Late late drama as CK United snatch all three points in Killarney
CK United 3 Killarney Celtic 2
There was late, late drama in Killarney as 10-man CK United rescued a win deep into stoppage time to keep their 100% record intact at the start of the National League season.
Substitute David Imiren was the man of the moment, striking the winner for the visitors, who lost skipper Ethan Boyle to a red card early in the second half.
CK had rushed into a 2-0 lead early on and looked like they were set to rack up a big win but they let Killarney back into the game, the hosts rescuing a goal shortly before half-time. The loss of captain Ethan Boyle was a big blow in terms of experience, especially when Killarney levelled, but if anything, it forced CK to adapt. The dismissal seemed to inspire them and they came out of their shell more and put the hosts on the back foot.
The winner was coming. CK had created several opportunities in the final 15 to 20 minutes, so it was no surprise when the ball did eventually go into the back of the net.
CK took an early lead in this contest when Dean Kelly’s inswinging corner from the left was met by Mamadou Doumbia who headed it over the ‘keeper into the top of the net.
They wasted no time in doubling their advantage when Kelly’s effort from the left was cleared off the line, left-back Daniel McGrath getting onto the end of the rebound and burying his shot into the bottom right hand corner.
A Kelly cross-field ball from the left found Ravo Kilonda on the far wing who teed his former St Pat’s teammate Callum Warfield up at the near post but his effort was saved.
Killarney pulled a goal back when a long ball into the box wasn’t cleared properly and Kennedy Amechi cut into space and curled an effort into the top right hand corner.
There was drama at the start of the second half as Warfield teed up Alex Kelliher, who should have scored, but he took too much time on the ball and couldn’t steer his effort either side of the ‘keeper, instead finding the netminder.
CK then found themselves down to 10 men as the captain Ethan Boyle was shown a second yellow card for persistent fouling. It proved to be a double whammy, as manager Tom O’Connor also saw red on the touchline.
Just minutes later, Killarney levelled when a cross from the right found Trpimir Vrijcak whose effort from close range was saved – the rebound was put in the back of the CK United net.
That seemed to spur CK on. A Kelly free from the left narrowly missed the far top corner, just nipping over the bar. Kelliher again went close with an effort from the right that looked destined to go in but it was cleared off the line. His resulting corner from the right saw Mark Imiren’s header cleared off the line.
With 17 minutes to go, Warfield smacked an effort off the inside of the post and his effort was cleared. Kelly found Feo Adeogun with a cross who managed to get a touch onto it but couldn’t quite get the power on it, steering it straight at the Killarney ‘keeper. Mark Imiren delivered a cross from the right into the path of David Imiren but he just couldn’t quite get his head onto the end of it.
Deep into stoppage time, Ravo Kilonda sent a long ball forward from right back, finding the substitute Adogun on the wing. His cross flew into the box where David Imiren slid it into the bottom left hand corner for a late winner.
Next up for Tom O’Connor’s men is the visit of Waterford side Villa FC to SETU Carlow Sports Campus next Saturday in what is a battle of the two sides with 100% records so far in Group Three. The clash is likely to go a long way in deciding the winner of the group.
Killarney Celtic: Kyle Clifford, Liam Spillane (Obinna Izehi, 27, James McCarrick, 60), Jason Keiris, Padraic Looney, Togor Silong, Victor Udeze (Stephen McCarthy, 70), Matthew Keane, Trpimir Vrijcak, Ciaran Cooney, Nattagum Ryan (Cian Doe, 70) Kennedy Amechi (Sean Lovett, 60).
CK United: Gavin O’Brien; Raveli Kilonda (Adam Coyne, 90, Dan McGrath, Kyle Foley (Mark Imiren, 60), Mamadou Doumbia, Cian Carmody; Ethan Boyle, Harry Sherlock; Callum Warfield (Feo Adeogun, 75), Dean Kelly; Alex Kelliher (David Imiren, 75).
Referee: Robert O’Leary.
Assistants: Allan Martin, Bobby Coonan (Cork).