The temperatures in the Kingdom have tipped the mercury over the last two weeks, with summer well and truly landed in the South West. But the return to FAI Cup action always signals the mid-summer madness in the county capital, and it doesn’t get much bigger than welcoming Shelbourne to Mounthawk for the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Kerry come into the game off the back of a decent run of form. Three wins and a draw in the last 5 have seen Colin Healy’s side gather some momentum in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division. Despite a spirited fightback from a goal down to lead late on in Wexford last week, Kerry will be disappointed not to have gotten all 3 points on a night where it looked like Kerry were destined to sit in the play-off places heading into the Cup break.
There is no doubting the massive task the Kingdom have on their hands tomorrow night when Shelbourne come to town. It will take a huge effort for 90+ minutes again if Kerry are to cause what would be a major upset. But we’ve seen that script before. In 2023, Kerry had Drogheda on the ropes in the 2nd Round, the crossbar denying Kerry extra time in a narrow 0-1 defeat. In 2024, Ryan Kelliher scored a brace to force Bohemians all the way to penalties in Tralee. And who could forget the quarter-final meeting with Sligo Rovers? 3-0 down after 62 minutes, it looked like it was all over. But 3 goals in ordinary time followed by a Daniel Okwute winner in the 118th minute.
Kerry can lean on those past experiences once again tomorrow night and the belief they have given Colin Healy’s side never to give up until it’s over. Shelbourne have a new manager in John Russell, who returns to the scene of the crime where his Sligo Rovers let a three-goal lead slip last September. Again, there is absolutely no doubting the strength that Shelbourne bring to the table, as they gear up for another qualifying campaign for European Football.
David vs Goliath – But there has to be a winner.
Head-to-head
N/A – First meeting between the sides at senior level.
Did You Know?
This will be the 4th time a SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division side has visited Mounthawk Park. Kerry FC have been drawn against Premier Division opposition in all 4 years the club has competed in the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup. Following Friday night’s game, Kerry will just have 2 of the 19 other LOI teams to play before we reach the full complement, with Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic yet to play the Kingdom at senior level.
Injury Update
It’s a cleaner bill of health for Colin Healy than he has endured in previous weeks. Matt Connor will miss out through suspension following his red card two weeks ago. Harry Halwax returned between the sticks last Friday evening after a lengthy absence through injury. Arran Healy has also returned to on-field training while Matt Britton and Sean McGrath are both back to fitness; they both featured off the bench last week. Finn Barrett is expected to return in the coming weeks.
‘What they said’
Colin Healy – “They’ve got quality all over the pitch; they’re a very, very good side. I suppose the last time we saw John was when he was down here last year, when we beat Sligo in the Cup. I wish him all the best in the new job. It will be interesting for sure; they are a good side, but we are at home. Our home form is very good, unbeaten in 7 now. We will have a near sell-out crowd in as well. I think he will know what to expect as well. Look, last year was special, and we want that feeling again. Coming from 3-0 down to win it, a massive night for our players and the supporters; just a special night for the whole club. The fans are brilliant, and they make Mounthawk Park such a difficult place to come when they are up for it. A difficult match for sure, but there is a great buzz in the group, a buzz around the town, and we are ready for it.”
Sean McGrath – “You can’t have lapses in concentration in any game; you’ll get punished if you do. Even more so in games against Premier Division opposition like Shelbourne. If you switch off for even a second, you will be punished, so that’s something we will have to take into consideration on Friday. This competition has been great to us over the years since day one, even facing Premier Division opposition multiple times. The beauty of the Cup is anything can happen; we know that more than anyone. It literally comes down to what we do on the day, maybe even a bit of luck on the day. You want to be playing against the best in the country, and we are relishing that challenge as a group.”