Kerry FC 2024
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05-01-2024 12:08pm#1
After a few chaotic months, the Kerry team are being reassembled for the season ahead with the first game in the Munster Cup against Avondale United on Friday Jan 12th at 7.45 in Mounthawk.
In bizarre circumstances, CEO and lead investor Brian Ainscough left for Louth, the day after the end of season awards, to purchase Dundalk, ending his investment in Kerry. A bizarre sequence of events saw him deliver a press conference fully decked out in Dundalk gear talking about how they were 5-10 years ahead of where Kerry are, only a few weeks after reaffirming his long term commitment to Kerry.
On the personnel side, Billy Dennehy has moved upstairs as the director of football with Conor McCarthy taking over as manager. There has been a fair few departures from the squad with Martin Coughlan heading for Australia, Cian Barrett has returned to Shamrock rovers following his loan, with Arthur Nganou, Alex Ainscough and Sean Kennedy being released. Leo Gaxha, who was subject to rumours of a move as early as May of last year, has joined first division champions Galway in the premier division.
Andy Spain has joined from Treaty and Jack Kavanagh is the latest addition to the squad, arriving from Athlone. Both should add some quality and depth to the backline. With the Munster Cup being treated as a preseason by most LOI teams, there is likely to be a few more additions to squad in the next month.
Season tickets have already surpassed last year’s with the two new jerseys also being well received by fans. They are still available to purchase on https://kerryfc.com/tickets/ and https://www.kerryfc-shop.com/ respectively.
The full list of league fixtures is available on https://kerryfc.com/fixtures/ and tickets for the Munster cup game should be on sale in the next couple of days.
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Comments
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Looking forward to going to a few games. I went to three Kerry games last season, and in fairness, they played ok in all three but lacked a striker and better presence in Midfield.
They need to be aiming to win 4-5 games this season and the sooner they win a game at home the better.
My only consolation as a Cork City fan is I have Kerry and Treaty away to look forward to going to this season.
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Cork City 2 – 0 Kerry
Coming off the back of a big quarter final win at home against Cobh in the Munster Senior cup, there were a few new faces amongst the ranks for the season opener in Turners cross. Andy Spain took the armband starting at centre back, with Galway loanee Shane Healy in the middle of the park and Victor Udeze up front.
Kerry started and spent much of the first quarter of an hour on top, with Sean McGrath forcing a good save from Cork keeper and Okwute missing a half chance. Jack Doherty, who proved a thorn in the side for Kerry last year with Cobh, gave the home side the lead almost immediately following Kerry’s pressure and he doubled it ten minutes later following some poor defending.
From this point on Kerry failed to mount any meaningful attack but also didn’t give up too many chances. Last season this would have ended in disaster, but the team dug in and played well against a Cork team that look like they have more gears to go through.
Next up Kerry welcome Bray Wanderers (and both of their fans) to Mounthawk next Fridayand there are some tickets available at https://kerryfc.com/tickets/
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Kerry 2 - 3 Bray
Two changes to the starting 11 tonight with Ryan Kelleher being fit to start and Daire McCarthy taking the place of Ronan Teahan in centre mid. Kerry started the brighter of the two teams with Daniel Okwute through on goal only to narrowly miss with five minutes gone. Two minutes later Sean McGrath almost gave Kerry the lead with the last defender blocking the ball on the way to goal from a scrambled shot. Kerry dominated the first 15 minutes and were crisp with their passing and aggressive in their press, winning the ball high up the field. The momentum was broken by a biblical hail shower and thunder and lightening show which caused a delay of almost 40 mins but Kerry continued where they let off after the break.
The game changed with 38 minutes gone when a silly foul saw Nathan Gleeson dismissed for a second yellow. Kerry then adjusted with Ryan Kelleher playing as the loan striker and Sean McGrath moving from a central role to wide left. I can't tell you anything about the build up to the goal to take the lead, such was the quality of the strike, but I'll post it here as soon as its online. The ball broke to Kevin Williams outside the box who took a heavy first touch and unleashed an unmerciful strike at the Bray goal. Bray could have had two keepers and they wouldn't have stopped this, contender for goal of the season.
