Killarney Celtic secure a famous double
GREYHOUND BAR KO CUP FINAL Killarney Celtic 1 Killarney Athletic 0
KILLARNEY Celtic pulled off the double at sun-drenched Mounthawk Park on Sunday when they were crowned Greyhound Bar Cup Champions after a fully deserved win over their arch rivals Killarney Athletic.
This was an energy sapping game played in intense heat and the referee Anthony Morrison allowed two water breaks midway through both halves. Like they have done some many times in the past it was a late goal that clinched the game for Celtic in the 79th minute.
Celtic were the better side over the 90 minutes and could have won it more comfortably if they had been more clinical in front of goals. They dominated the first half and but for some excellent goalkeeping by Athletic net-minder Brendan Kealy they could have been out of sight by half-time.
However, like all Killarney derbies this was not a game for the feint-hearted as it was wide open right up to the final whistle. Celtic created three early chances, but efforts from Cathal O’Shea (2) and Peter McCarthy were saved by Kealy in the Athletic goals.
Athletic had a great chance to go ahead in the 19th minute when a superb ball from Lucas Polak put Seán Cournane through on goals with only Celtic goalie Robert Osborne to beat but he lost control of the ball just before he was about to shoot and a great scoring opportunity was gone.
Then Gary Keane fired a shot over the top while Cathal O’Shea shot wide when he should have hit the target. In a counter attack Athletic struck from midfield, but a fantastic tackle from the excellent Brendan Falvey denied Lucas Polak a scoring opportunity. Cathal O’Shea had the ball in the net just before half-time but he had strayed offside.
Athletic opened the second half strongly and they had an early chance when Éanna Kavanagh and Sean Cournane linked up to create an opening for Shane Doolan and his low shot was just inches wide.
Down the other end Brendan Falvey and Gary Keane combined to create a chance for Wayne Sparling, but his shot was saved by Athletic goalie Brendan Kealy.
Athletic then forced a corner when it was delivered into the goalmouth it was partially cleared and fell to Seán Cournane and his spinning shot, which took a deflection was saved at the second time of asking by Celtic keeper Robert Osborne.
Celtic were very unlucky not to go ahead in the 73rd minute when Danny Roche made a good run down the right flank and centred the ball accurately to Peter McCarthy and his goalbound header from 10 yards came off the butt of the left hand post and was cleared to safety.
However, the ace marksman who scored the winner in the Premier A Final was not to be denied in the 79th minute when he was played in by Danny Roche and coming into the box he fired his shot low to the bottom corner of the net.
He almost scored again two minutes later when he slid the ball under the Athletic keeper, but it was taken off the line by a defender. Athletic did force two late corner kicks, but they could not engineer an equaliser and Celtic ended up very deserving winners.
Celtic went the entire season without losing a game at domestic level which is a remarkable achievement.
It was a great all round performance by Celtic on the day with John McDonagh and Chris Brady superb at the heart of defence while Brendan Falvey was setting up attacks from his upfield runs.
Matt Keane, and Gary Keane were superb at midfield and that goal poacher supreme Peter McCarthy scored the all important goal. Celtic can now look forward to playing in the Munster Champions Trophy with a home tie against Limerick side Janesboro.
KILLARNEY Celtic: Robert Osborne, Chris O’Leary, Brendan Falvey, John McDonagh, Chris Brady, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling, (Anthony O’Leary 70 min), Gary Keane, Peter McCarthy, Cathal O’Shea, (Pa McGrath 82 min), Danny Roche, (Lee Downing 88 min)
KILLARNEY Athletic: Brendan Kealy, Ryan Carroll, Enna Kavanagh, Paudie O’Connor, Cillian O’Regan, Shane Doolan, Sean Cournane, Adam Moynihan, (Conor Keane 73 min), Jamie Doolan, (Mike Milner 89 min), Lucas Polak, (Shane Lynch 60 min), Tony Brosnan.