CHERRY ORCHARD (Dublin) 4 KINGDOM BOYS (Kerry) 2

Ard na li last week, Dublin this week, thing were looking up!

Preparations had been done, nerves had peaked, the trip was in progress and five hours later,after two stops, healthy foods and drinks and of course the "soccer quiz", Simon, the team bus driver,dropped the lads to the door of their 12 star hotel(only the best for the boys).Dinner, four kilometre quick walk, time for reflection , lights out nine thirty.

A beautiful sun welcomed the day, everyone ready, high protein breakfast(No tempting sausages or rashers), check the boots, organise the kit bags and down to the lounge for the the team chat.Everyone made aware what was wanted from them, positioning, concentration and give it an honest effort! Questions and answers the encouraging "go for it" and off we travel for five minutes to the Holy grounds of the Lawns, the home Stadium of Cherry Orchard, who welcomed and directed us to the away dressing room.

The final few words and off we go out to the roar of the gathering crowds. The team captain, Ferdia O' Brien exchanged pendants, the ref said a few words and the game began. The first fifteen minutes and all was square, a few breaks by Orchard, one shot in anger. A corner for the boys and a resulting chip from Fergal Ryan just clipping the outside of the post, a good gathering save from Appleby and lots of centre-field action.Then a through ball to a very quick number nine, a neat cross behind the defence, two touches and a low shot to the corner, Home side one up.

Now, not for the first time this season, the Boys showed their character, Pototzki down the wing, a one- two with a very hard working Stefan, the cross to the back of the goal for Rian O' Sullivan to beat the keeper with a "Screamer "right into the top corner. Again the Boys pushed on and from a resulting corner, a shot from Cian Twohig ,off the bar and was cleared away. Immediately against the run of play, a ball through the centre beating the offside trap for the forward to neatly place it to a stranded Appleby.

Again the lads pushed on, both sides working hard to get the break, lots of movement, A shot from O' Brien ,and an O' Sullivan off the line clearance. Then just on the stroke of half time a poor clearance and Cherry Orchard did not hesitate, 3-1. No time for the centre, a hard blow for the Boys which the lads never came back from!

Only one thing for it, push forward, but the Home side set them self to task. A few corners were earned, but cleared and as the time ticked away tiredness and gaps appeared. Again the long ball out of defence taken up by the forward only to be foiled by the out-coming keeper, who fell awkwardly on saving , lost the ball leaving an easy tap-in. As well as losing a goal, Appleby had to be step out,and within minutes of the restart so also did Stefan, to be replaced by Michael Walsh and Segun. In fact the teams were so exhausted that subs were coming in from both teams.

More pressure on Cherry Orchard and from a resulting cross Adam McEllistrom headed over the keeper into the net. But at that stage the game was up and the whistle brought a very emotional moment as both groups of boys turned to each other to shake hands and to say a few words.

And one could see that friends were made and respect was shared.

After the warm down and showers the team and supporters joined the people from the Orchard, who provided a fine spread ,and mingled in football conversation for an hour before hitting the road West.

A great experience, a learning "seam" for the team.A huge Thank you to our supporters, Simon, the parents and people who helped financially, the staff of Days Hotel and of course to Cherry Orchard, who we wish the very best.

But to sum it all up, we as a team representing the hard work of Kingdom Boys, and Kerry football, are not far behind when it comes to technique and talent. Cherry Orchard are in the top three of the strongest league in Ireland and taking into account of the "ifs and buts" this result could have easily have gone the other way.

Written by Brian Twohig.