The second half saw the Kerry team sitting deep trying to defend the lead but the inevitable feeling was that there was goals coming. The dam broke on the 71st minute with Bray equalising but Kerry hit back and took the lead again a minute later. Bray equalised and then took the lead again within two minutes of Kerrys goal and saw the match out without much threat on goal.
A long, cold, frustrating night where the better team didn't come out on top but the physicality of McCarthy and the impending return of Valerii Dolia to fitness, this is a side that will challenge most teams in the division. Next up is Treaty at home and tickets should be on sale early next week
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Kerry 0 - 1 Treaty
One change to the Kerry side this week with Kennedy Amechi taking the place of the suspended Nathan Gleeson. The visitors were straight out of the blocks almost scoring within the first minute and dominated the early part of the first half with Enda Curran going close. Kerry grew into it with some half chances and Ryan Kelleher was winning everything played up to him in the lone striker role again and Andy Spain won. The best of the chances fell to Daniel Okwute who could only find the feet of Treaty keeper Corey Chambers and shortly after hit the bar.
The second half saw more of the same with Kerry creating some great chances, with a free header go straight into the arms of the Treaty keeper. Kerry had a half dozen good chances to go ahead and the sucker punch came on the 60th minute when a ball crossed in was palmed to the back post and the Treaty striker headed onto the bar and then scored the rebound. Kerry hit the woodwork again with Stephen Healy striking one from a rebound. To add insult to injury Ryan Kelleher missed a penalty with the last kick of the game.
A real kick in the pants, to dominate the vast majority of the game, have the better chances, have the opportunity to salvage a point with the last kick of the game - yet still come away with nothing. The teams meet again Monday night in the munster cup in Mounthawk, tickets are 10 eur on the door
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Kerry 4 - 1 Treaty
A couple of changes for Kerry with Andy Spain absent from the squad and Kelleher dropping to the bench, the Treaty side saw wholesale changes with 9 academy players and it was evident from early on. Kerry dominated the first half with Ronan Teahan scoring the goal to put the Kingdom into the lead after 15 minutes. Treaty got one back after Tuta hesitated to come out and then fumbled the ball straight to a Treaty player. Sean McGrath put the game to bed on the brink of half time with a quick fire double and Daniel Okwute added a fourth early in the second half. Aside from the mix up for the Treaty goal this was a good solid professional performance, against a young inexperienced side and Kerry now have a cup final to look forward to, meeting the winner of the Waterford and Rockmount.
Next up is Athlone away on Friday night in the league
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Athlone 1 - 1 Kerry
Skipper Andy Spain and Ryan Kelleher returned to the starting 11 from the game Monday night against Treaty.The first half was a scrappy affair with Athlone having the best of the possession and chances but nothing threatening.
The second half started the same but Okwute broke the deadlock with a great finish from a beautiful from great play with Kennedy Amechi and Daire McCarthy involved in the build up. Andy Spain nearly gifted Athlone an equaliser but did well to recover with a last ditch tackle to prevent a certain goal. Athlone got the equaliser after Tuta's (almost compulsory) flap at a corner dropped straight to Dylan Hand. After this it was one way traffic with Athlone missing some great chances and had a good penalty claim waived away with a minute to go.
A scrappy performance and Athlone will feel hard done by not getting all three points, but after the last two league games we were due a bit of luck. Kerry are off the mark now and next up is Cobh back in Mounthawk. Tickets are on sale at https://kerryfc.com/tickets/
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Kerry 1 - 1 Cobh
A tale of two halves in Mounthawk tonight with both sides looking to build on positive results the previous week. The first half was nip and tuck for most of it, with Cobh creating the better chances and forcing some fine saves out of Tuta in the Kerry goal. Kerry struggled in midfield to involve Sean McGrath and some wayward passes at the back nearly lead to disaster.
