REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 23: Wexford FC 2-2 Kerry FC
Kerry FC were back on the road for the second time in two weeks as they headed to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday evening to take on Wexford FC in the sunny south east.
The Kingdom’s three-game win streak came to an end last week in Limerick when they lost 2-1 to Treaty United. A win in that one would have put Kerry FC level with Longford Town in 5th place in the league table, but it unfortunately was not to be for the large group of supporters who travelled to the Markets Field.
For the hosts, they have won just one game in the last nine, with their last victory coming against UCD AFC in late May. The last meeting between the two was on the fifteenth of May when Matthew Britton scored the winner with just fifteen minutes left in normal time.
It was a scorcher in Wexford for the game, and a good support came all the way from the Kingdom as Kerry FC looked to get back on track and possibly finish the night in the playoff places.
FIRST HALF
Kerry FC made an excellent start and nearly took the lead inside five minutes. A dangerous delivery from Cian Brosnan found Cian Murphy in the penalty area, and Murphy’s powerful header beat Alex Moody but hit back off the post.
The visitors continued to apply pressure, and in the seventh minute, Cian Bargary cut inside from the left before firing an ambitious effort over the crossbar.
Wexford gradually settled into the contest and threatened in the fifteenth minute, only for Sean O’Connell to produce a superb block from close range to deny what looked a certain goalscoring opportunity.
The home side eventually broke the deadlock in the twenty-fifth minute when Kaylem Harnett found the net to give Wexford a 1-0 advantage.
Kerry responded impressively and came close to an immediate equaliser. In the twenty-ninth minute, Bargary struck a superb half-volley that was well saved by Moody, who turned the effort behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Brosnan tried his luck from distance, but Moody was again equal to the effort, tipping it away for another corner.
The second corner proved decisive. In the thirtieth minute, Sean O’Connell delivered an inviting ball deep into the penalty area where Jonas Häkkinen rose highest to power home a header and deservedly bring Kerry back on level terms.
Kerry continued to ask questions of the Wexford defence. In the fortieth minute, Bargary’s dangerous free-kick caused problems for Moody, who could only flap the ball behind for a corner under pressure.
Moments later, Daniel Okwute was shown what initially appeared to be a white card, although it was presumed the referee intended to issue a yellow card.
After an entertaining opening forty-five minutes, the sides went into the interval level at 1-1.
SECOND HALF
Kerry began the second period brightly once again. Within a minute of the restart, Bargary tested Moody from long range, but the Wexford goalkeeper gathered the ball safely after initially parrying the effort.
Wexford responded in the fifty-first minute when Jamie Wynne delivered an inviting cross towards Mikie Rowe, whose effort was comfortably saved by Harry Halwax.
A minute later, Ewan Lee entered the referee’s notebook after receiving a yellow card.
Colin Healy made his first change in the sixty-first minute, introducing Sean McGrath in place of Cian Brosnan as Kerry searched for a winner.
Two minutes later, Lee came close with an effort from outside the penalty area that curled narrowly wide of the target.
At the other end, Halwax continued his assured performance in the sixty-ninth minute, gathering comfortably after Mikie Rowe struck from distance.
Kerry made their second substitution in the seventy-first minute as Matthew Britton replaced Cian Bargary.
The hosts came within inches of restoring their lead in the seventy-third minute when Jake Doyle’s header struck the post, providing Kerry with a significant let-off.
The visitors responded positively and almost fashioned a goal in the seventy-sixth minute. Daniel Okwute produced an excellent low cross across the face of goal, but Cian Murphy was unable to apply the finishing touch.
As the match entered its closing stages, Kerry continued to press. Vince Borden glanced a header narrowly wide in the eighty-third minute before Wexford defender Robert McCourt received a yellow card a minute later.
Kerry’s persistence was rewarded in the eighty-sixth minute with a superb team goal. Harry Halwax launched an excellent pass out from the back to Matthew Britton, who showed great vision to play Sean McGrath through on goal. McGrath rounded Moody with composure before calmly finishing to put Kerry 2-1 ahead and spark celebrations among the travelling support.
Three minutes of added time were indicated, but there was to be one final twist. Deep into stoppage time, Zak O’Sullivan found space inside the area and scored for Wexford to level the contest at 2-2 and deny Kerry a memorable away victory.
