New five division League kicks off this weekend

THE new season kicks off on this Friday evening with three games down for decision. The big game is in Premier A where reigning champions Dingle Bay Rovers travel to play Castleisland. It is hard to beat Castleisland in their home patch so Dingle will have to be at their very best if they are to win this one.

Meanwhile there are two games in Division 2 with Mitchels Avenue B playing Ballyheigue Athletic B and CS Abbeydorney play Ballybunion FC with both games at Mounthawk Park. It will be interesting to see how new side Ballybunion fare against CS Abbeydorney in their first competitive game. CONTENDERS FOR TITLES PREMIER A

WITH the new KDL season kicking off next weekend I am taking a look at the title contenders in each division. There are only five divisions in the KDL this season and that will make it much more competitive.

Premier A should be keenly contested with any of 5 or 6 teams capable of winning it. A number of clubs will have new team managers with some clubs appointing managers just a week before the season kicks off.

Dingle Bay Rovers surprised everyone last year winning the title in very impressive fashion. It will be interesting to see how they fare this season as it is very difficult to win back to back Premier A titles. Dingle will be one of the leading contenders along with Killarney Celtic, Fenit Samphires, Tralee Dynamos and perhaps The Park and Castleisland.

Fenit made a bold bid for the title last season but a couple of slip-ups late in the season cost them dearly.

Tralee Dynamos were well in contention for a long time but faltered in the final series of games.

The Park and Castleisland were expected to be in the frame but they did not deliver the goods.

Castleisland have the capabilities of winning the title but they will have to show much more consistency early on in the season.

The Park are capable of beating any side on their day and could have a major say in who will make it to the decider.

I think Killarney Celtic will be the side to beat this year as they have a strong panel of players with a good few experienced players and some very good young players who are beginning to make their presence felt on the team.

Tralee Dynamos need to strengthen and expand their panel of players if they are to challenge for the title

Rattoo Rovers and Inter Kenmare are the promoted sides and Rattoo are well capable of holding their own in the top flight of Kerry soccer but Inter will have a struggle on their hands to stay up.

Listowel Celtic had to fight hard to stay up last season but now with Paddy Lynch at the helm they will be in safe hands but they need to strengthen their panel of players to get into the title race. Prediction for final: Killarney Celtic and Castleisland

PREMIER B

It looks as if Classic FC will be the leading contender here as they were very unlucky not to get to the league final last season being just pipped by CSKA in the final game of the season.

Castleisland B should also be in the frame as they punched above their weight last season and getting to the Greyhound Bar Cup final was an enormous achievement even though they went down to Killarney Celtic after a replay.

The other promoted side CSKA should be able to hold their own in this division.

Newly promoted AC Athletic will also have a very good chance and they are on a high after winning the treble last season.

Mastergeeha could also enter the equation as their term of duty in Premier A will stand to them.

Skeliga will also fancy their chances while Killorglin might be a good outside bet. Prediction for final: Classic FC and AC Athletic

DIVISION 1A

CG Killarney and QPR should have a good chance here after coming so close to making it to the league final last season.

Both sides were in contention right up to the final games of the season and just came up a couple of points short.

Castlegregory also have the capability of challenging but they will have to show much more consistency if they are to be in the picture.

New promoted Tralee Celtic should do well in this division and will be a leading contender while Athletico Ardfert also have the capability to challenge for the title.

It will be a voyage into uncharted waters for Ballyheigue Athletic and Mitchels Avenue and they should hold their own comfortably in this division.

Athletico Ardfert could also feature in the title race Prediction for final: Tralee Celtic and CG Killarney

DIVISION 1B

Six of the teams in this division are B sides so it looks as if it will be a four-horse race between Sporting Listowel, Windmill United, Strand Road and Ballymac Celtic.

Sporting Listowel were in the mix for a long time last season and only lost out narrowly at the end. They will have a much stronger squad this season bolstered by players from Na Fianna who pulled out of the KDL.

Their biggest threat will come from Windmill United and Strand Road.

Windmill had a fantastic league campaign going down to Strand Road in the final after a replay. They are a side that are strong in all departments of play and have the prowess to make it to the decider.

Of course Strand Road also have a great chance as they have a very strong panel of players.

Ballymac Celtic will be hoping to be in the title race also but must secure more players if they are to be in the hunt.

From the B sides Mastergeeha will have the best chance to be in the mix. Prediction for final: Windmill United and Sporting Listowel

DIVISION 2

This division is wide open with Abhann Li a team to look out for.

They began the season poorely last year but then got a great run together and were not far away from making the final by the end of the season.

CS Abbeydorney had similar fortunes just coming up short at the vital stage of the league.

Tralee Bay FC Annascaul/Inch and Clanmaurice could have an outside chance.

Three B sides Ballyheigue, Castlemaine and Mitchels Avenue are not in to make up the numbers and will have their own aspirations of trying to make it to the decider.

However I think new kids on the block Ballybunion FC are the side to look out for as they have a very strong panel of players and they should have a good chance of making the final.

Prediction for final: Ballybunion FC and Abahann Li