Killarney Celtic good enough to retain ‘A’ title

DENNY PREMIER A FINAL Killarney Celtic v Dingle Bay Rovers Friday, June 8 Mounthawk Park at 7.45pm

THIS Premier A final has captured the imagination of soccer supporters around the county and it is sure to attract a big crowd to Mounthawk Park on Friday evening for the eagerly awaited showdown between the two big guns of Kerry soccer.

While it will not attract as much attention as last years all Killarney clash it is still a very appealing game the outcome of which is difficult to predict.

Celtic will go into the game as favouites as they are unbeaten all season in domestic fixtures and also had a great run in both the Munster Junior Cup reaching the semi final and they got to the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

The sides met in the Premier A Final in 2016 and in a thrilling game Dingle won 4-3 to claim their very first title in this division.

Both sides panel of players have changed quite a bit since the 2016 final and Dingle have acquired a few very good players in Paudie Quinn, Bryan Murphy, Con Barrett and Adam O’Rourke while Celtic have added Danny Roche and Cathal O’Shea, to their squad and a few of their younger players are also beginning to step up to the plate.

It will be a game where Celtic will be hoping to perfect their passing game while Dingle will probably be sitting deep and pounce on the counter attack with Sean Fitzgerald always a threat from over the top deliveries.

If Celtic are to win they will be looking towards Michael Gustifar, Brendan Falvey, John McDonagh Chris O’Leary and Chris Brady to keep a tight ship at the back, Wayne Sparling, Gary Keane, Matt Keane, Peter McCarthy to be creative at midfield and Danny Roche and Cathal O’Shea to snap up any chances they get.

Jamie Spillane who emigrated to Japan will be a huge loss they have to replace him at centre back and Chris Brady is filling the role very well in recent games.

Chris O’Leary who was out for a long time with an injury in back playing again and he will be a huge asset to their defence.

If Dingle are to take the spoils they will be hoping Jason Hickson, Donnacha Hiiggins Con Barrett, and Michael Flannery to defend astutely, Paudie Quinn, Joe Sheehy, Luke Burgess Adam O’Rourke and Brian Murphy to shine at midfield and Sean Fitzgerald to put away and chances they get up front.

It should be a closely fought game but given their form so far this season it would be hard to bet against Killarney Celtic regaining their Premier A title.