Celtic fail to make final
MUNSTER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
Newmarket Celtic 2 Killarney Celtic 0
KILLARNEY Celtic have been knocking on the door of winning a provincial or national title in recent years but their quest for the big stage in a provincial final was extinguished at McDonough Park in Newmarket on Fergus on Sunday when they went down to Newmarket Celtic in the semi final of the Munster League Champions Trophy.
While they came into this game as outsiders against a very formidable Clare side the tame manner in which they went down was a big disappointment for those who travelled to support them in the Banner County.
Their opponents were a physically big and committed side who used their advantage in height to good effect winning most of the aerial battles in this game which in general was a very scrappy affair.
Over the 90 minutes Killarney Celtic had only two shots on target which clearly showed just how limited in resources in the were in the final third of the pitch.
Killarney were adopting the wrong tactical game plan as their high balls into the Newmarket box were manna from heaven for the home defence who were several inches bigger that their opponents and they won almost everything that came their way.
Consequently the home side were extremely dangerous from dead ball situations as they constantly were whipping in the ball to their big midfielders and strikers.
Killarney Celtic began the game very positively with Wayne Sparling and Danny Roche attacking down the flanks and when they kept the ball on the ground they were worrying the home defence.
They created an early chance after good approach play by James Sugrue and Cathal O’Shea created an opening for Gary Keane and the Newmarket goalie had to tip his shot over his crossbar at the expense of a corner kick but it yielded nothing.
Play moved down the other end with Colin Smyth latching on to a Darren Cullinan corner kick but his headed effort went over the top.
After a spell of persistent pressure the home side went ahead in the 22nd minute with a fabulous goal.
It came from a low corner kick by Eoin O’Brien which was knocked out to the verge of the box right in the path of of Darren Cullinan who turned on to his left foot and sent a screamer of a shot to the corner of the net.
As the half progressed Newmarket’s corner kicks total began to increase creating a lot of problems for the Killarney Celtic defence but they coped with the pressure very well dealing with everything that came their way.
Things didnt look too bad going in 1-0 down at half time but Celtic knew they would have to buck up their play considerably if they were to get back into the game.
Killarney goalie Roy Kelliher was called into action 5 minutes into the second half when he made a fantastic save to deny Tino Nzaura with a thunderbolt of a shot from just inside the box.
A foul on Cathal O’Shea then gave Killarney a free kick in a good position but Wayne Sparling put his effort on goal wide of the target.
Killarney goalkeeper Roy Kelliher came to their rescue again in the 55th minute making a fine save to deny David McCarthy.
The home side took control of the game in the 62nd when they scored their second goal. It came from a free kick out on the wing by Darren Callinan which evaded the Killarney defence and David McCarthy found a pocket of space outside the six-yard box and his powerful header gave Roy Kelliher no chance.
After this Killarney enjoyed their best spell in the game and Brendan Falvey went close but his fizzing shot flashed outside the right hand post. Cathal O’Shea then had a good chance to score but he shot straight at the keeper from close range. Falvey had another late chance when he got on to the end of a corner kick but he was unable to find the target.
On the day Newmarket were the better side and were very deserving winners at the end.
Killarney now go back and concentrate on the domestic scene as they only need a few more points to qualify for the Premier A League Final and they will be very anxious to try and win back to back titles. NEWMARKET CELTIC: Shane Cusack, Eoin O’Brien, Darren Cullinan, Stephen Kelly, Paddy Purcell, Cathal Hayes, Colin Smyth, Callum McNamara (Colin Ryan, 76), David McCarthy (Daithi O’Connor, 63), Tino Nzaura (David Reidy, 58), Eoin Hayes.
KILLARNEY CELTIC: Roy Kelliher, Stephen Maloney, Brendan Falvey, Stevie O’Mahoney, Shane Brosnan, Wayne Sparling, James Sugrue (Stephen McCarthy, 62), Pa McGrath (Ryan Kelliher, 84), Gary Keane, Cathal O’Shea, Danny Roche
REFEREE: Shane Hayes (Limerick)