Temple Carrig Pipped At The Post. Again.

Far away, so close… Jackson Park TUES23APR24

atest press release from the Football Association of Ireland’s Alan McDonnell, issued on Saturday, April 27th 2024…

They say lightening doesn’t strike twice, but don’t mention that to Temple Carrig School football team!

In front of a roaring crowd of over 300 supporters in Jackson Park, Temple Carrig, Greystones and Willow Park, Blackrock did battle for the 2 nd time in three days.

Temple Carrig

In the previous encounter it was Willow Park that came out the victorious in extra time.

The game started brightly with both teams playing some good football. Temple Carrig was the first to test out the Willow Park defence with Cillian Walsh’s run resulting in the first corner of the game.

In the 14th minute a good cross on the right by Temple Carrig’s Captain Dylan Corbett found Charlie Fisher who finished first time into the roof of the night to the delight of their supporters.

Willow Park

Willow Park stepped up the intensity with Julian Browne making good surging runs down the left side and Ben Woods down the right. Just before half time Temple Carrig’s Dylan hit the crossbar after a good attack down the left side.

Into the second half and both teams were going at it back and forth with both defences doing well.

The tall centre halves of Temple Carrig’s Cian Lawless and Matthew Egan stepping into break up the attacks by Willow Park lead by Arya Golchin and Julian Browne. Both goalkeepers were kept busy with Willow Parks Ben Walls and Temple Carrig’s Leo Ward called into action a few times.

As the time started to run down plenty of changes were made by both teams. Willow Park pushed on which left space at the back. In the 20th minute a good move by Temple Carrig’s Darragh Ivory, Charlie Fisher and Cillian Walsh combined to create a chance to go 2-0 up but great defending by Tom Murphy and Thomas Kilty foiled their attempt.

Five minutes into injury time, the ball was played into the Temple Carrig’s penalty area and as both teams tried to gain possession the ball seemed to bounce around with Temple Carrig’s defenders trying to clear it and Willow Park trying to score, the ball fell nicely for Julian Browne who’s first time shot ended into the bottom righthand corner of the net. Cue wild celebrations.

Into extra time we went and Temple Carrig must have been thinking ‘not again’ as they kicked off.

But it was Willow Park who had their tails up and in a space of 4 minutes they pounded the Temple Carrig’s area with the ball being cleared off the line and then hitting the post. Then in injury time in the first period of extra time, that stand out player Julian Browne crossed into the box and while it took a small deflection it fell perfectly for Arya Golchin to head home.

In the 2nd half of extra time Temple Carrig tried in vain to get the equaliser but Willow Park held on to take the win and hand their opponents a 2nd defeat in the same manner as in the previous encounter.

Man of the Match was Willow Parks’ Julian Browne. Photographer is Orla Smith.

Well done to all the players, even those Willow Park upstarts. Lose some, win some…