As the month of February ticks towards its conclusion, the Kingdom welcome Longford Town to Mounthawk Park to close the first month of the League of Ireland campaign.
It’s been a difficult start to the new term for Colin Healy’s side, two defeats to start the new season weren’t the most ideal of starts, especially given the expectation from the terraces after a busy off-season in Mounthawk Park. But these campaigns can be considered as marathons over sprints, and with 34 games remaining, it could be considered early to hit the panic button just yet.
There were flashes of the team many expected throughout, and Athlone may be thankful for the Mounthawk woodwork in the first half, which, if it was about an inch thinner, this preview could have started on different terms.
Two Shamrock Rovers youngsters have landed in Tralee with plenty of ability and ambitions for a good loan move to prove their worth back in Tallaght after their loan spells. Cian Bargary is also a new man in the Kerry dressing room this week, another exciting addition to Colin Healy’s squad.
Longford, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season. While remaining winless like Kerry, they did manage a point away to Bray Wanderers, the Carlisle Grounds not a happy hunting ground for the Kingdom.
Both sides will be looking at this game to kickstart their seasons. It’s a game that always tends to lead to goals, and on just one occasion of the 12 meetings have either side failed to hit the net. In fact, last season, this pairing produced 12 goals, which is an average of 3 goals a game.
Head-to-head
Kerry FC Wins – 4 Draws – 2 Longford Wins – 6
Did you know?
Longford Town have just one win in Mounthawk Park, coming in Kerry FC’s first ever season. Since then, Kerry has a 4 from 4 record in Mounthawk Park against the Midlanders, a run stretching back to 2024. The Kerry faithful will be hoping to continue the winning streak tomorrow night.
Injury Update
Colin Healy reported a fresh-looking squad ahead of Friday night. Daniel Okwute did walk off with a hand injury on Friday night, but has trained with the group. Matthew Britton and Eric Koufie are available for selection, but Cian Bargary remains a little bit away. Kieran Cooney is close to returning, while Ryan Kelliher’s return ticks ever closer.
What they said
Colin Healy
“They were unlucky against Cobh Ramblers in their last game. It will be a tough game again; every game in this division is tough, so we will have to be at our best to get a result on Friday night. It can take time for players to settle in at a club, and as a group, we have plenty of players here that have won the league once or twice; we just need to settle in, sooner rather than later.”
Kilian Cantwell (Captain)
“We are well aware that the opening two results of the season haven’t been what we wanted or what we expected from ourselves for this new campaign. We want to be better, we need to be better, and that starts tomorrow. I’ve seen firsthand since coming in, and during my time in the away dressing room here in Mounthawk, this place can be really special when the team is playing well. We have some of the best supporters in the league, and you all deserve performances that lift us up the table. We’ve worked really hard in training to right the wrongs of the last couple of weeks, and 3 points are a must tomorrow.”