IT wasn’t so much the long arm of the law as the left leg of Garda Mike Milner that settled a pulsating local derby Greyhound Bar KO Cup quarter-final clash between Killarney Athletic and arch rivals Killarney Celtic this afternoon.
After a brilliant encounter at Athletic’s home base in Ferndale, the game was delicately poised at 1-1 when Milner pounced in the 90th minute to curl a screamer to the top corner of the Roy Kelliher’s net to settle the tie.
Celtic surged forward in search of a last gasp equaliser but, with scenes of great jubilation on the sideline, Athletic held out for the three minutes of injury time to earn local bragging rights and a place in the cup semi-final.
With Matt Keane, Peter McCarthy and Wayne Sparling all playing well, Celtic were ahead at the break thanks to the opportunist Cathal O’Shea who rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle.
Athletic, with Brian O’Reily and Daithi Casey outstanding, fought back with real grit and it was Casey that levelled matters when he volleyed to the net.
A replay looked on as the game reached its climax but Casey’s Dr Crokes team-mate Mike Milner – also an inter-county hurler – had other ideas and his golden goal illuminated the tie and ensured his side’s passage to the penultimate round of the glamour competition in Kerry soccer.
Celtic and Athletic are also contenting the Premier league title with the hoops currently enjoying an advantage but the blues are waiting to pounce if the opportunity arises in the last few games of the season.
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