Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final

Pike Rovers v Killarney Celtic

Sunday at 2.30pm

(Limerick)

Killarney Celtic face Pike Rovers in the semi-final of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday and manager Eoghan Donnellan believes that his side’s experience in big games will stand to them in what will undoubtedly be one of the most important days in the history of the club.

Celtic reached the semi-final of last year’s FAI Junior Cup and over the past the couple of seasons they’ve faced into some incredibly tough away ties the length and breadth of the country. Pike will provide another stern test and the Hoops will need all their big match know-how to get over the line and reach the final of this hugely prestigious tournament.

“We’ve met all the top teams in the country,” Donnellan said. “We’ve been to Limerick. We played Ballynanty there last year and came away with a win, we went to Newmarket and came away with a win and we’ve beaten Janesboro. North End, who put us out of the FAI Junior this year, have reached the final of that competition. So look, we know we can match the best teams but you’ve got to turn up. It’ll be an intimidating enough atmosphere. We’ve got to make sure we give it our best.”

The word from inside the camp is that preparations for the crunch fixture are going according to plan. The league leaders put five past Listowel last Sunday, despite being without the services of a few first team players, and their form in all competitions has been impressive to say the least.

Celtic fans have followed their team all over Ireland throughout the past two seasons and Donnellan is hoping for another big travelling support on Sunday.

“We have great supporters,” he said. “They’re very vocal and it’s all positive stuff. They’re constantly praising the team and encouraging them. The more supporters we can get on Sunday, the better.”

For information on the supporter’s bus, check out the Killarney Celtic Facebook page or contact Ramona on 087 6615532.

Walkovers

On the domestic scene, and in relation to the article I wrote last week, Donnellan’s side have had to deal with walkovers as much as anyone so I was interested in hearing his perspective on the issue.

“I think it is a problem, to be fair,” he reflected. “You’re trying to prepare for different competitions and the more matches you have, I think it’s better for all teams. But a lot of clubs are under pressure with guys playing two sports. We’re now coming into the Club Championship period for the GAA teams so a lot of them are under pressure to play GAA over soccer at this time of the year.”

“We have an all weather pitch, yet we’ve more home games left than anyone else,” he continued. “Our pitch was available all throughout the winter and we’d gladly take fixtures at any time at all.”

“It’s disappointing for teams to give walkovers because there’s nothing to be gained from it. To be fair, the KDL are trying to do their best. They’ve said that if you give three walkovers you get relegated. But there’s nothing you can do. I’m involved with Killarney Celtic way back into the late 80s and early 90s and there was always a problem with teams not fulfilling fixtures.”

So does the Celtic boss think that there’s any possible solution?

“If there were more games played earlier on in the season, I think it would be beneficial for everyone. Last year we played the league final on July 3 and had basically 10 days off before we played the FAI Cup game. The season goes on too long in my view. The season should be wrapped up, like it is in most counties, by the end of May. At least then fellas are off for the summer and they can do whatever they need to do, take holidays or play football, and in September/October they’re back into the soccer world and there maybe isn’t as much GAA as there is in the summer months.”

I couldn’t agree more. Last year felt like The NeverEnding Story and we were still hungover from our celebrations when we started back training. With only 8 active teams in the league this season, everyone should be finished far earlier. It will be interesting to see if it works out that way.