New trophy for County Under-21 Football Championship

A new trophy is to be presented to the winners of the Acorn Life County Under-21 Football Championship in 2017. Laune Rangers, in conjunction with the Kerry County Board and the Coffey family will present the James Coffey Perpetual Cup in honour of the late James Coffey who, of course, was a legendary administrator with both club and county being a joint Treasurer of the County Board for many years. The official launch will take place in the JP O’Sullivan Park in Killorglin at 8.30pm on this Friday, July 21.

The winners of the new trophy are going to be either Kenmare District or Mid Kerry who qualified for the final by overcoming Dr Crokes and East Kerry respectively in the Acorn Life Under-21 semi-finals on Thursday evening last.

Mid Kerry defeated East Kerry by 3-15 to 1-10 in Austin Stack Park and the winning margin was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline would suggest. Displaying by far the better team work, Mid Kerry dominated proceedings for about three quarters of the game with impressive displays from Acorn Life Man of the Match Liam Carey and David Costello up front who contributed 2-9 between them.

Despite conceding an early goal to Ian Roche, Mid Kerry led by 2-8 to 1-2 at the break thanks to goals from Liam Carey and Darragh Coffey within a minute of each other just before the break. Eight minutes into the new half Mid Kerry more or less secured victory when David Costello struck for their third goal.

In the other semi final, Ken- mare District had a 2-18 to 3-11victory over Dr Crokes in Kenmare. Dr Crokes were in command early on and the Killarney side led by 3-3 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter following goals from Paul Clarke, Adam and Mark O’Shea. Sean O’Shea and Killian Spillane helped bring Kenmare back into the game and Spillane’s goal left just three points between the sides at the break, 3-7 to 1-10.

In the second half the District side really took over with Acorn Life Man of the Match John Mark Foley in fine form but the sides were still on level terms with ten minutes to go until the killer blow came when Kevin Price finished a loose ball to the Crokes net.

The under-21 Final will be played on Wednesday July 26 at a venue to be decided.