The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Castleisland move closer to ‘A’ final
DENNY PREMIER A Castleisland 1 Listowel Celtic 0
CASTLEISLAND took a definitive step towards reaching the League final after a crucial win over Listowel Celtic at Georgie O’Callaghan Park on Sunday.
Listowel Celtic sat back and soaked up the pressure in the first half of this game and the home side found it hard to break them down and the game was scoreless at half time.
The goal that won the game came in the 49th minute when Colin McCarthy delivered a great over the top ball to Adam O’Donoghue who got in behind the Listowel defence and he showed great composure sliding the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.
After this manager Edmond Hartnett introduced the experienced Mike McCarthy and Stan Divane and they set up to protect their slender lead.
Listowel now changed their tactics and set out in search of an equalizer.
However they were getting no change from a very strong home defence well marshalled by Aidan O’Callaghan, Michael Walsh and Paul Carmody.
Castleisland were unlucky not to double their lead in the 85th minute with a Stan Divane shot coming back off the post.
While Listowel Celtic done their best to engineer a goal Castleisland stood firm and came out deserving winners at the end.
Sub Mike McCarthy sustained an injury late in the game and as Castleisland had already used their three substitutions they had to play the final 10 minutes with 10 players.
Castleisland are now 8 points ahead of Listowel Celtic but the Fealesiders have two games in hand.
Importantly their fate is now in their own hands as if they win their final game against Dingle Bay Rovers down in West Kerry they will qualify to meet Killarney Celtic in the final.
Listowel Celtic are not out of the title race yet as if they win their 3 remaining games against Tralee Dynamos, Dingle Bay Rovers and Fenit Samphires and Castleisland and Dingle draw they will be in a play off with Castleisland for a place in the decider.
Listowel Celtic play Tralee Dynamos at Pat Kennedy Park next Sunday morning and it is a game they have to win to stay in the title race.
So a lot still to be played for in the top flight of Kerry soccer as Killarney Celtic lie in wait to see who they will meet in the decider.
Killarney Athletic 2 Fenit Samphires 2
THIS game was of little significance for either side and they were happy enough to come away with a share of the spoils. Chris O’Meara and Tony Brosnan scored for Killarney Athletic.
Tralee Dynamos 1 Killarney Celtic 2
KILLARNEY Celtic had to work hard to defeat a resiliant Ttralee Dynamos side who were well in contention right up to the very end of the game. However like they do when required Celtic grinded out a win at the end. Gary Keane and Stephen McCarthy scored for the winners while Stefan Cvetkovic found the net for Dynamos.