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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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The title winning Kerrykeel ‘71 squad, including James Kerr far left at the back. Photo - North West Newspix
Kerrykeel ‘71 didn’t have the odds in their favour in recent years, but at the third attempt they came out on top in a last day decider.
Promotion/relegation play-offs had ended the two previous seasons in hurt but this year, with promotion from Division Two already in the bag, the last day decider at Rab’s Park with then table toppers Convoy Arsenal, determined which side would lift the trophy at full-time.
Goals from Brandon McClafferty and Bernard McGettigan gave the home side a 2-1 win to lift the title, and it was a relief for the Hughie Walsh managed side.
“It was a great year and whenever we met at the start of the season, the aim was to go up,” said Kerrykeel’s James Kerr, who received the Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two Player of the Year award on Friday night at the Donegal Junior League presentation night.
“We always wanted to push for the league and we won seven games out of seven then drew with Convoy before Christmas.
“We would always back ourselves at home and to beat Convoy in the last game and win the league was brilliant.
“They would have won the league with a draw but we were happy enough that we had to win, if you’re playing for a draw you’re almost setting yourself up to lose so we’re delighted to be here to celebrate.
“We came down after a relegation play-off then we lost the promotion play-off to Cranford last year and we were disappointed again so it was lovely to go and win it this year, it makes it all the sweeter.”
It didn’t look likely for Kerrykeel after defeat in the fourth last game to Letterbarrow Celtic left their fate out of their own hands with regards to the title.
But the Tymeen side then beat Convoy at home to bring it to the final day.
“We were in the dressing room after losing to Letterbarrow and we were looking behind us in the table.
“The pressure was on and Whitestrand were just behind us but we went to Drumkeen and we were 5-0 up at half-time.
“When the fixtures were announced it was always in the back of the mind that it could come down to that last game and it was basically a cup final.
“We fancied ourselves on the last day and played well so it was great to get the cup.”
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