Cork City’s First Division season ends in stalemate as Kerry book playoff place
1Darragh Crowley of Cork City in action against Vincent Borden of Kerry during the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division match between Kerry and Cork City at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, Kerry. Picture: Eakin Howard/Sportsfile
A contest which never caught fire and ended in a draw brought a nondescript ending to Cork City’s First Division campaign, as the Leesiders were held away to Kerry.
For the hosts, the result at Mounthawk Park wasn’t needed in the end but they were more than happy to pick up the draw and secure a place in the play-offs, while Cobh Ramblers saw their promotion push crash and burn away to Treaty United.
Nonetheless, Kerry were worthy of the draw, defending well in large parts against a rotated Cork City side, as Barry Robson gave starts to Ike Manjor-Georgewill and Brody Lee.
Ruairí Keating put the Leesiders ahead after 23 minutes but six minutes later Kerry were level, as Vincent Borden netted the equaliser six minutes later. While it looked as though the game could kick off from there, such an outcome did not materialise.
From there it was lethargic from both sides, the visitors struggling to create opportunities and Kerry content to protect the point that would ensure a play-off spot.
Naturally, the start was cagey, but Kerry were the ones most eager and assertive, understandably given the circumstances surrounding this game.
Seán McGrath – lively throughout for Kerry – found Cian Bargary all on his own at the far post with a brilliantly threaded pass in the seventh minute, but Conor Brann closed the space and made a good save.
A few minutes later, Cian Brosnan floated a cross in at the back post and found Bargary, who headed it back across goal, but there were no Kerry men there to make the most of the opportunity.
Cian Murphy forced another save from Brann on 19 minutes but thereafter Kerry’s control faded as the visitors settled. City’s first real opportunity arrived after 21 minutes, as Keating had an effort from a free-kick blocked, before Niall O’Keeffe recovered the rebound and shot again. O’Keeffe’s effort was blocked too, and City’s claims of hand ball were waved away.
They would grab a goal two minutes later though, as Conor Drinan broke free from Bargary and squared it for Keating. In one sweeping motion, he took a touch, turned and buried it.
Kerry hit back just before the half-hour point, as Seán O’Connell played Vincent Borden through and he converted from an impressively tight angle.
They almost grabbed a second when Cian Murphy launched the ball in and while Brann claimed it, Brosnan’s sliding challenge pried it loose, and the Kerry forward’s subsequent shot hit the post.
In the second half, chances were even scarcer. Kerry pounced on the counter a handful of times only for the opportunity to fizzle out each time, though they came close on the hour mark when McGrath played a one-two with Bargary, but Fiacre Kelleher popped up with a crucial intervention.
Cian Murphy carved open an opportunity and set up Brosnan on the edge of the box, but Brosnan skied his effort in the 67th minute.
City had an excellent chance late on to win it, as sub Josh Fitzpatrick fired in a dangerous cross which Matthew Murray headed forward to Seani Maguire. The City striker gave it a flick to direct the ball towards goal but Matthew Connor made a terrific save.
Connor; Aladesanusi, Brookwell, Hakkinen, O’Connell; Lee, Borden; Brosnan (Keane 71), McGrath, Bargary; Murphy.
Brann; Manjor-Georgewill (Maguire 58), Feely, Kelleher, Drinan; O’Keeffe, Crowley; Lee (Fitzpatrick 58), Murphy, Mpongo (Murray 65); Keating.
D Toland
App?
