Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
---|---|---|---|
21 July 2023 | 7:45 pm | FAI Cup | 2023 |
Match Report
Ryan Kelliher proved the cup hero for Kerry FC, his two goals late in the second half seeing Kerry into the second round as they won their first ever game at Mounthawk Park in their inaugural season. Kerry’s leading goal scorer may have found himself on the bench this evening, he was summoned as Daniel Okwute was taken off with injury, with he applied the killer strike, he was the difference in Athlone and now in Mounthawk he did the same. Ringmahon for large spells were the better side, the MSL representatives in the cup certainly did themselves proud, but late on were undone twice by Kerry and now bow out of the cup. Ringmahon started much the better of the two teams, almost scoring a goal inside the opening minute, when Kerry last played at home, they took the lead inside the first minute, but this time Anthony McAlavey split the defence with a through ball, Evan Galvin was there to strike for goal, Lee Axworthy down to save. The visitors remained in full control of the ball and dominated the possession, Galvin struck the crossbar after 12 minutes, a huge threat going forward the visitors were not backing down in the opening minutes. Looking to catch Kerry napping from a set piece, Jamie O’Sullivan whipped in a free kick but Axworthy was able to gather, at the other end Leo Gaxha struck a free from distance that dropped over the crossbar, the first real chance Kerry created. The Kingdom side started to come back into the game and looked more menacing in getting forward, but at the other end Samuel Aladesanusi missed a header which allowed another long ball past the Kerry backline, it landed to Adam Delurey on the half volley but it went wide. On the half hour mark, the first real chance of the night for Kerry materialised, Sean O'Connell whipping a ball into the area and Aladesanusi headed at goal but it was limp and into the hands of Eric Grimes. Gaxha was making use of runs down the left wing to try to create chances, the first went into the hands of Grimes, the second met the head of Daniel Okwute but again another chance that went over the crossbar. As the whistle sounded, Kerry headed for the dressing room knowing they could have easily been a goal down in the tie, needing a much better performance to advance past the MSL side. Gaxha had a gift of a chance just two minutes into the second half, Cian Brosnan with great vision to put the ball back across the box and Gaxha tried to apply the finish but it flew over the crossbar. The goal would come after 75 minutes, Cian Brosnan tried a shot that was deflected, him and Rob Vasiu exchanged possession before Sean McGrath played a ball in for Ryan Kelliher, he struck home from outside the area to the bottom right hand corner with a low strike to give the breakthrough. Anthony McAlavey tried to create an immediate reply for Ringmahon, he shot from range but it flew over the diving Axworthy and wide of the Kerry goal. Ronan Teahan tried his luck from range minutes later as Kerry now had the confidence to attack with purpose, McGrath again down the left to Gaxha, he crossed into the box, it rebounded off a Ringmahon defender and Kelliher pounced to strike home from close range . Kerry took the spoils, Okwute being injured will come at a blow, on a damp night in Tralee he was the shining light.Kerry secure maiden FAI Cup win over Ringmahon
Now 2-0 up, Kerry kept pressing for more, Gaxha was sent through only for the racing Grimes to deny him, then Kelliher was sent through and again it was Grimes who raced out to get down and save well.
Timeline
8' | 4. Tony Whitehead | |
17' | Mark Horgan | |
Cian Barrett Rob Vasiu | 46' | |
Nathan Gleeson Cian Brosnan | 46' | |
19. Martin Coughlan | 60' | |
64' | Ewan Lee Adam O'Callaghan | |
Daniel Okwute Ryan Kelliher | 67' | |
72' | Stephen Kenny Jack Cairns | |
9. Ryan Kelliher | 75' | |
81' | Jamie O'Sullivan Cameron Harlson | |
81' | Adam Delurey Gearoid Morrissey | |
9. Ryan Kelliher | 83' | |
Martin Coughlan Matt Keane | 85' |
Ground
Mounthawk Park |
---|
Mounthawk Park, Tralee Rural ED, Tralee, County Kerry, Munster, Ireland |
Four minutes added on
Ryan Kelliher makes it two rebounding a deflected clearance
Anthony Mcalavey shoots from range and that just goes over, another bit of danger from the visitors
Kerry take the lead as Ryan Kelliher makes the breakthrough with a shot from outside the box
Sean McGrath looks from range, it goes well wide of the goal, little the way of goal chances in this half
Jack Cairns replaces Kenny
Okwute is forced off with injury, Ryan Kelliher replaces him
Change for Ringmahon as Ewan Lee departs for Adam O'Callaghan
Yellow card for Martin Coughlan
Okwute does well at the back to win the ball back, great stride to get froward, he gets Kerry up to half way, Gaxha is found with a long ball but too long and it runs out of play
At the break Rob Vasiu and Brosnan replaced Barrett and Gleeson
Massive chance for Kerry as the second half is underway, Cian Brosnan a half time sub, finds Gaxha in the box but he blazes over
And that's half time, Kerry have struggled in this tie, Ringmahon looking the better of the sides
Gaxha crossed into the area and Okwute headed toward goal but it floats over the bar
Gaxha fizzes a cross into the box, keeper saves
First real chance of the night for Kerry, Sean O'Connell whips a ball in and Aladesanusi heads at goal but Eric Grimes saves
Aladesanusi misses a header which allows another long ball in past the Kerry backline, it lands to Adam Delurey on the half volley and it goes wide
From the resulting free from range, Gaxha shoots and it goes just over the crossbar
Mark Horgan gets the games second yellow card
Jamie O'Sullivan whips in a free kick that goes into the hands of Axworthy
Evan Galvin strikes the crossbar, its all been the way of the visiting side inside the opening 15 minutes
Tony Whitehead gets the games first booking for a late tackle on Teahan
Early danger for Kerry as Evan Galvin force's Lee Axworthy into a save
Teams are out on the field
That is despite suffering six defeats in a row, since they last scored a point away to Finn Harps on the June Bank Holiday weekend, in recent weeks they have looked competitive and now hope to get over the line and secure a win that can build momentum ahead of Finn Harps next week.
Rarely this season have we seen Kerry be favourites going into the tie, but the newcomers in the First Division, are fancied to overcome their opponents and secure their first win on home soil this season.
While for the Cork side who have been an historic side on Leeside now for years, will be looking to make strides having not made it past the preliminary round of the competition since their 2016 run, that ended in a third round exit.
For the first time in their history, Kerry FC will have to take on the challenge of Munster Senior League outfit Riingmahon Rangers, if they are to continue their inaugural cup campaign this season.
New signings Tony Whitehead and Stephen Kenny both make the starting lineup for Ringmahon, as Gearoid Morrissey makes the bench
Kerry make one change from their 2-1 loss to Longford, Ronan Teahan replaces Togor Silong in the Kerry midfield, while Kevin William's returns to the squad, making the bench
Good evening from Mounthawk Park, where Kerry FC meet Ringmahon Rangers, the Munster Senior League side coming to face the First Division new boys