The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killarney Celtic into last 16 of FAI Cup
FAI JUNIOR CUP (LAST 32) Willow Park FC (Athlone) Killarney Celtic 2 (after extra-time)
KILLARNEY Celtic are through to the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup after a thrilling win over Willow Park FC in Athlone last Saturday.
In a scrappy, dour, robust and foul ridden game played in heavy underfoot conditions the outcome was on a knife edge right up to the final whistle in a game where yellow cards were being handed out like confetti and a player from each side was red-carded.
What the game lacked in quality was made up for by the never say die attitude of both sides who put their bodies on the line for the cause and battled away earnestly right up to the very end.
It was not a pretty game to watch but that was immaterial as winning was the name of the game for Celtic and how it was achieved mattered little.
It was a nightmare game to han- dle for referee Mark Murphy and he came in for a lot of verbal abuse from both sides on the field and the sideline, which was unnecessary and over the top.
While a few controversial decisions arose, players were questioning almost every decision he made when concentrating on the game would have been more appropriate.
For what it’s worth, this observer thought he done a decent enough job in the circumstances and most of his decisions were correct and he applied the advantage rule very well.
Celtic got off to the best possible start going ahead in the third minute. A free kick out on the sideline was floated into the crowded box by Matt Keane and Gary Keane managed to find space to evade a defender and executed a delightful shot with the outside of his right foot which flew into the bottom corner of the net. Now the home side looked rattled and Celtic tried to punch home their advantage.
The home side’s first attempt on goal came in the 9th minute but Brendan Magennis fired high and over the top.
Then Celtic hit on the break forcing a corner kick which was sent into the goalmouth by Brendan Falvey and a daisy-cutter of a shot from Matt Keane was just inches wide.
Celtic should have doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Gary Keane latched on to a Matt Keane corner kick but his header from 5 yards was straight at the Willow Park goalkeeper.
They were forced to make a substitution in the 23rd minute with Michael Devlin replacing the injured Chris Brady.
They had the ball in the net shortly afterwards but Peter McCarthy had strayed offside.
Celtic keeper David Spillane was called into action just before half time and he made a fine save to deny Brendan Magennis.
The home side made a change at half time with Aaron O’Neill replacing Ciaran McNally.
Shortly after the kick off in the second half Willow Park attacked from midfield with Damian Rushe and Kevin Murray linking up to set Brendan Magennis free and as he entered the box he was bundled over by Jamie Spillane and the referee awarded a penalty kick.
Robbie Shine gave David Spillane no chance with a superb spot kick.
Now the home side had their tails up and Celtic were back tracking to keep them at bay.
However they were dealing with everything well at the back and making sporadic counter attacks.
Danny Roche shot narrowly wide from a Jamie Spillane free kick while the Willow Park goalie done very well to block a rasper of a shot from Jamie Spillane.
Celtic had a glorious chance to go ahead in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick.
It came from a long ball out of defence by Jamie Spillane which put Wayne Sparling through on goals and as he tried to get around the advancing keeper he was taken down and the referee pointed to the spot.
He then consulted with his assistant and afterwards issued a straight red card to the keeper Mick Fogarty for a last man tackle.
The red card looked a harsh decision as Sparling still had a good bit to do if he was to score.
Now Max Nicholson was brought on in goals by Willow Park but it was Jack Quinn who went into goals for the spot kick.
However Jamie Spillane hit the spot kick timidly and the stand in goalie made a comfortable save.
Five minutes later Celtic were down to 10 men when Brendan Falvey was sent off for a second yellow card offence, a decision that incensed the Celtic players and supporters. He was on a yellow card and had been cautioned twice prior to the sending off.
Both sides were extra cautious towards the end of the game but Celtic had a late chance to steal the game in the final minute but sub Steven McCarthy was denied by a fine save by the Willow Park goalie.
With stalemate prevailing after regulation time ended the game progressed to extra-time.
Celtic made the vital breakthrough their endeavours merited midway through the first period of extra time after superb approach play between sub Pa McGrath Gary Keane and Matt Keane created an opening for Wayne Sparling and just as he was about to unleash a shot inside the box he was taken down and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Once again the home side changed goalies but it did not work this time as John McDonagh showed nerves of steel drilling the ball hard and low past the Willow Park goalie.
The home side were only a lick of paint away from equalising minutes later with sub Hakeez Shololan getting on to the end of a corner kick and his effort came off the outside of the post.
Celtic battened down the hatches for the second period of extra time and defended comfortably but there was one late scare when Peter Sherlock headed narrowly wide from a Robert Shine free kick.
Celtic will be delighted with their win and eagerly await the last 16 draw hoping for a home fixture.
WILLOW PARK FC: Michael Fogarty, Gavin Magennis (Stephen Relihan, 90 mins), Peter Sherlock, Jack Quinn, Robert Shine, Gary McHugh, Kevin Murray, Mark Nickolson, Brendan Magennis (Declan Fallon, 97 mins), Damian Rushe, Ciaran McNally (Aaron O’Neill, 46mins).
KILLARNEY CELTIC: David Spillane, Chris Brady (Michael Devlin, 23 mins), Brendan Falvey, Jamie Spillane, John McDonagh, Gary Keane, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling (Anthony O’Leary 99 mins), Peter McCarthy (Steven McCarthy, 89 mins), Danny Roche, Cathal O’Shea (Pa McGrath, 68 mins).
REFEREE: Mark Murphy