Another big occasion for Celtic

FAI JUNIOR CUP SEVENTH ROUND (LAST 16)

Killarney Celtic v North End United (Wexford)

Sunday, February 11 Kick off 2pm Referee: Keith Callaha (Cork AUL)

KILLARNEY Celtic appear on the big stage again at Celtic Park next Sunday when they play Wexford side North End United in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

North End created a huge shock last Sunday when they defeated Dublin side Ballymun United 6-0 so Celtic face an enormous task against this very strong Wexford Town side.

After getting to the semi-final of the national competition last year Celtic will be aiming for the Holy Grail this season and try to become the first Kerry side to win the prestigious national competition in which over 600 clubs nationwide participate in every year.

Celtic know they face a huge assignment next Sunday and will go into the game as underdogs, but they are unbeaten so far this season in all competitions and will be going into the game on a high.

Their path to this stage of the national competition has been easy enough. They got a bye in the first round of the competition and defeated Clare side Rineanna Rovers 11-0 in the second round. They hosted Clare side Moher Celtic in the third round and won 4-0 before travelling to Clare again in the fourth round and they defeated Newmarket Celtic 4-1.

Mayo side Castlebar Celtic were their opponents in the fifth round and they won 4-2 at Celtic Park. They had to travel to Athlone for the sixth round and had to battle hard to defeat Willow Park FC 2-1 after extra-time.

Celtic scored 25 goals in their five games and conceded just four, which is a very impressive record. However statistics won’t count for much on Sunday as the stakes get higher and the opposition gets more formidable. Celtic will go into the game as outsiders but that won’t worry them as they are very difficult to beat in their own patch.

They will be without Brendan Falvey as he is serving a suspension after being sent off in the Willow Park game and Chris O’Leary is out with an injury. However, Celtic have a very strong bench with a number of players capable of filling their shoes.

They will have their homework done on their opponents and know that they are very fast going forward are physically strong and are deadly on the counter-attack.

No doubt Celtic boss Eoghan Donnellan will have his side well psyched-up for the big game and have his own game plan and he will be hoping they can deliver the goods on Sunday evening.

The game should attract a huge crowd to Celtic Park and with that level of support Celtic may be able to upset the apple cart and squeeze out a win against all the odds.

Don’t be surprised if it takes extra-time and possibly penalties to decide this game.

FAI JUNIOR CUP LAST 16 DRAW

Killarney Celtic v North End United (Wexford) Usher Celtic v Moyne Rangers Dungarvan FC v Pike Rovers Newfoundwell FC v Ayrfield United

St Michael’s FC v Tolka Rovers Newmarket Celtic v Grettan United Shannon Town or Oliver Bond Celtic v Evergreen FC Ferrybank FC v Mervue United