As the Roses and escorts land in Tralee this weekend, all football eyes are firmly fixed on Mounthawk Park tomorrow night as a Munster derby will decide who books their ticket to the Quarter Final of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup.
The cup always brings an added air of excitement to the club, and the build-up to this one has been no different for the club and the supporters all week. Kerry have reached the 3rd Round on both previous cup runs, losing out narrowly to Premier Division opposition on both occasions in Mounthawk. The Kingdom will be looking to go one better on home soil tomorrow night.
Cobh is always a tricky test for Kerry, but they did knock the Rams out of the competition away from home last year. Two goals in the opening 10 minutes from Cian Brosnan and Ryan Kelliher set the Kingdom on their way to a famous victory over the Cork neighbours in St Colman’s Park.
Kerry will be hoping Cobh keep one eye on a potential First Division win and look after their neighbours. They are 6 points off Dundalk in the race for automatic promotion, but will still fancy their chances. For Kerry, 10 points separate the new boys from a play-off spot, so full focus can shift over to the cup and a potential run into the unknown territory of a quarter-final berth.
Either way, we are in for a cracker in what should be a nice and warm Mounthawk Park on festival weekend in the county capital.
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Third Round
Kerry FC v Cobh Ramblers – Friday, August 15th – 7:45pm Kick Off – Mounthawk Park
Previous Meetings – All Competitions
Kerry FC Wins 3 Draws 5 Cobh Ramblers Wins 7
Did You Know?
Kerry knocked Cobh out of the cup in St. Colman’s Park in the 2nd Round of the 2024 edition. If Kerry can replicate that feat tomorrow, it will be the first time the club has reached the quarter-final. Meanwhile, Kerry captain Sean McGrath kick-started his First Division career with Cobh Ramblers after a successful few years in Cork City’s Academy.
Injury Update
Kerry FC will be without a number of key men for the visit of Cobh. Sean McGrath had to be carried off the field after an awful tackle on Friday last. The medical team are still awaiting the results of his X-ray. Ryan Kelliher and Nathan Gleeson are long-term absentees. Daniel Okwute is suspended while Ewan Lee is cup-tied, having played for UCC in Round 1. Tim-Oliver Hiemer is nearer to a return after a broken finger, and Luke Palmer has returned to training after an ankle injury.
What they said?
Colin Healy – “It was great times in Cork when we won the two FAI Cups, it was great days out. It is different to the league, there is no doubt. I’m sure there will be a buzz in Mounthawk Park on Friday night. The fans will be in full voice, and we are all looking forward to it. Obviously, we are a bit disappointed with the Finn Harps result, but that’s gone now, and we can look forward to this cup game. It’s a special cup; you have a chance to go to the Aviva, which is amazing. The players are looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully it will be a good night for everybody.”