Ivan Hurley previews Monday evening’s game as Kerry FC welcomes Cork City to Mounthawk Park…
Ivan Hurley previews Monday evening’s game as Kerry FC welcomes Cork City to Mounthawk Park…Monday nights in the Kingdom don’t get much bigger than this, as Kerry FC welcome league leaders Cork City to Mounthawk Park for the first clash between the sides on Kingdom ground since 2024 (kickoff 5pm).
It’s a Munster Derby with a little twist, with the Kerry/Cork rivalry showing no matter what the sporting occasion. A couple of days out from the Munster Football Final meeting between the sides in Killarney, this is sure to whet the appetite for what should be a fantastic sporting week between the two counties.
Despite losing to Cork 4-2 in the last meeting between the sides in Turners Cross a few short weeks ago, Kerry will take some big belief that they can get something out of this game from an outstanding first 45 minutes, which saw the Kingdom lead 0-2 at the break in Cork.
Continued below…
Kerry come into this one off the back of a hard-earned point away to third-placed Athlone Town on Friday night. Matt Connor made his return to action and had a man-of-the-match performance in between the sticks for Colin Healy’s men as the Kingdom secured their second clean sheet of the season.
Cork, on the other hand, has the first blip on their copybook after suffering their first defeat of the season. Cobh Ramblers the first team to inflict a defeat on City in the Cork derby. They remain top, but the gap to UCD is now 3 points in 2nd.
Cork hold all the bragging rights in the fixture, with 5 wins in the 5 league meetings between Munster’s newest side and Cork City. But Kerry will take some belief from going 0-2 up in the first meeting between the sides just a couple of weeks ago on Easter Monday.
It’s as you were for Colin Healy on the injury front. Harry Halwax, Daniel Okwute & Kieran Cooney all remain absent from the side for this one.
Colin Healy said; “The supporters have been absolutely fantastic for us, but we are a small bit frustrated that we can’t give them the reward that they are looking for. Hopefully, that will change; it’s frustrating for all of us in the group. Listen, Cork is coming down, they will bring a big support, but our players will be up for it. There will be a great Kerry support to cheer them on as well.”
