Kerry SFL round-up: Austin Stacks secure Division 1 title in dramatic style
However, despite Kerins O'Rahillys not losing to Glenbeigh/Glencar on Sunday lunchtime, they could not get the win they needed to force a playoff with Tralee rivals Austin Stacks, who won the Division 1 title for the first time since 2014 even though they lost on Saturday evening to Laune Rangers.
It is also new manager Darragh Long's first trophy with the club, but it is reasonable to assume that he probably thought that it might require another meeting with their cross town Tralee rivals as Kerins O'Rahilly's were short odds to beat already relegated Glenbeigh/Glencar on Sunday.
The loss to the side they beat in the Intermediate Club final in the Kingdom last year looked like opening the door for Strand Road to set up another meeting between the two sides, so soon after Stacks had defeated them in the previous round and seemingly put one hand on the winners' shield.
O'Rahillys, who were missing a few regulars, were 10 points up at half-time to Glenbeigh/Glencar but they struggled in the second-half with the Mid Kerry side putting over four two-pointers as the match ended level at 2-12 to 0-18 with Darragh O'Connor and Odhran Kerins getting the goals.
Stacks, meanwhile, only scored twice from play in losing by 2-12 to 0-12 to Laune Rangers as Patrick Daly and Daire Cleary scored the goals that meant Liam Hassett's side had done their best to try and extend their two-year stay in the Kingdom's top League.
Fellow Mid Kerry side Beaufort's 4-17 to 1-23 win over Kilcummin denied them their best chance of staying up but there was still a chance for the Killorglin side later in the evening if Glenflesk won an East Kerry derby with Spa, which would have meant a playoff between Spa and Rangers.
Spa secured their status though with a 2-18 to 1-14 win meaning Rangers will join Ballymacelligott and Glenbeigh/Glencar in Division 2 next year. Dr Crokes had begun the weekend with a 1-14 to 1-10 win away to Ballymac as fellow East Kerry sides Killarney Legion and Rathmore played out a 1-14 apiece draw.
Meanwhile Kenmare Shamrocks will be going back to Division 1 as Division 2 winners after drawing their final game with An Ghaeltacht by 0-17 to 3-8 as Dingle were confirmed as runners-up after receiving a walkover from already relegated Ardfert for their final game.
The final promotion spot will go to a playoff between Milltown/Castlemaine and Gneeveguilla after the Mid Kerry side defeated Templenoe by 3-19 to 0-16 while the East Kerry side edged out Churchill by 2-11 to 0-16, sending the St Brendans side back down to Division 3.
Keel and Listowel Emmets escaped relegation with wins over Firies and Fossa respectively while Fossa will be going back down to Division 3, alongside Churchill and Ardfert.
John Mitchels claimed the Division 3 title with a 2-16 to 2-13 win over Castlegregory as Castleisland Desmonds and St Marys had already been promoted alongside them prior to the final round.
Castlegregory will be one of five teams involved in a lengthy relegation process, along with Tarbert, St Senans, Cordal, and Ballydonoghue to see who will join Brosna and Reenard in Division 4 next year.
Annascaul (winners), Duagh and Currow were already promoted prior to the final day in Division 4 as both Ballyduff and Dromid Pearses will playoff to avoid joining Knocknagoshel and St Pats/Blennerville in Division 5 next year.
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