REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 2: Kerry FC 0-1 Athlone Town
Kerry FC returned to home league action for the first time since the 10th of October on Friday night when they took on Athlone Town in a new look, newly refurbished Mounthawk Park.
In the entirety of the off-season, work has been carried out in the Tralee ground for the main purpose of creating a better environment for both the players and the supporters, as 2026 promises to be the biggest year yet for Kerry FC. A newly laid surface on the main pitch, new LED lighting, a gym and much more have been introduced to the ground so that players are given all the tools they need to perform once Friday night rolls around.
It was a big occasion in Tralee, and it was timed well after last week’s disappointing 2-1 defeat away to UCD in Belfield. In his pre-match interview, Kerry FC boss Colin Healy said that he and his players are looking forward to being back at home for the 2026 season, but that the most important thing for him is three points.
The stage was set, the supporters were in full voice, and the hope was that Kerry FC could indeed start the home campaign with a win.
FIRST HALF
The sides kicked off in Tralee with both teams eager to make an early impression. In the sixth minute, Patrick Ferry found space and unleashed a shot that seemed destined for the net, only for Matthew Connor to produce a great save to deny him. It was an early warning, but also an early confidence boost for the Kerry FC number one.
Kerry responded swiftly. In the eighth minute, a corner delivered by Sean O’Connell caused chaos in the Athlone penalty area. Vince Borden rose highest and saw his powerful header strike the post. The rebound fell kindly to Kilian Cantwell, but his follow-up effort from distance flashed wide of the right-hand post. It was a let-off for Athlone and a sign that Kerry were growing into the contest.
Another set-piece opportunity arrived in the nineteenth minute. A corner from the right was swung in and reached Cian Murphy at the back post. However, his header found only the side netting, with Kerry FC continuing to apply pressure.
The game became heated as the half progressed. In the twenty-sixth minute, Evan O’Connor and Daniel Okwute were both shown yellow cards following two separate issues that reflected the increasing intensity of the battle.
Athlone continued to look dangerous on the counterattack. In the forty-first minute, Patrick Ferry tested Matt Connor once more with a shot from a tight angle, but again the Kerry keeper was equal to it, saving at his near post to keep the game scoreless.
Despite chances at both ends, neither side could find the breakthrough before the whistle. At the interval in Tralee, it remained scoreless between the two teams
SECOND HALF
The second period resumed with the same competitive edge that had characterised the first. In the fifty-first minute, Aaron Connolly entered the referee’s notebook, receiving a yellow card as the physical nature of the contest continued.
Kerry FC created a promising opportunity in the fifty-third minute. A cross from Daniel Okwute travelled across the face of the goal to Brandon Bermingham. His mis-hit acrobatic effort redirected the ball toward Sean McGrath, but an Athlone defender intervened at a crucial moment to put him off, and the chance slipped away.
In the sixty-first minute, Athlone introduced Robert Lyons for Patrick Ferry in an attempt to freshen their attack. Soon after, in the sixty-fourth minute, Peter Grogan was booked for a high boot on Matt Connor, a foul which, on another day, could have seen a different coloured card from referee Declan Toland’s pocket. It re-emphasised the underlying commitment from both sides.
In the sixty-sixth minute, Kerry threatened again. Another cross from Daniel Okwute picked out Brandon Bermingham, who attempted an ambitious bicycle kick. The ball sailed well over the crossbar with great applause from the home support, who appreciated such an audacious effort.
In the seventieth-minute, James Roche received a yellow card as the visitors sought to halt Kerry’s momentum. Kerry FC came close once more in the seventy-fourth minute when Sean McGrath found space inside the box, only to see his shot saved and comfortably caught by Brendan Clarke.
With fifteen minutes to go, Kerry were forced into a change, with Luke Palmer replacing Daniel Okwute due to a suspected injury. In the seventy-sixth minute, Athlone made a further alteration as Cillian Tollet came on for Aaron Maloney, a move that proved crucial for the Midlanders in the closing stages.
As the clock ticked down, the match seemed destined for a stalemate. However, in the eighty-sixth minute, Athlone struck the decisive blow.
Cillian Tollet picked up the ball on the left-hand side and drove forward with determination. From a tight angle, he took his shot, which crept in at the near post thanks to a slight deflection, leaving Matt Connor with little chance. It was a cruel twist for Kerry, who had matched if not exceeded their opponents’ performance throughout the contest.
Also in the eighty-sixth minute, Kerry introduced Cian Brosnan for Sean McGrath, searching for a late equaliser. Five minutes were added at the end of the ninety minutes, and the hosts pushed forward in those closing stages, but Athlone held firm under pressure.
At the final whistle, it ended in defeat in Mounthawk Park. Despite a strong defensive display and several promising opportunities, Kerry FC were undone by a single moment of quality and fortune. Kerry FC now turn their attention to next week’s clash at home once again against Athlone Town’s midlands rivals Longford Town as the Kingdom desperately seek their first win of the 2026 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season.
Kerry FC Team: Matt Connor; Ewan Lee, Kilian Cantwell (C), Jonas Häkkinen, Sean O’Connell; Niall Brookwell, Vincent Borden; Daniel Okwute, Sean McGrath, Brandon Bermingham; Cian Murphy.
Subs: Luke Palmer on for Daniel Okwute ‘76, Cian Brosnan on for Sean McGrath ‘87.
Athlone Town Team: Brendan Clarke (C); Reece Webb, Kyle O’Connor, Evan O’Connor, Aaron Maloney, Aaron Connolly, Patrick Ferry, Brian McManus, Gradi Lomboto, Peter Grogan, James Roche.
Subs: Robert Lyons on for Patrick Ferry ‘61, Cillian Tollet (GOAL ‘87) on for Aaron Maloney ‘76.