KERRYKEEL ‘71 have got off to a flying start this season and want to put last year’s woes behind them.
After a 4-1 win over Drumkeen United on Sunday, the Hughie Walsh managed side have won their opening six games and sit top of the Division Two table on goal difference, just ahead of Convoy Arsenal who are also yet to drop a point.
And while the performance in that win may not have been up to the standards that player James Kerr would have liked, he’s delighted with how the side have started the season.
“We had a month lay-off before that Drumkeen game, there was a game called off for a bereavement and cup games so when you’re off for a month it’s hard to keep going.
“I don’t think we actually played well to be honest but it’s a good thing to be winning when you’re not playing well.
“If you said we’d have this (six from six) at the start of the season then we definitely would have taken it so hopefully we can keep it up this weekend.”
The club went on a tremendous run to finish third and make the promotion/relegation play-off last season.
However, they were hindered by the amount of time off they had between their final league game on March 3 and the play-off.
They faced Cranford in that game but with the Division One season not ending until April 21, preparation was far from ideal for the game and it left the side frustrated to not climb up to the second tier.
“We spoke about it a few weeks ago, we won 11 of our last 13 games to get into that play-off spot but it was nine weeks until that game and it was so hard to keep it going.
“We were disappointed to lose that game, I think we should have won it but what can you do?”
That good run could have seen them in the top two and automatic promotion, but for a poor start last year.
However, there is no doubting they have had a perfect start so far this season and Kerr, who plays GAA for Gaeil Fhánada, feels the gaelic finishing earlier has had a hand in their good start.
“With the Gaelic and us being knocked out early, we got a full pre-season with Kerrykeel for the first time in a couple of years and it has made all the difference.
“Last year I think we got five points in our first five games and this year we’ve won our first six so it’s a big difference.
“There were four or five of us playing (GAA) so it made a big difference, we didn’t have numbers to field in the Brian McCormick Cup but we have plenty of boys training and there’s competition for places for the first time in a while.”
Kerr played for Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League and also lined out for Whitestrand United but is into his fourth year at Rab’s Park.
Since then, the ’71 were relegated to Division Two and failed to get promoted last year, both decided by the play-offs, so they are keen to avoid that this season.
“In Division One we had a lot of players but we lost a few and some went to Fanad.
“But we got a couple in, Bernard McGettigan is back this year and some other lads have come on so it’s a good squad.
“We’d be young enough, my brother Shaun at centre half is 23 then Callum (McAteer) in the middle of the park, I don’t think he is even 20 yet.
“‘Sparky’ (Mark Friel) has seven goals I think and he has been flying and we’re solid at the back too with only four conceded, ‘Horse’ (Shaun Friel) has been doing well and we haven’t been giving away a lot of chances and we’re creating well too.”
The final two games before the Christmas break see back-to-back away games for Kerr and co., with Letterbarrow Celtic next before a trip to Orchard Park to face Convoy in what will be a huge game in the battle for first place.
“It’s not easy down in Letterbarrow, I was there with Whitestrand in a top of the table clash and they pipped us so we know what to expect.
“We have Convoy the week after but we’ll not look at that yet.
“We’re always targeting the top and it’ll be good to be there at Christmas if we win these two games but it’ll not be easy.”
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