Athletic poised to make it a derby final

TWO sides who are experiencing a silverware famine CG Killarney and Quarry Park Rangers will have to wait another two weeks to see if they can remedy the situation after they played out a 1-1 draw at Mounthawk Park on Saturday evening in the best league final so far this season

Both sides gave everything in a game, which was a very entertaining encounter that ebbed and flowed at regular intervals keeping the big crowd that attended on their toes right up to the final whistle.

QPR were the more creative side in the first half and they went close to opening their account in the sixth minute, but Shane Reen just did not get enough contact on an Aongus O’Leary free kick.

Another opportunity came in the 14th minute after penetrating approach play by Cian Jenkins and Mark Reen unhinged the CG defence, but Mike Daly came to the rescue for CG with a well timed tackle.

CG had a good opportunity also with a well struck free kick by John Foley bringing a good save out of QPR goalie John O’Connell.

After this CG Killarney began to enjoy much more possession and they were beginning to pose a threat up front with John Foley making his presence felt.

Just before the break Mike Daly had a good chance for CG, but he was denied by a great save by the QPR goalie John O’Connell. Mark Reen got through on goals early in the second half but the CG goalie Dave Kerins was off his line quickly to smother the ball at his feet.

Then CG hit on the counter attack with John Foley getting past a defender into the box and the QPR goalie John O’Connell was very brave to come out and claim the ball at his feet.

After a period of good constructive football CG went ahead in the 60th minute. A clever one two between sub Sam Treharne and John Foley split the QPR defence and Foley was taken down just outside the box leading to a free kick.

Tadhg Fleming hit the free kick beautifully drilling it past the wall and into the right hand corner of the net for an exquisite goal. Now the Killarney side had their tails up and QPR began to use their bench to try and respond.

Their opportunity came in the 69th minute after great interlink play from midfield opened the QPR defence and when Shane Reen was taken down by Tadhg Fleming just outside the box referee Anthony Morrison awarded a free kick.

Ian O’Leary was given the responsibility of taking it and he bent a delicious dipping shot over the wall and into the top left hand corner of the net for a goal of absolute brilliance.

The CG keeper knew where the shot was going and went towards it but he could not even get near it such was its accuracy and deceiving dip.

QPR then forced a corner kick and when the ball broke loose it looked as if Mark Reen had to score but he was denied by a fabulous save by CG goalie Dave Kerins who showed unbelievable reflexes diving low to his left to keep it out.

As the game wore on both sides took no chances and cleared their lines any time danger existed.

All things considered a draw was a fair outcome at the end of the day and both sides must be commended for providing a very enjoyable game played in a great sporting spirit.

It was great to see a big crowd at the game and their vocal input added to the atmosphere of the occasion.

CG KILLARNEY: Dave Keirns, Frank Cronin, Mike Beckett, Ger Foley, Mike Murphy, Gary Cassidy, Mike Daly (Aidan Galvin, 80 min), Tadhg Fleming, John Foley, Joe Donovan (Mike Griffin, 65 min), David McSweeney (Sam Treharne, 57 min)

QUARRY PARK RANGERS: John O’Connell, Donal Og Kelliher, Gearoid O’Connor, Ian O’Leary, Paul Cooney, Aonghus O’Leary (Conor Hickey, 57 min), Cian Jenkins (Daniel O’Sullivan, 80 min), Michael Anthony Kelliher, Mark Reen, Shane Reen, George Dobbins (Ciaran O’Mahoney, 62 min)

REFEREE: Anthony Morrison

GREYHOUND BAR CUP SEMI-FINAL

Killarney Athletic v Killorglin

Friday June 15 Mounthawk Park, 7.45pm

THE big game next weekend takes place at Mounthawk Park on Friday evening where defending champions Killarney Athletic face Premier B side Killorglin in the semi-final of the Greyhound Bar Cup.

Killorglin have had a fairly smooth path to the semi final beating Strand Road 3-1 in the first round. They faced Ballyheigue Athletic in the second round and won 4-2. They met Premier A side Fenit in the quarter-final and won 3-1.

Meanwhile Killarney Athletic beat Classic FC 5-0 in the first round. Mastergeeha were their opponents in the second round and they won 5-1. They faced a stern test in the quarter final against Castleisland, but they won comfortably 3-0.

Athletic will go into the game as favourites, but Killorglin will have nothing to fear as they enjoyed a good season narrowly losing out for a place in the Premier B final.

It should be a tight game, but Athletic should be good enough to win this game and earn a crack against arch rivals Killarney Celtic in the final.