Soccer: Lisselton Rovers KO Dynamos after a night of high drama

Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final
LISSELTON ROVERS 5 TRALEE DYNAMOS 1

10-07-2005

AN incredible game with an equally unbelievable score line as Lisselton Rovers, the team Michael Carr built, put mighty Tralee Dynamos to the sword in this eagerly awaited Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final played at Mounthawk Park on Friday. It was a game that had everything – plenty of passion, bitter rivalry, six goals and a plethora of cards – with Dynamos losing two key players who saw red on this night of high drama.

Lisselton Rovers deserved this win as they were strong when it mattered most and as it was their only chance of silverware they took it with both hands. They looked hesitant early on as Dynamos looked the better side with Mark Fitzgerald pulling the strings at midfield. Yet, having conceded two goals in a three-minute spell, Dynamos lost their way and their discipline, and when Fitzgerald was sent off late in first half injury-time, it looked grim for the treble seekers.

Then Dynamos got a goal back and looked to be making a game of it but another foul up at the back allowed Ger Lovett to make it 3-1. When Maurice O’Rahilly was shown a second yellow (and a red card) the game was up for Dynamos and Lisselton substitute David Tarmey hit two more to emphasise the difference between the sides.

The six Lisselton players that are playing with the Kerry Eircom U-21 side all showed the benefit of training and playing at a higher level and Dynamos lacked this sharpness. Another difference between the sides was essentially the difference in goalkeepers as Lisselton’s David Hennessy, using his National League experience, was in a different class to Dynamos Polish custodian, Robert Polowczyk, who had a nightmare.

His inability to communicate with his back four has long been spotted as a major weakness to be exploited by opposing managers. In this respect, Lisselton boss John O’Regan can take the plaudits as he took full advantage. From a Dynamos point of view, the decision not to use veteran Richard O’Brien may well not only have cost Dynamos this cup, but the knock-on effect, with O’Rahilly and Fitzgerald out for the Castle Bar League Cup, may see them struggle to take a trophy, with a league final also to be played.

Lisselton Rovers, with Donnacha Enright and Kevin O’Regan solid at the back, absorbed all the early Dynamos pressure with Hennessy mopping up anything that Diggins or McHugh could throw at them.The game changed as James Sugrue and Conway began to raid deep in Dynamos territory and in the 28th minute, when a Sugrue corner was not dealt with, Colin rifled the ball beyond a static keeper.

Worse followed two minutes later when Mark Fitzgerald gave away a free kick in front of goal and got booked in the process. When Stephen Conway took the free kick, the Tralee keeper spilled it into the path of Ki Ki Mulvihill who made it 2-0 as Dynamos collectively went to sleep at the back.Darren Crotty replaced White for Dynamos as the distress signals were being sent out but they dominated possession until the break, with Daly and Diggins missing good chances. Then on the stroke of half time, Fitzgerald picked up a second yellow for a tackle on Paul Walsh, and the Dynamos talisman was gone.

Dynamos started the second half well, and Adrian McHugh scored after Hennessy misjudged the flight of a cross and suddenly it was 2-1 and all to play for. It was end to end stuff with Cassidy outstanding at the back and Diggins causing Lisselton problems.In the 55th minute O’Rahilly picks up a needless yellow and two minutes later Lovett made the game safe when he scored after a dreadful mix up between Daly and his keeper, which just about summed up Dynamos season. Samier was trying hard but Lisselton were too good and when O’Rahilly picked up a second yellow, with 20 minutes left, the game lost its edge.

Lisselton ruled the roost with David Tarmey coming off the bench to score a brace as Dynamos had no answers with just nine men, and despite the heroic efforts of Cassidy it was easy for Rovers in the end.A triumph for Michael Carr and manager John O’Regan who only took them over in the spring with players like Conway, Sugrue, Enright, O’Regan, Mulvihill, O’Connor and Lovett all stars on superb night for the club. Meanwhile, the highflying Dynamos have had their wings well and truly clipped and the big question now is, can they recover for the two big matches that await them.

Lisselton Rovers: D Hennessy, S Conway, B Sweeney, K O’Regan, D Enright, P Walsh, J Sugrue, A Murphy, G Lovett, C O’Connor, K K Mulvihill. Subs: D Tarmey for Walsh, J Foley for C O’Connor, A O’Connor for G Lovett, T Foley for A Murphy.

Tralee Dynamos: R Polowczyk, K McCannon, P Daly, E Cassidy, M O’Rahilly, E Duggan, M Fitzgerald, S Benkoutain, J White, D Diggins, A McHugh. Subs: D Crotty for J White, R Rodgers for E Duggan. Referee: S O’Mahony 

Soccer: Goose let loose on Rovers

Munster Junior Cup Kerry semi-final

Lisselton Rovers 1, Tralee Dynamos 2

TRALEE Dynamos and Lisselton Rovers met for the second week in a row in an important Cup competition, and this time Dynamos gained revenge for last week’s defeat in the FAI Junior Cup.

