Spillane quietly confident Celtic can upset Ballynanty

UMBRO FAI JUNIOR CUP LAST 16 Ballynanty Rovers (Limerick) v Killarney Celtic Sunday, February 5 at 2pm Limerick Institute of Technology Referee: B Fitzgerald (Waterford)

KILLARNEY Celtic play one of the biggest games in their proud history next Sunday in Limerick when they face the might of Ballynanty Rovers in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

Celtic face a formidable task against a side that got to the final three years ago, but Celtic have taken a number of major scalps in the competition so far and they will have no fear of their opponents.

Under new manager Brian Spillane this side have been improving with every game this season and are well capable of winning this encounter. They have been impressive in their games to date in the competition beating Newcastlewest 9-0 in their opening game. Then they had a tough encounter in the next round defeating Mitchels Avenue 1-0 before travelling to Pat Kennedy Park for the next round winning 6-1 against Listowel Celtic.

They faced another formidable side, Mervue United, in the last 64 game and won it with a Gary Keane goal from the penalty spot. Then they had to travel to Clare and came away with a great 3-2 win over Newmarket Celtic.

Elsewhere Celtic have been excelling in the Munster Junior Cup and are through to the last 16 after a great win over Ringmahon Rangers last Saturday.

They will be without their star striker Cathal O’Shea for this game as he is serving a suspension after being sent off in the game against Newmarket but they are hoping that Brendan Falvey, who sustained a hand fracture in the same game, will be able to play on Sunday.

They have plenty of good players on the fringes and they will be delighted to get an opportunity of playing in this big game should the opportunity arise.

If Celtic are to win every player will have to be at their best and they will have to produce a high intensity game for the entire 90 minutes.

Manager Brian Spillane is confident they can win the game but he says it will take a huge performance to achieve it.

“We are underdogs against this very strong Limerick side but we will be well prepared for the game and if our best efforts are not sufficient then we will accept that. The mood on the training pitch has been great all season with 20 lads determined to give everything for the club. Our winning record this season speaks for itself and we maintain to keep that record going for as long as we can.

“Ballynanty are a very strong side but no team is unbeatable so our only aim is to try and win the game. All the lads are on a high at present and can’t wait for the game to arrive on Sunday. Cathal O’Shea will be a big loss for us but we are very strong on the bench with equally good players ready to step into the breach when required”

Spillane says he will be changing his team formation for this game reverting from the three at the back to the normal back four and a five-man midfield with one striker up front.

“This is probably the biggest game in our club’s history and we will give our all. The players are confident they have the capability of winning the game and they will be full of confidence going into the match. A big band of supporters will be travelling with us on Sunday with a bus already booked out and maybe another one on the way. We crave for these type of big games and will be determined to do our club proud on Sunday and if we win it will be terrific but even if we lose we will hold our heads high and focus back on the Munster Junior Cup and our domestic league commitments,” he said.

The probable starting line up and formation for Sunday should be Roy Kelliher or Brian Kelly in goals back 4 Chris O’Leary, John McDonagh, Jamie Spillane and Brendan Falvey or Conor Randall.

Midfield, Stephen Hayes, Gary Keane, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling, Pa McGrath and up front Peter McCarthy.

Stephen McCarthy, Conor McCarthy, Anthony OLeary, Lee Downing will also be vying for a place on the starting line up.