Keane strikes late to seal title
DENNY PREMIER A LEAGUE FINAL
Killarney Celtic 1 Dingle Bay Rovers 0
OVER the years Killarney Celtic have made a habit of rescuing or winning games with late goals and it was deja vu at Mouthawk Park on Friday evening when they were crowned Premier A Champions with an 89th minute goal clinching the game.
Having been beaten in the final in the last two years they are back in the promised land just edging out Dingle in a very tight game. For a long time it looked as if it was heading for a scoreless draw, but games are often won on tight margins and that was case in point in this game with the winning goal coming directly from a corner kick.
The heat made it energy sapping for both sides and as usual Celtic played their free flowing passing game, while Dingle kept it tight at the back and hit on the counter attack whenever the opportunity arose with Sean Fitzgerald the main dangerman up front.
Unfortunately he had to retire injured at half-time and that was a setback for the West Kerry side. There was a fascinating battle at midfield between Gary Keane and Matt Keane for Celtic against Dingle’s Luke Burgess and Joe Sheehy.
The quality of the game was scrappy at times but both sides played with great passion and fire and the game was played in a good sporting fashion. Dingle created the first scoring chance with Sean Fitzgerald finding Luke Burgess in space but his shot was saved by Celtic keeper Michael Gustifar.
A high leg led to a free kick for Dingle in the 17th minute, but Bryan Murphy’s effort on goal went over the top. Gradually Celtic began to impose themselves on the game and Cathal O’Shea shot over the top after being set up by Gary Keane.
Dingle then forced a corner kick, which was floated into the box by Joe Sheehy and Con Barrett rose high but his header missed the target. Then Celtic forced two corner kicks and from the second one Cathal O’Shea produced an audacious flick which looked destined for the net but it was taken off the line by Bryan Murphy and the rebound was cleared.
Dingle unhinged the Celtic defence in the 37th minute with Shane Houlihan playing in Joe Sheehy and just as he was about to pull the trigger he was dispossessed by a fantastic tackle by John McDonagh.
Both sides created a couple of chances before the break with Sean Fitzgerald shooting wide after being set up by Joe Sheehy while down the other end a long range effort from Matt Keane was easily saved by the Dingle keeper.
The best chance of the first half came in the 44th minute when Chris O’Leary latched on to a Cathal O’Shea corner kick and his free header from six yards flashed outside the right hand post.
Both sides were forced to make substitutions at half time because of injuries with Adam O’Rourke replacing Sean Fitzgerald for Dingle while Lee Downing came on for Wayne Sparling for Celtic.
Dingle created the first good chance of the second half with Joe Sheehy linking up with Luke Burgess and after turning a defender his shot low across the goals and Donnacha Higgins just missed it at the back post.
Celtic had the ball in the net in the 61st minute after Danny Roche headed home a Matt Keane cross but he had strayed off side. Dingle then forced a couple of free kicks which were taken by Bryan Murphy, but he failed to test the keeper.
As the half progressed both sides began to play more cautiously and a draw looked the likely outcome. However, this changed dramatically in the 89th minute when a period of Celtic pressure led to a corner-kick.
It was curled right into the goalmouth by Gary Keane and it it looped over the Dingle goalie and went in to the top right hand corner of the net. This was a cruel blow for Dingle as now the clock was against them and they had little time to try and get an equaliser.
While they tried to level the game in the concluding minutes of added time Celtic held firm at the back and ran out deserving winners at the end. While the game never rose to the heights anticipated Celtic were the better side on the night and deserved their win at the end.
Up front Peter McCarthy played one of his best games ever in a Celtc shirt while Cathal O’Shea also had a blinder. Captain John McDonagh kept his defence well marshalled and done an excellent job curbing the threat of Paudie Quinn while goalkeeper Michael Gustifar showed impeccable handling of the ball throughout the game.
Celtic can capture more silverware before the season is over as they are also in the Greyhound Bar Cup final where they meet the winners of Killarney Athletic and Killorglin.
On present form it is hard to see them being denied the league and cup double.
KILLARNEY CELTIC: Michael Gustifar, Chris O’Leary, Brendan Falvey, John Mc Donagh, Chris Brady, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling (Lee Downing, 46 min), Gary Keane, Peter McCarthy, Cathal O’Shea, Danny Roche (Anthony O’Leary, 73 min)
DINGLE BAY ROVERS: Tomas Mac an Tsaor, Brian Murphy, Mark O’Sullivan (Michael Flannery, 67 min), Donnacha Higgins, Con Barrett, Colm Moriarty, Joe Sheehy, Luke Burgess, Paudie Quinn, Shane Houlihan, Sean Fitzgerald (Adam O’Rourke, 46 min)
REFEREE: Derek O’Shea