Ikovic stirkes to see Dynamos through

GREYHOUND BAR KO CUP REPLAY Tralee Dynamos 1 Killarney Celtic 0

A GREAT game was anticipated in this replay at sun-drenched Cahermoneen on Friday evening, but it turned out to be little more than a damp squib with neither side able to display too much creativity in the final third of the pitch.

Due to work and holiday commitments Killarney Celtic fielded a very much understrength team and it looked as if Dynamos were in for a comfortable victory. However, they had to fight very hard for their win with Celtic in with a chance right up to the very end.

While Dynamos had most of the possession they were going around in circles with the ball in the middle of the pitch and not posing too much threat when they came forward. In a lack lustre first half Celtic were almost gifted a goal after seven minutes when a Tony Brosnan cross fooled the Dynamos defence and in an effort to clear the ball Jonathan Burrows attempted header was just over the top.

Spurned on by an excellent display at midfield by Tony Brosnan Celtic had claims for a penalty in the 30th minute after Farouk Amanu went down in the box, but referee Willie O’Gorman waved play on.

Four minutes later Dynamos went ahead with a superbly crafted goal.

The move began at midfield with James Sugrue spreading the ball wide to Jonathan Hannifan. He linked up with Uros Ikovic who crossed the ball in to the goalmouth.

As players from both sides scrambled for the ball Danny Roche reacted quickest and volleyed to the net from six yards. It took Celtic 44 minutes to get their first strike on goal and it came to Gintaras Paketuras, but it was straight at the Dynamos keeper Gary Sugrue who dropped it but regained possession comfortably.

Dynamos almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Damien Diggins latched on to an Aaron Houlihan corner kick and his near post header was only a whisker away. Celtic made a change at half time with Lee O’Callaghan replacing Conor Randles.

A bit of needle developed as the second half progressed and referee Willie O’Gorman had to hand out a few yellow cards to restore order.

Then Dynamos got a free kick in a good position, but James Sugrue's effort was just outside the left hand post.

Celtic created a good chance in the 60th minute when Stephen Hayes fooled the Dynamos defence with a dummy and the ball fell to Gintaras Paketuras, but his effort was blocked by Gary Sugrue in the Dynamos goals.

Now Dynamos started to use their bench and sub Eoin Cassidy had claims for a penalty in the 66th minute but it was not accommodated. Dynamos had a couple of chances from free kicks outside the box but James Sugrue was unable to test the Celtic goalie.

Celtic were reduced to 10 players in the 82nd minute when John McDonagh was sent off for a second yellow card offence. Shortly afterwards Dynamos should have made the game safe when Shane Lowth put in Maurice O’Rahilly, but under pressure he stumbled and was unable to finish it.

TRALEE DYNAMOS: Gary Sugrue, Jonathan Hannifan, Mark Fitzgerald, Shane Guthrie, Jonathan Burrows, Maurice O’Rahilly, Aaron Houlihan, (Cian Kennedy 66), James Sugrue, Uros Ikovic, (Shane Lowth 73), Damien Diggings, (Eoin Cassidy 62), Danny Roche KILLARNEY CELTIC: Roy Kelliher, Pierce Lyons, Fergal O’Donoghue, John McDonagh, Brendan Lyne, Gary Keane, Tony Brosnan, Stephen Hayes, Farouk Amanu, Conor Randles, (Lee O’Callaghan, 46), Gintaras Paketuras REFEREE: Willie O’Gorman