Fab five vying for ‘A’ final

PWD

11 8 7 5 10 4 8 4 8 3 5 2 6 2 6 2 10 0 3 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 0

L PTS

1 1 4 3 3 2 3 3 7 3 26 16 14 13 11 7 7 7 3 0

THIS is a division that is easy to figure out as the only race here is for second place as Tralee Celtic are running away with it and will have qualified for the final early in the New Year. They have a very formidable panel of players and the acquisition of key players from Tralee Dynamos has boosted their strength enormously.

The big hunt will be for that second place with Mitchels Avenue, Killorglin, Castleisland B, Camp United and perhaps AC Athletic all in the mix. Mitchels Avenue encountered a few hiccups early in the season but they are now in full flight and should be right in there with a chance of making it to the decider. They are the only team to beat Tralee Celtic so far this season so their credentials are beyond doubt.

Killorglin have been blowing hot and cold so far this season but they are good enough to be in the mix. Castleisland who won this division last season won’t be too far away either while AC Athletic and Camp United could also feature prominently. With Tralee Celtic are almost certain to qualify for the final it looks like it will be between Mitchels Avenue and Castleisland for that coveted second place in the final.

Meanwhile, down the foot of the table there wil be a right dog fight for survival with Killarney Celtic B, CSKA Tralee, Classic FC and Rattoo Rovers in the mix.

Classic FC are good enough to stay up and while they are bottom of the table Rattoo should secure enough points to survive.

PREMIER A

Killarney Athletic Killarney Celtic Castleisland AFC Dingle Bay Rovers Fenit Samphires Listowel Celtic Mastergeeha FC Tralee Dynamos Inter Kenmare

PWD

7 5 5 5 7 4 6 4 5 4 9 2 7 3 8 2 16 0 2 0 3 1 1 5 0 0 0

L

0 0 0 1 0 2 4 6 16

PTS

17 15 15 13 13 11 9 6 0

AS we approach a new year it is an appropriate time to have a look at all the divisions in the Kerry District League and assess which teams are faring best in the league title races and the clubs who are in a fight for survival.

With less teams in all the divisions this season the KDL could afford to give teams a two-week break at Christmas and it looks as if - baring a long period of bad weather - the season will end a good bit earlier than usual.

PREMIER A is very competitive with any of five teams in with a chance of making it to the decider. At present it is very close at the top of the table with Killarney Athletic two points clear of the chasing posse with Killarney Celtic, Castleisland, Fenit Samphires and Dingle Bay Rovers close in pursuit.

Due to their run in the Munster Junior Cup and FAI Junior Cup Killarney Celtic are behind on games but will make up the leeway as time progresses.

The big question everyone will be asking is, will Killarney Athletic win back to back titles after their great feats of last season? They can’t be doing much better that they are as they are top of the table and are winning each game with comparative ease so far but of course stiffer tests lie ahead. However they won’t be anxious to relinquish their crown without a big fight. They are out of the Munster Junior Cup and FAI Junior Cup so they will be able to focus their attention totally on the domestic scene and will be one of the favourites to make it to the league final.

Of course there will be a lot of twists and turns before the season is over so an awful lot to be played for over the winter months. From the games I have seen so far this season Killarney Celtic seem to be a good bit ahead of everyone else and they appear to be the team to beat in this division. They have a very steady panel of players with a good bench and are playing some great football this season so far. However, when the going gets a bit heavier the question is will they still be able to churn out the results they require. Another problem Celtic face is that they will go a long way in the Munster Junior Cup and FAI Junior Cup and every game in these competitions requires a huge effort and the question is will they be able to raise their game sufficiently on the local scene when the chips are down towards the end of the season when they are likely to have games in hand.

Dingle Bay Rovers are another side that will be in contention and they have a squad strong enough to be serious title contenders.

Elsewhere, Castleisland might be the best outside bet and they are playing well this season so far and relish playing when the playing conditions get more difficult. Fenit have been knocking on the door of making it to the final for a couple of seasons now but their title challenge faltered after losing crucial games at the end of the season.

As things stand Killarney Celtic are bankers for the final and it will probably be between Killarney Athletic and Dingle Bay Rovers to see who will join them

The relegation issue is fairly straight forward enough as Inter Kenmare pulled out of the league so only one side is going down.

Given standings to date it would appear it will be a fight between Tralee Dynamos, Listowel Celtic and perhaps Mastergeeha to survive the drop.