Mastergeeha will be no pushovers, says Killarney Athletic’s Adam Moynihan

The last 16 of the Greyhound Bar KO Cup takes place this weekend and there’s a local derby on Easter Monday as we host Mastergeeha at 2pm in Woodlawn.

We’re up against it to retain our league title but I suppose we have as good a chance as anybody in the cup. We’ve beaten Geeha twice already this season so we’ll be favourites but this is our first fixture in over a month and there are bound to be a few cobwebs. They’re coming off the back of a huge 2-0 win away in Listowel as well so their confidence will be high.

Geeha are a tough enough team to shake. When we played them last month, we went up 2-0 but Chris Egan pulled one back before half time and, at that point, we were definitely in a game. We eventually won 4-1 but we’ll see what kind of shape we’re in on Monday. The two clubs should probably come together and agree that everyone is going on the beer for the long weekend because if one team stays off it, it will be unfair.

The tie of the round is undoubtedly Dingle Bay Rovers v Celtic, which takes place in Gallarus at the same time on Monday. Dingle will be desperate to mete out some kind of revenge having fallen to two very heavy defeats to Celtic in the league, but considering the form Eoghan Donnellan’s men are in, they’ll have their work cut out. From Athletic’s perspective it would be great if they both lost but I suppose that is unlikely.

Celtic came from behind to beat Fenit in the league last weekend with Cathal O’Shea, Peter McCarthy and Stephen McCarthy all finding the target. That result has left Fenit with a lot to do if they want to make the league final - they’re currently nine points behind us and Dingle, although they do have a couple of games in hand. Celtic, meanwhile, are now three points clear with games in hand so they are in a very strong position as we approach the business end of the season.

Dingle defeated Castleisland 3-1 on Monday evening in Tralee so Castleisland are up against it now as well. There’s still plenty of time left, though, and there are bound to be a few twists and turns before the final places are decided. In the meantime, everyone’s focus will be on advancing to the quarter final of Kerry’s oldest and most prestigious cup competition.

Fixtures:

Greyhound Bar KO Cup Last 16

Sunday, April 1

1.30pm           Mitchels Avenue        v          Windmill United

1.30pm           Camp United             v          Tralee Celtic

2.30pm           Fenit Samphires        v          CSKA Tralee

Monday, April 2

2pm                Killarney Athletic      v          Mastergeeha

2pm                Dingle Bay Rovers     v          Killarney Celtic

2pm                Listowel Celtic            v          AC Athletic

3.30pm           Ballyheigue                v          Killorglin