Celtic see off neighbours
FAI JUNIOR CUP 2ND ROUND
Killarney Celtic 3 Killarney Athletic 1
THERE was great FAI Junior Cup action on Sunday with fourteen Kerry sides hoping to advance to the second round of the national competition. Firty two goals were scored in eight games with The Park and Killorglin scoring nine goals each in their games
After an action packed day eight Kerry sides Strand Road, Listowel Celtic, Castleisland, The Park, Tralee Dynamos, Killarney Celtic, Killorglin and Classic FC are into the second round while unfortunately, six Kerry sides Mitchels Avenue, Mastergeeha, CG Killarney, Fenit Samphires, Killarney Athletic and Dingle Bay Rovers made their exit from the national competition with three games going to extra time and penalties.
There was five all Kerry clashes and the pick of the crop was the big Killarney Town derby between Celtic and Athletic at Celtic Park.
While the scoreline at the end might suggest Celtic had a comfortable win that would not be a fair reflection on the game as they had to call on all their resources to get past a young spirited Athletic side who made them fight all the way for their win.
Celtic had their two new signings from Tralee Celtic on view with Stevie O’Mahony starting at centre back while James Sugrue had to sit it out on the bench but was introduced early in the second half.
They also welcomed home Padraig O’Connor from the USA who was in the starting line-up and he will be a huge asset to the side for the new season. As anticipated Celtic had the lions share of possession in the game but Athletic defended deeply and tried to hit on the counter attack.
They also used route one at every given opportunity and looked dangerous from free kicks and corner kicks. Seán Cournane was their playmaker at midfield while up front William Courtney always looked dangerous when he won possession.
Celtic had enough chances to be comfortably ahead at half-time but they were rocked on their heels when Athletic went ahead right on the stroke of half-time.
Celtic should have gone ahead in the 13th minute when Padraig O’Connor sent in a peach of a cross from the endline right into the goalmouth and Danny Roche headed wide from six yards with the goals at his mercy.
Shortly afterwards Gary Keane brought a good save out of Athletic keeper Gary Sugrue and further strikes on goal by Pa McGrath and Danny Roche failed to yield a score.
Then Stevie O’Mahony latched on to a Padraig O’Connor corner kick but his headed effort on goal went over the top. Celtic were only a lick of paint away from scoring in the 43rd minute when a free kick from the angle of the box by Stevie O’Mahony found Padraig O’Connor at the far post and his low shot came off the frame of the post.
Then just before half-time Athletic hit on the counter attack and when a long delivery into the goalmouth was spilled by Celtic goalie Michael, Gustifar Anthony Cournane stole in and his looping effort on goal found the net.
This was a huge morale booster for Athletic and Celtic went in at half-time knowing they would have to buck up their act if they were to win this game. Athletic packed their defence in the second half as they strived to protect their slender lead.
Celtic went close to equalising when Stevie O’Mahony got on to the end of a corner kick but his header was over the top. Then Celtic sprung James Sugrue from the bench replacing Pa McGrath and they began to pile on the pressure on the Athletic defence.
However they were not having any joy up front and as the half wore on frustration was beginning to set in. Then they introduced Wayne Sparling for Pádraig O’Connor and he went on to have a significant impact on the game.
Celtic equalised in the 68th minute after Danny Roche done the donkey work to win the ball near the endline and when his cross came across the goals Wayne Sparling ghosted in unnoticed and he hammered the ball to the net from six yards.
Now Celtic went for the jugular ad in another penetrating attack Gary Keane was taken down inside the box and referee Seamus O’Mahony pointed to the spot. Danny Roche gave the Athletic goalie no chance with a sublime finish low to the bottom corner of the net.
They wrapped up the game three minutes later when Sparling unhinged the Athletic defence with his speed and trickery and he finished to the net from close range. He was unlucky not to complete his hat trick near the end when his shot clipped the crossbar.
Celtic will be happy that they done what was required of them but they will have to show big improvement if they are to progress further in the national competition.
KILLARNEY CELTIC: Michael Gustifar, Chris O’Leary, Brendan Falvey, John McDonagh, Stephen O’Mahony, Matt Keane, Gary Keane (Conor McCarthy, 88 min), Pa McGrath (James Sugrue, 55 min), Padraig O’Connor (Wayne Sparling 66 min), Cathal O’Shea (Lee Downing 82 min), Danny Roche
KILLARNEY ATHLETIC: Gary Sugrue, Shane Lyne, Tadhg Doolan, Danny Wren, Cillian O’Regan, Adyden Mulvaney (Lucas Polak 72 min), Owen Moynihan, Sean Cournane, Anthony Cournane, Darren Mulcahy, William Courtney
REFEREE: Seamus O’Mahony