Kerry FC had 3 teams in action at the weekend with mixed results.
Star billing this week undoubtedly goes to the under 15 team who accounted for Carlow Kilkenny in a 7 goal thriller in Mounthawk Park on Sunday. The visitors dominated the opening quarter and had Kerry defending in numbers to repel the Leinster side. However it was Kerry that opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Rob Keane went on a mazy run down the left wing before releasing Ethan Ballard in the box and Ethan set up Christy Burke to score from close range. The visitors got a deserved equaliser 5 minutes later when Jack Garrett drilled in a great shot from the edge of the box. However Kerry took the lead again four minutes later. Rob Keane again provided the magic to round defenders before crossing for Pierce Lowth to volley a great goal. Kerry were now on a roll with chances being created at nearly every attack. Kerry went 3-1 ahead in the 45th minute when Rob Keane finished another sweeping Kerry passing movement.
The second half saw the visitors regroup and were unlucky not to reduce the deficit in 59th minute. Sean O’Neill amazingly cleared off the line when the Kerry keeper found himself stranded well outside his penalty area. Carlow Kilkenny eventually bagged a goal in the 63rd minute. Jack Garrett again showed great composure in the box to net a stunning goal. The visitors were now pressing hard in search of an equaliser. However it was Kerry that added a 4th goal in the 75th minute. Ram Hadi intercepted a pass on the halfway line,held off CK’s sweeper and just beat their advancing keeper to score from 35 metres.The visitors to their credit never threw in the towel and dominated the closing stages.Calum Keavney hit a powerful drive to the bottom corner from 20 metres to reduce the deficit to a single goal in the 88th minute. In the closing stages of a pulsating encounter the visitors had chances but Kerry held on for full points. This match was a great advertisement for underage football. It was played in a sporting manner throughout the match. On the day Kerry deserved the points thanks alone to the wizardy on the ball by Rob Keane. Rob deservedly gets the Man of the Match award.
On Saturday Kerry FC drew 2 all with Galway United in another entertaining encounter. The visitors dominated the opening quarter of this match in Mounthawk Park. However Kerry defended well with Adam Finn outstanding in the heart of defence. However this strong Galway side eventually netted in the 26th minute.Cillian Tollet provided the pass and Donnacha Sammon finished well.Nevertheless Kerry also had chances and Kyle Foley came close in the 32nd minute. Kerry equalized 4 minutes later. Luke Palmer dispossessed a hesitant sweeper and crossed for Andrew Kerins to power in an unstoppable shot .Kerry had to be thankful to keeper Darragh Foley in the closing stages of the half.He produced a series of amazing saves to deny Galway certain goals.
Kerry started the second half well with Nathan Aherne making telling runs from left back. He was involved in an early goal. He sent Kyle Foley clear and Kyle’s shot was only parried by Galways keeper. However Andrew Kerins showed a poachers instinct to find the net. Galway pressed hard for an equaliser for the remainder of the match. Paddy McMahon in the middle of the park had a powerful game for Kerry in an effort to curtail Galway’s opportunities. Nevertheless the visitors got a late equaliser for a share of the spoils. Man of the Match was Nathan Aherne.
U19 Wexford FC 3 v Kerry FC 0. On Sunday Kerry travelled to Wexford in the league but it was the home side that emerged victorious on the day. The hosts dominated the early proceedings and created several chances. Kerry goalie Richie Healy produced a few world class saves early on but could not be faulted when Aaron Doran netted midway through the half. Kerry tried hard to create scoring opportunities in the second half. Matthew Carroll in midfield did trojan work throughout the 90 minutes. Kennedy Amechi had a few half chances up front but was well shackled by a strong Wexford rearguard. The home side sealed the points in the 78th and 79th minutes with two quickfire goals. Sean Fitzpatrick and Padraig Wafer were the scorers for the Wexford side. Indeed only some excellent defending by Sean Treyvaud at left back and new American signing Ethan Kos at centre back Wexford could have added to tally late on.
Kerry FC LoI Academy Fixtures
– On Sunday 16th the under 19 team travel to Carlow Kilkenny for a 2pm kick off.
– The 15 team are also away to Klub Kildare at 2.30.
