Premier B final too close to call

Mitchels Avenue v Tralee Celtic Friday, May 11 Mounthawk Park at 7.30pm

A BIG crowd is expected on next Friday for the eagerly awaited Premier B final between Mitchels Avenue and Tralee Celtic. This is a mouthwatering prospect between two sides that lost just one game during the entire season.

Amazingly Tralee Celtic are bidding for their fifth consecutive league title

after starting out in Division 2B five years ago. This clearly shows just how good this side is and they will be going into the game as slight favourites. They have secured some high profile signings during the season and this has strengthened their side considerably. However, Mitchels Avenue are a side that revels when the pressure is on and with David Hennessy and Barry O’Sullivan at the helm they have inspirational leaders.

Both sides have very strong panels of players and consequently competition for places in the starting line-ups will be intense.

Both sides will be playing in Premier

A next season and appear to be the sides that will take over from other Tralee sides such as Tralee Dynamos and The Park who are going through a transition period at present.

If Mitchels Avenue are to win they will be looking for Chris Hegarty, David Hennessy, Peter Murphy, Aaron O’Connor and James O’Sullivan to keep a tight ship at the back, Robert Lynch, Graham O’Leary, Scott Hennessy, Sean O’Reilly and Lorcan Seymour to be creative at midfield while they will be relying on Brendan Coffey to slot away the goals up front.

Meanwhile Tralee Celtic will be relying on Gary Moriarty, Derek O’Connor,

James O’Mahoney, Sean Maloney and Stephen O’Sullivan to

keep things tight at the back, James Sugrue, Fiachra Dunne, John Farragher, Anthony Murphy to boss midfield while they will be looking towards Fergal Moynihan, and perhaps Chris Kerins to find the net when presented with the opportunity.

This is a very difficult game to call with Tralee Celtic probably having the better side but when it comes to team spirit and work ethic it is hard to match Mitchels Avenue.

One thing is for sure it will be a very tight game and it will be no surprise if it goes to a replay.