REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 22: Kerry FC 0-4 Dundalk FC
Kerry FC were back in action at home this past Friday night after back-to-back tough away defeats as they took on league leaders Dundalk FC in Mounthawk Park. Kerry FC were happy to be back in the comfort of their home crowd on Friday after what happened in their two previous games. A narrow loss to Cobh Ramblers was deflating, but positives could be taken, and the less said about Ferrycarrig Park, the better.
For Dundalk, they created a bit of space between themselves and second-placed Cobh Ramblers after a narrow 1-0 win over the Cork side last Friday in Oriel Park. Their lead at the top now stretches to four points as they look to go even further ahead of second place.
As for injuries, there was a chance Ronan Teahan could start the game after he was kept as an unused substitute last Friday. An injury during the week kept him on the bench and was more so there to make up the numbers as Kerry FC manager Colin Healy did not want to take the risk by further upsetting his niggle.
Kerry FC made their first action in the transfer market this past week as they brought in Arran Healy from Cork City. Arran played for Cork City against Kerry FC a couple of times last season when City were in the First Division. He joins the Kingdom in the hopes of more first-team action. A signing that the Mounthawk faithful will be delighted with, no doubt.
The game would be a big test for Kerry FC, but as Colin Healy said midweek, sometimes, after a couple of tough defeats, these are the perfect games to get you back on track. It may have been a terrible evening for League of Ireland action weather-wise, but hopefully, the crowd would be treated to a great Kerry FC performance to make up for the typical Irish summer.
First Half
Dundalk had the opening opportunity of the game after just three minutes. Dundalk broke up a Kerry FC phase of passing, and Gbemi Arubi laid it off for Daryl Horgan. Horgan tried to whip it into the bottom right corner, but it went just wide of Tim-Oliver Hiemer’s post. A big let-off so early into the game for the Kingdom.
The first Kerry FC effort of the evening fell to Sean McGrath, but his shot was saved by Enda Minogue in the Dundalk goal. A good attack from Kerry FC. More opportunities such as this one, and the Kingdom would cause Dundalk many problems on the evening.
Dundalk knew they couldn’t play with fire too much and decided to step up a gear. Just before the twenty-minute mark, the league leaders would take the lead through Harry Groome. A misplaced pass from Alex Dunne did not reach his target, and Harry Groome intercepted the ball. Groome dropped his shoulder and took the shot on from outside of the area, which curled beautifully into the bottom right corner, bringing Kerry FC into an uphill battle early on in the contest.
The visitors nearly made it 2-0 before the half-hour mark as a thunderous low cross across the six-yard box from Eoin Kenny was missed by every white shirt inside the area to the relief of everyone inside Mounthawk Park.
Just five minutes later, Dundalk had another glorious chance. A lovely ball into the area again from Eoin Kenny found Dean Ebbe, who got the slightest of touches to direct it towards the goal, but Niall Brookwell was there to clear the certain goal off the line.
Kerry FC had their best opportunity of the game five minutes before the break as Alex Dunne delivered a low cross into Kennedy Amechi. Kennedy propped the ball up for himself and tried an acrobatic effort, which came off very well but was saved by Enda Minogue. Although Minogue made a slight meal of it, it was still easy enough for the Dundalk shot stopper to keep at bay.
Kerry FC finished the half much better than they started, but they would need a huge second-half performance if they were to get anything out of this one.
Second Half
Half time saw the introduction of new signing Arran Healy, who looked to be the game changer for Kerry FC in the second half. He had an opportunity just a minute after coming on, but his shot was blocked and dealt with easily by Dundalk.
Just before the hour mark, Eoin Kenny doubled the Dundalk lead and was exactly what he deserved for his performance on the evening. Dean Ebbe played the ball into Kenny just outside the right side of the box, Kenny came forward a few more yards with the ball before firing home into the near post to give the away side breathing space in the fixture.
Twenty-three minutes from time, Oran Crowe delivered a superb corner into the area from the left side. Chris McQueen rose highest for it, but he headed over the crossbar. Although it wasn’t the best chance in the world, it was a lot more positive for the Kingdom.
From then on out, Dundalk really showed exactly why they are top of the league and a level above everyone else in the First Division. They played the ball around with pure ease, and Kerry FC just weren’t able to get close.
In the third minute of added time, a long-range free kick from Keith Ward was struck with fierce venom and flew into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0. Just a minute later, substitute Andy Paraschiv went through on goal very easily thanks to a lovely assist from Dean Ebbe and made it 4-0 to the league leaders. Kerry FC completely switched off in the dying moments and paid the price.
The added time came and eventually went, and Dundalk FC came out to be very comfortable 4-0 winners. It was always going to be a hard game to bounce back in against such great opposition, but they can’t dwell on the result for too long as they travel to Bishopsgate next Saturday evening to take on Longford Town in a game that will see eighth and ninth in the league face off.
KERRY FC TEAM: 1. Tim-Oliver Hiemer, 2. Alex Dunne, 3. Sean O’Connell, 5. Chris McQueen, 4. Oran Crowe, 6. Carl Mujaguzi, 7. Sean McGrath (C), 12. Kennedy Amechi, 15. Kevin Williams, 21. Luke Palmer, 28. Niall Brookwell.
SUBS: Mathyas Randriamamy, Cian Brosnan, Abel Alabi, Finn Barrett, Ronan Teahan, Joe Adams, Samuel Aladesanusi, Arran Healy.
DUNDALK FC TEAM: 1. Enda Minogue, 3. Sean Keogh, 4. Mayowa Animasahun, 6. Aodh Dervin, 7. Daryl Horgan (C), 8. Harry Groome (GOAL ‘19), 9. Dean Ebbe, 11. Gbemi Arubi, 15. Vincent Leonard, 16. Eoin Kenny (GOAL ‘59), 31. John Ross Wilson.
SUBS: Sean McHale, Luke Mulligan, Peter Cherrie, Sean Spaight, Andy Paraschiv (GOAL ‘90), Keith Ward (GOAL ‘90), Declan McDaid, Shane Tracey.
