Kerrykeel maintain 100% start to season with away win over Letterbarrow

Kerrykeel made the long trip to Tymeen on Sunday and went home with another win against Letterbarrow, their seventh win from seven in the Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division 2 of the Donegal League.

A goal in either half was enough for the table toppers against a Letterbarrow side who despite having few chances, kept in touch until the second Kerrykeel goal arrived  with 10 minutes left.

It has been a very good season for Kerrykeel and manager Hughie Walsh was happy with the result if not the performance.

“Letterbarrow is always a very tough place to come to. I couldn’t be happier going home with the three points. We didn’t play as well as we would like but to keep a clean sheet was good,” said Walsh.

“Once we got the ball down we did create a lot of chances but in the second half they created chances too. Letterbarrow were dangerous on the counter attack.

“A clean sheet away from home and seven wins from seven games, you couldn’t ask  for much more,” said Walsh.

Letterbarrow Celtic pictured before the game Picture: Thomas Gallagher

Kerrykeel had nearly all the chances in the opening half with James Kerr forcing Letterbarrow’s Spanish born ‘keeper Antonio Romero into a good save on 15 minutes. Patrick Friel had a shout for a penalty while James McGroary made a goal-saving tackle to deny Mark Friel after another cross from dangerman James Kerr.

Kerr was just wide with another effort before the opening goal arrived on 32 minutes. A through ball found Bernard McGettigan and his  cross found James Kerr at the back post for a simple tap-in.

Patrick Friel had another chance for Kerrykeel while Shaun Kerr had to be alert to deny Letterbarrow late in the first half.

The second half saw Kerrykeel force four corners in-a-row with Shaun Kerr rattling the crossbar with a header from the fourth.

Letterbarrow almost forced an opening after good work by Christain Ward but his cross just evaded the inrushing Darragh Burke. James Kerr continued to be dangerous while Christain Ward created another chance for Conor McDaid.

Letterbarrow had a big shout for a penalty on 76 minutes when Christian Ward seemed to be fouled but four minutes later the contest was decided when Brandon McCafferty was on the end of a good cross to fire past Romero.

Kevin McBrearty hit the sidenetting for Letterbarrow  but as they pushed up Kerrykeel should have had a third goal Mark Friel setting up James Kerr but he fired wide with his right while in added time Friel was denied by a great save by Romero.

In a very sporting contest referee Barry Tourish, a former Finn Harps player, was having his first ever visit to Tymeen and he had a very good game. Des McGroarty, James McGroary and Christain Ward were best for Letterbarrow while Shaun Kerr was outstanding for the winners along with Bernard McGettigan, Kevin Loughrey, James Kerr and Mark Friel.
Letterbarrow Celtic: Antonio Romero, Shay Byrne, Barry Burke, Dillon McGroary, Declan Gallagher, Des McGroarty, Rory Kennedy (Kevin McBrearty 56), James McGroary, Conor McDaid (Gerard McBrearty 72), Darragh Burke, Christian Ward.

Kerrykeel 71 FC: Shaun Friel, Jamie McAteer, Shaun Kerr, Brandon McCafferty, Kevin Loughrey, Bernard McGettigan, Patrick Friel (Martin McAteer 72), Mark Friel, James Kerr, Callum McAteer, Michael McDevitt.

Referee: Barry Tourish.

Kerrykeel 71 FC pictured before the game at Tymeen Picture: Thomas Gallagher