We did it the hard way - Kerrykeel '71 captain Mark Friel

Kerrykeel ‘71 captain Mark Friel admitted that his side had to stay calm as they were rocked by an early flurry of Swilly Rovers goals in their Division 1 decider on Sunday.

Level on points with Cappry Rovers ahead of the final game, but in control with a better goal difference by four, it felt like any form of win would secure the title at Rabs Park.

But the visitors weren’t going to go down easy, and they hit three goals in the opening quarter of the game to add drama on the final day.

But as Shaun Kerr got one back, the hosts were two behind at the break, and after an own goal and another Kerr finish, he stepped up for a penalty to seal his hat-trick and put his side 4-3 up.

Brandon McClafferty and James Kerr added further goals to ensure the title’s destination with a 6-3 win.

“We did it the hard way is right, 3-0 down early on, and it was three poor goals to concede on our behalf.

“But we still created chances, and we got one back, and we could have went in 3-2 down at half-time, but we knew not to panic because we have come from two and three goals down a few times this season.

“We were lucky enough to get an early goal in the second half, and I think we dominated after that, and it kind of only looked like one winner.

“We showed the way we can play in that second half, it’s a pity we had to go down 3-0, but we got there. There would have been a lot of disappointed heads if we didn’t win it.

“It’s unlucky for Cappry to miss out on goal difference, but that’s life.”

Friel began playing with Kerrykeel at the start of the century and was part of the team that won the Division 2 league title back in 2001.

After that, he had spells with Fanad United, Kilmacrennan Celtic, and Letterkenny Rovers, picking up league titles, before returning to Kerrykeel six years ago.

But to win the Division 1 title and help them achieve their first-ever promotion to the Premier Division.

“A lot of these young lads don’t realise what they’ve achieved. Winning a league back-to-back is hard enough, but for it to be in different divisions is a massive achievement. “We’re at the top table now, and it’s going to be a lot tougher, but we’ll go and enjoy it , we’re there on merit, so we’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”

Kerrykeel had a similar dramatic ending to their Division 2 campaign twelve months earlier, as they needed a win against Convoy Arsenal to overtake their opponents and win the league.

Goals from McClafferty and Bernard McGettigan gave them a 2-1 win that day, also in Rabs Park, to take the title.

Coming up to Division 1, the aim from early on in the season was to consolidate their place in the second tier, but as the season progressed and they were at the top of the table, their momentum continued to carry them towards a possible second promotion.

READ NEXT: We did it for John Joe - Kerrykeel ‘71 boss Hughie Walsh

“We don’t make life easy (with the last day deciders). But we did say at the start of the season that if we got a run together, anything could happen because there is not a lot between any of the teams in the league, and we got that run going.

“We had a couple of big games recently, winning up in Convoy and then in Castlefin the following week. We faltered against Milford, but we got a last-minute draw against Ballybofey, and that could have put us out of contention if we lost that.

“We had luck on our side at times when we needed it, but you need things like that to win a league title, and thankfully, we got that.

In Friel’s captain's speech upon picking up the trophy, he paid tribute to club founder and stalwart John Joe McAteer, who passed away in 2021.

“John Joe is a legend around these parts, and he was the man who took me to Kerrykeel when I was 17 or 18. He gave me a chance, and I’m forever grateful for that.

“He would have loved seeing this. It’s great to see Peggy here. Calum, his Grandson, is playing, and his son, Marty, is involved. Then Caoimhe, Hughie, it’s brilliant to keep his legacy going, and he would have loved a day like this.”