Valerii Dolia’s late winner gifted the away side all three points against Kerry in Mounthawk Park this evening.

The hosts dominated the ball in the first half but were unable to create much by way of clear-cut chances as they had the wind at their back for the opening 45. Athlone looked the better in the second half but apart from a couple of Wayne Guthrie saves, did not threaten too much.

Dolia was left with time and space as Pierrot worked an overload well, playing out to the Ukrainian who finished well off his left foot. The away side were much stronger in the second half and it was nothing less than they deserved.

Both sides are in the Midlands next week with Athlone hosting Galway whilst Kerry make their first trip to Bishopsgate to face Longford.

Kerry FC returned home after two tough away defeats in the hopes of picking up their first LOI senior victory against Athlone tonight.

Kerry held the ball early on and looked the more threatening side from the off. A start they would've wanted after conceding early in their last two.

Enda Minogue in the Athlone net struggled to get the ball out with the blustering conditions bringing the ball back in his direction. Kerry managed to turn the ball over a number of times as a result but to no real avail.

Kerry continued their dominance on the ball as Athlone were forced into turnover after turnover whether it be weather related or slopiness. Gaxha had an effort on the half turn but Haji cleared it off the line with his head for the away side. The best chance of the match so far.

Athlone started to come into the game as things started to heat up. Hickey and Louis caused trouble under the high ball but Kerry escaped unharmed. It was from this that Kerry created their best chance of the game to this point with a Sean O’Connell low cross that was met with chaotic scenes in the Athlone box, eventually falling to Gaxha who felt he was dragged down but the referee was not interested.

Leading into the break it was still Kerry with the most of the ball but the story of the half failed to change, and at this point Dennehy would be disappointed to not have worked an effort on target in the half, especially with the wind at their back. The scoreline level at the break.

Athlone had the best opportunity of the game so far as we ticked towards the hour mark. Guthrie was forced into a great reaction save down to his right off a deflected Athlone cross. A fine reflex effort to keep his clean sheet intact.

Pierrot with another chance as his right footed effort was saved well by Guthrie again as he parried out for a corner. The away side had three corners in a number of minutes but were not able to pick out a white shirt with any of them.

Midway through the second half Kerry made their first change. Leo Gaxha to the surprise of many made way for Sean Kennedy, with Kennedy coming to the right and Glesson swapping to the left.

The long ball looks on for Athlone as Minogue can hoof the ball long and with the wind it finds its way into the Kerry back five. Pierrot had a shot as a result that trickled towards the line but O’Reilly kept it out on the line.

Both sides had set pieces as time went on but nothing of note was created from any of them. Athlone, if anything looked most likely to find a late winner.

Athlone Town thought they had a late winner but despite Haji putting the ball in the net the whistle had gone as Hickey had pushed Keane in the back to win the ball in the air.

The away side finally took a deserved lead as the clock was ticking into the red. Pierrot held off two Kerry defenders to slide the ball to Dolia in all the space on the left hand side and with great composure tucked the ball low past Guthrie to the dismay of the home fans.

The second half was dominated by the away side, and the pressure finally took its toll on the home sides back five. Kerry will be disappointed that the point slipped away from them but another decent performance from a young side continuing to build. Athlone continue their excellent start to the season with their third win tonight.