Castlefin Celtic return to winning ways away to Kerrykeel '71

Castlefin Celtic returned to winning ways in Division 1 with a controlled performance against Kerrykeel ‘71 in Rabs Park.

An early Barry Tourish goal set the tone for the away side and as substitute StephenJohn Carlin put them two ahead at the break, it was looking good for Michael Dunnion’s men.

Thomas Devlin hit the goal of the game late on to make it three and while Shaun Kerr hit a consolation in added time, the result was never in doubt at that point.

It was the visitors, playing into the wind in the first half, who had the fastest start as Corrie-lee Bogan tested goalkeeper Brian Gallagher with an effort from the edge of the box in the first minute, but Gallagher palmed it out for a corner. 

A couple of corners were dealt with, but when Ronan Tourish found Barry Tourish out on the right in the third minute, his effort, whether it was a shot or a cross, went over Gallagher and into the net via the far post.

Kevin McColgan’s long kickout to the goalscorer almost ended in a second goal as the forward got a touch to the ball before Gallagher, but it went wide as he was taken out, resulting in an early end for the striker, who picked up a knock in the clash. 

At the other end, Bernard McGettigan’s cross wasn’t dealt with properly by James Tinney, whose clearance almost fell invitingly for Mark Friel, but he couldn’t get the ball under control. 

Dean Kelly’s effort from way out on the left almost crept into the far corner, similar to Tourish’s goal, while Castlefin were shouting for a free kick when Gallagher looked to have handled outside the box. 

It was Kerrykeel protesting next as James Kerr’s cross was met with shouts for a handball and penalty, but Castlefin played on and a brilliant run from outside his own box from Sean Kennedy, followed by a through ball to StephenJohn Carlin ended in a second goal for the visitors, Carlin’s first shot going under Gallagher but needed an extra touch from the substitute to take it into the net. 

Kerrykeel had a final chance of the half when Brandon McClafferty’s cross to the back post found James Kerr, but his effort flashed across the goal as the visitors led by two at the break. 

It could have got better after the restart as Bogan’s cross found Sean Kennedy, but a point-blank save from Gallagher denied his header. 

Kerrykeel had chances after as Gallagher’s long kick caused a mix-up at the back and as James Kerr rounded Kevin McColgan, he shot for the net, but McKinney blocked it on the line. 

Bogan then had a shot deflected at the other end, and Kennedy looked certain to score the rebound, but Carr made a goal-saving tackle to deny him. 

The hosts threatened again as Shaun Kerr had a header saved and Carr glanced wide from corners, while Patrick Friel’s shot hit McKinney and led to more shouts of handball.

McColgan kept his clean sheet intact once again as McGettigan’s header at the back post looked to be flicked goalwards by James Coyle, but the stopper punched clear.

And Michael Dunnion’s side got a third as Thomas Devlin won possession high up on the left, and cutting in towards the corner of the box, he curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner with his first few touches since being introduced.

Kerrykeel were now looking for a consolation, and while Mark Friel and Coyle had half chances, they did get one back through Shaun Kerr as he fired in low on the turn in added time, but the three points went to the visitors.

Kerrykeel ‘71: Brian Gallagher; Brandon McClafferty (Michael McDevitt 71), Patrick Heraghty (Oisin Shiels 71), Shaun Carr, Darragh O’Doherty (Kevin Loughrey 81); Mark Friel, Calum McAteer (James Coyle 58), Shaun Kerr, Bernard McGettigan, James Kerr; Patrick Friel (Jonathon Friel 81)

Castlefin Celtic: Kevin McColgan; James Tinney, Daniel Foy, Jordan McKinney, Kiernan Larkin; Cathal Kennedy, Ronan Tourish, Corrie-lee Bogan, Sean Kennedy, Dean Kelly (Thomas Devlin 82); Barry Tourish (StephenJohn Carlin 14, James McMenamin 91).