Following a really impressive 2 wins back-to-back in Mounthawk Park against Shelbourne and Finn Harps, Kerry are on the road to kick off a bank holiday weekend double header in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division. It’s a trip to the Garden County tomorrow night before returning to Tralee to face Cobh Ramblers on Monday afternoon.
It’s been a really decent return since the summer break for Colin Healy’s side, taking 13 of a possible 18 points on offer to them since the season in June. That, coupled with the epic penalty shootout win over Premier Division side Shelbourne, means it’s safe to say Kerry are one of the form teams in the division, sitting just two points outside the play-off places in a battle that looks set to extend right up until the final day of the campaign.
But Kerry’s Achilles heel all season has been the away form. While the Kingdom are on a 9-game unbeaten run in Tralee, Kerry have found it difficult on the road, winning just once and securing a handful of draws. If Kerry are to reach the highs of the play-off places, securing a couple more priceless victories on the road could be valuable to Colin Healy’s side.
But, tomorrow’s task is a difficult one in the Carlisle Grounds, a stadium Kerry have struggled in going right back to 2023, losing on all 7 trips to the Bray seaside. It’s a run of form that Kerry will want to stop quickly, but with the Seasiders flying high in second place in the division, tomorrow night’s task will be as difficult as previous trips to Wicklow.
Bray Wanderers are also a side in good form, winning their last 4 and are undefeated in the Carlisle Grounds all season. They will be looking to build on recent victories, and while they remain 14 points behind Cork at the top of the division, they will be looking to cement their play-off place while keeping some pressure on Cork in front of them.
Head-to-head
Kerry FC Wins – 1 Draws – 2 Bray Wanderers Wins – 11
Did You Know?
Kerry FC’s first-ever goal as a senior club came in the Carlisle Grounds on Matchday 2 of the 2023 season, Leo Gaxha writing his name into the Kerry history books. But the Carlisle Grounds hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Kerry since 2023, leaving without a point on the previous 7 visits to the Garden County.
Injury Update
It’s as you were on the injury front for Kerry FC, as Colin Healy reports a fairly fresh bill of health ahead of the trip to Bray tomorrow night. Finn Barrett and Luke Doolan remain the only two players sidelined on the short term, and with no suspensions to report, Kerry are near full strength for this one. Ryan Kelliher continues his recovery following a successful surgery on his ACL.
‘What they said’
Colin Healy – “Bray is a tough place to go; they are doing really well this year, they’ve got a lot of talented players. But we will focus on ourselves; once we are right, we will give ourselves a good chance. It will be difficult, but once we look after ourselves and train well, we will be going up there hoping that we can get the win. The players are in a good place at the moment; they are fighting for each other, which is a good sign. They are training well, so hopefully that continues into the weekend.”