Castlefin Celtic looking to go away to Kerrykeel and pick up all three points

Castlefin Celtic go away to Kerrykeel on Sunday hoping to put some early daylight between them and what is a congested top half of the Donegal League Division 1 table. 

It’s early days with Cappry Rovers leading the way on four wins from four. But right behind them, there are four sides locked on nine points each, which suggests the battle for the title and indeed promotion is going to be a claustrophobic one. 

Castlefin, to date, have beaten Gweedore United, Ballybofey United and Convoy Arsenal with the one blip on their start to the new Donegal League season, a 2-1 away loss to Swilly Rovers.

Castlefin currently occupy second spot in the division on goal difference but newly promoted Kerrykeel are breathing right down their necks back in third. 

Boss Michael Dunnion, in his first season at the helm, says that while not much will be decided in this early stage of the season, maintaining the club’s good start, and pushing Kerrykeel a little further back would help keep this period of momentum going. 

And while he hasn’t hung up his playing boots just yet, Dunnion says he hopes he can remain trcksuited up in his new role. 

“Na, I wouldn’t call it that (player/boss),” he said. “I’m sort of there as cover and hopefully I’ll not be needed. I’m letting the boys batter away. 

“Ronan Tourish is helping me out on the line, although he’s still obviously playing. Last season, I helped out with a bit of coaching and training. 

“But trying to take the sessions when you’re also trying to train yourself, it was just too difficult a juggle. It’s close to impossible to do both.

“So myself and Ronan finally decided one of us was going to take a back seat between training and playing”.

Under stalwart Kieran  Brennan last season Castlefin had a great Brian McCormick Cup run but came up short against Premier Division champions Letterkenny Rovers, losing 2-1 in extra-time in the final. Nathan Plumb’s late, late header being the deciding factor there.  

“We were unlucky not to win it. Rovers are probably one of the best junior sides in the country, never mind Donegal.

“So that shows what we can do but the aim is to find consistency with all of that over the course of the season. 

“Division 1 is so competitive. It’s about staying in touch with that top three. Cappy are setting the pace and looking good. 

“You don’t want anyone pulling away. So again, it’s that consistency thing we’re looking for there. Kerrykeel have come up and are doing really well. It’s been a long time since we were down there. 

“They’ll be gunning for three points as well so we expect a real battle”.