Kerry FC on top in Tralee as ten-man Longford Town suffer another defeat

Kerry FC . . . 2     Longford Town . . . 0 

Longford Town will go into the mid-season break looking to rediscover the encouraging form that yielded a three-match unbeaten run prior to the humiliating 5-1 setback against Treaty United at the Markets Field last weekend.

The midlanders were back on the long road down south for the Airtricity League clash against fellow strugglers Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park and it was much the same story in Tralee on Friday night.

From the moment the home side broke the deadlock in the 44th with Luke Palmer on target, the pressure was firmly on the visitors and whatever hope they had of getting back into contention were dashed when Kerry scored a killer second goal in the 53rd minute.

Sean McGrath stepped up to convert a penalty, awarded for a foul in the box by Eric Yoro who was punished with a red card, and that was the end for Longford who were badly hit by the handicap of having to play the remainder of the match with ten men.     

Kerry went into the game as favourites, and after a relatively ropey opening half an hour, played comfortably as the front-runners, and certainly never looked like letting their lead slip.

Despite Kerry not firing all together than impressively in that first half, they were still the more impressive side, albeit that they were struggling to break down a dogged Longford defence.

Kerry FC old boy Andy Spain was doing well on Daniel Okwute while Eric Yoro did likewise on Luke Palmer. Still one got the sense of the two Kerry FC live-wires waiting to break free and really open up this contest.

Aside from winning a trio of corner-kicks, there wasn’t that much end product from Kerry. For all that Longford probably had the best chance of the opening quarter with Daragh Murtagh feeding Joshua Giurgi who looked set to pull the trigger, but for a brilliant last gasp tackle by Chris McQueen.

The introduction of Sean O’Connell saw a notable change from the home side. From a corner on 33 minutes he found the upright with Seán McGrath volleying the ball over the crossbar. 

On 42 minutes Palmer forced a save from Harry Halwax, warning signs flashing amber now for the visitors to Mounthawk Park. The breakthrough arrived two minutes later, Oran Crowe lofting a well-struck free-kick  into the box with Kevin Williams rising highest to head the ball into Palmer’s path.

The youngster’s finish off his right was perfect. No hesitation, powerfully struck, with no chance for Longford keeper Harry Halwax. A striker’s finish and with it a well-deserved half-time lead for the home side.

Kerry started the second half really positively again. Palmer on 48 minutes, feeding Okwute for a snap-shot that found the upright having caught Halwax and the Longford defence flat-footed.

Kerry snapped another shot three minutes later, forcing a save from Halwax, before earning a penalty, which led to the Kingdom’s second goal.

Palmer heading it on, Okwute chasing it, before being tugged to the deck by Eric Yoro, who earned a red card for his troubles as well as conceding a penalty kick, which was confidently dispatched by McGrath. 

Confidence was surging through the Kingdom now with Longford down to ten men. A chance for Longford two minutes later, however, served to remind the home side how easily these things can slip with Giurgi feeding Murtagh who forced a save from Kerry keeper Hiemer.

Nevertheless, the home side remained firmly in control and firmly in the box-seat, even if the tempo has dipped as Longford sat back and Kerry looked relatively happy with their lot, 

Kerry have taken ten points from a possible fifteen in their last five games. A really nice-way to sign off before the mid-season break under the guidance of new manager Colin Healy.  

Longford Town are back in league action on Saturday June 14 when they meet second placed Cobh Ramblers at Bishopsgate. 

KERRY FC: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Kevin Williams, Niall Brookwell, Chris McQueen, Samuel Aladesanusi, Seán McCarthy, Carl Mujaguzi, Oran Crowe, Ronan Teahan, Luke Palmer, Daniel Okwute.

Subs: Seán O’Connell for C Mujaguzi (31), Joe Adams for R Teahan (56), Kennedy Amechi for L Palmer (65). 

LONGFORD TOWN: Harry Halwax, Pharrell Manuel, Osaze Irhue, Andrew Spain, Dean O’Shea, Joshua Giugi, Eric Yoro, Emre Topcu, Luke Wade-Slater, Aaron Doran, Daragh Murtagh.

Subs: Francis Campbell for J Giurgi (76), Mohammed Bodiaf for E Topcu (76), Emmaneul James for D Murtagh (76), Stefan Ugbesia for A Doran (87), Ryan Boyle for L Wade-Slater. 

 REFEREE: Daryl Carolan (Limerick).