Kerrykeel ‘71 come from three down to win Divison 1 title against Swilly Rovers

Kerrykeel ‘71 came from three goals down to win by three and seal the Division 1 title against Swilly Rovers in Rabs Park.

The already relegated visitors wasted no time in trying to spoil the party, and goals from Shay McFadden, Sultan Ejiwunmi, and Leon Boyce had them three ahead on 23 minutes, although a swift response from Shaun Kerr made it 3-1, which was the score at the break.

But five minutes into the second half, the game was level thanks to Kerr and an Isaac Mukiri own goal, before Kerr sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on the hour mark.

And celebrations began in the final 15 minutes as Brandon McClafferty and James Kerr added further goals to seal back-to-back titles for the ‘71.

Kerrykeel enjoyed success down the left in the first half with James Kerr, and he created the first chance with a cross, but Jonathan Friel couldn’t connect properly for what was a big chance.

And a first venture forward for Swilly Rovers ended in a goal, as Sultan Ejiwunmi’s cross from the left looped over Brian Gallagher and came off the far post, falling perfectly for Shay McFadden to find the bottom corner from ten yards.

Kerr had an effort go well over as the hosts looked to equalise quickly, and another cross from him down the left found Shaun Kerr, but Jamie-Lee Blaney made a great save with his foot.

Swilly then went two up on 15 minutes, a cross from Ian Ward down the left found Ejiwunmi, who got in front of his man and poked into the far corner.

And eight minutes later, they got a third as Leon Boyce’s free kick from near the halfway line sailed over Gallagher with the help of the wind.

The ‘71 did get one back quickly after, as James Kerr’s free was met by the head of Patrick Heraghty, coming off the bar, but Shaun Kerr was quick to react and score from close range.

That gave the hosts a much-needed boost, and they were well on top in the second quarter, Brandon McClafferty forcing a good save from Blaney after another James Kerr cross, while Liam McGrenaghan twice went close from distance, both narrowly going over the bar.

Blaney did well to get to the ball before McClafferty after a free kick dropped in the box, and another free-kick from McGrenaghan was saved by the stopper at the second attempt.

Hughie Walsh’s side had two more chances in ten minutes of first-half stoppage time, first as Mark Friel fired over 

And after the restart, Kerrykeel were up for the challenge, and as Shaun Kerr chested the ball down on the edge of the box, he turned and volleyed it into the bottom left corner.

That was three minutes into the half, and by the 50th minute, the game was level.

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A cross from Michael McDevitt on the right was headed goalwards by Jonathan Friel, and as Isaac Mukiri tried to clear at close range, he couldn’t prevent it from going into the net.

Swilly tried to retake the lead, Boyce trying the same as the first half with a free from range, while Toby Taylor made a good run down the right and shot, but Gallagher saved both efforts.

The second effort ended in a corner, which Kerrykeel countered through James Kerr, who got into the box and was fouled by Michael Salami.

Shaun Kerr stepped up and found the bottom left corner to seal his hat-trick.

That was the hosts ahead on the hour mark, and they had further chances as James Kerr fired just wide when one-on-one, while McClafferty and Shaun Kerr had efforts well saved by Blaney.

But they did get that two-goal cushion with 15 minutes to play as James Kerr’s inswinging corner was headed in at the back post by McClafferty.

And they got a sixth goal moments later as James Kerr was played in on the left, and as he burst into the box, he found the near corner.

James Kerr had another one-on-one that he fired just wide, as Kerrykeel emptied their bench in the final minutes.

And while Shuan Kerr picked up a second yellow late on for kicking the ball away after being called offside, it didn't dampen the celebrations as they deservedly won the title.

Kerrykeel ‘71: Brian Gallagher; Michael McDevitt (Jamie McAteer 79), Patrick Heraghty, Shaun Carr, Liam McGrenaghan (Darragh O’Doherty 79); Brandon McClafferty (Patrick Friel 80), Mark Friel, Calum McAteer (Bernard McGettigan 85), Shaun Kerr, James Kerr; Jonathan Friel (Kevin Loughrey 65).

Swilly Rovers: Jamie-Lee Blaney; Isaac Mukiri, Darragh McDaid, Clive Callan (Callum O’Donnell 33), Michael Salami; Toby Taylor, Leon Boyce, Ian Ward, Michael Kerr, Shay McFadden; Sultan Ejiwunmi (Matthew MacKinnon ht).