SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Matchday 20: Cobh Ramblers 1-0 Kerry FC
The Kingdom returned to league action for the second time in 3 days as they were on the road to Cork and to Cobh to take on the side pushing for automatic promotion in Cobh Ramblers. Following a fantastic win against Bray Wanderers on Friday night, the Kingdom would be looking to go back-to-back in the league and close the 2 point gap to the play-off places.
As for Cobh, a win on the night would see them close the gap to a single point to league leaders Dundalk FC. They themselves enjoyed a 3-0 win away to UCD on Friday, and spirits were high ahead of the Munster Derby.
Kerry made one change to the side that beat Bray Wanderers on Friday night, with Luke Palmer returning to the squad after he completed his Leaving Cert on Thursday evening. Kennedy Amechi took his place on the bench while there were returns to the bench for Joe Adams and Carl Mujaguzi after the pair spent a number of weeks on the sidelines through injury.
First Half
There was very little to report on in the early stages of the games, with both teams looking somewhat leggy, having played over 90 minutes each on Friday evening. Cobh were forced into an early change as Samuel Bellis limped off injured and was replaced by Matthew Whelan. Kerry’s opening chance came in the fifth minute when Luke Palmer found himself in some space, but the chance was well snuffed out by the Cobh defence.
Barry Coffey had Cobh’s first real chance in the 17th minute. His shot from the edge of the area was well turned behind by Tim Hiemer in the Kerry goal. Kerry started to come into the game and had a good chance from a corner in the 26th minute, but a Kerry head couldn’t get on a good cross from Sean O’Connell. Niall Brookwell was performing well at the back and made Luka Le Bervet know he wasn’t going to take any prisoners on the night.
Kerry’s best chance of the evening fell to Sean McGrath 6 minutes from the break. A Ronan Teahan pass was flicked onto the on-rushing McGrath, but his low shot was knocked over the bar by Timothy Martin in the Cobh goal, one that probably got away from the Kerry skipper. He had another chance 3 minutes later, but this time the Cobh defence blocked any danger.
The sides went in level at the break, with both possibly wondering how either side hadn’t found a breakthrough.
Second Half
Kennedy Amechi replaced Luke Palmer at the short whistle and was a menace when he entered the fray. Tim Hiemer was called into action just 30 seconds after the restart. He pulled off what is now a trademark save against Barry Coffey to deny Cobh the lead.
Niall O’Keeffe was somewhat lucky to avoid seeing red in the 52nd minute. A nasty challenge on Oran Crowe left the Kerry man needing treatment, and the Kerry bench was dismayed by Glen Geraghty’s lenience in only issuing a yellow. Daniel Okwute had a shot from range 2 minutes later, but he dragged that one well wide of the mark.
Cobh took the lead in the 59th minute. A hanging cross from Luka Le Bervet seemed to catch Tim Hiemer off guard in-between the sticks. Matthew Whelan pounced on the spilt ball to put the hosts ahead after the hour mark.
5 minutes later, Cobh have their defence to thank for not conceding a quick equaliser. Sean O’Connell’s cross was met at the front post by a Cobh defender, and the ball rebounded just wide of the post, a let-off for the home side.
Kerry rolled the bench in the next couple of minutes in search of a winner. Abel Alabi, who was the hero on Friday night, came on up front again and caused some problems. Alex Dunne was also introduced and crossed some fine balls into the box over the last 15 minutes or so.
But, with Kerry in search of a vital equaliser, there were no more clear-cut chances and the Kingdom would suffer their second defeat under Colin Healy. Cobh’s win and Dundalk’s defeat mean the Cork side are within 1 point of the league leaders and set up a mouth-watering clash between the pair in Oriel Park on Friday. As for Kerry, they will need to regroup before a trip to Wexford on Friday night. Back-to-back wins in Ferrycarrig Park would mean the Kingdom would leapfrog Wexford into 6th place.
COBH RAMBLERS: Timothy Martin; Luka Le Bervet, Jonas Hakkinen, Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin, Jason Abbott, Shane Griffin, Sam Bellis, Barry Coffey, David Bosnjak, Cian Murphy.
KERRY FC: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Sean O’Connell, Chris McQueen, Kevin Williams, Oran Crowe, Ronan Teahan, Samuel Aladesanusi, Sean McGrath, Niall Brookwell, Luke Palmer, Daniel Okwute.
