Kerry FC Lol Academy had 3 teams in action at the weekend.
On Saturday the U 17’s travelled to Cobh and were unlucky not to leave with full points. However when the final whistle blew Kerry had to settle for a 1 all draw. Kerry dominated the early exchanges and created several chances. Finn Barrett, Luke Palmer and Owen Horgan all came close in the opening quarter. Kerry got a deserved goal in the 27th minute. Nathan Aherne picked out Andrew Kerins with an excellent pass and Kerins clinically found the net. This setback seemed to spur Cobh into action and the home side equalised just before the break.
Kerry tried hard in the second half thanks to tireless running by Josh Bowler and Kyle Foley in the middle of the park. Cobh tried hard to create opportunities but Tom Healy, Owen Horgan, Aidan Finn and Nathan Aherne were solid in defence. Caolan Mitchell in goal also was in top form on the day to deny the home side. Kerry tried hard in the closing stages and had chances to bag full points but could not find an elusive winner.In a great team performance Man of the Match was Josh Bowler.
On Saturday the U14 Kerry team hosted Cork City. On the day Kerry performed well against a formidable Cork side and are improving all the time. Evan Lyons impressed at left back. Jack Daly was a tower of strength at centre back. Alex O’Carroll and Edison Jahiri created several chances on both wings. Man of the Match was Evan Lyons. Results are not registered in the youngest age group.
On Sunday the under 19 team hosted a formidable Shamrock Rovers side. In a great advertisement for football Kerry lost out by the only goal of the match. Kerry manager JP Mullins can be very proud of his team and were in this match right up to the final whistle, against one of the top sides in the country. Kerry defended well in the opening quarter with Obinna Izehi and Killian Keogh in tremendous form at the heart of the Kerry defence. In the 25th minute Kerry had a great opportunity to go ahead. Kennedy Amechi set Sean Treyvaud free with an excellent through ball. However Rovers keeper produced an excellent save.
The Dublin side upped the tempo in the second half and dominated for long spells. They eventually got the breakthrough goal in the 65th minute. John O’Sullivan set Cian Curtis free and Curtis fired into the bottom corner of the net. Kerry to their credit battled hard in an effort to get an elusive equaliser. In the 88th minute Venis Jahiri broke free but his shot was saved by Rovers keeper. This proved to be the final chance for this gallant Kerry outfit. The entire team can hold their heads high even in defeat. Man of the Match was Obinna Izehi.
Kerry FC Lol Academy fixtures
• On Saturday 29th Kerry U17,s host Treaty at 2pm in Mounthawk Park.
• The under 14’s travel to Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers at 3pm.
• On Sunday 30th the Kerry under 19,s visit Waterford for a 2 pm kick off.
