Kerry FC had 3 teams in League of Ireland action at the weekend.
Pride of place goes to the under 19 side who drew with the might of Shelbourne FC on Sunday in Mounthawk Park. Kerry took the game to the visitors right from the kick off and proved a match for this highly rated Dublin side in every department. The home side created chances thanks to Sean Treyvaud in outstanding form on the left wing. However both sides went in at the break scoreless.
Kerry kept creating in the second half thanks to tremendous work by Oisin Breen and Matthew Carroll in the heart of midfield. In the 58th minute Kerry FC got the opening goal. Matthew Carroll played in Oisin Breen and Breen clinically found the net. This goal seemed to spur the Dublin side into action and they pressed hard for an equaliser. However Kerry defended tenaciously throughout the match. Obinna Izehi and Sean O’Connell were excellent in the back four to deny Shelbourne on several occasions. However the Dublin side eventually bagged an equaliser in the 76th minute through an Aaron Coogan strike. In the closing stages both teams had opportunities but could not find a winner before the final whistle blew.
On the day Kerry FC head coach JP Mullins can be satisfied with a great team performance against this top Dublin side. Man of the Match Oisin Breen.
In the under 15 league Treaty United hosted Kerry FC in UL Limerick. On the day the home side were victorious 5/2 against a subdued Kerry side. The Limerick side got off to a great start when Pat Ryan netted in the 6th minute. However Kerry restored parity a minute later. Pierce Lowth made a great run down the right and his pass found Christy Burke, who fired in at the far post. Treaty nevertheless continued to play the more controlled football and restored their lead in the 16th minute via Alex Glazysz. The home side went 3-1 ahead in the 27th minute following sustained Treaty pressure. Ewan McCrohan in goal made a couple of good saves from two Treaty attackers. However when the ball broke out to the edge of the box right back Jack Croke rifled a shot into the top corner.
The home side forced several corners early in the second half. They scored again from one of these corners a Kerry player unfortunately scored an OG in an attempt to clear, to see Treaty go 4-1 ahead. Kerry to their credit kept on trying hard. They reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute when a great through ball by Rob Keane put Ram Hadi away and Ram finished well. Treaty however restored their goal cushion in the 63rd minute with a Tony Hourigan strike. In the closing stages Christy Burke struck a post. This proved to be the final Kerry chance of the game.
On Saturday the 17 team travelled to play Limerick FC in the league. However the referee abandoned the game after 20 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch following a torrential downpour. Incidently Kerry had led 1-0 at the time through a Kyle Foley goal. The game will be replayed this Saturday,with Kerry getting home advantage.
Kerry FC LOI Academy fixtures
• On Saturday 13th the Under 17 team host Limerick FC at 2pm in Mounthawk Park.
• On Sunday 14th Kerry under 15 team are at home to Cobh Ramblers at 2pm, also in Mounthawk Park.
• The Under 19 team travel to take on Wexford at 2pm
