Kerry have gone 4th in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division with one round of games remaining.
A 2-0 win at Cobh moves the Kingdom a significant step towards qualifying for the play-offs.
Last night also saw Athlone go down 2-1 at home to Treaty while Longford drew 1 all at UCD.
Kerry are on 51 points, with Longford and Cobh on 49, and Athlone on 48.
The Kingdom host champions Cork next Friday, Cobh go to Treaty & Longford and Athlone clash.
Report by David Moriarty
Kerry FC were back on the road for the second time in two weeks for their final away fixture of the regular season as they headed to the south coast of Cork to take on Cobh Ramblers in St Colman’s Park.
This was a huge fixture in the race for the promotion spots, more so as both sides are in the hunt for the illustrious positions come the end of the season. Kerry FC came into the game outside the playoff places behind Longford Town by way of goals scored, and Cobh Ramblers sat in fourth position, just a point ahead of the Kingdom.
The last time the two sides faced was on the August Bank Holiday Monday when special guest Roy Keane saw his beloved Cobh Ramblers succumb to a 3-0 defeat thanks to goals from Cian Murphy and Sean McGrath.
The last Kingdom visit to St Colman’s Park was when arguably the Kingdom’s season turned around. Kerry FC lost 2-0 on the evening and headed into the summer break with plenty to ponder. Since then, Kerry FC have picked up thirty-two out of a possible forty-eight points, which has put them in this promising position so late in the season.
There was so much on the line on Friday night and a huge travelling support, with over three hundred of the Mounthawk Park faithful making themselves known on a cold night in Cobh.
FIRST HALF
The opening exchanges saw Kerry FC settle into the contest well, enjoying plenty of possession and looking to impose themselves on a crucial away fixture. A dangerous corner in the fourth minute tested the hosts, but Cobh managed to clear their lines. The Kingdom continued to see plenty of the ball during the opening twelve minutes, showing no signs of being overawed by the occasion.
The breakthrough arrived in the twentieth minute, and it was Cian Bargary who sent the travelling supporters into celebration. A long throw from Samuel Aladesanusi was initially headed clear, but the ball fell invitingly to Bargary outside the penalty area. He struck a superb half-volley, which went in off Timothy Martin’s right-hand post to give Kerry FC a deserved 1-0 lead.
The Kingdom continued to press and doubled their advantage in the thirty-third minute. A ball into the Cobh penalty area was not properly dealt with by the home defence, and it fell to Cian Brosnan. The midfielder connected brilliantly with a half-volley, beating Martin at his near post to make it 2-0 and put Kerry FC firmly in control.
Cobh Ramblers struggled to find a response to Kerry’s attacking threat, with the visitors looking the more dangerous side throughout the half. Cobh captain Cian Coleman was shown a yellow card in the forty-first minute as the hosts attempted to disrupt the Kingdom’s rhythm.
Kerry FC saw out the remaining minutes comfortably, with one minute of added time bringing an excellent first-half display to a close. Goals from Cian Bargary and Cian Brosnan gave the visitors a commanding two-goal cushion at the break.
SECOND HALF
Cobh Ramblers emerged after the interval knowing they needed a response, and they threatened early on. Shane Griffin sent a free-kick narrowly wide in the forty-seventh minute, before Sean McGrath produced a low effort from outside the area that also drifted just wide. Almost immediately, Rhys Gourdie curled an attempt over and wide as the hosts looked to reduce the deficit.
Kerry FC remained disciplined under pressure, working hard to protect their advantage and limit Cobh’s opportunities. In the fifty-eighth minute, Oran Crowe sent an effort over the crossbar following a corner, but the home side were unable to turn their spells of pressure into a goal.
Colin Healy’s side continued to battle throughout the second half, showing the determination required in such a significant fixture. With eighteen minutes remaining, Ryan Perez replaced Cian Brosnan as Kerry FC looked to maintain their energy and control in the closing stages.
Ewan Lee nearly added a third in the eightieth minute, sending a low effort narrowly wide of the right-hand post. It was another promising opportunity for the Kingdom, who continued to threaten on the break while remaining resolute defensively.
Arran Healy replaced captain Sean McGrath in the eighty-fifth minute, before Robert Keane came on for Cian Bargary in the closing stages. Three minutes of added time were announced, but Kerry FC held firm to secure a valuable clean sheet and a massive three points on the road.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for the Kingdom, with Cian Bargary and Cian Brosnan’s first-half goals proving decisive. A huge roar was heard across all four corners of St. Colman’s Park as the travelling support made all the noise for the duration of the game.
It was a superb performance from Kerry FC at a crucial stage of the season, keeping their play-off ambitions alive and taking the race down to the final game. The Kingdom will now return to Mounthawk Park for a decisive final-day fixture, knowing that another big performance could make all the difference.
The play-off race goes right down to the wire. Be there to support the Kingdom! Kerry know a win or draw will guarantee the club playoff football for the first time in their short 4-year history.
Cobh Ramblers Team: Timothy Martin; Brian Linehan, Cian Coleman (C), Brendan Frahill, Rhys Gourdie, Dylan McGlade, Jordan Adeyemi, Oran Crowe, Shane Griffin, Luka Le Bervet, Ronan Mansfield.
Subs Used: Callum Honohan, Anthony Adenopo, Dara McCormick, Jonas Stjernberg.
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor; Sean O’Connell, Sean McGrath (C), Cian Murphy, Jonas Häkkinen, Cian Brosnan (GOAL ‘34), Samuel Aladesanusi, Vince Borden, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee, Cian Bargary (GOAL ‘22).
Subs Used: Ryan Perez, Arran Healy, Robert Keane.
Waterford shocked Bohemians and booked their place to their first FAI Cup Final in 22 years.
Two second-half goals from the Blues saw them overcome the Dublin club at Dalymount Park last night.
Noah Mawene opened the scoring just after the break before Tommy Lonergan continued his good week, with a goal just shy of the hour mark.
Today sees Galway United and Derry City battle it out in the other FAI Cup semi-final.
Kick-off out West is at 3 o’clock.
While at Tolka Park, Sligo Rovers’ relegation from the Premier Division was confirmed last night.
They were beaten 4-1 by Shels which means they will return to the First Division for the first time since 2005.
4 second-half goals sees Shelbourne up to 4th in the table.
