It was a game that the Killarney side could have won as they had the lion’s share of possession but some good approach work in the opposing penalty came to nothing as a number of Celtic players just could not hit the target on the day.

Passage are a Munster Senior League side and with the prize for the winners being a semi-final meeting with Eircom League side Cork City or Cobh Ramblers, they were very determined to win this contest.

Passage had a strong defence, a very good goalkeeper in Daniel O’Leary and two fine central midfielders in James O’Leary and Jason Mullins.

However Celtic were handicapped by the absence of a number of key players who were not available on the day and, despite their efforts to get a Saturday kick-off, unfortunately for the Kerry side it fell on deaf ears.

Celtic travelLed without Brian Spillane, Pa McGrath, Donagh Barry and Adrian O’Donoghue. However they had enough possession to have made Passage their fourth

Munster Senior League scalp, as they had already beaten St Marys, Everton and

Castleview. Both sides started slowly as they tried to get the measure of each other but Celtic had an early chance when John Doyle’s free kick was met by Peter McCarthy who headed wide from 12 yards.

Much of the play in the first quarter was centered on the middle of the pitch and with both defences on top, chances were at a premium.

However Passage made the breakthrough in the 17th minute when a Paul Coughlan corner broke in the Celtic box and Gavin O’Fla -herty lashed the ball to the Celtic net.

But the Kerry side almost hit back within four minutes when John Doyle’s quick throw down the line was met by Stephen Hayes but his header was inches wide.

Indeed Hayes in the 37th minute almost gave Celtic the equaliser when his long throw was flicked on by McCarthy into the path of the inrushing Kevin O’Sullivan but he shot over from 12 yards.

A couple of yellow cards were flashed at this stage but, overall, the game was tight and Celtic did have more of the play but Passage led when it mattered most by that single goal at the interval.

The second half was almost a replica of the first with Celtic applying the pressure and Passage seemingly content to just defend their lead and trying to catch the Kerry side on the counter attack.

Alan Nagle produced a great cross from the right hand side which John Doyle headed over when he might well have scored.

Shane Dennehy was then introduced for Vladimir Sirotiak and Dennehy was immediately into the action when a Kevin O’Sullivan cross was flicked on by McCarthy to Dennehy who seemed surprised that the ball came at him so quickly and his header straight in of goal was well saved by the keeper.

In the 71st minute an O’Sullivan was knocked out to the edge of the box but John Doyle shot inches wide.

O’Leary the home keeper then had to be brave when John Doyle put Stephen Hayes through but the keeper dived at the striker’s feet to prevent a certain equaliser.

Celtic threw caution to the wind for the final 15 minutes changing to 3-4-3 and Passage were dangerous on the counter attack.

Gustafir made a great save from Alan Whit-ty in the 76th minute and then with Celtic throwing everything at the home side Passage broke up field and the referee awarded the home side a penalty for a handball.

However when James O’Leary took the spot kick Gustafir dived low to his left to make an excellent save.

Overall, while Celtic will be disappointed with the result, they will be happy with their performance and they can now concentrate on domestic action.

Celtic: M Gustafir, A Nagle, D Hayes, G Keane, J McDonagh, V Sirotiak, J Doyle, D O’Sullivan, K O’Sullivan, P McCarthy, S Hayes.

Subs: C Spellman, S Dennehy, A O’Leary, M Beano, J Hurley.

Passage: D O’Leary, G O’Flaherty, M O’Connor, P Coughlan, G Prout, J Mullins, J O’Leary, D O’Brien, S McGarry, A Whitty, E Burke. Subs: P Coakley, A Butler, T Murphy.

Ref: E McNally (Cork).

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