Tralee Dynamos v Carrick United
Munster Junior Cup Final, Mounthawk Park, Sunday 2pm
TRALEE Dynamos are on the verge of making history this Sunday when they play their first ever Munster Junior Cup final against Waterford side Carrick United.
Only once before has a Kerry team made the final of this prestigious competition, but despite the home draw, Dynamos, will be going in as underdogs.
They will relish the underdog tag, having already taken one or two notable scalps on the way to the final, which they have made despite only once being afforded the privilege of a home draw.
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Dynamos manager, Mark Fitzgerald, is looking forward to Sunday’s showdown, but is working to keep his players focused.
“It’s obviously a huge occasion for the club. There is a great buzz around the place, but ultimately this is just another game. All the buzz and excitement will mean nothing unless we can win it,” said Fitzgerald.
“This is the biggest moment for the club and also for a lot of the players. Some of the players have played in the League of Ireland and picked up Irish junior caps, but to play in a game with guys from your home club is a bit special,” he said.
In an great show of commitment, two of the side’s key-men have been commuting from outside the province for games at the weekend and have even attended training sessions.
Striker and native of Lithuania, Gintaras Paketuras, has been making the journey from Dublin while former Galway United player, Derek O’Brien has been travelling from Galway.
Dynamos captain, James Sugrue, is a man who has played in the League of Ireland and ran out for his country at under-age level.
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“I love playing with the club I grew up with. Being able to do this with your friends, it means a lot to me and it would really top off the season if we win on Sunday,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to it, keeping players fresh now is the main thing, everyone is on a high at the moment,” said James Sugrue.
Another man with League of Ireland experience is Shane Guthrie, who was once on the books at Shamrock Rovers among others.
It has the making of a successful couple of weeks for Shane, who only last Sunday switched codes and starred in midfield for Austin Stacks in their county league final victory over Dr Crokes.
Guthrie will be at the heart of defence for Dynamos against Carrick United and will be relishing the chance to add a Munster Junior medal to the Munster Senior one he won with Limerick City in 2012.
“It was really nice to win with the Stacks and it would be great to add to that with Dynamos. But there is nothing done and dusted. We’re confident about Sunday, but not over confident. We still have to go out and beat them,” said Guthrie.
“It’s a massive game for me because this is with my buddies. I’d rather win this then anything I’ve ever won in soccer,” he said.
Dynamos, will need every advantage for this final and have already secured one of them with the home draw.
“Some people might say there is a bit more pressure playing at home, but it will be the same out on the pitch for both teams. It’s good because we can have all our family there and hopefully, if we win, we can all celebrate on the pitch together after the game,” said Guthrie.
Tralee Dynamos and Carrick United, paths to the final…
Tralee Dynamos
1st Round
Dingle Bay Rovers 3-4 Tralee Dynamos
2nd Round
Tralee Dynamos 2-0 Fenit Samphires
3rd Round
St Brendans Park 1-2 Tralee Dynamos AET
4th Round
Drinagh Rangers (West Cork) 0-1 Tralee Dynamos
5th Round
Park United (Cork) 0-1 Tralee Dynamos
Quarter Final
Balingarry (Limerick) 0-2 Tralee Dynamos
Semi Final
Janesboro (Limerick) 1-3 Tralee Dynamos
Carrick United
1st Round
Crussaders 1-4 Carrick United
2nd Round
Carrick United 6-1 Kilmacow
3rd Round
Tremore FC 0-2 Carrick United
4th Round
BT Harps (Tipperary) 1-4 Carrick United
5th Round
Hibernians (Waterford)0-1 Carrick United
Quarter Final
St Michaels (Tipperary) 0-0 Carrick United. Carrick United win 4-3 on penalties.
Semi Final
Carrick United 3-0 Newmarket Celtic (Clare)