— The Kerryman Newspaper – August 31st, 2006
NEWTOWN ATHLETIC 4TRALEE DYNAMOS B 3
DIVISION One soccer came to the village of Moyvane on Sunday morning with Newtown Athletic making their debut in the division entertaining Tralee Dynamos B.
The game was played in their new pitch in the village and attracted a good sized attendance on an ideal morning for a game.
The game turned out to be a seven-goal thriller packed with drama and excitement of all varieties right up to the final whistle.
The home side opened very brightly and were ahead after just seven minutes when Aidan Keane slipped the ball to Mark Hanrahan and he sent a delightful shot to the net.
The Dynamos goalie was tested 2 minutes later when Brian Stack went for goal from a 25-yard free kick.
Then Dynamos began to make their presence felt and after a period of sustained pressure they had a claim for a penalty denied after a Newtown player seemed to handle the pass in the box.
However the visitors were on level terms after 15 minutes when a nice build up between Roy Lacey and Billy Kerins, found Damian Diggins just inside the box and with only the goalkeeper to beat he calmly put the ball into the net for the equaliser.
Over the next ten minutes Newtown could have wrapped up this game but they squandered a few great scoring opportunities with poor finishing.
However they took the lead again in the 31st minute with a bizarre goal that really caught the Dynamos defence napping.
Newtown were awarded a free kick deep in their own half which was taken very quickly by full back Jack Mulvihill his shot from almost 60 metres bounced in front of the Dynamos goalkeeper going over his head and into the net.
The visitors moved up a gear in the second half and in the 62nd minute they were on level terms again with a very well executed goal.
Roy Lacey and Aidan OShea brought the ball through from midfield and found Eoin Cassidy who put Damian Diggings through for his second goal which he finished with precision.
Now the game was on a knife edge and tempers began to ignite on both sides.
It was a busy time for referee Kevin ORegan, who handed out seven yellow cards during the game. Nevertheless it was not a dirty game and all of the cards were given out for verbal confrontations.
However the game was turned on its head in a two-minute period with two fine goals by Newtown Athletic.
Cathal OConnor won the ball in the midfield area and laid it off to Damian Flynn. He found the inform Mark Hanrahan and his fine shot gave the Dynamos keeper no chance.
Then shortly after the kick off Newtown were on the offensive again and after a god build up between Cathal OConnor, Aidan Keane and Brian Stack striker Damian Flynn evaded the Dynamos defence to score a fine goal which gave Newtown a satisfactory cushion of safety.
However Dynamos never gave up the chase and a couple of inspired substations was having the desired effect.
As the game ticked over the 90th minute they had reduced the deficit to one goal again with a fine goal by sub Ricky Nolan. However it is too little too late for the Tralee side and Newtown were worthy winners on the day.
It was a good all round performance by Newtown but they will have to use their scoring opportunities more efficiently when they meet stronger opposition.
Newtown Athletic: Tommy Barrett; Oliver Carmody, Jack Mulvihill, Mossie Mulvihill, Cathal OConnor, John McGrath, Brian Stack. Mark Hanrahan, Adrian Keane and Damian Flynn. Subs: Mike Keane, Seán Lynch and Frank Sheehan.
Tralee Dynamos B: Chris Hegarty; Aidan OShea, Ben Kavanagh, Colm Hanley, Derek OShea, Nialll Feehan, Billy Kerins, Roy Lacey, Mickie Horan, Damian Diggins and Eoin Cassidy. Subs: Ricky Nolan, Tom Colins, Gerry Hanley and Chris McConnor.
Referee: Kevin ORegan.
