REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 15: Finn Harps 1-0 Kerry FC
Kerry FC were back on the road on Friday as they made the 816km round trip to take on Finn Harps in Ballybofey.
The two sides last met in Tralee on the twentieth of March, where Kerry FC picked up their first win of the season. It hasn’t been totally smooth sailing since then, but the Bank Holiday Monday win over Cork City has given a new sense of life in the Kingdom.
A dominant Kerry performance with ten men for the final twenty minutes showed true character that felt like the immediate future could only get brighter.
For Finn Harps, they also ended a long wait for a win after beating Bray Wanderers 2-1 on Monday. Two first-half goals ensured three points for the Harps, even after a late consolation goal from Bray.
Both sides enjoyed the previous Monday, so it ensured the game would have an added incentive for both teams to really push on a few weeks before the Summer break.
FIRST HALF
Kerry FC started brightly after kick-off in Ballybofey and settled quickly into the contest against a Finn Harps side looking to make home advantage count.
The hosts created the game’s first opening in the third minute when Bernardo Monteiro fired an effort wide for a corner. Harps kept the pressure on from the resulting set-piece, but the Kerry defence dealt well with the danger.
In the sixth minute, Matthew Connor was called into action for the first time and produced an excellent save to deny Nathan Lumingo from close range. It was an early warning from the hosts, but Kerry responded positively.
Ryan Perez looked lively in attack throughout the opening period and registered Kerry’s first shot on target in the twelfth minute, although Corey Sheridan gathered comfortably. Three minutes later, Perez tried his luck again with a well-struck half-volley from outside the area, but the effort sailed over the crossbar.
Kerry continued to grow into the game and looked threatening going forward. In the twentieth minute, Alex-Mathis Tiego was shown a yellow card after conceding a free kick in a dangerous position. Ryan Kelliher stepped up for the resulting set-piece, but his effort drifted well wide.
Just two minutes later, Kerry came close again following some excellent approach play. Perez found space inside the area, but Sheridan reacted sharply to deny the forward with an important save.
As the half progressed, Kerry FC arguably created the better opportunities and looked the more composed side in possession. Finn Harps remained dangerous on the counter-attack, however, and Nathan Lumingo fired over the bar in the thirty-sixth minute after a quick break forward.
Kerry thought they had found the breakthrough in the thirty-eighth minute when Sean O’Connell swung in a dangerous corner from the right that ended up in the back of the net. However, celebrations were cut short as the referee awarded a free kick to Finn Harps.
There was concern for Kerry FC in the closing stages of the half when Jonas Häkkinen was forced off in the forty-fourth minute following a clash of heads. Vince Borden was introduced in his place.
Four minutes were added on at the end of the first half, but neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval. Connor comfortably claimed another Lumingo effort during stoppage time as the teams went in level at the break.
SECOND HALF
The second half began in scrappy fashion, with clear-cut chances at a premium during the opening stages.
Finn Harps threatened in the fifty-fifth minute, but Kilian Cantwell produced a superb block inside the area to prevent a certain scoring opportunity and preserve parity.
Two minutes later, Kerry almost struck at the other end. Cian Murphy cut inside onto his right foot and curled an effort narrowly wide of the far left-hand post.
Kerry came closest to breaking the deadlock in the sixty-second minute following a free kick in a dangerous position. From the resulting delivery, Cian Brosnan struck a brilliant effort against the crossbar, with the Finn Harps defence relieved to see the ball stay out.
Brosnan was booked in the sixty-fifth minute, and moments later, the game produced its major turning point. Finn Harps were awarded a penalty in the sixty-sixth minute after Ryan Kelliher was adjudged to have fouled Joel Bradley-Walsh inside the area.
Walsh then stepped up from the spot, but Matthew Connor produced a magnificent save high to his left to keep the game scoreless and spark celebrations among the travelling support.
Kerry FC continued to battle hard and introduced fresh legs in the seventy-first minute as Matthew Britton and Luke Palmer replaced Cian Brosnan and Cian Murphy.
The visitors remained disciplined defensively while still looking capable of snatching a winner on the counter-attack. In the eightieth minute, Oran Brogan received a yellow card for a high challenge that halted a Kerry breakaway, with the Harps defender perhaps fortunate to avoid stronger punishment.
Eric Koufie was introduced for Ryan Perez in the eighty-third minute as Kerry searched for a late winner.
At the opposite end, Sam Aladesanusi produced a superb last-ditch clearance in the eighty-eighth minute to deny Finn Harps as pressure from the hosts intensified in the closing moments.
However, heartbreak arrived in stoppage time. In the ninety-fifth minute, Gavin McAteer delivered a dangerous cross into the area, and Max Hutchinson rose highest to guide a header into the bottom-right corner beyond Connor.
It proved to be the decisive moment as Finn Harps claimed all three points, leaving Kerry FC frustrated after a disciplined and committed away performance.
The Kingdom now need to dust themselves down and look ahead again to next Friday night as they take on Wexford FC in Mounthawk Park in the hopes that they can put Friday night’s result behind them in a positive manner.
Finn Harps Team: Corey Sheridan; Conor Tourish, Oran Brogan, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Bernardo Monteiro, Max Hutchinson (GOAL ‘95), Tony McNamee (C), Gavin McAteer, Daniel Ricardo Manita De Lacerda, Nathan Lumingo, Alex-Mathis Tiego.
Subs Used: Aaron McLaughlin, Shaunie Bradley, Odhran McHugh.
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor; Sean O’Connell, Kilian Cantwell (C), Ryan Kelliher, Cian Murphy, Jonas Häkkinen, Cian Brosnan, Samuel Aladesanusi, Ryan Perez, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee.
Subs Used: Eric Koufie, Matthew Britton, Vince Borden, Luke Palmer