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 .
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.

Kerry took the spoils, Okwute being injured will come at a blow, on a damp night in Tralee he was the shining light.