The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry U-17s fail to repeat Cup success over Limerick
SSE AIRTRICITY UNDER-17 LEAGUE Kerry 1 Limerick 3
THIS was a game Kerry were hoping to win as they had defeated the Shannonsiders in the Mark Farren Cup a few weeks ago. However, the concession of two early goals in a two-minute period was a hurdle Kerry could never recover from and and it was an uphill battle all the way after that.
Kerry began this game on the front foot creating a number of early scoring opportunities. John Hayes had two good chances the first he headed straight at the Limerick goalie while the second he headed over the top from 6 yards with the goals at his mercy.
Limerick went ahead in the 12th minute when a Tony Mambouana free kick found Cathal Downs. His effort on goal was blocked but when the ball broke loose in the goalmouth Michael Conlon pounced to blast the ball to the net from close range.
Two minutes later Kerry were picking the ball out of the net again when Filip Mostowy was taken down in the box and referee Adrian O’Shea immediately pointed to the spot. Michael Conlon gave the Kerry keeper no chance with the spot kick. Conlon was in for his hat trick a few moments later but he was denied by a great block by Kerry keeper Alex O’Connor.
After this Kerry began to enjoy a good spell of possession with Owen Benson causing a lot of trouble down the right hand side of midfield.
The Limerick defence looked vulnerable in the air and while Kerry put a good few attacks together that final pass was letting them down.
Then just before half time they got the reward their endeavour merited with an excellently crafted goal. A foul on Owen Benson resulted in a free kick which he curled into the goalmouth. A defensive clearance was charged down and when the ball hopped inside the six-yard box David Rogers stole in to head the ball to the net from five yards.
Kerry had a great chance to equalise right on the stroke of half time when Owen Benson and Junior Anhomah linked up to create space for Jordan Barry and he crossed the ball to the inrushing David Oba but he was unable to make contact with the ball from five yards with the gaping goals in front of him.
Still they had plenty of reason for optimism as they headed for the dressing rooms at the interval.
Kerry made a change for the start of the second half with John Carmody replacing Junior Anhomah.
Limerick slowed down the pace of the game in the second half and they defended their slender advantage.
Kerry can thank their goalie Alex O’Connor for keeping them in the game on the hour mark when he made a fantastic double save to push away a Cathal Downes shot and he dived at his feet to claim the rebound.
Then Kerry hit on the break with Owen Benson laying off the ball to Jordan Barry who drilled the ball across the goals but there was noone there to take advantage of it. The same duo created another chance three minutes later but again no Kerry player was in position to put the ball away.
Kerry rode their luck as the half progressed with Dylan Quirke and James Rusk making a couple of great blocks to deny Limerick goals. As Kerry pressed for an equaliser they were caught on the break in the 80th minute with Sean McGrath setting up Jake Dillon and he side footed the ball to the net from 12 yards.
While Kerry battled gamely they were sorely lacking in penetration power up front and Limerick ran out comfortable winners at the end.
Kerry’s next game is on August 12 away to Cork City.
KERRY: Alex O’Connor, Dylan Quirke, James Rusk, Liam Collins, David Rogers, Junior Anhomah (John Carmody, 46 min), Owen Benson, John Hayes, Sebastian Vasiu (Jr Tshikato, 84 min), Jordan Barry (Nathan Gleeson, 84 min), David Oba (Boki Nikic, 57 min).
LIMERICK: Cillian Scully, Cathal Downes, Scott Kirwan, Jake Dillon, Tony Mambourana, Jack Joyce (Brian Ahern, 57 min), Filip Mostowy (Rory O’Connell, 86 min), Sean McGrath, Ronan Geary, Ben Coleman (Dylan Cody, 71 min), Michael Conlon (Dean McNamara, 84 min).
REFEREE: Adrian O’Shea