Lisselton Rovers were hoping to maintain their advantage over the Tralee side but this time Dynamos performed well, and after another cracking contest just managed to come out on top, with their defence proving the key to this victory. It was the same score this time but in reverse, and it seems these two fine sides will meet a couple of more times at least before the season is through.

The game was played in heavy underfoot conditions but both sides adapted well and played some very attractive football with plenty of goalmouth incidents.

Lisselton were without the services of their star midfielder, Mark Fitzgerald, who was on football duty elsewhere, along with winger Kiki Mulvihill, and this seemed to have an unsettling effect on them as they struggled for long periods in the centre of midfield.

On the other hand, Dynamos were stronger than the previous Sunday as Maurice ‘Goosie’ O’Rahilly returned to the heart of the defence, as he is eligible for this competition. Damien Murphy also returned to partner O’Rahilly. Dynamos still don’t have a recognised keeper as Derek O’Shea is injured, Tim Cotter didn’t show, and Donnacha Galvin is now an outfield player, so it was left to Damien Diggins to do the needy and he was excellent.

Lisselton were in the same boat, as Keith Hughes was missing so again Edward Diggins filled in and did a fine job, so it seems if your name is Diggins, then you may well end up as a goalkeeper.

The game was fast and furious from the start with plenty of bite in the tackles as Lisselton dominated the opening quarter but were unable to breach a solid Dynamos rearguard.

Referee Seamus O’Mahony deserves mention as he was firm but fair in his handling of proceedings because when two giants meet it can be a powder keg ready to explode.

Lisselton had the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when Stephen Conway found Eoin O’Mahony with a long ball and his cross was destined for Damien Reid’s head but keeper Diggins collected to save the day.

Dynamos then got through only for Adrian McHugh to shoot inches wide, before Chris Kerins headed Kevin O’Regan’s free kick inches over the Dynamos crossbar.

Then in the 15th minute Kerins, with a typical trademark run, galloped through the Tralee sides defence but the ball stuck in the mud and Dynamos managed to clear. James White was then yellow-carded for a tackle on a Lisselton player before Kerins again missed the target by inches.

Dynamos then took the lead in the 34th minute when a ball over the top from Maurice O’Rahilly saw Adrian McHugh beat Kevin O’Regan to it, and once inside the defence he gave Diggins no chance as he slid the ball home. Dynamos then camped in the opposition half for the next 10 minutes and were unlucky not to score but some strong defending kept them out.

In the 43rd minute Lisselton, on the counter attack, should have equalised when Conway found Brian Baker but his effort was taken off the line by Murphy, so Dynamos retired 1-0 at the break but were fortunate considering the number of chances Lisselton had.

The second half turned into a stirring battle with Kerins comtinuing to threaten, before Lisselton’s Stephen Conway put in a great tackle to deny Edward Duggan as he looked certain to score.

Lisselton finally struck for the equaliser in the 56th minute when Damien Reid was hauled down in the box by a Tralee defender and David Conway put the keeper the wrong way with an expertly struck spot kick.

Brian Baker was yellow-carded 10 minutes later as the exchanges became intense and in the 70th minute Lisselton had a great chance of taking the lead but Eoin O’Mahony’s effort was turned around the post by Diggins.

Chris Kerins, with another piece of magic, weaved his way through the Dynamos defence but shot wide before Dynamos struck for the winning goal 12 minutes from time. A corner wasn’t cleared in the Lisselton box and Maurice O’Rahilly scrambled the ball to the net.

Diggins saved again from Kerins as Lisselton tried to retrieve the situation and with Dynamos defenders, particularly O’Rahilly and Murphy, along with Kevin Lucey at midfield and a hardworking Adrian McHugh, it was a case of defend in numbers to keep Lisselton out.

So, Dynamos advance to the Kerry area final after another highly charged encounter between possibly the two best sides in Kerry.

Lisselton Rovers: E Diggins, S Conway, A Quirke, K O’Regan, B Sweeney, D Kennelly, B Baker, D Conway, C Kerins, D Reid, E O’Mahony. Subs: M Hannon for B Baker, D Williams for D Kennelly.

Tralee Dynamos: D Diggins, R Rogers, M O’Rahilly, D Murphy, J White, T Hennessy, E Cassidy, B Samier, K Lucey, E Duggan, A McHugh. Subs: D Crotty for J White, K Reid for E Duggan, F Moynihan for T Hennessy.

Referee: S O’Mahony. 

Soccer: Rovers finally end Dynamos run

Statoil FAI Junior Cup
Tralee Dynamos 1, Lisselton Rovers 2

23-11-2003

THE heavyweight clash in the FAI Junior Cup saw Tralee Dynamos and Lisselton Rovers did battle at Cahermoneen on Sunday afternoon, with Lisselton Rovers emerging victorious after a classic encounter.This was Dynamos’ first defeat of the season in any competition but they were missing four key players, including their regular goalkeeper, and this handed the initiative to Lisselton Rovers, who contained no less than five of the Eircom U-21 squad and seven of the Kerry Oscar Traynor team.

