by Adam Moynihan

FAI Junior Cup Quarter-Final

Killarney Celtic v Ballynanty Rovers

Saturday at 5pm

Celtic Park

Killarney Celtic will have their sights set on another famous FAI Junior Cup victory when they welcome Limerick side Ballynanty Rovers to Celtic Park on Saturday.

Celtic are no strangers to the latter stages of this competition; they have frequently reached the last eight in the past number of years, advancing as far as the semi-final stage in 2017 when they narrowly missed out at home to Sheriff YC.

Reaching and winning the final has been the ultimate dream for quite some time but, for now, the focus is on Ballynanty.

Losing the attacking trio of Trpimir Vrljicak, Ryan Kelliher and Stephen McCarthy to Kerry FC has naturally weakened their hand but speaking to the Killarney Advertiser this week, manager Neilus Hayes wished his former players well.

“I knew Kerry would be looking at these players,” Hayes said. “I knew it was going to happen. Look, Celtic have been winning leagues so you’d expect there to be interest in some players. And it’s not just Celtic obviously, I know that Kerry FC have been looking at every club in the county for players. I think that’s fabulous.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love if the three boys were with me on Saturday. They’re a huge loss. But I’m not going to stop anybody. I’m thrilled for the three boys and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

“I was actually talking to people involved with Kerry and I told them I’d recommend another three or four of our players to them. I’ve no problem with that.”

As a person who has a long-standing involvement in local soccer, Hayes is enthusiastic about the potentially transformative impact the Kerry FC project can have on the game in this part of the world.

“There was always serious talent around. I think it’s fantastic now that young fellas can see that there’s a League of Ireland club in the county and it might give them a different outlook on the game.

“We know how big Gaelic football is in Kerry - I take my hat off to GAA clubs and how they’re run – and traditionally a lot of guys might have chosen Gaelic football, trying to be a Kerry minor or a Kerry U21. Every fella wants to play at the highest level and Kerry FC will give local soccer players the chance to do that.”

Hayes is expecting to have all his remaining players available for selection ahead of Saturday’s crunch tie.

“Preparations are going well in fairness,” the manager said. “The players have been great this week and we’re just enjoying the build-up. We’ve had a couple of training sessions to get ready for it.

“The lads have been going to Reboot Recovery to mind all these niggles. They’re really coming through strongly. When I first got involved we had a couple of issues but fellas are looking after themselves in their downtime. They’ve really bought into it. All is looking good as of now and I don’t think that will change to be honest about it.”

Celtic have played Ballynanty twice in recent seasons, winning on one occasion and losing the other on penalties. Hayes knows that they will be no pushovers, but he is hopeful that home advantage will work in his team’s favour.

“Limerick sides are always going to be very tough opposition. Limerick is only up the road so they’ll be coming with a bit of a crowd as well. We know what’s ahead of us. It’s about lads stepping up another level, which I know they’re capable of doing. We proved that in the last two games away to Tallaght and Peake Villa. We’re ready for it.

“It was nice to get the home draw and hopefully we’ll get a good following to drive us on.”