Oh my my my, oh my my my my, July! Hard to believe we have ticked into prime summertime in the Kingdom, and with the weather heating up, so is the battle for the play-off places in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division. The latest twist in this intriguing race brings the Kingdom up the N21 for a final-ever Munster Derby meeting against Treaty United on enemy soil before the identity change on the banks of the Shannon.
The Kingdom are on a storming run of form, securing 3 wins back-to-back since returning from the summer break in June. Home wins against Athlone and Longford Town have stretched a home unbeaten run to 7 games, with nobody taking all 3 points away from Mounthawk since early April. A win on the last away trip in UCD will only do wonders for confidence within the squad as they look to go for 4 straight wins in the league, a feat never completed by a side in the club’s short history. Kerry will also be looking to close in on the final play-off berth; just 2 points stand between the Kingdom in 6th and the men from the South-East, Wexford FC, who occupy that final coveted place.
As Treaty begin to close their chapter in the League of Ireland at the end of the season, they will be looking for a strong finish to their final campaign. The Limerick outfit currently sit bottom of the First Division, but as we have seen ourselves, a run of wins can catapult you up this table very quickly, and 10 points from the play-offs can very quickly be turned around. They will be buoyed by a scoreless draw away to Wexford last time out, as they look to put their first win on the board since early May in front of the home support in Garryowen.
July is a busy month for the Kingdom, with 3 away games in the league and 1 at home; with a big cup tie against Premier Division side Shelbourne to come, you’d have to say that Colin Healy’s side have come into form at a good time.
Head-to-head
Kerry FC Wins – 2 Draws – 7 Treaty Utd Wins – 5
Did You Know?
This fixture has become a series of draws; in fact, it’s been over a year since either side secured a win in this fixture. That came when Kerry beat Treaty by a goal to nil in May 2025. Since then, the sides have shared 4 draws, three 1-1’s and one 2-2 draw; that was on Kerry’s last trip to the Markets Field.
Injury Update
It’s as you were for Colin Healy and his injury list heading to Limerick tomorrow evening. Ryan Kelliher’s season is over as he undergoes surgery for his ACL injury. Aaran Healy & Finn Barrett remain on the injury table, while Matt Britton and Sean McGrath will be assessed this week. Harry Halwax is getting nearer to a return. Kieran Cooney and Kilian Cantwell’s departures from the club were also confirmed earlier this week.
‘What they said’
Colin Healy – “It’s time to keep the minds fully focused. The last two times we’ve played them, they’ve been really tight games. We know it’s a tough place to go, it is, despite where they are on the table at the moment. They have some really good players. But I think for our lads, we are focused and we’ve got a job to do. We worry about ourselves on Friday night.”