Match Report – Cobh Ramblers v Kerry FC

REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION

MATCH DAY 18: COBH RAMBLERS 1-0 KERRY FC

Kerry FC started their Bank Holiday weekend with a short trip to St. Colman’s Park to play Cobh Ramblers.

Kerry FC came into the game in very high spirits as their win last week at home to Finn Harps ended their six-game losing streak. Cobh sat just two places above Kerry going into the game and with their last win coming on the sixth of May away to UCD it looked like Kerry were playing the Ramblers at the right time.

It was an unchanged eleven for Kerry FC from that win last Friday which seemed right as you

should not change a winning formula. Talking to the media before the game, First Team Coach James Sugrue said it was great to get the win, but back-to-back wins was needed for the side to get more momentum as we were coming to the halfway point in the season.

First Half
Kerry FC started the game superbly with chances from Sean McGrath and Ryan Kelliher coming in the opening three minutes. First, Kelliher’s deflected shot was saved easily by Darragh’s Burke. Then Sean McGrath went even closer when his effort from outside the area was on target but again collected well by the Cobh keeper.

In the eleventh minute, Antonio Tuta saved a close-range chance from Matthew McKevitt. The Cobh attacker got into a dangerous position, but the Croatian did well to sniff out the danger. It was the first warning sign from the home side before they took the lead just eight minutes later. Cobh were awarded a soft free kick that was taken quickly and caught Kerry by surprise. McKevitt was in on goal and slotted his chance past Tuta into the bottom corner.

Kerry finished the half strongly with Daniel Okwute hitting the crossbar from close range before Ryan Kelliher’s shot outside the box was caught by Burke. Kerry were good in the first half but it felt like the goal took the wind out of their sails slightly. They needed to up the tempo in the second half if they were to get anything from the game.

Second Half
Kennedy Amechi came close to an equaliser thirteen minutes after the restart with great trickery opening the shot up for himself. Burke was on hand again to keep the danger at bay. Cobh nearly doubled their lead but a goal-line clearance from Sean O’Connell kept the Cobh lead to just one goal.

James O’Leary came close on a couple of occasions to double the host’s lead. The first was saved well by Tuta with the second going wide of the keepers left-hand post.

Kerry had a big call for a penalty in the closing minutes as Daniel Okwute was being held and dragged to the ground. Nothing came of the appeals and the game ended soon thereafter.

A disappointing defeat for Kerry as they look to bounce back tonight when they face eight-placed Treaty United in Mounthawk Park to close out the Bank Holiday weekend.