After engaging in four well contested pre-season games I figured we were after getting a good work-out before we got down to business in the league.
We have made some very positive signings especially witht he addition of Sean Tobin from Ballylanders.
His pre-season games with the Forest would really gey you excited showing his speed, skills an his ability to attack and defend this season.
We also have the hands of Ger O'Brien at the helmagain at the glorious age of 49 and playing as well as ever.
The Forest opened the season with a home game against Castle Rovers who were going to be tough opposition but we had to start well to prove a point to ourselves and the rest of the league.
The Forest started well opening the scoring with a fine strike by Mark Lyons. 1 - 0 to the Forest.
We sat back a bit in the second half and were soon to be punished for our slow approach to the game as Castle Rovers got their just rewards with a beautiful strike to level the game at 1 - 1.
With 15 minutes remaining manager Tommy Carroll made substitutions that were going to be vital to the outcome of the game with the introuction of Vincent O'Donnell and Paudie Leahy.
This seemed to be a turning point in the game. With some great passages of play from the Forest we were growing in confidence. The breakthrough came with 5 minutes remaining on the clock. A beautiful ball from Quane to the oncoming Paudie Leahy who struck sweetly from 20 yards to rattle the Rovers net. 2 - 1 to the Forest and all 3 points in the bag. Well done Lads!
Team: G. O'Brien, J. Dawson, E. Carroll, D. Dawson, T.O'Dea, S. Tobin, J. Brazzill, T. Coughlan, B. Quane, M. Lyons. G. Quane.
Subs. V. O'Donnell (Used), Paudie Leahy (Used), D. Flaherty, D. Magner, P. Kelly, T. Carroll.
The Forest's second game was away to Kennedy Pary last Saturday vening and this proved to be a very hard game.
We started well with Tobin and Leahy causing havoc or the Park defence but against the run of play we went down 1 -0 and soon after in the second half were to go down 2 - 0.
If the Forest had had bit of character as they showed in the pre-season now was the time to prove it and that they did with Coughlan popping up with a geat header putting us back in the game 2 - 1.
Soon after we got a second from a great free kick 2 -2. But soon after the referee gave adesperate decesion and awarded the Park penalty and they obliged, 3 - 2 to the Park.
With about 20 minutes left to play Forest were awarded another free ick about 19 yards out and with a beautiful strike 3 - 3. We should really have wrapped up the game in the end but luckily enough we came home with a point.
Great performance again with the 10 men of the Forest for the last 15. Well done lads.
Team: G. O'Brien, J. Dawson, E. Carroll, D. Dawson, T.O'Dea, S. Tobin, J. Brazzill, T. Coughlan, B. Quane, P. Leahy. G. Quane.
Subs. J. Slattery (Used), T. Carroll.
The Kilfinane Forest Senior Club would also like to wish the best of luck to the Kilfinane Forest Juvenilles Club on their formation and their league competitions.