So, this Lisselton side is bristling with quality but is only Lisselton by name as very few of the players would have any clue how to milk a cow as they are mostly urban bred and based. Still, they are playing within the rules and Michael Carr’s dream of producing a side that could win the FAI Junior Cup is laudable, and with this result they have moved a step closer.

Lisselton are about to lose David Conway, who is returning home to the Park, and considering he was probably man of the match on Sunday, he will be a big loss. But with the likes of Eddie Mangan to come back in, Lisselton will not be found wanting. Dynamos will hate losing this game and to add salt to the wounds it was the two players Mark Fitzgerald and Chris Kerins, who not alone played with Dynamos, but whose families are strongly connected with the club, that did the damage by scoring the winners goals.

Dynamos will point to the fact that they were missing keeper Derek O’Shea (injured), right back Kevin McCannon (suspended), Damien Murphy (away with army) and Maurice O’Rahilly, who is not eligible for FAI Junior Cup as he has too many U-21 games played. All three should be available for the rematch in next Sunday’s Munster Junior Cup semi-final meeting in Lisselton, although it might be better if they did not meet so soon as Sunday’s game was intense.

Lisselton were quickest out of the blocks and dominated the opening 15 minutes with David Conway playing at midfield, while Dynamos struggled to get into the game.However, they took the lead in the 23rd minute when Kevin Lucey crossed, and when Stephen Conway misjudged the ball, it fell to Edward Duggan to give Dynamos the advantage.Chris Kerins was inches wide with a good effort soon after for Lisselton, and then Kerins had a free kick come off the wall, while Conway hit the post for Lisselton in the last action of the first half.

Dynamos had recovered well from a poor start but Lisselton looked hungrier for some reason and Dynamos’ inability to deal with the aerial threat cost them early in the second half.Lisselton were level in the 47th minute when Conway’s free kick was not dealt with by the keeper, and then the ball was headed into the air and this allowed Mark Fitzgerald to take it down and score against his old club.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when another free kick from David Conway saw Chris Kerins get to the ball first and he powered an unstoppable header to the roof of the net.Dynamos responded in kind and enjoyed a 15 minute spell where they were camped in the Rovers box, but some great defending by the winners from Stephen Conway, Adrian Quirke, Ben Sweeney and even Mark Fitzgerald kept Dynamos out.

Damien Diggins and Tony Hennessy both could have grabbed the equaliser as Dynamos dominated the play late on but the damage was done in those opening minutes of the second half.

Both sides will meet this coming Sunday in the Munster Junior Cup semi-final, which should be another pulsating encounter.

Tralee Dynamos: T Cotter, D Crotty, J White, E Cassidy, R Rogers, K Lucey, T Hennessy, S Berkuntin, D Diggins, E Duggan, A McHugh. Subs: R Lacey for J White, Lisselton Rovers: E Diggins, S Conway, K O’Regan, A Quirke, B Sweeney, C Kerins, D Conway, M Fitzgerald, K Mulvihill, D Reid, E O’Mahony. Subs: M Higgins for S Conway.

Referee: Jim O’Connor

Reporter should study journalists’ ethics code

From Maria Hartnett

I would like to express my disgust over the report on the match between Tralee Dynamos and Lisselton Rovers which was featured in The Kingdom last Tuesday.

I am left to wonder if the reporter, who conveniently did not give his/her name, has some connections with the Dynamos’ club?

It was biased, insulting and also very degrading for not only the Lisselton players but also the people of Lisselton.

The reporter mentioned how David Conway is leaving Lisselton and going back to play with The Park. This is all hearsay. No transfer forms have been signed and it should not have been printed until the reporter in question had concrete evidence that this player is leaving Lisselton Rovers.

In the report there were some very negative vibes surrounding Lisselton star Mark Fitzgerald. Not once did the reported mention the man-of-the-match performance he gave on that Sunday and how his leadership qualities have been crucial to Lisselton’s progress this season.

Instead he/she proceeded to criticise him and constantly referred to Mark and his family’s connections to Dynamos. The reporter also mentioned the great defensive display by some of the Lisselton players and “even Mark Fitzgerald”.

Is the reporter bitter over the fact that Fitzgerald left Dynamos to join Lisselton? I was surprised to see no by-line on this report as it did take up a full page and, on reading over the remainder of the sports section, I noticed that most other reports contained by-lines. Is there a reason for this? Was the reporter ashamed to put his/her name to what he/she wrote? I certainly would be.

Finally, I was aware that one had to be able to milk a cow in order to play with Lisselton. How does a statement like this reflect in the people of Lisselton? I think an apology is in order. If your paper is able to print this kind of rubbish then surely you can humble yourself to include an apology - it would certainly make for better reading.

I would also like to know who wrote this report because, as far as I’m aware, there were no reporters watching the match. I would hope that you would recommend that the reporter in question be asked to study the journalists’ code of ethics.

32 Racecourse Lawn, Tralee, Co Kerry.