Killarney Celtic head to Carlow to face Laois opponent

FAI JUNIOR CUP SEVENTH ROUND (LAST 16)

Crettyard United v Killarney Celtic Sunday February 23 at Kileen Road Crettyard at 2pm

AFTER travelling to Donegal a few weeks ago and coming away with a great win against Buncrana, Killarney Celtic journey to the sunny South East next Sunday where they play Carlow District League side Crettyard United in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

Crettyard are actually from county Laois but play in the neighbouring Carlow League.

This will be another stern test for Celtic against a strong side who do well in the competition every year.

Crettyard are a side with a great pedigree and have won the Carlow Premier League for the past 2 seasons.

They have some very good young players who attend the Carlow Institute of Technology.

Celtic will go into the game with a lot of confidence but they will have to be firing on all cylinders if they are to come away with a win.

Celtic boss Brian Spillane has brought in four new players through the transfer window and that has strengthened the squad considerably.

Celtic have had a very easy passage in the national competition so far.

In the and 2nd round they had a facile 11-0 win over Desmond League side Shannonside

Clare side Coole FC were their opponents in the 3rd round and they won 5-0.

Desmond League side Granagh United were their opponents in the 4th round recording a 3-1 victory.

They faced Dublin side St Kevin’s Boys in the 5th round and won 5-1.

They were on the road again against Bancrana and won that game comfortably 4-1.

They will be put to the pin of their collar to defeat this Crettyard side but they have the quality of players who shine on the big stage and they are well capable of winning this game on Sunday but they will have to call on all their resources to bring it to fruition.

The reigning FAI Junior Cup champions

Sheriff YC Dublin made their exit from the competition in the last round going down to another Dublin side Usher Celtic.

Celtic lost to Sheriff YC in the semi final of the competition 4 years ago going down in a penalty shoot-out in a game that was played at Mastergeeha home ground Kilbrean Park.

Celtic are also in the semi-final of the Champions League Trophy where they are away to Tipperary side St Michael’s so they will be doing their best to try and lift a national or a provincial title this season.

However it is one game at a time as they try to accomplish this mission and they will have to perform in top gear for the entire 90 minutes if they are to win on Sunday.

They have the credentials to make it to the quarter final and are good enough to etch out a win on Sunday provided everything goes according to plan.

The Celtic squad have a clean bill of health for the game which will give manager Brian Spillane plenty to ponder over during the week with competition for places in the starting line up very keen.

A big band of supporters are travelling to support the team for the big game and that could provide the bit of encouragement that will get them over the line on Sunday.

TEAMS LEFT IN JUNIOR CUP

Killarney Celtic, Crettyard United (Carlow), Fairview Rangers (Limerick), Castlebar Celtic (Mayo), Gorey Rangers (Wexford), Ferrybank AFC (Waterford), Oliver Bond Celtic (Leinster Senior League), Rush Athletic (Leinster Senior League), Usher Celtic (Dublin AUL), Athenry FC (Galway), Westport United (Mayo)