Toe-to-toe: Castleisland AFC defender, Mike Cahill and Killarney Celtic attacker, John McDonagh in a tussle for possession during Sunday’s Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final replay at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The late Georgie O’Callaghan – his legacy and memory will be honoured at the Aviva Stadium during Saturday’s Ireland V Denmark game. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The weather reflecting Castleisland AFC manager, Dan Maunsell’s feelings as he watched the final few minutes of the Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final replay between his side and Killarney Celtic at Mounthawk Park on Sunday. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Killarney Celtic captain, Stephen Hayes raising the Greyhound Bar Cup after he led his side to victory over Castleisland AFC in Sunday’s replay at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. He has just received the cup from Kerry District League secretary, John O’Regan (left) and chairman, Seán O’Keeffe. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Seal the Deal: Killarney Celtic hitman, Peter McCarthy (No 10) is congratulated by team-mates, John McDonagh and Joe Hurley after he scored his side’s third goal late in the 3-0 defeat of Castleisland in Sunday’s Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final replay at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Singing in the Rain: Killarney Celtic captain, Stephen Hayes leading his team in song after they defeated Castleisland AFC 3-0 in Sunday’s Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final replay at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. Includer are: Kerry District League secretary, John O’Regan and chairman, Seán O’Keeffe. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Castleisland AFC has enjoyed some great days at the home of Kerry soccer in Mounthawk Park in recent years. Yesterday wasn’t one of them.
The replay of the Greyhound Bar KO Cup Final between the Islanders B side and Killarney Celtic kicked off at 3-30pm.
In conditions completely opposite to those which the drawn encounter enjoyed on July 1st. This game was played in a thick and unrelenting mist for most of its duration.
Mulling Over
Three second half, Celtic goals sealed the game for the Killarney side. It left the Castleisland lads and their manager, Dan Maunsell mulling over what could have been from a great performance and several near misses in the drawn game.
The Castleisland manager was philosophical coming into this stage of the competition anyway. Before the drawn game, Dan Maunsell hoped his side would put in the huge effort need to lift the cup in Mounthawk.
Second Yellow
They came away from that game knowing that they had given it their all. They also knew that they could have taken away the prized cup that evening.
After losing the dynamic Daniel Downey – to a second yellow card on Sunday – the game began to slide away from their grasp.
Even being two down and facing into the final minutes, manager Maunsell was still urging his boys on. But a harmless looking attack in the dying minutes turned out to be anything but and that was that. Castleisland AFC Nil – Killarney Celtic 3
