MILLSTREET CELTIC 1997

MILLSTREET CELTIC



Millstreet Celtic player-manager John Buckley has a feeling that this could be

their year: "This is our fourth season in the AUL and in that time we have

been in one semi-final and two quarter-finals. We are in the semi-final of

the Saxone again this year and are determined to do the business."



For two seasons, prior to joining the AUL, the Millstreet outfit played in the

Kerry District League under the name of West End Utd. But it was more a case

of dead end until the change of direction for 1994/95 which saw them enter the

AUL and win promotion at their first attempt.



Millstreet are expanding: they have added an Under 17 team and are delighted

with the progress of the young lads. Indeed, it was a seventeen team player,

Daniel O'Connor, who was the hero of their recent Saxone quarter-final win

over Bosco's.



The start to this season has been their best ever in the AUL and the juniors

were one of the teams in the running for the Murphy's Stout September Team of

the Month Award with five wins from as many games.



Club secretary Pat Murphy puts it down to the new training regime: "The

players are being pushed all the way this year by their new trainer Pat

O'Callaghan, the ex Cork Hibs player". Murphy, James O'Leary, and manager

Buckley, act as selectors and Murphy says they "are spoiled for choice. With

such competition for places, everyone is giving full committment on the

training ground and on match days".



First choice keeper Jerry Pat O'Leary and indeed player-manager Buckley, the

back-up keeper, have both played a part in this successful run. William

O'Leary, highly rate locally, leads a sound back-line that can include Donagh

McAuliffe, Timmy Kiely, Richie Burke, Jeremiah Keating, and Martin Kelleher.



Buckley and his fellow selectors often have a huge problem in trying to pick

the midfield with good honest players such as Thomas Murphy (captain for the

season), Paul O'Connor, and Gerry O'Brien giving it one hundred per cent,

competing with the more youthful players such as Trevor O'Connor, James Burke,

James Cotter, Finbarr O'Leary, and Thomas O'Leary.



The usual paring upfront is Connie Cotter and Brendan Hickey and they are a

successful duo. Others to play a part in this area can include Jer Noel

O'Leary, Pat Murphy, and John Paul Cleary. The competition for places will be

soon be even warmer as Anthony Barry and James O'Leary are due to return from

injury.



Overall, the team is looking forward to the rest of the season. They have

much to play for in their league (AUL 2A) and are especially awaiting the

Saxone semi-final draw. If they keep up the good work, they'll surely get

another chance in the Team of the Month competition, perhaps even team of the

Year.