U-17s go down in the West to Salthill Devons

SSE AIRTRICITY UNDER-17 LEAGUE

KERRY’S final away game in the U-17 Airtricity League resulted in a disappointing 3-0 loss away to Salthill Devon.

The home side played with a very strong wind in the first half and almost went ahead from a ninth minute corner when was headed over by Adam Gilbert.

But Gilbert made no mistake in the 13th minute when a shot from 25 yards flew into the top corner of Robert Osborne’s net, assisted by the wind.

In fairness to the Kerry side they dominated the rest of the half without really troubling the Salthill Devon keeper.

Eoin Clifford and Karl O’Sullivan were doing their best to find Kerry’s lone front man Dillon Robinson and they created a few half chances. They also forced a number of corners but the home defence stood firm.

Kerry’s best chance of the half came in the 40thminute when Martin Coughlan’s shot looked goal bound but Marc Greaney made a great diving save.

He made another excellent save straight after half time, when Robinson was in one on one, and now Kerry’s confidence was waning.

They conceded a second goal in the 59th minute when an Adam Gilbert shot was parried by Osborne. Kerry failed to clear the ball and Gilbert set up sub Cian Dunne for an easy tap in.

The third goal came in the 73rd minute when Kerry were denied a definite free kick and while they stopped Salthill Devon kept playing and Gilbert added his second to wrap up the game and the three points.

Kerry to their credit never dropped their heads and O’Sullivan, Coughlan and Robinson all went close but from distance as the home side packed their defence.

Kerry face Limerick on October 2 in their last home game before they know who they will face in the Shield.