Celtic hammer Fenit to book League final spot

PREMIER A Killarney Celtic 7 Fenit Samphires 0

THIS was billed as a big game in the title race where if the home side won they were in the final and if Fenit won it would guarantee them at least a play-off for the final.

However, it turned out to be little more than a damp squib with Celtic wrapping the game up early on with a flurry of goals with Cathal O’Shea the top marksman with four goals.

It was an evening when Fenit simply did not turn up and they never got to grips with the game and hardly created a scoring chance in the entire game.

The concession of early goals did not help their plight but they will be disappointed that they did not do themselves justice on the night as they are a much better side than this.

Bill Mullins, Jesse Stafford Lacey and Sean Foley tried hard for the seasiders but they just could not stick the pace of a rampant Celtic side who played with great cohesion and purpose.

Celtic.went ahead after 10 minutes when Pa McGrath headed a Chris O’Leary cross in the path of Gary Keane and his half volley gave the Fenit keeper no chance.

Then the Fenit keeper’s clearance was charged down and when a shot by Gary Keane was parried out Cathal O’Shea pounced to score from close range.

O’Shea was the provider for the third goal putting in Peter McCarthy and he fired low for the bottom corner.

Celtic made it 4-0 before the break with Brendan Falvey providing the assist for Cathal O’Shea who drilled the ball past the Fenit keeper.

O’Shea completed his hat trick early in the second half after being set up by Brendan Falvey.

Celtic boss Brian Spillane then started using his bench and Stephen Hayes was not on the pitch long when he scored the sixth goal.

O’Shea popped up at the end of another penetrating attack and finished to the net in style.

Celtic didn’t learn much from this game but they will be happy to come through it without players picking up any injuries.

Now the real acid test awaits in the eagerly awaited final against Killarney Athletic next Sunday at Mounthawk Park with the kick off at 3.30pm.

KILLARNEY Celtic: Roy Kelliher, Chris O’Leary, Jamie Spillane, John McDonagh, Brendan Falvey (Jordan Leahy 70 mins), Gary Keane, Matt Keane (Conor McCarthy 60 mins), Pa McGrath (Stephen Hayes 56 mins), Wayne Sparling, Peter McCarthy (Steven McCarthy 56 mins), Cathal O’Shea.

FENIT Samphires: Ciaran Murray, Sean Allen, Donnacha McGarry, Pa McCarthy, Peter McCarthy, Christopher Murphy, Rob Prendiville, Daniel Clinton, Sean Foley, Bill Mullins (Conor Lowe 70 mins), Jesse Stafford Lacey (Ruairi Kelly 84 mins)

REFEREE: Derek O’Shea