Well, it’s potentially the biggest week in the club’s history as a Quarter Final meeting with Sligo Rovers looms large tomorrow night. The flags and bunting can be seen for miles around Tralee, and the Kingdom is eagerly anticipating what should be an epic contest in Mounthawk Park tomorrow evening.
Kerry have adapted a never-say-die attitude in the Cup over the last 3 seasons, and the Kerry faithful will be looking for that once again tomorrow to see if the LOI new boys can cause another big upset.
It feels like an age ago since Kerry took on MSL side Ringmahon Rangers in the second round in 2023. A Ryan Kelliher brace late on secured Kerry’s first-ever home win and a first win in the FAI Cup on the first time of asking. The reward for that victory was a stern test against Drogheda United, and despite going a goal down inside the first 10 minutes, Kerry battled and even rattled the crossbar in what was a cagey night for Premier Division opposition who left Mounthawk thankful of a 1-0 victory.
Fast forward to 2024, and after dispatching Cobh Ramblers in the 2nd Round, Bohemians were the visitors to Tralee on a sunny August Sunday. Coming from behind twice, Kerry forced penalties, and although falling short, Kerry could be very proud of their efforts on the afternoon.
And so we land to the 2025 campaign, and it was third time lucky to get past the third round. A Mounthawk Miracle in the 2nd Round from Joe Adams, who netted a free kick in the 97th minute to force extra time against Athlone Town, to the 2-0 victory over Munster Rivals Cobh Ramblers in the third round, there is always a sense of magic in the air when the cup rolls into Tralee.
So it’s a first-ever Quarter Final appearance for the Kingdom tomorrow and a stern test awaits for the Mounthawk men against Sligo Rovers. Despite league position, Kerry are one of the in-form teams in the First Division. A 3-3 draw in Oriel Park against leaders Dundalk was backed up with another draw against 2nd placed Cobh Ramblers last week, two tricky games for Kerry to navigate before focus could fully shift to the Cup.
Sligo Rovers, meanwhile, will be looking for yet another cup run to continue in Tralee tomorrow night. Sitting 9th in the Premier Division, they are in a right battle with Galway United to avoid the Relegation play-off. But a run to the Aviva and a potential win will allow them a back entry into European football in 2026. Sligo are unbeaten in their last 3 games, although they have only played twice since knocking Bohemians out of the Cup in mid-August. Since then, they have dispatched Waterford FC away from home and earned a point in the Showgrounds against Bohemians.
So, while Kerry might come in as underdogs, there is always a chance over 90 minutes in the cup, and fans are dreaming of a semi-final appearance for the first time to continue to etch some new record into the history books. Don’t miss it!
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Quarter Final
Kerry FC v Sligo Rovers – Friday, September 12th – 7:45pm Kick Off – Mounthawk Park
Previous Meetings – All Competitions
Kerry FC Wins N/A Draws N/A Sligo Rovers Wins N/A
Did You Know?
This is Kerry FC’s first-ever appearance in the Quarter Final of the Cup, having lost out in the Third Round on the two previous occasions. It’s the first ever meeting between Kerry FC and Sligo Rovers. In 12 games across the Munster Senior Cup and FAI Cup, Kerry have been drawn at home 11 times, with just the one away game in the FAI Cup coming back in 2024 against Cobh. Kerry have played Premier Division opposition on 3 previous occasions, losing on all 3 but the games always resulted in tight affairs.
Injury Update
Colin Healy reported no new injury concerns ahead of the visit of Sligo Rovers on Friday on Friday night. Ronan Teahan has returned to First Team training while Ryan Kelliher and Nathan Gleeson remain long-term absentees. Daniel Okwute returns following a 4-game suspension. Tim-Oliver Hiemer remains unavailable with a broken finger. Ewan Lee is cup-tied.
What they said?
Colin Healy – “We just focus on ourselves, it’s a game of football. It’s a big game, ya, there is no doubting that, and I understand it. But it’s a normal week for us. We prepare like we did last week. Ya, it’s new opposition, a small bit more focus goes into the analysis, so we will do that. But I will keep the lads focused ahead of Friday night. Sligo have brought in some good players in the window; they’ve done a really good job. They have kicked on again, so they are in good form at the moment. But we are in good form as well. It will be an interesting game. Our players are looking forward to it, and they will be ready for the challenge”
Sean O’Connell – “The coaches are great and we will go through the opposition this week, they will have a lot of detail about Sligo, and individually we will all get our own bits and pieces as well. I suppose you get used to playing the same teams in the First Division all the time and know what they are going to do. It’s a challenge and we are looking forward to it.
Oran Crowe – “Within the group ourselves, and looking at the table, we obviously want to be higher. In the last two games, we felt we probably should have taken more points. We feel like looking at the table, we should be further up, and that’s the motivation to set that right as best as we can to try and push on. But the Cup brings a clean slate. League form and position, no matter the league you’re in, goes out the window; it’s all about who wants it more on the night. So Friday will be the same, no matter how good we’ve been or Sligo have been, it’s irrelevant, and whoever takes their chances on the night will progress.”