SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Matchday 24: Kerry FC 0-3 UCD AFC
While it is All-Ireland fever in the Kingdom this week, there was no small matter of Kerry FC’s return to league action. The students of UCD were the visitors to Mounthawk Park on Friday night, with Kerry hoping to close what was a 12-point gap before kick-off to the Dublin outfit, who prop up the final play-off place pre-match.
Kerry were boosted coming back to league action after a fantastic late late show last Friday night to defeat Athlone Town in the second round of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup. UCD, meanwhile, fell at the first hurdle, losing out to Finn Harps by 3 goals to nil. Perhaps the focus is entirely on returning to the Premier Division for UCD.
Kerry announced the arrival of Shane Maroodza on Friday evening, a boost to the defence for Colin Healy’s side, who have added a real gem in Maroodza, who made his international debut for Zimbabwe last summer.
First Half
Kerry started better and had a couple of half-chances in the opening 5 minutes. Carl Lennox picked up a very early yellow card for the visitors, but it was Kerry that was going to see the card of the other colour after just 7 minutes. Key centre back Niall Brookwell was shown a straight red for a high leg on Adam Brennan, and referee Robert Dowling had no hesitation in sending the Wigan native for a very early shower.
That almost set the mood for the remainder of the evening. Raggett had the ball in the Kerry net just 60 seconds after the red card, but the offside flag came to Kerry’s rescue. Moments later, Jake Doyle came close but dragged his shot to the wrong side of Randriamamy’s post. Colin Healy turned to his bench early to sure up his defence, Robbie Cleary was sacrificed for the introduction of Samuel Aladesanusi.
That settled the Kerry defence, who returned to a back 4, and Kerry started to slowly work their way back into the game. There was a lovely passing move by the hosts, with up to 30 passes ending up at the foot of Daniel Okwute, whose effort didn’t reward the great build-up play.
However, it was UCD who took a deserved lead in the 24th minute. A quick free kick found Ciaran Behan in the box. He took the ball around Randriamamy and tucked home a lovely finish to give the students the early advantage in the game.
Mathyas was called into action again and made a great save on the half-hour mark, denying McManus after a well-worked corner move by UCD. Kerry rarely found themselves in the UCD half, but new man Maroodza enjoyed a very good run forward and ended up shooting on goal himself, but his effort could only find the side netting.
But UCD would double their advantage in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Michael Raggett. A well-worked forward move and the final product was a squared ball which was tapped home by Raggett into a net. Any glimmer of hope of a Kerry comeback was well quenched as the sides headed for the dressing rooms for the interval.
Second Half
Colin Healy once again turned to his bench for inspiration at the break with fresh legs in the shape of Oran Crowe, who missed last week through injury, and Luke Palmer coming into the action for the second 45.
Raggett hit the post in the first 40 seconds of the second half, and a huge let-off for Kerry. But it was short-lived lived and UCD made it 3 in the 54th. A superbly taken goal by Adam Brennan put the icing on the cake on a fine performance by UCD on the night. A ball over the top found Adam Brennan, who dinked the ball over Randriamamy and into the net.
The game petered out as a contest from here on out, with both teams using their full 5 subs on the night. Arran Healy and Sean O’Connell both entered the action, but Kerry offered very little going forward in the second 45. The best chance fell to Daniel Okwute late on in the game, but he dragged his shot from a 1v1 position just beyond the far right-hand post. Kerry ended the game with 9 men on the pitch, as Luke Palmer picked up a second yellow in the 90th minute.
So a full regroup is needed for Kerry as they welcome Athlone Town back to Tralee next weekend before a trip to Limerick to face Treaty United on Monday afternoon for a bank holiday double header.
KERRY FC: Mathyas Randrianmamy; Kevin Williams, Niall Brookwell, Chris McQueen, Shane Maroodza; Carl Mujaguzi, Ronan Teahan; Sean McGrath; Joe Adams, Robbie Cleary, Daniel Okwute
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Brian McManus, Carl Lennox, Eanna Clancy, Adam Wells; Adam Brennan, Ciaran Beahan; Michael McCullagh, Adam Verdon, Michael Raggett; Jake Doyle
