REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 1: UCD AFC 2-1 Kerry FC
Kerry FC began their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division campaign on Friday night as they took on UCD AFC in Belfield. Kerry FC enjoyed an impressive off-season, both on and off the pitch. Signings and wins in the Munster Senior Cup have the Kingdom crowd geared up hugely for what promises to be the biggest season yet.
Last season, our first trip to Belfield came with a memorable game and result. Two penalty saves from Tim Oliver-Hiemer, and a winning penalty from captain Sean McGrath ensured all three points were heading back to the south on a cold and wet night in the capital.
On Friday, the First Division was back, Kerry FC was back in League of Ireland action, and the Kerry faithful were in full voice on the opening night.
FIRST HALF
The opening stages were played at a lively pace, with both sides pressing high and trying to establish early control. UCD enjoyed spells of possession, but Kerry FC looked dangerous on the break, with Daniel Okwute and Cian Murphy working hard to close down space and force mistakes.
The first notable moment arrived in the 19th minute when Dara Kavanagh’s poor clearance was blocked by Murphy, and the ball ricocheted into the path of Okwute. The chance developed quickly, but Kavanagh recovered well and gathered the ball at the second attempt to prevent a major scare.
Kerry FC’s intensity was reflected earlier in the half when Niall Brookwell received a yellow card in the seventeenth minute for a challenge in midfield. UCD continued to build pressure and came close on the half-hour mark when they struck the post from close range inside the six-yard box, a major let-off for Matt Connor and the Kerry FC defence.
UCD threatened again soon after when the ball dropped to Luca Cailloce on the edge of the box, but his shot was gathered comfortably by Connor in the thirty-second minute. While UCD had created the clearer openings, Kerry FC began to grow into the contest as the half progressed and started to deliver more threatening balls into the area.
That approach paid off in the forty-third minute, although in an unfortunate fashion for the home side. Okwute delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and Carl Lennox, attempting to deal with it, turned the ball into his own net. The own goal gave Kerry FC a 1-0 lead and rewarded their improved spell late in the half.
UCD attempted to respond before the break but were unable to find an equaliser, and Kerry FC went into half-time with the advantage.
SECOND HALF
UCD returned for the second half with renewed urgency and quickly began to tilt the game in their favour. Kerry FC were forced into more defensive work, and the intensity of the contest increased as both sides fought hard for control.
The physical edge of the match showed early in the half when Cian Murphy received a yellow card in the fifty-third minute as he protested a foul given against the Kingdom. UCD’s Mikey McCullagh then followed him into the referee’s notebook two minutes later, as the game became more stretched and competitive.
The equaliser arrived in the fifty-eighth minute. A free kick from deep was delivered into the Kerry FC penalty area, and Carl Lennox rose to meet it, making amends for his earlier own goal. He reached the ball just before Matt Connor could claim it and guided it into the net to bring UCD level at one goal apiece.
Kerry FC tried to respond quickly and nearly regained the lead in the sixty-first minute. Brandon Bermingham delivered a cross into the area, and Murphy met it at the near post, but his header drifted wide of the target.
UCD continued to press and came close again in the sixty-fourth minute when Hugh Smith struck a shot from inside the box, only for Connor to produce a superb save to keep Kerry FC in the match.
However, the turnaround was completed a minute later. In the sixty-fifth minute, UCD produced a well-worked move with good interplay, and a cross was delivered into the area for Ciaran Behan, who nodded the ball into the far corner to make it two-one.
Colin Healy reacted by making changes, with Luke Palmer replacing Bermingham in the seventy third minute, while UCD introduced Colin Bolton for Louis Dignam. UCD then freshened their midfield and defence in the eightieth minute as Killian Cailloce and Michael Raggett came on for Stephen Mohan and Smith.
Kerry FC pushed forward in the closing stages and made a late change of their own when Cian Brosnan replaced Sean McGrath in the eighty-seventh minute. UCD looked increasingly comfortable managing the game, although the match took another twist late on.
Adam Wells had been booked earlier, and in the ninetieth minute he was shown a second yellow card, leaving UCD to see out the game with ten men. Four minutes of stoppage time were added, and Kerry FC attempted to take advantage, but UCD defended resolutely and limited the visitors to half-chances.
The full-time whistle confirmed a two-one win for UCD AFC on the opening night, as Kerry FC were left frustrated after leading at the break but being unable to withstand UCD’s second-half response. Kerry FC must now dust themselves off and get back to the drawing board as they play their first home league game of the 2026 season next Friday, as they take on Athlone Town in Mounthawk Park, which promises to be another tough contest.
UCD AFC Team: Dara Kavanagh; Luke O’Regan, Eanna Clancy, Luca Cailloce, Carl Lennox (OWN GOAL ‘44, GOAL ‘59), Adam Wells (RED CARD ‘90); Hugh Smith, Stephen Mohan, Mikey McCullagh, Ciaran Behan (GOAL ‘65); Louis Dignam.
Subs: Colin Bolton for Dignam (73), Killian Cailloce for Mohan, Michael Raggett for Hugh Smith (Both 80), Niall Hologan for McCullagh (90+3).
Kerry FC Team: Matt Connor; Ewan Lee, Killiant Cantwell, Jonas Hakkinen, Sean O’Connell; Niall Brookwell, Vincent Borden; Daniel Okwute, Sean McGrath, Brandon Bermingham; Cian Murphy.
Subs: Luke Palmer for Bermingham (73), Cian Brosnan for McGrath (87).