Connect with us

News

Celtic 90 minutes away from perfect season

Published

on

Kerry Premier A League Final

Killarney Celtic v Dingle Bay Rovers

Friday, June 8 at 7.45pm

(Mounthawk Park)

As they face into tonight’s league final against Dingle Bay Rovers, Killarney Celtic’s players know that they are just 90 minutes away from completing the perfect season.

The solitary black mark was the second half collapse against Killarney Athletic where they let a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3. Apart from that they have been utterly dominant, winning every single game and registering a whopping 75 goals in the process. Celtic were obviously very hungry for success after what happened last year and it has really showed in their performances thus far.

As I’ve said before, this league final business is a bit of a joke. Last season it actually made sense because Athletic and Celtic finished joint top with identical records. This year Celtic finished 11 points clear of second. They have been the best team in the division over the course of the past nine months, but one bad 90 minutes (or one bad half, even) and they could end up with nothing. It’s not a fair way of doing things in my opinion.

Although anything can happen in one-off game, I still think Eoghan Donnellan’s side will be massive favourites and anything other than a Celtic win would be a major shock.

Dingle are a good team with some great players but the 11-point gap tells its own story. The fixtures between the two during the regular season tells an even bigger one. On the opening day, Celtic went back to Gallarus and whacked Dingle 7-0. In March, they put seven past them again in Killarney. An aggregate score of 14-1 doesn’t exactly bode well for a competitive fixture in Tralee this evening.

But look, you never know. Dingle have ball players like Luke Burgess, Joe Sheehy and Adam O’Rourke in midfield but they can actually be quite direct at times. That particular tactic worked well for us in our league finals against Celtic and if Dingle can get it right, Seán Fitzgerald and Paudie Quinn are more than capable of nicking a goal or two.

As for Celtic, centre half Jamie Spillane recently moved to Japan but Chris Brady is a very good replacement and they should be solid enough at the back. Gary Keane and Matt Keane will look to dictate the tempo in midfield and feed their dangerous wingers, Danny Roche and Wayne Sparling.

If Celtic score early, I would fear for Dingle to be honest. Dingle’s best hope is to start well and get in at half time level. Obviously, if they could sneak a goal that would be the ideal scenario for them. If Celtic take the lead early it could kill Dingle’s confidence, especially considering how the earlier encounters have panned out.

Having said that, the last time these two met in the final it was the men from the west who came out on top (4-3 in 2016). The same outcome in this particular decider is unthinkable for the Hoops; if they were to lose it would be their third consecutive league final defeat. When you take into account the excellent season that they’ve had to date, it would be cruel in the extreme if they were to fall short once again.

Personally, I can’t see that happening.

Prediction: Celtic 3-1 Dingle

Advertisement

News

HeartBeat to host Advanced Healthcare Directive information night

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) […]

Published

on

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) on Tuesday, April 29, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

An ADH is a document which sets out your instructions in relation to healthcare treatments in the future, when you no longer have the capacity to decide. AHDs are not solely relevant to older individuals. Young adults can also significantly benefit from putting these directives in place for themselves or when assisting loved ones. Attendees will gain valuable ‘Knowledge is Power; regarding legal and personal matters
The meeting will specifically look at two key application forms: the standard AHD Form and the Think Ahead / my form.
Prior to the main meeting, a Blood Pressure. and Pulse Clinic will be available from 7:15pm until 8:00pm sharp. Following O’Shea Clarke’s presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session, followed by tea and coffee.
SAGE Advocacy, the national service for older people, works to ensure access to information, support, and independent advocacy, while also providing safeguarding services across various settings, including homes, day centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.
They also support vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in situations where other services may not be available.
For further information, email anne.osheaclarke@sageadvocacy.ie or visit www.sageadvocacy.ie.

Continue Reading

News

Singer-songwriter Lillie Foley releases second single

Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms. ‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend […]

Published

on

Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms.

‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend of pop and soul music, drawing on Foley’s own life experiences. The track marks a further step in the promising career of the emerging local artist.
Recorded at the renowned Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin, ‘That’s Life’ showcases Foley’s emotive lyrics, soulful vocals, and a sound that is both modern and deeply personal. Collaborating with music producer and audio engineer Hermann Ogulla, Foley has crafted a song that blends her Irish background with contemporary musical styles, aiming to resonate with listeners in Ireland,and beyond.
Foley said: “This is a song about resilience and accepting that bad things happen in life and we just have to get on with it and move on as best we can.”
‘That’s Life’ is the second of several songs Foley has planned for release in 2025.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport