Kerry FC Lol Academy had 3 teams in action at the weekend.
Undoubtedy taking star billing this week is the under 17 side who accounted for Limerick FC 6-0 in Mounthawk Park on Saturday afternoon. They took the lead in the 10th minute after a bout of sustained pressure. Kyle Foley sent in a teasing corner and Adam Finn headed off a post.However Cian Barrett was on hand to fire in from close range.
Limerick played some good football after this but found no way past Oran Horgan and Adam Finn at the back. Kerry got a second goal in injury time. A long ball seemed to be under control by a Limerick defender. However Luke Palmer showed a real strikers instinct to dispossess him and score.
Kerry dominated the second half and created numerous chances. Seamus Kelly was denied by a great save by the Limerick keeper in the 50th minute. However Kerry eventually bagged a third goal in the 60th minute through a great Tom Healy strike. Limerick could have got a foothold in the match a few minutes later but a flying Caolan Mitchell save prevented a certain goal. In the 65th minute Josh Bowler added a fourth goal following a great passing movement. In the 70th minute Andrew Kerins had a stunning drive saved by Limerick’s keeper but Kyle Foley was on hand to convert the rebound.In injury time Kyle Foley bagged another goal to seal a great victory for this progressive team in a sundrenched Mounthawk Park.Man of the Match Oran Horgan.
On Sunday the 19 team travelled to Wexford and came away with a 2 all draw after a great comeback. The home side dominated right from the kick off and took the lead after just 2 minutes when Sean Fitzpatrick hit the net. Wexford FC continued to press and after further pressure added a second goal in the 33rd minute. Once again it was striker Sean Fitzpatrick who found the net for the home side. Indeed only for some excellent defending by Sean O’Connell and Mark Carney Kerry could have conceded more in the opening half.
However Kerry FC were a different proposition in the second half and gradually came more into the match. Matthew Carroll in midfield kept spraying the passes and Kerry got a deserved goal in the 56th minute. Kennedy Amechi made a great run down the left wing and dispatched a brilliant cross. Centre forward Venis Jahiri brilliantly converted to reduce the deficit. Kerry continued to press and got a deserved equaliser in the 79th minute. Kerry got a free kick about 30 metres out. Sean O’Connell proceeded to hit a wonder strike to give O’Leary no chance in goal to see Kerry draw level. Kerry continued to press in the closing stages thanks to the skill of Venis Jahiri and Kennedy Amechi up front but could not get an elusive winner when the final whistle blew.
The under 15 team hosted Cobh Ramblers on Sunday in Mounthawk Park but we’re unlucky to go down 3-1 in an entertaining encounter. The visitors got off to a great start when they scored after 3 minutes. Ruairc Donovan sent a free to the far post and JJ Foley scored from close range. Kerry to their credit did not let this early setback upset them and created several chances thanks to good work by Ethan Ballard and Pierce Lowth in midfield. Kerry got a deserved equaliser in the 29th minute. Christy Burke’s shot was saved by Morrissey in goal.He also saved the rebound from Syzmon Jasinski but Nikita Hoare was on hand to fire to roof of the net.Both sides had chances after this goal.However Cobh Ramblers regained the initiative in the 43rd minute when a Kerry defender turned the ball into his own net. Kerry nevertheless continued to take the game to the Cork side in the second half. Kerry also defended tenaciously throughout the match with Kalen Browne and Dylan Costello impressive. Kerry had great chances in the last quarter. Christy Burke came close in the 74th minute and Rob Keane was denied by a great save from keeper Morrissey in the 80th minute. In injury time Cobh scored again from a set piece when Ruairc Donovan headed home, to see them run out 3-1 winners.
Kerry FC LOI Academy fixtures:
• On Sunday 21st the 19 team are away to Cork City at 2pm. The venue is Bishopstown.
• The 15 team also travel on Sunday. They visit Limerick FC at 2pm. The venue here is Hogan Park.
