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KERRY FC embark on their second away trip of the season as the side head for the Midlands to take on Athlone Town tomorrow evening.
Kerry ended a run of three back to back home games in all competitions with a very impressive 4-1 win over Treaty United in the Munster Senior Cup to book their spot in the final of the competition in the club’s first year in the premier Munster competition.
It’s been a difficult start to the league for Kerry and back to back home defeats against Bray Wanderers (2-3) and Treaty United (0-1), McCarthy’s charges will look to back up impressive performances with points on the board starting tomorrow evening
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Athlone started the campaign with an impressive victory over Wexford FC in Lissywollen but with a 3-3 draw in Turners Cross against Cobh Ramblers and a 2-0 defeat on the road to Finn Harps in Ballybofey, the Midlander’s will be looking to find form on home turf on Matchday 4.
It was in this exact fixture on May 12th last year that Kerry FC picked up their first-ever win in League of Ireland history.
Early goals from Ryan Kelliher and Nathan Gleeson were followed up by Frantz Pierrot (Now with Drogheda Utd) and Valerii Dolia (Now a Kerry FC player). But Ryan Kelliher’s effort midway through the second half to earn the kingdom a historic victory.
Ronan Teahan returned from injury to feature for 60 minutes on Monday night in the Munster Senior Cup in what was a positive for the management team.
Jack Kavanagh is also close to a return having missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury.
Andy Spain, who had a niggle on Monday was rested and is in contention to play again on Friday evening.
Nathan Gleeson is available following a one-match suspension while the likes of academy graduate Finn Barrett and winter signing Ferdia O’Brien made impressive debuts for the club on Monday in the Cup semi-final.
Valerii Dolia won’t make his debut for Kerry at the home of his former club, but his road to recovery is well underway.
“We are looking forward to it,” said Conor McCarthy. “I think at the moment the way the group is, the atmosphere around it, we are always excited to play matches. As a management team, we are excited to see the boys play because they are playing very well. The performances are good and hopefully, the results will turn as well.”
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