Although disappointed not to leave Ferrycarrig Park with all three points after leading so late, Kerry FC produced another committed and spirited performance, earning a deserved point from an absorbing contest.
Now for the Kingdom, they have the second round of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, where they welcome Premier Division side Shelbourne to Mounthawk Park.
Wexford FC Team: Alex Moody; Max Murphy, Robert McCourt, Rhys Bartley, Mikie Rowe (C), Kaylem Harnett (GOAL ‘25), Jamie Wynne, Ryan Ritchie, Dylan Hand, Ryan Butler, Jake Doyle.
Subs Used: Zak O’Sullivan (GOAL ‘94), Gideon Tetteh, Gavin Hodgins.
Kerry FC Team: Harry Halwax; Sean O’Connell, Cian Murphy, Daniel Okwute, Jonas Häkkinen (GOAL ‘30), Cian Brosnan, Samuel Aladesanusi, Vince Borden, Niall Brookwell (C), Ewan Lee, Cian Bargary.
Subs Used: Sean McGrath (GOAL ‘86), Matthew Britton
SECOND HALF
The second half brought a dramatic shift in momentum almost immediately.
Just two minutes after the restart, Kerry goalkeeper Matthew Connor was shown a red card in the forty-seventh minute, leaving the visitors to play the remainder of the game with ten men. The dismissal altered the shape and flow of the contest and handed Treaty United a significant advantage.
Harvey Mangan was introduced in place of Ryan Perez shortly afterwards as Kerry looked to reorganise following the setback.
As expected, Treaty began to apply increasing pressure as they searched for a route back into the match. In the fifty-fourth minute, Kerry found themselves under sustained pressure, but they defended resolutely and continued to protect their lead through committed defending and strong organisation.
Further changes followed in the fifty-seventh minute, with Luke Palmer and Cian Bargary replacing Daniel Okwute and Cian Brosnan.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kerry almost doubled their lead in the sixtieth minute through a superb move. Sean O’Connell delivered a free kick towards the back post where Ewan Lee headed the ball back across the six-yard area into the path of Cian Murphy. Murphy’s close-range header looked destined for the net, but Jack Brady produced an outstanding save to deny him. That moment proved significant.
Treaty United eventually found an equaliser in the sixty-seventh minute when substitute Jason Oyenuga found the net to bring the hosts level.
The game became increasingly physical as tensions rose, with both Cian Murphy and Robbie Lynch receiving yellow cards in the sixty-ninth minute.
Treaty continued to push for a winner and nearly found one in the seventy-eighth minute when Robbie Lynch headed over from close range.
The pressure eventually told in the eighty-fifth minute as Lynch made amends by finding the decisive goal for Treaty United, turning the game around for the home side.
Kerry introduced Matthew Britton and Colin Healy in the closing stages, replacing Samuel Aladesanusi and Vince Borden, as they searched for a late response.
Five additional minutes were played at the end of normal time, while Cian Bargary received a yellow card in stoppage time.
Kerry continued to fight until the final whistle, but despite a determined effort in difficult circumstances, they were unable to find an equaliser as Treaty United claimed all three points in Limerick.
Kerry FC must now put this knock behind them quickly as they have a huge playoff battle up ahead in Ferrycarrig Park next Friday as they travel to Wexford FC.
Treaty United Team: Jack Brady (C); Steven Healy, Cian Curtis, Mark Byrne, Eric Yoro, Darren Nwankwo, Fionn Doherty, Robbie Lynch (GOAL ‘85), Kyle Foley, Mark Murphy, Ronan Manning.
Subs Used: Jason Oyenuga (GOAL ‘67), Ben Lynch, Roy Lawlor, Ben Feeney, Colm Whelan.
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor (RED CARD ‘48); Sean O’Connell, Cian Murphy (GOAL ‘38), Daniel Okwute, Jonas Häkkinen, Cian Brosnan, Samuel Aladesanusi, Ryan Perez, Vince Borden, Niall Brookwell (C), Ewan Lee.
Subs Used: Harvey Mangan, Colin Healy, Cian Bargary, Matthew Britton, Luke Palmer.
