SOCCER Listowel Celtic U-17s edge Killarney Celtic in League final

DENNY U-17 LEAGUE FINAL Listowel Celtic 2 Killarney Celtic 1

ANOTHER piece of silverware headed out North Kerry way on Thursday evening after Listowel Celtic were crowned Denny Under 17 League Champions at Mounthawk Park after a great win over Killarney Celtic in a very keenly contested game.

Killarney Celtic had the lion’s share of possession in the game but Listowel used the possession they got wisely hitting on the counter attack with great precision while if any danger existed at the back they cleared their lines without any hesitation.

Both sides played cautiously early on with Killarney passing the ball around fluently at midfield while Listowel played patiently and looked for every opportunity to hit on the counter-attack.

Killarney were caught napping at the back in the 23rd minute when Michael Kennedy found space just inside the box and his low shot was partially saved by the Killarney goalie Mark Kelliher but it still had enough power to make it over the line.

Killarney Celtic made 2 substitutions at half time with Mark Donnelan replacing Keelin Deegan and Josh Fleming coming on for Conor Lucey.

Killarney started on the front foot in the second half an equalised in the 52nd minute.

Darragh Lyne forced a corner out on the right which was floated into the goalmouth by Lee Downing and Evan Jones took advantage of poor marking absolutely blasting the ball to the roof of the net from 10 yards.

It now looked as if Killarney might take charge of the game but Listowel dug deep and were a constant threat on the break.

They won a throw in the 76th minute which was taken by Jake Kelly to Darragh Mackessy who got past a defender and drilled a low shot to the bottom corner of the net.

Killarney then went all out in search of an equaliser but the Listowel defence were excellent and twarted every attack they faced.

Deep into added time Killarney forced a corner kick and the whole team including their goalkeeper came up for it.

It was driven into the goalmouth by Lee Downing and it was met by the inrushing Killarney goalie Mark Kelliher and his header appeared destined for the net but it was dramatically taken off the line by Jake Kelly.

Straight afterwards the final whistle sounded and Listowel Celtic were deserving winners.

LISTOWEL CELTIC: Killian O’Gorman, Jake Kelly, Ben Tobin, Gavin Casey, Shane Loughnane, Jack Sheahan, Alex Laurent, Michael Kennedy, David Lynch, Darragh Mackessy, Aidan Shanahan. Subs: Devan McKenna, Eamon Rohan, Cian McGrath.

KILLARNEY CELTIC: Mark Kelliher, Gary Vaughan, Mark Cooper, Jordan Leahy, Evan Jones, Liam Curran, Conor Lucey, Eoin Moynihan Lee Downing, Keelin Deegan, Darragh Lyne. Subs: Mark Donnellan and Josh Fleming

REFEREE: Eddie O’Mahony.