Killarney derby to decide destiny of ‘A’ title

PREMIER A FINAL Killarney Celtic v Killarney Athletic Sunday, June 25 at Mounthawk Park at 3.30pm

THE dream final that has captured the imagination of soccer fans all over the county and a final that will split the town of Killarney down the middle is down for decision next Sunday at Mounthawk Park when Killarney Celtic and Killarney Athletic meet in the Premier A final.

It is a dream come true for both sides and with an awful lot of stake sentiment goes out the door in a Killarney local derby.

Celtic lost to Dingle Bay Rovers in the final last season and they will be doing their utmost to get their hands on the cup again.

It is Athletic’s first appearance in the Premier A Final so it is a huge occasion for the club and they will be very anxious to beat their arch rivals.

They met three times during the season with each side winning once in the league while Athletic defeated Celtic in the Greyhound Bar Cup quarter final.

Athletic have been in the shadow of Celtic in recent years from a silverware point of view but all has changed this season with Athletic hitting a new level of performance which has brought them to the final.

They only barely avoided relegation last season but they are a transformed side this season under new manager Stuart Templeman.

He has acquired a few new players and with everyone gelling together superbly they have romped through the league programme with a lot of success.

I watched them play at the start of the season and they looked just an average side but when I saw them a few weeks ago the improvement in their play and the way they played the game scaled new heights.

There will be a lot of pride at stake for both sides as the rivalry between them goes deep.

Meanwhile Celtic who are appearing in their 8th final in 11 years have enjoyed a remarkable season so far getting to the semi-final of the FAI Junior Cup and were so unlucky to go out in a penalty shoot-out to Dublin side Sheriff YC.

They also had a great run in the Munster Junior Cup going out in the quarter final to Nenagh.

They will probably go into the final as favourites but clashes between these two sides are always difficult to predict as local derbies bring out the best in both sides where the bragging rights after the game is very important.

Celtic have a good goalie in Roy Kelliher while Chris O’Leary, Jamie Spillane, John McDonagh and Brendan Falvey are a strong defensive quartet.

Stephen Hayes, Gary Keane, Matt Keane, Pa McGrath and Wayne Sparling are the work engine of the team while Peter McCarthy and Cathal O’Shea make a habit of scoring important goals.

Of course Athletic have shown their credentials all season and they will be going into the game full of adrenalin.

They have a dependable net minder in Brian O’Connor while Brian O’Reilly, Adam Moynihan, Paudie O’Connor and Enna Kavanagh keep a tight ship at the back. Shane Doolan, Jamie Doolan, Mike O’Donoghue, and Shane Lynch are the engine room of the team at midfield while Daithi Casey Sean Cournane frequently find the net up front.

Both sides are strong on the bench and can bring on players who are game changers.

Both sides have different styles of play with Celtic keeping the ball on the ground and using their passing game while Athletic are a more physical side who use the wings a lot and they feed in high balls to Daithi Casey and Shane Lynch.

It is a game that will go right down to the wire and there is a strong possibility that it could take another game to decide who will lift the Premier A title.

It should bring a bumper crowd to Mounthawk Park on Sunday and everyone is expecting a great game.