RIVALRY: Killarney Celtic FC will play a charity match this evening (Friday) for the Holy Cross Mercy School Rainbow and Sunshine Rooms. Pictured at the front were: Keelan O'Donoghue and John O'Donoghue, Mairead O'Donoghue (Teacher), Karen Smith (SNA), Jane and Sarah O’Donoghue. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

It’ll be footballs at the ready tonight (Friday) as two teams go head to head to win their games – but the real winner will be a local school.

Killarney Celtic FC are not only preparing for their annual Christmas party tonight in The Killarney Avenue Hotel bar at 9pm – they’re also planning their third annual charity match for Holy Cross Mercy School Rainbow and Sunshine Rooms.

Kick-off is 7pm with donations at the gate and all are welcome to come along, Jane O’Donoghue, Killarney Celtic FC ‘Football For All’ Co-ordinator, explained.

“For the past two years Killarney Celtic FC have done a charity match for Focus Ireland and South West Counselling, the night of our Christmas party. This year we are doing it for the Holy Cross Mercy School Rainbow and Sunshine Rooms.”

There will be two games; a women’s game Mercy Christmas Trees vs Mercy Christmas Elves and a men’s game All Blocks vs Falvey’s Hit Squad. The women’s teams are made up of teachers and SNAs from The Holy Cross Mercy School and the men’s teams are made up of past Killarney Celtic players.

The match balls have been sponsored by Trevor O’Donoghue Photography and the Moore family, Howth, Co. Dublin.

“We will be doing our annual awards for Senior A, Senior B, Youth Player of the Year and Club Person of the Year.”