Kerry FC are feeling the heat after UCD dominated the Kingdom in a scorched Mounthawk Park on Friday evening.

The home side did take an early lead through McGrath but that was as good as it got for Conor McCarthy’s side, and McCullagh’s brace had the outcome flipped by the half hour mark.

Kerry now face a tricky trip to Ferrycarrig to face Wexford whilst UCD return home to host Finn Harps in Belfield next Friday.

Despite their recent troubles in front of the opponent's net, Kerry FC got on the scoresheet after just seven minutes. Steven Healy returned to the starting lineup to try and bring a bit more attacking impetus and provided a delightful through ball to Sean McGrath who slotted into the net in front of the east terrace end to give his side the lead. 

The hosts lead was not long-lived as the Students levelled the game ten minutes later. Steven Healy turned the ball over in the middle of the park which saw Michael McCullagh pick up the ball, turn Sean O’Connell inside and out before unleashing a rocket of a shot from 20 yards that nestled in the roof of the net. 

Just after the half-hour mark, the away side were dominating the ball and looking likely to get a second and it was McCullagh who doubled down on the night as Luke O’Regan turned provider for McCullagh who found himself in space just inside the 18-yard box and smashed home with the help of the inside of the post. 

UCD could’ve made it three shortly after when O’Regan came in from the right but his angle was narrowed and Tuta covered the angle well to save. 

Kerry were forced into a couple of early changes. Amechi was withdrawn after a head injury and replaced by Nathan Gleeson before the break and at half time Aladesanusi came off for Teahen which saw McCarthy drop back to centre back. 

The Students also made a change with Willie O’Connor forced to withdraw O’Regan who had a great opening half, Harry Curtis replaced him.

The home side did look a lot better to start the second half, and began to apply some pressure on UCD, with Ronan Teahan making an impact early and Valerii Dolia who came on at the hour mark injecting real pace in the centre of the park. 

The Students though were happy to sit off Kerry and were very calm and composed in doing so, using their experience to run the clock and frustrate both Kerry players and management.

The best chance Kerry had to get an equaliser came with five minutes to go through Gleeson after a great curled cross from Dolia but the winger could not direct the header on target. Okwute did have a chance of his own with a minute to go but scuffed his effort to the relief of Moore in net.

Harry Curtis was given a straight red card in the 94th minute of the game for something said in the direction of the referee, much fo the disbelief of the UCD player as the Students finished the night with ten men.

I think it’s fair to say on the night that the Students looked like the Masters as the Kerry FC losing streak extends to five.