Killarney Celtic News
Compiled by Jimmy O’Sullivan Darcy
THE Munster Junior Cup Kerry Area final finished Killarney Celtic 2 Dingle Bay Rovers 0 and, as expected, this was simply a brilliant game.
Dingle, with Sean Fitzgerald and Sean Mhici Ó Conchuir pressing hard, made the better start but were repulsed by a defensive unit in which captain fantastic John McDonough and Jamie Spillane were superb. Once Celtic began to take control of the middle, the tireless workrate and determination of lone striker Cathal O’Shea began to pose them problems, but it was scoreless at half-time.
In the 60th minute Cathal was pulled down when a goal looked inevitable. It wasn’t a nasty foul but it denied a goal-scoring opportunity and the referee brandished red, although he deemed the offence to be outside the square.
That made no difference to John McDonough whose brilliant free-kick smashed into the net. Celtic had the upper hand from then on but Dingle never gave up and it was only after a lovely sweeping team move that Cathal made the game safe, timing the race between himself and the keeper to perfection before neatly dinking it home. It was a fantastic game and fantastic result.
Celtic: Brian Kelly, Chris O’Leary, Brendan Falvey, John McDonough, Jamie Spillane, Wayne Sparling, Stephen Hayes, Gary Keane, Pa McGrath, Matt Keane, Cathal O’Shea.
Subs: Conor Randall, Stephen McCarthy, Joe Hurley, Presley Dube, Conor McCarthy, Roy Kelliher, Conall Murphy.
Dingle: Tomas Sayers, Micheal Flannery, Jason Hickson, Mark O’Sullivan, Donnacha Higgins, Brian Rayle, John Michael O’Connor, Joe Sheehy, Luke Burgess, Colm Vegas, Sean Fitzgerald.
Sub: Mikey Geaney.
Premier B: Killarney Celtic B 2 Castleisland 6. Celtic played their hearts out against a strong Castleisland but Jonathon Downey was on fire with no less than five goals, Stephen McCarthy scoring their other one. There was a definite hint of offside about their first goal but conceding two more straight after the break was fatal. Chris Davies and John Falvey, with an absolute beauty, were on target for us.
U17 League: Killorglin 2 Killarney Celtic 3. Marc Kelliher is best known for stopping goals, but he played gamekeper turned poacher as an outfield player in this one and notched a superb hat-trick.
U13 Div 1: Killarney Celtic A 6 Mastergeeha 1. Sean Fitzgerald scored two, Senan O’Leary, Jack O’Neill, and Calum O’Grady all hit the net, but the biggest cheer of all was for Cian McAuliffe, scoring his first ever goal for the club.
U13 Div 2: Killarney Celtic B 7 Killarney Athletic B 0. A majestic display by Celtic, with Mike McCarthy claiming a hat-trick and Jack O’Sullivan, Jack Higgins, Martin O’Brien, and Garry Wynne completing a comprehensive victory. Athletic are a good side in their own right and will score against most teams but they came up against Celtic keeper Ewan McIndoe in superb form.
U12 Div 1: Killarney Celtic 5 St Brendan’s Park B 2. Park were, as always, a quality side, but Celtic were on fire here, with Cathal Kelly scoring a brace and Liam Mulhern, Brian O’Connor and Nacho Zulategui also finding the net.
U12 Div 2: Tralee Dynamos B 9 Killarney Celtic C 1. A gallant effort but, in fairness, Dynamos were absolutely superb.
Team: Congratulations to under 13 player Sean Fitzgerald on making the Kerry Schoolboys/Schoolgirls Team of the Week.
Fixtures: U15 Premier: Killarney Celtic v Dingle Bay Rovers, Wednesday, 6.00pm, U12 Premier: Killarney Celtic at home to Mastergeeha, Wednesday, 7.00pm. Full fixtures will resume on Saturday 31.
Draws: Killarney Celtic U15s have been drawn at home to Ferrybank of Waterford and our U12s have been drawn at home to Carndonough of Donegal. Both of these games will take place at the end of January in Celtic Park.
Greetings: Best wishes to all Celtic supporters and players for a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Mastergeeha FC News
Compiled by Tadhg Brosnan
Premier A: Athletic 1 Mastergeeha 2. In this close game the seniors got a good away win. With the game at 0-0 at the break. Mastergeeha took the lead early in the second half when Tommy O’Sullivan crossed for Damien Breen to score. After this both sides created chances but the home side equalised with 20 minutes remaining.
Shortly after Mastergeeha took the lead again when Tom Templeman crossed for Damien Breen to head to the net. After this Mastergeeha defended well however in the final minute the home side were awarded a penalty which Kieran Culloty saved to ensure the win. All played well.
U12 Div 2: Killarney Athletic 1 Mastergeeha 0. Mastergeeha were unlucky not to get a draw this local derby. Ryan Mc Guirl, Dave O’Riordan and Evan Evans all went close to scoring.
U13: Killarney Celtic 6 Mastergeeha 1. The home side were much stronger in this game. However, the boys never gave up and with Mark O’Shea scoring from a penalty.
U15 Div 1: Mastergeeha 0 Camp Juniors 1. Although beaten by an early goal, the lads deserved more against the unbeaten league leaders who came away from Kilbrean Park knowing they had really been in a game. Camp scored early on but the lads responded well and kept the league leaders at bay with some fantastic defending with captain Daniel Herlihy leading by example. Sean Kennedy, in midfield, tried his best to create openings for the forwards but they couldn’t find a reply against the well-organized West Kerry side. All played well.
U17: Killarney Athletic 0 Mastergeeha 4. In this local derby the boys were the better side and deserved the win. All played well with Dylan Murphy (2), Jamie O’Shea and Anthony Darmody getting the goals.
Killarney Athletic AFC News
Compiled by Alan Daly
Premier A: Killarney Athletic got back on track with a great 4-1 win over Castleisland in Premier A to put them on top for Christmas.
The game started with Castleisland putting in some strong tackles and making it hard for the As to get their fluid quick passing game going and half-time came with both teams having no real chances at goal.
Michael Stam O’Donoghue made the breakthrough before having to leave the pitch but Paudie Clifford added two more before Castleisland scored.
Athletic showed great character in regrouping and not letting the momentum shift and pushed on to score their fourth in the dying seconds with Shane Doolan finding Lucas in the box from a quick free kick and a smart turn and finish by Lucas ended the match.
Division 1B: Killarney Athletic 1 Listowel Celtic 3.
U13 Premier. On the day Park were the better team. A missed penalty by Athletic at 3-1 proved decisive from which park broke for the fourth goal. Sam Benson scoring Athletic’s goal on the day. Best for Athletic Killian Courtney, Sam Benson and Matthew Horgan.
U13 B League: Athletic played local rivals Killarney Celtic and on the day Celtic proved the stronger team. Best for Athletic were Liam Sheehan, Aidan Courtney, Owen Ó Dubhain and Josh Clarke.
Christmas: Killarney Athletic would like to wish all members, players and coaches a very merry Christams and a happy new year.
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