Killarney rivals seeking KO in Cup final meeting
GREYHOUND BAR CUP FINAL
Killarney Celtic v Killarney Athletic
Sunday June 24 at 2pm
WHEN these fellow townies met in last year’s Premier A Final they filled Mounthawk Park to the rafters and this huge game on Sunday should also be a sell out .
It is a game that will have widespread appeal and supporters of the game around the county will want to be at it.
While Athletic who are the defending Greyhound Bar Cup Champions failed to reach the heights they accomplished last year they wont need any encouragement going into this game as when they meet Celtic it is always a very close contest.
In their two meetings in the league this season the first game ended in a
3-3 draw with Athletic coming from 3-0 down to take a point after a great second half comeback.
They met again later in the season at Celtic Park and in a very tight game Celtic won 1-0.
This shows that there is very little between these two teams in local derbies and this final should be no exception.
Celtic went through the entire season without losing a game in Premier A and the only points they dropped was in the drawn game against Athletic.
Added to that they got to the semi final of the Munster Junior Cup and the last 16 of the FAI Junior cup which are very impressive credentials. Meanwhile, Athletic lost just two league games but they had five draws.
Without a doubt Celtic will go into this game as favourites and justifiably so as their form this season has been most impressive and they have the facts to prove it.
However the form book in not too significant in a big game like this as there is never too much between these sides when big games are down for decision.
In their path to the final Celtic got a bye in the first round and they defeated Dingle Bay Rovers 3-0 in the second round. Tralee Celtic were their opponents in the quarter final and they won 3-0. They faced Mitchels Avenue in the semi-final and won 3-1.
Meanwhile, Athletic defeated Classic FC 5-0 in the opening round. They had a comfortable 5-1 win over Mastergeeha in the second round and defeated Castleisland 3-0 in the quarter-final. Last Friday evening they defeated Killorglin 2-1 in the semi-final.
If Celtic are to pull off the double which Athletic accomplished last year they will be relying on Michael Gustifar, Brendan Falvey, John McDonagh, Chris Brady and Chris O’Leary to be at their best at the back and they will be relying on Gary Keane, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling and Peter McCarthy to be creative at midfield and will be looking for Cathal O’Shea and Danny Roche to put away any scoring chances that come their way.
Meanwhile, Athletic will be hoping that Brendan Kealy or Brian O’Connor with keep a clean sheet between the sticks and Ryan Carroll, Adam Moynihan, Paudie O’Connor and Aidan O’Mahoney to will keep a tight ship at the back.
They will be looking towards Sean Cournane, Shane Doolan, Mike O’Donoghue, and Jamie Doolan, to dominate the midfield exchanges and that Shane Lynch, Tony Brosnan or William Courtney can apply clinical finishing up front.
It should be a great game that will go right down to the wire but Celtic must get the vote to lift the Greyhound Bar Cup on Sunday evening and complete the League and Cup double.