Cruel defeat for Kerry FC

scored from a set piece. A quick corner should have been dealt with, getting it away from the centre of the box, but up popped Shane Elworthy to finish. It did not make for a happy interval period.

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

It's hard to win when you don’t win, or more precisely when you have yet to win one game. That is the situation for Kerry FC. Draws and heroic performances against the odds and a few terrible drubbings has been their lot so far in their first season in the League of Ireland.

There was hope that the first win would materialise at home in Mounthawk on Friday last but it wasn't to be, losing 3-2 to Longford Town.

Kerry manager Billy Dennehy had no illusions about the task for Kerry FC to do well in their first season, but he must have hoped for a bright new summer. It was a beautiful summer May evening at Mounthawk Park, sitting in-between the houses in the St Brendan’s Park area, just above the Top of the Rock.

The Astroturf playing surface, the small but well-presented stand, and the terracing caught one’s eye 30 minutes before kick-off. Closer to kick- off a steady flow of supporters flowed in, and the most popular vantage point was behind the nearby town goal. That was one of the real attractions for spectators. One could almost reach out to retrieve the ball for Callan Scully.

Longford Town proved tough opposition for Kerry and showed form after recently coming off a 1-0 win over the hitherto unbeaten Galway Utd.

Trpimir Vrljicak very nearly got Kerry off to the perfect start. The ever-energetic Seán O’Connell crossed from the right flank and Vrljicak's header looked to have deceived the Longford defence only to be taken off the line.

The visitors took control and were far more direct in their game plan and it reaped early dividends when a long ball over the Kerry left full was exploited in clinical fashion. The first-time low cross from Giurgi’s pass was met by Stephen Meaney who tucked it neatly to the right of the Kerry keeper. One down at home; the fans were disappointed. But worse was to come when Kerry went two-nil down at a strategic time just before half-time. The Achilles heel of this side was exposed when Longford

Fightback

Dennehy changed tack for the second half and significantly brought attacking nous into play in the form of Leo Gaxha and Ryan Kelliher. Now we saw Kerry at their best, attacking and taking the game to Longford. They improved no end and, even though they were two goals in arrears, the crowd responded.

Gaxha showed what Kerry need to do by taking the game to the opposition, any opposition. A shot troubled Brady, the Longford keeper, as Giurgi cleared if off the line.

In the 16th minute of the half, Kerry were rewarded for their play. 17-year-old Togor Silong made his debut count with a welltimed tackle, and he got the ball to Gleeson in the box who shot low. Brady saved well but could only parry and McGrath slotted his first goal.

It was all Kerry now, but Longford stole a march eight minutes later. A direct high ball into the Kerry goalmouth was cleared by Matt Keane, or so it appeared, however the header inadvertently went askew and Callan Scully had to retrieve the ball from the net for the third time. It was a sickener, but Kerry responded magnificently by chasing down that two-goal deficit.

Gaxha was the instigator as Longford tried to curb him, but he did so well to get the ball across to Ryan Kelliher and the Lissivigeen and Killarney Celtic man headed home.

He certainly has the scoring touch. His father, Tomás Seve Kelliher, the brilliant golfer up to international quality, was close by to see him score

Now Kerry had 20 minutes to do it, just one goal down with the young supporters chanting “Leo! Leo!”.

They should have equalised but sadly they suffered yet another defeat. Dennehy has to come up with a strategy to avoid conceding goals from set pieces. Only then will Kerry FC earn their first three points.

Tonight, Kerry FC are away to Athlone Town.

KERRY FC: Callan Scully, Rob Vasiu, Samuel Aladesanusi, Kevin Williams (c), Andy Quaid, Sean O’Connell, Cian Barrett, Togor Silong, Trpimir Vrljicak, Ryan Kelliher, Seán McGrath. SUBS: Aaron O’Sullivan, Leo Gaxha, Matt Keane, Alex Ainscough, Ronan Teahan, Cianan Cooney, Nathan Gleeson, Kennedy Amechi, Shane Guthrie.