Four draws in a row for the Kingdom in the First Division as Kerry held Wexford to a 1-1 tie in an eventful game in Mounthawk Park this evening.

Kerry took the lead early through Sean O’Connell before Aaron Dobbs equalised for the away side early in the second half. Both sides had their chances and could’ve taken the points but the draw was a fair result on the basis of play. 

Wexford now return back to Ferrycarrig Park on Easter Monday to host Cork City whilst Kerry make their first trip to the capital to face UCD at the Belfield Bowl. 

After an extremely bright start from the home side who were dominating the ball but subject to half chances from Kelliher and Okwute, they got gifted the opener when Ben Lynch failed to clear his lines. 

Sean O’Connell intercepted his outlet pass at the corner of the box. The Kerry left-back took a touch out and found the bottom right-hand corner to give his side the lead after ten minutes. 

The stages after the goal were not very eventful, with the game becoming a bit stop-start after several injuries. Aaron Robinson clashed with Kevin Williams below the sideline and was withdrawn with a knock to the ankle area, replaced by Darragh Levingston. 

Meanwhile, Cian O’Malley and Samuel Aladesanusi came together in the box after a corner and caused the game to be halted for about four minutes as both received treatment. O’Malley continued for a couple of minutes but was unable to continue, with Kian Corbally replacing him, their second injury sub of the first half. 

Aladesanusi continued at the back for Kerry before also going down again just minutes before halftime, being replaced by Finn Barrett making his Kerry FC league debut. 

The hosts managed to stem the Wexford attack into the six minutes of added time before the break and get in ahead. James Keddy turned to his bench for the third time during the interval, bringing on Hanratty for Lovic, meaning all three players who were dropped from last week's starting XI in the win vs Bray were on the field for the second half. 

Wexford started the brighter of the two in the second half and found themselves back on level terms just three minutes into the half. Reece Webb picked up the ball on the right wing and delivered a delightful cross to the head of Aaron Dobbs who comfortably placed his header into the top left-hand corner. The Wexford striker picked up his fifth goal in three appearances at Mounthawk Park. 

Kerry had to respond and almost found themselves ahead once more three minutes after the equaliser when Ryan Kelliher's snapshot was saved well by Ryan Mason down to his right-hand side, the hosts pouncing on poor defence from the Wexford backline who were struggling to clear their lines. 

As the second half grew on the game was beginning to be played at a high tempo, and was proving entertaining for the high hundreds in attendance in a for-once dry Mounthawk Park.

Steven Healy moments before being subbed played a delightful through ball to Daniel Okwute who looked through on goal but good cover from captain Ethan Boyle pushed the winger wide meaning Okwute’s shot could only flash across the face of the Wexford net. 

With just under fifteen minutes on the clock, Conor McCarthy changed his side’s shape, turning to their more traditional 4-3-3 bringing on Udeze and Brosnan for Kos and Kelliher, in search of the winner. 

Aaron Dobbs and Thomas Oluwa each had half chances on the break from the Kerry pressure but Tuta rushed out to prevent both late on. 

Ben Lynch was shown his marching orders for taking down Daniel Okwute late into stoppage time, picking up his second yellow of the game, but with little time to capitalise, the ten men held on for a hard-earned point.