Steven Healy made way for Ronan Teahan at the half in what was a baffling, if positive, change for Kingdom. With the extra support, Sean McGrath became more involved and created Kerry's first goal winning the ball on the corner of the Cobh box and crossing from a narrow angle for Kelleher to score. A lapse in concentration saw Cobh level the score 5 minutes later but that was their only threat on goal with Kerry dominating the game from here and Ronan Teahan and Ryan Kelleher going close to getting all three points.
Probably a fair result on the balance of the game, with Ryan Kelleher absolutely immense in the isolated striker role. Next up is the long trip to Finn Harps and the vain hope that they have finally replaced their pixelot camera
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What was the crowd attendance?
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About 600-650, with maybe 20 Cobh fans
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Finn Harps 0 - 0 Kerry
Three changes to the starting line up this week with Ronan Teahan, Ethan Kos and Victor Udeze making the first 11 with Steven Healy, Daniel Okwute and Kennedy Amechi dropping to the bench. A change in formation also saw a change from the usual 4-2-3-1 to 5-3-2 with Kelleher operating up front with Udeze.
The first half saw Finn Harps going close early with Tuta making a great save to palm a shot onto the bar. Ryan Kelleher produced a magnificent effort from the edge of the box for Kerry's best chance of the half, with his shot dipping narrowly over and onto the top of the net. The lack of width in the final third particularly evident, with both strikers having to come wide and try to involve McGrath in the game.
The second half saw Finn Harps on top for most of it, with Kerry happy to soak up the pressure but struggling to create any meaningful attack. Finn Harps went close again with 20 mins gone, with another superb save from Tuta, albeit from the Donegal striker who was offside. Ryan Kelleher made way with what looks like a hamstring problem for Okwute who injected a bit more pace into the Kerry attack but the spoils were split at the full time whistle.
A good point in a tough venue and a first clean sheet of the season. Next up is Wexford at Mounthawk next Friday and tickets are available on https://kerryfc.com/tickets/
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UCD 1 - 1 Kerry
A couple of enforced changes and a switch in formation today saw Ronan Teahan back in midfield, Victor Udeze starting up front and Cian Brosnan getting his first start of the season. UCD came into the game in the best form of all the teams in the first division, with three wins from their last three games.
Kerry started the game well and went close from a corner early on with Andy Spain's header straight at the keeper. From here the home side took control and forced a couple of great saves from Tuta in goal. The break through was inevitable and they took the lead with about 30 minutes gone from a fabulous strike from the edge of the box after the ball was played inbetween the wingback and Kerry centreback.
There was more bite and purpose in the Kerry play in the second half and the equaliser came after ten minutes with the UCD keeper allowing Okwute's shot through him. UCD made some changes from here that saw them go very close on a number of occasions but towards the end, Kerry had the ball in the net only for it to be flagged offside.
Another draw, albeit against a strong side on an absolutely farcical pitch. Next Friday the fans are looking forward to welcoming back Longford town, with the racial abuse and violent conduct incidents last year still fresh in the memory. Tickets are available on https://kerryfc.com/tickets/
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Kerry 3 - 1 Longford town
Kerrys starting 11 reverted back to what is arguably the strongest 11 this week with Kennedy, Kelleher and Okwute up front, Healy, McCarthy and McGrath in midfield and the usual suspects across the back. Kerry had the wind in the first half and made the most of it forcing a couple of great saves from the Longford keeper. Sean McGrath put Kerry ahead after a lovely turn in the box to finish into the bottom corner and Kelleher doubled Kerry's lead just before half time with his second of the year. Just before the half time whistle, Kennedy almost added another with the keeper scrambling the ball off the line.
Playing into the wind in the second half, Longford started with more pace and increased the urgency in their passing but failed to trouble Tuta in goal with any meaningful effort. The Kerry team stayed on the front foot and kept a hold of the lead with some great defending and Okwute almost added to the total but the keeper made another great save.
The moment of the game came with ten minutes to go, when Kennedy Amechi carried the ball through three Longford defenders and hit it with the outside of his boot into the bottom corner. Given his history with the club in question, it was a moment of sweet revenge.
