Kerry FC had 3 teams in action at the weekend with mixed results.
On Sunday the 19 team hosted Treaty United in a very competitive and entertaining league encounter in Mounthawk Park. However when the final whistle blew Kerry had to be satisfied with a share of the points.
Kerry got off to a dream start in the 5th minute. Cianan Cooney fired in a corner, Oisin Breen headed on to the back post and there was Venis Jahiri to power in a great header. The home side had another great chance midway through the half when an audacious chip by Trpimir Vrljicak went inches wide. Kerry went in 1 nil ahead at the break.
Kerry started the second half well with Togor Silong excellent in the middle of the park. In the 60th minute Trpimir Vrljicak put Cianan Cooney clear but Cooney was taken down in the box. Cooney dusted himself down to take the spot kick but Treaty’s keeper dived full length to deny Kerry a goal. Six minutes later Sean Costelloe was on end of a sweeping Treaty move to equalise. The Limerick side now had the momentum and took the lead in the 75th minute through Nickodem Kozlowski. Andy Quaid and Killian Keogh had to defend well also at this stage as Treaty pressed for further goals. However Kerry rallied in the closing stages and showed real character to snatch an injury time equaliser. Sub Andrew Kerins dispatched a Cianan Cooney pass to rescue a deserved point for Kerry, in a great advertisement for League of Ireland underage football. Man of the Match was Trpimir Vrljicak.
On Saturday the 17 team travelled to Cobh to play Ramblers in Stephen Ireland Park. This was another hard fought encounter. However it was the home side that emerged victorious on a 1 nil scoreline. The only goal of the game came in injury time in the first half when Deasy was on the end of a Cobh breakaway. Kerry created several chances in the second half thanks to good work by Tom Healy in midfield. Andrew Kerins, Josh Bowler and Seamus Kelly were unlucky not to score. On several occasions they were denied by excellent saves by Dorgan in goal. Cobh also had chances but Darragh Foley in the Kerry goal was also in tremendous form. Kerry dominated the closing stages but ultimately ran out of time in their quest for an elusive equaliser. Man of the Match was Tom Healy.
On Saturday the U14 team hosted Wexford FC in another entertaining encounter. At this age group results are not registered. However, on the day Kerry played some outstanding football and are definitely going in the right direction. Edison Jahiri once again was on the score sheet. Jack Daly floated in a great free kick and Jahiri out jumped the Wexford defence to head in a great goal. On the day Johnny Neillings also hit a post with a great strike. Shane O’Donavan had an outstanding game in the middle of the park.Evan Lyons and Alex O, Carroll also impressed on the wings.Cody Shanahan made some great tackles at left back.Sean Downey once again made some fantastic saves in goal. Man of the Match was Jack Daly.
Kerry FC Lol Academy fixtures
– On Saturday 8th the Kerry under 17 team host Galway at 2pm.
– The under 14 team also host Waterford at 2pm.
Both matches take place in Mounthawk Park.
– On Sunday the 19 team travel to Wexford for a 2pm kick off.
– The under 15 team are at home to Carlow Killkenny at 2pm in Mounthawk Park.