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Kerry FC had 4 teams in action at the weekend in league and cup action.
Pride of place this week goes to the under 17 team who gallantly bowed out to Dublin giants Shamrock Rovers in the cup quarter final of the Mark Farren Cup.
Kerry FC 1 v Shamrock Rovers 2.
Kerry produced some excellent football in an enthralling cup encounter in Mounthawk Park on Saturday afternoon. However despite a tantamount effort by this gallant Kerry team Rovers advanced in an all action contest.
Kerry played with a strong breeze in the first half and thanks to good work by Tom Healy in the middle of the park created several chances.Luke Palmer,Andrew Kerins and Josh Bowler all had goal bound chances blocked by defenders .
Todd Bazunu in goal,the younger brother of the Irish goalkeeper was also tested on a number of occasions.
However Kerry could not get that elusive goal in their wind assisted first half.Indeed the Dublin side had the best chance late in the first half.However Darragh Foley dived full length to turn a Daniel Mare header around a post. Rovers gradually came more into the game in the second half.
In the 51st minute a powerful header by Cian Dillon was unbelieveably tipped over by Darragh Foley to prevent a certain goal.The highly rated Dublin side eventually took the lead four minutes later.
Kerry failed to clear a cross and Josh Kehir netted from close range.Kerry to their credit continued to play some brilliant football and pressed Rovers in possession.
In the 76th minute they got their reward. Josh Bowler intercepted a defensive pass and eluded several defenders before unleashing a 25 metre screamer to the bottom corner.
In an absorbing contest both sides played their hearts out.However it was Rovers who got the winner in the 88th minute.Cian Dillon was at the end of a series of passes and he fired in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.Kerry rallied again and were unfortunate to have an effort deep in added team cleared off the line. Kerry can be proud of their performance and can hold their heads high even in defeat.
They matched this highly regarded Dublin in most departments and will progress from this experience.
Man of the Match Darragh Foley
Under 14 league.Carlow Killkenny 2 v Kerry FC 2.
Kerry played out an entertaining encounter in Carlow on Saturday. The home side took the lead in the 10th minute through Akachi Ogbulafor.The same player added a second goal shortly after the restart.
However Edison Jahiri set up Calvin O,Sullivan to score a minute later. Moments later Callum Robertson capped a great game when he released Calvin O,Sullivan with a pin point pass.Calvin O,Sullivan still had a lot to do but the prolific goal scorer dispatched in style to equalise.
Kerry had a lot of the play in the final quarter thanks to good work by Odhran Foley and Shane O,Donovan in the middle of the park. Johnny Neillings was unlucky not to bag a goal as he was always dangerous in attack.
The home side also had chances in this entertaining contest. However Shay Fitzgerald was excellent in goal throughout the match.Alex Kerins also was in top form at left back in ensuring Kerry come away with a share of the spoils.
Man of the Match Alex Kerins.
Under 19 league Kerry FC 2 v Wexford FC 3.
This was another entertaining encounter in Mounthawk Park on Sunday. However it was the visitors that came away with the points when the final whistle blew.
They started well and dominated the opening quarter. Wexford took the lead in the 4th minute through Eoghan O,Lionnain .They added a second goal midway through the half when Evan Farrell drilled in a great goal.Kerry pulled a goal back before half time when Matthew Carroll set up Venis Jahiri to net from distance.
Wexford however added a third goal in the 62nd minute through Mark Imiren.Kerry reduced the deficit once again midway through the half. Nathan Gleeson set up Oisin Breen and Breen fired home .
Kerry tried hard in the closing stages to get an elusive equaliser. Oisin Breen dominated the centre of the park and tried to create chances .Rob Vasiu made fine runs from right back in an effort to break down a strong Wexford defence. Wexford nevertheless held out to claim the three points.
Man of the Match Adam Finn.
Under 15 League Wexford FC 7 v Kerry FC 2
This was a game to forget for this Kerry side.On the day a number of players played well below par and as a result shipped a heavy loss to the home side.Wexford took the lead in the 10th minute through Emmet Ralph. Kerry equalised three minutes later.Ethan Ballard found Rob Keane with a defence splitting pass and Keane finished with aplomb.
Kerry played well after this and had chances but could not add to their tally.Wexford also looked dangerous in attack.They regained the lead through Kyal Byrne in the 33rd minute and hit a purple patch after this.Ryan Collins,Darragh Butler and Byrne again scored to put them 5-1 ahead before the break.
Ryan Collins completed his hat trick with two further second half goals .A late Ramadan Hadi goal for Kerry could not hide a disastrous away trip to Wexford.On the day Jack Daly was solid at the back. Man of a Match Rob Keane
