Kerry FC picked up a valuable point away from home this evening, as they held Finn Harps to a scoreless stalemate in Ballybofey this evening.

The second draw between the two sides in as many games, once again Harps will leave frustrated by Kerry as they pick up a rare clean sheet, their first of the season and indeed their history.

Harps peppered the Kerry goal but to no joy, they had efforts go every side of the goal but nothing to beat Aaron O’Sullivan, who was on hand to deal with any efforts, his backline also were a composed unit unchanged from their 6-0 drubbing last weekend.

It was a lively and frantic start to proceedings on a sundrenched Finn Park, the hosts looking in control early despite both having a lot of possession, the ever dangerous Filip Da Silva almost had a chance but a ball into the area just went past him.

Two minutes later Ryan Flood whipped a dangerous free kick into the Kerry box, he caused havoc from free kicks in Tralee and almost broke the deadlock as he found Noe Bana, but his header flew wide of the goal post.

Less than 60 seconds later, Harps penetrated the Kerry defence with a piercing through ball that Michael Harris raced onto, but strong defending from Rob Vasiu denied the Harps forward a sniff at goal as he was about to wind up a strike.

The end of the opening quarter was end to end stuff, both teams had chances at goal but Harps certainly had another chance that could have warranted a goal, Kevin Williams back to clear off the line as Aaron O'Sullivan raced out of his line to meet Sean O'Donnell but failed to clear it as O’Donnell nicked the ball clear, leaving Da Silva a wide open goal as the ball fell to his feet but Williams got his body on the line to deny him.

Up the other end some pinball gave Kerry half a chance, Ryan Kelliher played in Sean McGrath with a great cross in front of goal but the ball rebounded off Baba and Harps prevented a shot at goal.

Tim Heimer needed to be at full stretch to deny Nathan Gleeson a chance at goal in the 19th minute, Leo Gaxha swung a cross in which was volleyed by Nathan Gleeson on the edge of the area, Heimer stopped it well but the flag was up either way.

Chances were few and far between, Flood had another dangerous free kick crossed in after 33 minutes, Kerry defending well to head away the intended target of the free kick, but Keith Cowan rose at the back post but his header was collected by O’Sullivan.

Following that Harps laid siege to the Kerry goal with three back to back corners, we have seen this Kerry side outdone from set pieces this season but they held their shape well to keep the game scoreless.

They had chances late in the half to work a score, Vasiu had a shot deflected out for a corner, Samuel Aladesanusi headed just over the bar, Kerry were creating chances but Heimer was commanding his box and any ball in was gathered by the big German netminder, as we headed for the break still deadlocked after three minutes stoppage time.

Three minutes into the second half, Harps almost sprung an excellent counter attack from a Kerry free kick, Aladesanusi floated one from long range than Heimer gathered, he played it out with pace, attacking Kerry with intent Da Silva kept hold of the ball and found O’Donnell centrally in the box but his shot was wide of the Kerry goal.

Harps had their feet in the second half, Flood tried one from range on the hour mark, forcing yet more set piece pressure on Kerry, Aladesanusi committed a foul with Flood delivering the free kick into the area, Da Silva got a head to it which struck the post but O’Sullivan got down to smother the danger.

Three minutes later again Kerry had a massive let off as another Harps effort went wide, O’Donnell with some precise vision, finding Baba free inside the area, but his effort went to the right of the Kerry goal for a goal kick.

Kerry were still in the tie and did have their own chances in front of goal but were being limited, a chance would arrive after Baba’s kiss but Kelliher's close range shot was blocked for a corner, which came to nothing.

It was all the home side pressing late on, Shane McMonagle had a big chance but fired wide from inside the box, then Baba once again was in the area but could not find the target as his header flew wide.

Kerry had a late chance deep in stoppage time as the sharp shooter Kelliher took aim but Heimer produced a terrific save the last act of the game after he gathered the corner which followed.

Kerry will have to learn not to give away such unnecessary free kicks in the future, Harps time after time through Flood caused havoc, he did the same in Tralee but despite all the set pieces, they have learned to be a much better unit in locking down their defence, but will be without Matt Keane on Monday due to an accumulation of bookings.