The pre-season friendly fundraiser between Kerry District League side Killarney Celtic and League of Ireland outfit Kerry FC is being hailed a massive success as spectators flocked to Celtic Park in Killarney on Friday night.
A dry and mild evening allowed for a large number of spectators to come out and support the event, which was held to raise funds for the family of the late Philip O’Sullivan. A former coach with Killarney Celtic, Philip’s legacy will be forever felt in the Killarney club.
Supporters from all corners of the county took the opportunity to catch the action up close. For Kerry FC, it was the first run out of pre-season, with the league proper getting underway in a little under a month’s time on February 14th. Kerry played a string of players, 23 in total on the night which included cameo appearances from new signings, older faces and players in on trial with the club.
But it was the Killarney outfit who took the spoils on the night as a push for another league title recommences after the Christmas break. A Matt Keane penalty late in the first half saw Celtic go in at the break 1-0. A raft of half-time changes for Kerry, 10 in total, meant Head Coach Conor McCarthy could see the full potential of his squad. But it was Stephen McCarthy, who is a brother of the Kerry FC Head Coach, who put his Killarney Celtic side 2-0 up inside 50 minutes with a well-taken free kick.
Again, it was a fantastic occasion which was well supported by Celtic and Kerry supporters. The total amount raised is still to be confirmed, but the night raised a four-figure sum which will be donated in full to the O’Sullivan family. Kerry FC would like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone in Killarney Celtic for being fantastic hosts and the League of Ireland side look forward to returning to the East of the county again in the not so distant future.
