City’s Kiely relives his Bhoyhood dreams
The 20-year-old Clonmel-born player was six months old when Tipperary last broke their All-Ireland hurling famine in 1989. And then on Sunday, he watched through his fingers as the current crop came so close to deposing the kings from Kilkenny.
Tonight, a club he spent two years at, Celtic, are guests at Turner’s Cross for a friendly, the announcement of which was crucial in securing the future of the club at the end of July.
But the Premier County setback has been foremost on his mind these last few days.
“We were robbed,” is Kiely’s view. “Maybe it’s just me but I think we played them off the park. But they’re a young team and there’s definite hope for the future.”
Optimism is something the footballer who grew up in Tipperary Town has needed in spades throughout his career. It started off badly when injury marred his progress at the Old Firm club – and has even placed him in doubt for tonight’s game.
“I’d love to play against them but I had a scan on my knee yesterday and it’s 50/50,” admitted Kiely. “I know a good few of the Celtic lads coming over, from my time there, so if I miss the game, I’ll get some slagging because I always seemed to be injured when I was there.
“Celtic spotted me playing for Ireland schoolboys and asked me over for a week or two for a trial. I played in a friendly game and Martin O’Neill came down to watch. He called me over after the game and said: ‘Well done wee man, well done.’ I was happy enough after that because I didn’t even expect him to come and have a look.
“But I can’t say I enjoyed my time there because I was injured for a lot of my time. When I went over first I didn’t kick a ball for nine months, I didn’t even get to go out on the training pitch.
“It was hard for a 15-year-old going over like that and not being able to kick a ball. I didn’t come home a lot – they thought it would be good for me to be over there. If I went home, I mightn’t have gone back. And when I did go home, I didn’t want to come back!”
He eventually did get back to Ireland midway through the 2007 season, joining Kilkenny City for a brief spell before moving to Cork City at the behest of Alan Mathews, who would eventually get a return on that decision at the unlikeliest moment.
When it all went awry on Leeside just over 12 months ago, it was Kiely who got them back on the road to redemption, stepping up to deliver an unlikely extra-time winner in the Setanta Cup semi-final at Derry City last October. His beautifully executed header lit up a tense tie, as well as relieving the pressure of a turbulent period in the club’s history. Not to mention setting up that morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Glentoran in the decider.
“I needed a goal, that was my first reaction,” Kiely recalls. “But then afterwards they were telling me I’d got the goal to save the club. We needed silverware but with the financial situation the way it was, it was obviously important too.”
Meanwhile, Celtic legend Neil Lennon takes charge of the Hoops and is looking forward to the trip to Cork.
“It’s always great when we go over to Ireland because we know we have a large and passionate support over there, particularly in Cork as well. I think the players, especially the younger ones, will enjoy the experience as well.”
Celtic will be without some of their bigger names due to this week’s international matches but the squad will feature a number of first team players such as Mark Wilson, Lee Naylor, Marc Crosas and Barry Robson while former Derry City star Paddy McCourt will be familiar to the home fans.
Lennon said he expects a great atmosphere at Turner’s Cross: “The reception is always incredible – they roll out the red carpet for us. I’m taking the younger team over, but there’ll be a few first-team players coming over as well. Anytime Celtic go over to Ireland there’s always a great atmosphere and it creates a bit of a stir as well.”
As for the hosts, their bid for European qualification received a boost after Friday’s impressive 4-2 home win over Galway United and City boss Paul Doolin has decided to take the opportunity of making a few changes.
“While our focus has to be on our upcoming league and Setanta Cup games, I will be looking to put out a strong side. There may be a couple of changes, with guys like Paul Deasy, Shane Duggan and Dan Connor who have not featured in recent weeks getting an opportunity to play, but we have a small squad, so there won’t be wholesale changes either.
“It is a great testament to Celtic that they have come over to play us in this game to help us at a difficult time. I hope that there will be a good crowd in attendance this evening, as this will obviously be of assistance to the club financially, and if we perform like we did on Friday, I am sure that everyone will be pleased.”
* Tickets for tonight’s game will be available at the stadium but with a large crowd anticipated, supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance from Ticketmaster or from the club store at 22 Sullivan’s Quay to avoid delays or disappointment.
Read more from Timmy Kiely and Neil Lennon in tonight’s City Edition, the official matchday programme.
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