Jack Doherty scored twice as Cork City began life back in the First Division with a 2-0 home victory as they opened a new chapter in the Kerry Cork rivalry.

Doherty on his debut after his move from Cobh Ramblers picked up his brace in the first half hour of the tie to make the lead a comfortable one for the hosts, as Kerry really struggled to create much by way of goal scoring opportunities in the opening half.

The Kingdom struggled with end product throughout, with Cork City were comfortable in playing with the lead throughout the second half.

Kerry will return home to slightly easier challenges as they host Bray Wanderers next Friday whilst Cork face the long trip to Ballybofey to play Finn Harps next week.

Despite reports of the Kingdom potentially lacking in attacking prowess in the lead up to the tie, Daniel Okwute and VictorUdeze both passed late fitness tests and were cleared to start, with Ryan Kelliher making the bench. Kerry were without new fullback Jack Kavanagh however, who missed out through injury.

Cork City featured a whole host of players featuring in the league for the first time, but were without their experienced new signing Greg Bolger, as Tim Clancy fielded a very youthful side.

The first ten minutes of the new season were quiet, as both teams got a feel for each other, soaking in an incredible atmosphere with a Turners Cross bouncing to open the new year.

Ronan Teahen, Daniel Okwute and Sean McGrath all had efforts towards the Cork net early on but nothing of major trouble to Wade in the City net.

The home side began to play their way into the tie though, with their joy coming down the right hand side through Nevin and Healy.

It didn’t take long before City opened the scoring after that positive spell, Cork worked the ball down that favoured right before smashing a ball low to Jack Doherty, who took a touch and turned his marker before smashing home off his left down to Antonio Tuta’s left hand side.

Jack Doherty doubled the hosts lead just before the half hour mark after a slick counter attack break, the former Cobh man gave the ball to Wood who slid it back to him, and his fake shot felled Samuel Aladesanusi as he slotted past Tuta’s left hand side once more.

Despite being two behind heading towards the break, it would be harsh to say that Kerry had played poorly. It was a relatively even contest where the favourites took advantage of the two opportunities they had in the half, as Kerry lacked that clinical ability in the final third.

Five minutes before the break City almost made it three off a poor turnover from Kevin Williams which set Cork forward Nathan Wood on the run, but Tuta was able to come out and intervene and stop any City effort on goal.

Kerry FC manager Conor McCarthy turned to his bench at the break, bringing on last year’s top scorer Ryan Kelliher to replace Victor Udeze.

The away side almost found a way back into the tier after a well delivered corner from Sean O’Connell, who wouldn’t have even expected to start. O’Connell found the head of captain Andy Spain but his effort was cleared off the line by Harry Nevin.

Cork City brought on Jaden Umeh on the hour mark, the fifteen year old born in 2008 made his debut for the club tonight, despite being heavily rumoured with a move to Benfica in the weeks building up to this league opener.

The game was really struggling to find any rhythm as the second half wore on, with Kerry having brought on Amechi and McCarthy to try get back into the tie, but chances were few and far between, the best coming from Nathan Wood from range which whistled past the post.

Kerry did manage to see a bit more of the ball late on with City looking to see the game out but the final third product was still missing on the night. Cork City did look lethal on the break and Jaden Umeh almost made it a dream debut with an acrobatic effort but it ended up on the roof of the net.

Overall you’d have to believe the Kerry camp would be pleased with their performance on another historic night, as they showed enough to believe they can compete more at this level this season. Meanwhile Cork City got the job done, not in any spectacular dominant style that a few predicted pregame but with a long road ahead to get back to the top tier it was the ideal start.