BLACKPOOL'S SHAUN MURRAY LOOKS AHEAD TO SUNDAY'S CORINTHIANS FINAL v CRESCENT ATHLETIC, TURNER'S CROSS, 7.00PM KICK OFF
Blackpool Celtic was established in 1942 and is very much a family club these days, it’s where the Chairman can be found filling the water bottles…The Secretary cutting and lining the pitch and the Treasurer cleaning out the dressing rooms! The 3 people at the heart of the club are Tony, Shaun and Terence Murray. Essentially the 3 of us share each job! We have been involved with Blackpool Celtic for 24 years and counting.
We take great pride in the fact that a lot of players come to Blackpool Celtic for a look and end up playing here for many years. Over the years we have always tried to keep improving our Facilities, and with the help of Kilcully Scout Camp whom we are entering our 20th season with, we have managed that. In 2000 we installed training lights behind the main pitch and this is where all the hard running is done. At the start of this season we have upgraded these Floodlights.We are consistently complimented on the playing surface at Kilcully.
All this would not have been possible but for the years of support we got from Denis Murphy in The Bowlers Rest, and now that support has been continued by Breda’s Bar in Blackpool and thanks go to Denis Donovan.
As for on the pitch the Cup Final has been a huge boost for what is essentially a very young team. The average age of the existing team is 24 years old. The oldest player being 31. The squad consists of Willy Matthews (C) Billy Murphy Harry DineenIan Murphy James Cronin Barry HorganIan Scott Robbie Murphy Stephen O’ConnorPaul Broe Richie Mannix Darren BroeBarry Hayes Colm Coveney Sean O’ConnorDave O’Shea Roy O’Driscoll
Our last taste of success was in 2002 when we done the double by winning the St Michaels Cup and League 1A under the then manager Conor Foley. This year has seen a great battle between Sean O’Connor with 11 goals and Dave O’Shea on 10 being our top scorers with Barry Hayes chipping in with 6 goals as well. Our path to this years Final has consisted of all away victories.
In terms of suspensions were ok for the Final but injury wise were missing Robbie Murphy as we were for the semi-final after his recent stay in Hospital and we all wish him well.
Path to final:
Knocknaheeney Celtic 3 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Sean O’Connor 2 Dave O’Shea 1 Went through on penaltiesStrand Utd 1 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Ian Scott 2 Roy O’Driscoll 1Greenwood 0 Blackpool Celtic 1 (aet)…. Colm Coveney 1Greenmount 2 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Sean O’Connor 1 Colm Coveney 2
I would also like to thank our sponsors throughout the year Martin and Lynda of Advanced PVC, Billy Murphy of Goodfella’s Barbershop and Blackpool Credit Union.
I cannot write this without asking you to mention a man who we know as “Mr. Blackpool Celtic”…. Tony “Cuddles”Murray. The work he puts in everyday has ensured the survival of this Club over the years. The pitch, the gear and the Finances are all down to him. And myself and the players would like to say Thank You for everything and hopefully he’ll have a Cup soon to show for his hard work. If not he’ll still be up in Kilcully next week cutting the grass and painting the goalposts!
Blackpool Celtic was established in 1942 and is very much a family club these days, it’s where the Chairman can be found filling the water bottles…The Secretary cutting and lining the pitch and the Treasurer cleaning out the dressing rooms! The 3 people at the heart of the club are Tony, Shaun and Terence Murray. Essentially the 3 of us share each job! We have been involved with Blackpool Celtic for 24 years and counting.
We take great pride in the fact that a lot of players come to Blackpool Celtic for a look and end up playing here for many years. Over the years we have always tried to keep improving our Facilities, and with the help of Kilcully Scout Camp whom we are entering our 20th season with, we have managed that. In 2000 we installed training lights behind the main pitch and this is where all the hard running is done. At the start of this season we have upgraded these Floodlights.We are consistently complimented on the playing surface at Kilcully.
All this would not have been possible but for the years of support we got from Denis Murphy in The Bowlers Rest, and now that support has been continued by Breda’s Bar in Blackpool and thanks go to Denis Donovan.
As for on the pitch the Cup Final has been a huge boost for what is essentially a very young team. The average age of the existing team is 24 years old. The oldest player being 31. The squad consists of Willy Matthews (C) Billy Murphy Harry DineenIan Murphy James Cronin Barry HorganIan Scott Robbie Murphy Stephen O’ConnorPaul Broe Richie Mannix Darren BroeBarry Hayes Colm Coveney Sean O’ConnorDave O’Shea Roy O’Driscoll
Our last taste of success was in 2002 when we done the double by winning the St Michaels Cup and League 1A under the then manager Conor Foley. This year has seen a great battle between Sean O’Connor with 11 goals and Dave O’Shea on 10 being our top scorers with Barry Hayes chipping in with 6 goals as well. Our path to this years Final has consisted of all away victories.
In terms of suspensions were ok for the Final but injury wise were missing Robbie Murphy as we were for the semi-final after his recent stay in Hospital and we all wish him well.
Path to final:
Knocknaheeney Celtic 3 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Sean O’Connor 2 Dave O’Shea 1 Went through on penaltiesStrand Utd 1 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Ian Scott 2 Roy O’Driscoll 1Greenwood 0 Blackpool Celtic 1 (aet)…. Colm Coveney 1Greenmount 2 Blackpool Celtic 3…. Sean O’Connor 1 Colm Coveney 2
I would also like to thank our sponsors throughout the year Martin and Lynda of Advanced PVC, Billy Murphy of Goodfella’s Barbershop and Blackpool Credit Union.
I cannot write this without asking you to mention a man who we know as “Mr. Blackpool Celtic”…. Tony “Cuddles”Murray. The work he puts in everyday has ensured the survival of this Club over the years. The pitch, the gear and the Finances are all down to him. And myself and the players would like to say Thank You for everything and hopefully he’ll have a Cup soon to show for his hard work. If not he’ll still be up in Kilcully next week cutting the grass and painting the goalposts!
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