No luck for U-17s against Shamrocks

SSE AIRTICITY UNDER-17 LEAGUE

Kerry 0 Shamrock Rovers 5

THIS was a David and Goliath clash at Mounthawk Park on Sunday when table toppers Shamrock Rovers took on Kerry who are rooted at the foot of the table without a win in 17 games.

While Kerry were not expecting anything from the game they battled hard against a superior side but had to succumb to the greater fire-power of a very formidable Dublin side.

The visitors took control of the game from the very outset spraying the ball around with precision at midfield and were constantly creating scoring opportunities for their attackers.

They went ahead after just four minutes when James Clarke set up Danila Bogdanov and he tucked his shot away low to the bottom corner of the net.

Kerry’s first chance came in the 13th minute with Nathan Gleeson bringing a fine save out of the Rovers goalie Shane O’Rourke.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 14th minute after penetrating attacking play from midfield Martins Olakanye made his way into the box and offloaded to Bogdanon and he found the back of the net from close range.

Kerry can thank their goalie Alex O’Connor for saving their bacon in the 18th minute with a superb treble save to deny James Clarke, Danila Bogdanov and Thomas Oluwya.

Then David Oba forced a corner kick for Kerry which was despatched into the box by Sebastian Nikic and just as he was about to pull the trigger John Hayes was denied by a superb block by Andrew Spain.

Shamrock Rovers extended their lead in the 32nd minute with Cian Kelly turning in a James Clarke corner kick.

Kerry made three changes at half time with Boki Nikic replacing Nathan Gleeson, Jordan Barry coming on for David Oba while Jr Tshikato replaced Owen Benson.

Now the visitors took the foot off the pedal and Kerry began to create a few scoring chances.

They went close to pulling one back in the 56th minute but Jr Tshikato was denied by a good save by the Shamrock Rovers keeper.

Their best chance of the game came two minutes later when John Hayes used his strength to win the ball and inside the box he spotted the run of James Rusk but he shot wide from 6 yards with the goals at his mercy.

Immediately afterwards Rovers forced a corner kick, which was delivered into the goalmouth by sub Conor Behan and Bogdanov stole a march on defenders and found the back of the net from six yards to complete his hat trick.

More misery arrived shortly afterwards for Kerry when Rovers again hit on the counter attack and two subs Shane Nealon and Emmanual Odeniyi combined with the latter scoring the 5th goal.

Then Kerry became victims of a harsh penalty decision when James Rush was deemed to have fouled an attacker but Behan made a right meal of the spot kick blazing it high and over the top.

Kerry have just two games remaining in their league programme away to Galway on September 16 and home to Cobh Ramblers on September 30. KERRY: Alex O’Connor, Dylan Quirke, James Rusk, Liam Collins, David Rogers (John Carmody, 58 min), Junior Anhomah, John Hayes, Nathan Gleeson, Owen Benson (Jr Tshikato, 46 min), Sebastian Vasiu, David Oba (Jordan Barry, 46 min).

SHAMROCK Rovers: Shane O’Rourke, Martins Olakanye, Alex Dunne, Andrew Spain, Cian Kelly, James Furlong, Toby Owens, Jordan Tallon, Thomas Oluwya, James Clarke (Conor Behan, 70 min), Danila Bogdanov (Emmanual Odeniyi, 75 min).