Kerry FC have lost to Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
The Kingdom conceded the only goal of the game in the 58th minute.
Words by David Moriarty
Kerry FC were back at home for the second Friday of four weeks as they took on Finn Harps of Ballybofey in Mounthawk Park. Kerry FC looked like they were turning a corner in form with four points in the Bank Holiday weekend, with a win against Athlone and a draw against Treaty United on Monday evening. They started the same eleven in both games, so a few changes were expected for Friday evening to prevent burnout.
For Finn Harps, they had managed just the one win since late June and see themselves slipping down the pecking order in the league table as of late. Both Kerry FC and Finn Harps were level on points going into the game, with seventh place up for grabs; it could be a tough battle in store.
FIRST HALF
The first opportunity of the game came to the visitors from Donegal after nine minutes. A loose pass from Idir Yacine Zerrouck came all the way out to Oran Brogan, who took the shot on first time, but his fine effort was thankfully stopped by Matthew Connor.
The first chance for Kerry FC would come just eight minutes later, a free kick by the halfway line from Oran Crowe was delivered on top of Harps keeper Lorenzo Piaia Barbosa, who made a meal of his collection. The ball was eventually cleared, and a stop to play was made due to a head clash, taking the sting out of the attack for Kerry.
A moment of surprise came a minute later as Robbie Cleary was judged to have fouled a Harps player with the possibility of a break on. The moment that referee Daryl Carolan blew his whistle, the moans could be heard from downtown Tralee. Had he not blown a big chance could have been on for the hosts.
Kerry FC’s biggest chance of the half came in the twenty-sixth minute. A great delivery from the left wing from Ronan Teahan found the head of Robbie Cleary inside the six-yard box, but Barbosa saved it. His header was aimed at the ground and took away most of the challenge for Barbosa to save.
Just a couple of minutes after Cleary’s effort, Conor Tourish was denied at the other end by Matthew Connor, who was putting in a fantastic performance inside the opening half an hour. Tourish was in on goal from close range, but Connor was on hand to keep the score level.
On the half-hour mark, Sean McGrath went off injured due to a tackle from Shaunie Bradley, who was very lucky to escape with just a yellow card. Referee Daryl Carola and his linesman did some deliberating but thought the yellow was the correct decision to the bemusement of the Mounthawk Park crowd.
Most of the action in the first half was in the opening half an hour, with the final fifteen minutes of the half being quite scrappy, with very little going on for either side.
SECOND HALF
Daniel Okwute replaced Kennedy Amechi at halftime and nearly made an instant impact just three minutes into the second half. A great piece of skill from Okwute opened up space for a shot for himself, but it unfortunately went over the crossbar.
Kerry FC would soon regret not capitalising at that stage because just five minutes into the second half, Finn Harps would take the lead. A corner whipped in from the left side found Kieran Cooney, who rose highest to head Harps into an early second-half lead.
The chances for Kerry FC for the majority of the second half were few and far between. The possession stat was the only one they were covering for the majority of the second half, to the dismay of the home crowd.
Deep into injury time, Daniel Okwute received a straight red card for a high foot. The decision was instant, as it had been all night for the visitors. Kerry FC tried late on to get back into the game, but nothing was working, and after six minutes of added time, the whistle blew with Harps taking the three points back to Donegal.
Kerry FC now look ahead to the next round of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup, where they take on Cobh Ramblers back home once again in Mounthawk Park next Friday night in what is sure to be a fantastic occasion, as it coincides with the Rose of Tralee festivities in the town.
Kerry FC Team: 16. Matthew Connor, 3. Sean O'Connell, 4. Oran Crowe, 5. Christopher McQueen, 7. Sean McGrath (C), 8. Ronan Teahan, 12. Kennedy Amechi, 14. Robert Cleary, 18. Samuel Aladesanusi, 23. Finn Barrett, 28. Niall Brookwell.
Subs: Darragh Foley, Carl Mujaguzi, Joseph Adams, Daniel Okwute, Cian Brosnan, Abel Alabi, Kevin Williams, Luke Doolan, Ryan Perez
Finn Harps Team: 25. Lorenzo Piaia Barbosa, 4. Conor Tourish (C), 5. Oran Brogan, 6. Joel Bradley-Walsh, 8. Max Hutchinson, 11. Gavin McAteer, 12. Josh Cullen, 20. Michael Place, 21. Idir Yacine Zerrouk, 26. Shaunie Bradley, 27. Kieran Cooney (GOAL ‘50).
Subs: Corey Sheridan, Kevin Jordan, Hans Kamta Mpongo, Tony McNamee, Gavin Gilmore, Gradi Lomboto, Daniel Cunningham, Seaghan McCormick, Ibrahima-Pokou
Kerry manager Colin Healy firstly spoke about the yellow card issued to a Finn Harps player for a foul on Sean McGrath
Elsewhere it finished Dundalk 6 Athlone Town 1, Bray Wanderers 0 Cobh Ramblers 2 and UCD 1 Wexford 0.
Derry City moved into second in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division last night.
The Candystripes played out a scoreless draw with Cork City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
It also finished nil-all between Drogheda United and Waterford at Sullivan and Lambe Park.
The North Dublin derby is tonight's offering in the top flight.
Third-placed Bohemians can move back ahead of Derry with a win away to Shelbourne.
Kick-off at Tolka Park is at 5.
At half 7, Longford Town host Treaty United in the First Division.
EA Sports League Of Ireland Academy
Kerry games today:
Men’s U20-away to CK United at 5.30
Women’s U17-away to CK United at 5
Men’s U15-home to Limerick at 2
