Daniel Okwute’s strike fifteen minutes from time gave Kerry their first victory of the year over a dogged Avondale United in the Munster Senior Cup.

Okwute broke the deadlock from just outside the box with a superb low driven effort into the corner, after a decent affair that saw both sides have their chances. 

Kerry now host the winners of the tie between Cobh Ramblers and College Corinthians which takes place tomorrow, with that quarter final set for the first weekend in February.

It was a dry but extremely chilly night in Mounthawk Park as the 2024 season got underway for the Kingdom, who came out of the traps lively. Conor McCarthy naming a very strong side to start his first game as head coach with many of the 2023 household names returning. McCarthy did also start three of his four new signings, Spain at Centre back with Aladesanusi, Kavanagh at left back along with Steven Healy in midfield.  

Daniel Okwute started off the right in a front three and proved difficult for the Dale’s early on, almost winning his side a penalty after beating his man but to the bemusement of the healthy crowd in attendance. 

Daniel O’Connell looked lively for the away side, looking to come through midfield when possible, no surprise the former Cobh Ramblers man looked right at home against League of Ireland opposition. 

Ronan Teahan was back in the middle of the park for the Kingdom, to the joy of the home fans after being in the UK on trial with a number of clubs, and was already looking sharp. The South Kerry man had the best chance of the half forcing a save from close range from O’Dwyer in the Dales net. 

There was a concern for Kerry just before the break though as new signing Andy Spain had to go off after a head injury with Dales striker Falvey, both needed repairs but Spain was replaced by Ethan Kos. 

Kerry came out strong in the early stages of the second period as they looked to get the breakthrough, but despite efforts from Teahan and Gleeson, it was Avondale who had the best opportunity to take the lead. Coleman from six yards somehow blazed over the bar after Daniel O’Connell did well to get the ball into the area.

Conor McCarthy saw his side become a bit sluggish as the half wore on and turned to the bench, giving Daire McCarthy his debut, along with introducing Sean O’Connell and Cian Brosnan. 

With the prospect of extra time looming and looking likely, up stepped Daniel Okwute to break the deadlock. Okwute took a huge tackle minutes earlier and was nursing an ankle knock, but upon picking up the ball at the edge of the box, managed to hold off defenders and strike low and hard into the bottom left corner from 18 yards. 

Ten minutes left on the clock Avondale looked to the bench, bringing on Gannon and Roche O’Brien. The Kingdom with the advantage and the space on the break came closest to doubling their lead though, Avondale doing wonders to block an almost certain Ryan Kelliher goal. 

Avondale pushed on for an equaliser as expected but 2024 and the Conor McCarthy era starts with victory and frozen hands, as the Kingdom lit the spark on their season on a chilly January night in Mounthawk Park.