REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 15: Kerry FC 1-1 Wexford FC
On Friday evening, Kerry FC played their second home game in as many weeks, taking on Wexford FC in Mounthawk Park, Tralee. Kerry FC had a chance to win back-to-back games against the one team for the first time in the club’s history. A win would also give Kerry FC three wins in a row, completely turning their fortunes around from the supposed disarray they faced just a few short weeks ago.
Last time out against Wexford, goals from Joe Adams and Chris McQueen inside the opening five minutes gave Kerry FC a comfortable lead for most of the game. A goal back from Mikie Rowe with thirteen minutes to go removed the comfort, but the Kingdom held out to get themselves their infamous first-ever win on a grass surface.
Wexford FC came to Tralee with just one win in their last six games, and they were sitting on three defeats in a row.
It was also the first game with new Kerry FC manager Colin Healy in the dugout, a Mounthawk Park welcome was a highlight of the game for the new gaffer, and the Kingdom faithful hoped that would not be the only highlight of the fixture on a lovely May evening in Tralee.
FIRST HALF
The first real sight of action came in the eleventh minute when a Kevin Williams goal was disallowed as there was judged to have been a foul on Wexford FC goalkeeper Paul Martin. It was a contentious decision as Martin seemed to have dropped the ball and claimed a foul, which was awarded in his favour.
Daniel Okwute had an opportunity just three minutes later as he got into a great position, but his shot from what looked to be at a tight angle dragged just wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.
In the twenty-first minute, Kerry FC were awarded a penalty when Daniel Okwute was taken down inside the area by Josh Lyons. Sean McGrath stepped up, but Paul Martin was equal to his efforts when he got down fast to claim the ball on its way into the back of the net.
Twenty minutes before half time, Mikie Rowe had one of Wexford’s best chances of the half as he did not get enough of a connection on the shot inside the six-yard box, and it was caught easily by Tim-Oliver Hiemer.
Just a minute later, Kerry FC went up the other end and got the goal their first-half performance deserved. A bit of a scramble inside the box landed to Niall Brookwell, who finished brilliantly into the bottom right corner to give the Kingdom the lead.
Kerry were in full flow after their great start. They had another opportunity on the half-hour mark as some great work from Sean McGrath made space for himself for a shot inside the box, but it was saved well by Paul Martin.
Wexford had one more opportunity before half-time. This time, a header from Mikie Rowe was saved with ease by Tim-Oliver Hiemer.
SECOND HALF
Just two minutes after the restart, Daniel Okwute was in on the action once again. Great work from Kerry’s number eleven on the right flank, and his hard low cross across the box was deflected out for a corner, which led to nothing.
Just six minutes later, a great ball over the top from Ronan Teahan found Daniel again, whose shot went just wide. At this point in the game, it felt like Kerry FC should be further in front of the Wexford opposition.
Wexford started to come into the game with half an hour to play and had a great chance for the equaliser as Mikie Rowe’s header was saved brilliantly by Tim-Oliver Hiemer.
With fourteen minutes to play, Wexford got the equaliser they were so desperately seeking as a shot outside the box from Conor Levingston was saved by Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Mikie Rowe followed the ball in and headed home to put the scores back level pegging.
With four minutes to play, Ronan Teahan travelled a long way with the ball, and his finish just let him down as his shot went just wide of the post. A move that deserved a goal for Kerry’s number eight.
At the last action of the game, Kerry FC were eager for a winner, and a long throw in made it to Chris McQueen who’s looping header looked like it was destined for the back of the net but Paul Martin got there and parried it away which was then met by the full time whistle.
A fantastic shift put in from Kerry FC on the evening, but it was not meant to be for the Kingdom. Kerry FC are back on the road next week after consecutive games at home as they make the long trip up to Oriel Park and to Dundalk as they face the League leaders for the first time away from home.
KERRY FC TEAM: 1. Tim-Oliver Hiemer, 3. Sean O’Connell, 5. Chris McQueen, 4. Oran Crowe. 6. Carl Mujaguzi, 7. Sean McGrath (C), 8. Ronan Teahan, 11. Daniel Okwute, 15. Kevin Williams, 18. Samuel Aladesanusi, 28. Niall Brookwell (GOAL ‘26)
SUBS: Mathyas Randriamamy, Joe Adams, Nathan Gleeson, Eemeli Honkola, Cian Brosnan, Abel Alabi, Luke Palmer, Finn Barrett, Oran Horgan.
WEXFORD FC TEAM: 20. Paul Martin, 3. James Crawford, 4. Josh Lyons, 6. Dean Larkin, 7. Mikie Rowe (GOAL ‘76), 10. Aaron Dobbs (C), 12. Mark Imiren, 14. Conor Levingston, 15. Kaylem Harnett, 19. Ryan Kelly, 27. Ryan Scanlon.
SUBS: Alex Moody, Darragh Dunne, Darragh Levingston, Filip Wasilewski, Henry Cromack, Calum Flynn, Harry Sherlock.
