So another cup adventure begins in earnest on Friday night for Kerry FC as fellow SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division side Athlone Town are the visitors to Tralee in the 2nd Round.
Kerry have yet to taste defeat at this stage of the competition, winning our previous 2 second-round games against Ringmahon Rangers and Cobh Ramblers respectively. There is an air of anticipation around the club ahead of a new cup campaign and maybe a chance to put some disappointing results behind the team after a tough couple of weeks.
Kerry do come into the game off the back of 4 straight defeats, something manager Colin Healy will be looking to stem the tide in. Kerry enjoyed a 3-0 win over tomorrow night’s visitors on Athlone’s last trip to Mounthawk Park in April, while the reverse fixture saw a 2-2 draw in Ian Ryan’s first game in charge of the Lissywollen outfit.
Athlone come into the game on a poor run of form of their own. They are without a win since the 9th of May and only managed a point away from home since, that coming in Ferrycarrig Park against Wexford FC. Athlone may be rooted to the bottom of the division, but league form can often go out the window in cup competitions. Expect some goals in this one, with games between the sides averaging 3 goals per game (10 matches, 30 goals).
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup 2nd Round
Kerry FC v Athlone Town AFC – Friday, July 18th– 19:45 Kick Off – Mounthawk Park
Previous Meetings – All Competitions
Kerry FC Wins 3 Draws 3 Athlone Town Wins 4
Did You Know?
Kerry have won at this stage of the competition in the club’s two previous appearances in the FAI Cup. A 2-0 home win over Ringmahon Rangers in 2023 was the Kingdom’s first-ever victory in Mounthawk Park. In 2024, Kerry enjoyed a 0-2 away victory in Cobh Ramblers. On both occasions, Kerry set up blockbuster ties in Mounthawk Park against Premier Division sides in Round 3.
Injury Update
Colin Healy had little to report regarding injury concerns ahead of this one. Luke Palmer was only fit enough for the bench against Longford last time out. He will be assessed fully this week. Ryan Kelliher remains a long-term absentee. New signing Robbie Cleary is in contention for a first home start after he scored on his debut away to Longford Town last Saturday night.
What they said?
Colin Healy – “We’ve been on a poor run of form, which is obviously disappointing, but we’ve played some really good teams in there. When the league takes a break and it’s a new competition, some might look at it as a new challenge, but I just take it as another game. The next game is the most important to me, whether it be in a league or cup game. We know Athlone are a good side, we drew 2-2 with them away from home a couple of weeks ago. It’s another chance for players to ask themselves, can we take this opportunity on Friday night? Hopefully we have a good crowd in, we’d like a good cup run.”
