While the game doesn’t carry the same Cup glamour as it did 3 weeks ago, there is an awful lot at stake when Cobh Ramblers come to Tralee tomorrow night.
From Kerry’s perspective, the play-offs are still within touching distance, 6 points to be exact, with 7 games left to play. There is a fierce fight for the final place in the end-of-season frenzy, with Treaty United, Wexford FC, Finn Harps, ourselves and Longford Town all split by just two wins. With Kerry set to welcome Treaty and Wexford to Mounthawk Park before the season’s end, few will write off Kerry to cause an upset in the final run-in. It’s been a positive few weeks in Mounthawk Park. Dispatching Cobh in the Cup has set up a historic night next week in the Quarter Final against Sligo Rovers. An impressive win over Longford in Tralee was backed up with an end-to-end 3-3 draw away to Dundalk FC in Oriel Park last week.
The Rams, meanwhile, are Dundalk’s nearest challengers at the top, just 6 points now separate them and the league leaders, thanks to Kerry’s draw in Oriel. But Kerry will be hoping to dent their hopes again come 9:30 tomorrow evening. But Cobh will have eyes on 3 points and have proven difficult to beat in the league this term. Either way, we are in for a fiery Kerry/Cork derby for the final renewal in 2025.
Matchday 30
Kerry FC v Cobh Ramblers – Friday, September 5th – 7:45pm Kick Off – Mounthawk Park
Previous Meetings – All Competitions
Kerry FC Wins 4 Draws 5 Cobh Ramblers Wins 7
Did You Know?
Kerry knocked Cobh out of the cup just 3 weeks ago in Mounthawk Park to book the kingdom’s spot in the last 8 for the very first time. 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
Colin Healy reported no new injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Rams on Friday night. Ryan Kelliher and Nathan Gleeson are long-term absentees. Daniel Okwute is suspended for the final game while Tim-Oliver Hiemer is nearer to a return after a broken finger.
What they said?
Colin Healy – “We focus on ourselves and that’s number one. Obviously, 3 weeks ago was a fantastic performance by us, and to knock them out of the cup was obviously great for ourselves. But, as I’ve said, Cobh are going for the league as well, it’s a massive game for them as well, and they have to win it. We need to win it as well, so that will make it an exciting game. But we focus on ourselves, we will do our homework, put the right players in on the night, and hopefully we will get the 3 points.”