'Everyone in the club is looking forward to it' - Killester Donnycarney boss Gary Howlett relishing Saturday's FAI Intermediate Cup Final

Killester Donnycarney manager Gary Howlett is hopeful that his side can bounce back from their defeat last weekend against Crumlin United in the Leinster Senior League by securing their first ever FAI Intermediate Cup crown.

Despite taking a 2-1 lead against Crumlin United, Howlett’s side fell away during the second half, succumbing to a late, late defeat.

However, while suffering defeat in their most recent league game is far from the ideal preparation – the Killester Donnycarney boss is relishing his side’s date with destiny at Tallaght Stadium.

“Everyone in the club is looking forward to it,” Howlett told extratime.com. “Saying that, I feel for the likes of Darren Kavanagh who misses out through injury.

“He’s a great servant to the club and has been a key part of the club with the last few managers but he will be very much involved on Saturday night.

“We played really well against Crumlin and we were one-nil up at half-time. We made a few changes in the second half and they deserved to win.

“They’re going to make it tough up there at the top of that league – they’re a great side. We did well in the first-half, but Crumlin deserved to win it overall.”

Currently, Killester Donnycarney find themselves in 7th position in the Senior Sunday Division with 29 points from 19 games.

However, while they are a considerable distance off the top four, Howlett has taken a number of positives from the efforts of his young stars this season.

“I’ve a nice blend of young lads in at the minute that have come from League of Ireland clubs,” he notes.



“Cian McMullen and Stephen Nolan joined from Bohemians and Josh Scully came from Ballymun. We’ve got some great young lads and they’ve done really well this year.

“When you mix that up with experienced lads like Reece McEnteer, Brendan Lee, Terry McAuley and Stephen Chambers, it’s great.”

And while he has been pleased with his squad’s efforts this season – Howlett is hoping that he can see his side’s efforts duly rewarded this weekend.

“When the draw (for the semi-final) was made every manager was thinking they’d like a home game rather than an away game (which we didn’t get).

“We went to Ringmahon and started excellently. We went three-up and then conceded just before half-time and then they threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half.

“We weathered the storm and they didn’t get their second until injury time. There were fellas throwing their bodies on the line.



“There was a little bit of added time put on, but it was a great day and occasion for us. Hopefully, we can go and win on Saturday.

“When you look back it is a long time since we played Kilbarrack in the first-round, which it is and thankfully we get to finish off it off. Thankfully, the Leinster Senior League and the FAI have given us the go ahead to do this.”

He finished: “Killester is an old club but in the last few years we have merged with Donnycarney. When clubs merge people are always a little bit sceptical but since it’s happened, it has been excellent.

“The work that has been done behind the scenes is great. From the two boards who have come together and the kids who play on the weekends.

“It’s huge for the area, getting this success and the limelight is great for the area of Killester and Donnycarney.”

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