Park 8 Samphires 2 – National Cup Rd 2 – The scoreline is a it harsh on our lads who were well in the game up to the 50th minute. We started well and for a lot of the game we gave as good as we got but the Park’s superior strength, their ability to make it count with good football and good finishing told in the end. We started with Sean in goals and a new backline of Fionán, Antóin, Eric and Christopher. With a new backline you would always be worried that organisation might be a problem but our lads did very well throughout the match and were helped by the defensive efforts of those in front of them in midfield. It was in the last 15 minutes when the game got stretched and we lost our shape in midfield that we got exposed but that apart we continue to show improvement. In the first half the general play was probably 50-50 but 2 high balls into the roof of our net proved our undoing. But other than that we were doing well and we worried the Park at times when we took the ball down and passed like we can. Eventually with Jac Mac dominating in midield, he won a tackle, combined with Eoghan and Bobby who got the ball to Sean who set Óisín up to score a cracker. But immediately we got caught by a Park attack which led to a penalty which the impressive Jesse Lacey converted. The game continued like this in the second half but it was the Park who scored next after 15 minutes and effectively the game was over as a contest. But we kept plugging away and attacked as best we could but as a consequence we lost our shape a little and the Park scored another couple. With 10 minutes left Thomas who was a thorn in their side when he went up front got in behind only to see his shot hit the post but he had the wherewithal to get the rebound and set Sean Higgins up to score a thunderbolt from 25 yards. The Park went and scored another into the roof of our net with pretty much the last kick of the game and we wish them well in the rest of the competition. Well done to all our players on the day who played with pride and heart throughout.