Kerry SFL: Kerins O’Rahillys survive as Dingle, Gaeltacht and Milltown/Castlemaine are relegated
David Moran lined out as Kerins O'Rahillys survived the relegation scrap in Kerry SFL Division 1.
Kerins O’Rahillys survived a nerve-wracking final round of Kerry's SFL as they got their crucial two points at Ballymacelligott to preserve their status in the top flight. They beat a Ballymac side with little to play for 4-13 to 1-10 and with Dingle unable to do the business at home against Spa, the Strand Road side retain their top flight status.
Joining Dingle in the drop are west Kerry neighbours An Ghaeltacht, with already relegated Milltown/Castlemaine completing the trio who will play Division 2 football next season.
There was nothing at stake at the top with Dr Crokes already having the title wrapped but they finished the league with 11 wins from 11 games after beating Rathmore 2-19 to 1-11.
All the focus was on the other end of the table. Kerins O’Rahilly's had to ensure that they did business against Ballymac and raced 2-5 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter with goals from Tomás Kennedy and Tommy Walsh while Darragh O’Connor, Daniel Bowler and Shane McElligott added point.
Strand Road lost Tommy Walsh after 20 minutes and it appeared to upset their momentum and Ballymac hit back with a goal from midfielder Micheal Reidy to close the gap at half time to 2-6 to 1-5.
But the Tralee side cut loose in the second half with Tomás Kennedy kicking two beauties to showcase his precocious talent while Darragh O’Connor scored a third goal for Kerins O’Rahillys in the 44th minute. 3-8 to 1-7 up, the Strand Road lads were being kept aware of what was happening in Dingle. Their star players were two youngsters Darragh O’Connor who scored 2-7 and 18 year old Tomás Kennedy who scored 1-3.
Meanwhile in Dingle, the home side was relegated only two years after winning it back-to-back as they l
ost 1-14 to 1-5 to Spa. Dingle kicked 15 wides though they lined out without over half of their championship side, including five on the Kerry senior panel.
Spa led Dingle by 1-7 to 1-1 at half-time with David Spillane scoring Spa's goal inside opening 15 seconds as although Brian O'Connor scored a goal for hosts nine first half sides have proved costly with Spa’s Evan Cronin scoring all but four points of his sides tally and ending up with a personal haul of 0-11.
In Division 2, Austin Stacks were promoted as champions with a big 2-15 to 0-7 win over already relegated Na Gaeil. Beaufort are also promoted while Glenbeigh/Glencar, with Darran O’Sullivan still lining out, saw off the challenge of Gneeveguilla with a big second half performance, 3-12 to 1-7. The Mid Kerry’s side goal scorers were Rian O’Donovan, Calum Teahan and Colm McGillycuddy and they are back up to the top flight.
At the other end, Na Gaeil are gone and providing Ardfert can get a point off John Mitchels in their delayed final fixture, they will stay up, with Mitchels and Castleisland Desmonds - who won their final game in Templenoe on Sunday - dropping to Division 3.
Meanwhile in Division 3, Firies are promoted as champions and they will be joined by Churchill with a play-off required for the third spot between Ballydonoghue and Keel.
At the other end St Mary's and Annascaul will have to play off with the winner staying up.
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