Avenue claim their first league crown

AS ever May proved to be a hectic month for the Kerry District League with finals galore, starting with the Denny Division 2B final which saw a historic first as Mitchels Avenue saw off Ballyheigue Athletic 2-1.

The victory was the club’s first ever league crown, quite the achievement given their relative newness as a club. They had some fortune early in the contest as Ballyheigue missed a penalty, but struck themselves just three minutes later to set themselves up in a major way for victory with a goal by Darren Breen.

Avenue hit their second on the counter in the second half through Robert Lynch and, while, Ballyheigue did strike back (Noel Carroll with the goal) the Boherbee outfit were deserving victors.

“Winning means to world to us,” captain Sean O’Reilly said after the game.

“It was a tough game, but we played good football and took our chances when we got them.”

In the Division 1B final Tralee Celtic were two-nil winners over Atletico Ardfert – James O’Mahony and Fergal Moynihan with the goals for the Tralee side in a game that saw Ardfert reduced to ten men by the finish. It was Celtic’s third league success in as many seasons.

The Division 2B final was played and again Strand Road and Windmill United could not be separated finishing, after extra-time, two-all. The game went to a very tense penalty shoot-out with Strand Road winning 3-1 – Killian Moran in goal was the hero of the hour for Strand Road.

“We are a young team in the league, but the lads showed great heart and dedication all season,” Strand Road boss Trevor Quirke said post match.

Fenit Samphires and Killarney Celtic draw in the Denny Youths League Final 2-2 and Listowel Celtic were three goal winners over Ballyhar Dynamos in the Under 17 final.

The Denny Premier B final ended in a draw as ten man Ratto Rovers held out of a one-all draw with Inter Kenmare in Mounthawk Park. Josh Crowley Holland scored a penalty in the first half, but Aidan Boyle got a late equaliser for the Ballyduff outfit.