This was the most comfortable game Kerry have played and justified their marginal favourite tag. Next up is the short trip to Limerick next Friday
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Kerrys' biggest result to date?
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Treaty 0 - 0 Kerry
Sean McGrath was in the stands for this one, with what must be an injury, with Ronan Teahan taking his place in midfield and Ethan Kos starting across a back 5. Treaty nearly took the lead within 30 seconds hitting the cross bar. The lack of bodies in midfield was evident with Treaty controlling the majority of posession, focusing on attacking down Kevin Williams side with lots of crosses into the box but failed to trouble Tuta. Down the other end, Kerry just about mustered a shot on target in first half but had very little to write home about.
Treaty looked out on their feet in the second half, with half the team doubled over with every break in play and Kerry took full advantage. A completely open start to the second saw Ryan Kelleher going close and Treaty forced a great save from Tuta. Ronan Teahan hit the post from an almost open goal, Cian Brosnan had a great chance late on, saved by Treaty keeper Corey Chambers. The final ball didn't come and Treaty will be the happier of the two sides with the points shared tonight.
Progress was the aim this year but few would have foreseen the pace of the progression, with the unbeaten run now at 7 games. Kerry have the same amount of points after 10 games this season, as they had after 35 last year and there is a fearlessness in the team that is both exciting and entertaining.
Back home next week against Athlone and tickets are on sale on the website
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What would you put the improvement in results down to this year? I know there was a decent turnover of players, have they ended up with a better squad this year?
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Its hard to point to a single factor, but if I was forced to I would say Andy Spain. His ability in the air is phenomenal and he's added a calmness to the back four. The preseason definitely helped, there were signs of this in the Munster cup, the media, tactical and game management from the sideline is miles ahead of where we were last year too. I think the whole Ainscough situation would have galvanised them too, but that's just my opinion.
The squad is definitely better, Tuta, although liable for a flap under a high ball, is a proven keeper at this level and knows exactly when to slow the game down. The two lads from Galway in midfield will go on to play at much higher levels and Dolya will solve the wing problem once he's fit.
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Kerry 1 - 2 Athlone
A more assertive approach this week with Sean McGrath returning to the starting 11 and going 4-3-3 with Kennedy Amechi playing up top alongside the usual suspects. Kerry looked on a completely different level from the start, with Kennedy scoring after 5 minutes, only to be flagged offside. Ryan Kelleher forced a great save out the Athlone keeper with a strike from the edge of the box and Kerry took the lead after 20 minutes from the penalty spot, with Kennedy calmly slotting home into the bottom corner. Sean McGrath forced another great save with a right footed curling effort destined for the top corner but slowly Athlone were growing into the game. The equaliser came on the brink of half time and wasn't entirely undeserved either.
I'm not sure what exactly went on at half-time but the team that came out second half were a throwback to the bad days of last year. Unable to complete simple passes, pumping big diagonals up the pitch, with Athlone waltzing through the ineffective Kerry midfield and the inevitable winner came with a spectacular scissors kick just inside the box. By right, Athlone could have added to their lead, hitting the post shortly after taking the lead and there can't be too many complaints after the worst half of football in Mounthawk in more than six months.
On the road next week to Bray
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Bray 2 - 0 Kerry
A major switch in formation this week, with what looked like 4-5-1, Ryan Kelliher dropping to the bench with Victor Udeze taking his place. Okwute was absent but Valeri Dolia is returning to fitness and made the bench. To say the first half was nothing to write home about, would be an understatement, with the sole highlight being the ref falling over in front of the away fans.
Kelliher came on at half time and gave Kerry an out ball, allowing Sean McGrath to become more involved in the game but there was nothing troubling the Bray keeper. A more open second half with Bray just missing the final pass and Kerry's attempts ending up in the car park. The change of striker for Bray changed the game with both centre backs being drawn to a high ball, allowing Magaruson to finish easily. The final nail came ten minutes later when a cross from the left wasn't dealt with in the box.
This was one to forget, next weekend is a key double header with Cork visiting Mounthawk for the first time and Longford away on the bank holiday monday.
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