday April 11th with a 2pm start and so the long awaited campaign has begun - who knows where it will take us.

A CHAMPIONSHIP: Cork City Vs Tralee Dynamos Saturday 11th of April 2.00p.m. Bishopstown