Killarney Celtic bow out of Munster Junior Cup

MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP FIFTH ROUND LAST 16 Nenagh AFC 1 Killarney Celtic 0

KILLARNEY Celtic’s great run in the Munster Junior Cup came to an end in Tipperary on Sunday when they went down to Nenagh AFC in a cracking cup tie that was on tender hooks right up to the final whistle.

While both sides created a lot of chances one goal was good enough to win the game and it came in the 33rd minute.

The home side were on to the ball that small bit quicker and played more cohesively than Celtic and they were particularly dangerous on the break.

However Celtic matched their opponents in all departments of play and with a bit of luck could easily taken the game to extra time.

It was in the final third of the pitch where Celtic’s game was breaking down with the final pass misplaced on numerous occasions.

Celtic started cautiously with Cathal O’Shea the lone striker up front but they changed their tactics later in the second half when they were chasing an equaliser.

The home side began on the front foot and they had an early chance when their attacking right back Jordan Lewis latched on to a Roy Gilmartin cross and his powerful header went narrowly wide.

Celtic’s first effort came from Matt Keane but his shot did not contain enough bite to seriously bother the Nenagh keeper.

The home side hit on the break in the 11th minute and after a great run Danny Butler shot low and wide.

Celtic then created a couple of chances with a headed effort by Peter McCathy lacking power resulting in an easy save for the Nenagh keeper.

Then they got a free kick 10 yards outside the box and it was hit with great power and precision by John McDonagh and the Nenagh keeper Aaron Savage done well to push it over the top.

Just on the half hour mark Celtic attacked again with Wayne Sparling setting up Cathal O Shea and his shot was superbly blocked by Cathal Coonan.

Three minutes later the score that won the game came after a set piece situation.

A corner kick was swung into the goalmouth by James Mc Grath and was met by the head of Nathan Kelly and was blocked out to John Mitchell who blasted the ball through a forest of players to the back of the net.

Celtic created 2 chances before the break with Wayne Sparling firing over the top from 25 yards while a free kick by Peter McCarthy from just outside the box was only a whisker away with the keeper beaten.

Celtic started the second half encouragingly and were putting a few penetrating attacks together.

The laid siege on the Nenagh goals in the 55th minute with a number of players lining up on the goalmouth to try and finish the ball to the net but efforts from Peter Mc Carthy and Wayne Sparling were blocked in a big scramble in front of the Nenagh goals.

Then the home side broke upfield quickly and Roy Kelliher made a fine save to deny John Mitchell.

At this stage the home side began to use their bench and slow down the game as much as possible.

Then Celtic manager Brian Spillane threw caution to the wind bringing out Gary Keane to midfield and he brought on Steven Mc Carthy to accompany Cathal O Shea up front.

To their credit they battled gamely to try and engineer an equaliser but they were unable to break down a strong home defence who held out for a deserved win.

While Celtic will be disappointed at losing they can hold their heads high as they were in the game right up to the final whistle and can feel very proud of their overall performance.

Now they can focus their attention on the FAI Junior Cup with the quarter final draw taking place this Wednesday February 15. NENAGH AFC: Aaron Savage, Jordan Lewis, Max Boghlu, Cathal Coonan, Mark McKenna, James McGrath, John Mitchell (Alex Gardas 62 mins), Roy Creagh, Ryan Gilmartin (Dylan Sheehan 60 mins), Danny Butler, Nathan Kelly (Barry Griffin 81 mins). KILLARNEY CELTIC: Roy Kelliher, Chris O’Leary, John McDonagh, Jamie Spillane, Gary Keane, Stephen Hayes, Mat Keane, Pa McGrath (Steven McCarthy 70 mins), Peter McCarthy, Wayne Sparling, Cathal O’Shea. REFEREE: M Monaghan (Limerick DL)