Big win for Celtic in Donegal

FAI JUNIOR CUP SIXTH ROUND (LAST 32) Buncrana Hearts 1 Killarney Celtic 4

A SUPERB hat trick by Stephen McCarthy has sent Killarney Celtic through to the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup after a fantastic 4-1 win over Buncrana Hearts in Donegal on Sunday.

The game was played in very testing conditions with a strong gale and rain falling heavily in the opening 45 minutes. Celtic began the game very positively having the measure of their opponents in most departments of play.

They perfected their passing game letting the ball do the work enabling plenty of creativity and goal scoring opportunities. After a period of dominance they went ahead in the 26th minute when the home side failed to deal with a cross Stephen McCarthy was on to the ball in a flash rounded the Buncrana keeper and rolled the ball into the empty unprotected net.

They doubled their lead three minutes from the interval when a brilliant cross from Wayne Sparling found McCarthy and he blasted the ball to the net from eight yards. Celtic looked very comfortable at half-time, but they knew they would have to keep the momentum going if they were to take the spoils. They continued to dictate the game in the second half and extended their lead in the 63rd minute when the home defence were found napping and Danny Roche ghosted in to score from close range.

Stephen McCarthy put the icing on the cake four minutes later when he scored the fourth goal and completed his hat-trick. Now it was a matter of winding down the clock and bringing on some fresh legs to see the job accomplished.

The home side applied pressure towards the end of the game as they tried to pull a goal back but they were finding it extremely difficult to get past an excellent Celtic defence while behind them goalkeeper Roy Kelliher when he was called into action made a couple of great saves.

Eventually after being denied twice by the crossbar Decky Fullerton managed to score a late consolation goal for the home side. It was a splendid all round team performance by Celtic but of course Stephen McCarthy stole the show with his hat trick and Wayne Sparling was also excellent in midfield taking on defenders at every given opportunity.

If Celtic can keep this type of form going they could go a long way in the national competition.

KILLARNEY CELTIC: Roy Kelliher, Padraig O’Connor, Kevin O’Sullivan, John McDonagh, Stevie O’Mahony, Matt Keane, Wayne Sparling (Shane Lowth, 82), Gary Keane, Stephen McCarthy (Jamie O’Sullivan, 76), Lee Downing, Danny Roche (Roy Kelliher, 78) Subs: Adam O’Rourke, Cathal O’Shea, Ryan Kelliher, Shane Lowth, Jamie O’Sullivan, Jarad Barton, Adam Carey

BUNCRANA HEARTS: Eoghan O’Doherty, John Timlin, Keith McColgan, Paul McDermott, Kevin O’Loughlin, James Adair, Darragh O’Connor, Calvin Gallagher, Gerard McLoughlin, Mikey Friel, Decky Fullerton Subs: Eoin Murphy, Gerard Boyle, Bata Wesolowski, Aaron McDaid, John O’Loughlin, Kieran McDaid, Gary Duffy.