Local Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

After an intense Championship season that could have seen any of six clubs promoted to the Premier Division, it was Corrib Celtic and Craughwell United who survived the frantic finale to the season to finish in the top two.

Both have almost a similar life span in terms of their existence, with the Annaghdown club celebrating 40 years of playing in the local leagues this year, while Craughwell United will be 35 years old next season.

However, both have lived different experiences throughout the years, with Corrib Celtic having played in the Premier League on many occasions previously, but for Craughwell, this will be their first experience in the top flight, and for a team that was performing in Division Four seven years ago, their graduation to this level is extraordinary.

The progressive club, under the chairman Alan Tormey and secretary Tom Cunningham, have big plans for the future as players like Kyle Heverin, Alan Callanan, Gary Kelly, Daniel Grealish, and Liam Mulveen have been the mainstay of their side all season.

Alan O’Riordan and Craig Kanneyce were the management duo at different stages of the season, while former player Ian Prendergast is part of the coaching panel that helps coordinate everything that is going on in a busy club.

Champions Corrib Celtic were winning their first trophy at Junior level in over a decade when claiming the Championship title, and are managed by former player Jimmy Forde and former Colemanstown United striker Andy Concannon, who moved to the area.

They produced the best end-of-season form, with seven wins and a draw from their last eight games. Indeed they credit their 1-0 away win over Craughwell as their most important of the season as they eventually clinched the title by five points.

Like a lot of sides they depend hugely on experienced players and the likes of Shane Concannon, Justin Flaherty, and Keith Greaney (one of three brothers in the squad) have worn the club colours with pride for many years.

Goalkeeper David Cannon followed in his father Enda’s footsteps between the posts; while young Dara McNamara slotted home 20 goals in a productive season.

Kyle Mahon, Eoin Concannon, Dean Fahy and Adam Kenny are others who contributed to a successful season for the Corrib Celtic club who only lost three games throughout the campaign.

Pictured: The Gort United squad which won the Championship/Division 1 Cup Final in Eamonn Deacy Park at the weekend to complete the league and cup double in what was their first season in the league. Back row, from left: Cora Weekes Glynn, Grace Mulkerrins, Rachel Kenny, Anna Cooley, Daisy McDonald, Fiona Binson, Evie Shillitoe, Rachel Kelly, and Holly Diviney Goggin. Front: Abigail Finn, Hayley Kelly, Caoimhe Duffy, Kate Melville, Lauren O’Flaherty, Annabelle O’Rourke, Nicole Cummins, Sally Fahey, and Isla Fairweather. Missing from photo: Eimear Fogarty.