Match Report: Kerry 1-4 City

A heavily rotated City side were comfortable victors over Kerry FC on Friday night in Tralee as Barry Coffey bagged his second career hat-trick, with Jack Doherty also netting a wondergoal to make it four wins from four over the Kingdom in the league this season.

City fielded a side much changed from last week’s title winning victory over UCD, with a massive ten changes to the starting eleven. Aidan Dowling made his first appearance for City between the sticks, John O’Donovan and Niall Brookwell started at centre-half, with Matthew Kiernan and Cian Bargary on the left and right side of defence respectively.

Recent City centurion Barry Coffey also returned, with Arran Healy alongside in midfield.

City’s attack had Conor Drinan and Joshua Fitzpatrick lined out on either flank, with Jack Doherty in the attacking midfielder role and Cian Murphy leading the line. Bargary was the only starter to have also started last week’s game in Belfield.

In contrast, Kerry boss Conor McCarthy named just one change to his starting eleven after his side’s draw to Treaty United previously, as Nathan Gleeson replaced Daniel Okwute on the wing.

Despite being marred by a succession of fouls in the opening twenty minutes, both sides were threatening, notably with Jack Doherty being denied a brilliant free-kick strike by Kerry goalkeeper Antonio Tuta’s one–handed save.

City were on top though, and again from a free-kick they were dangerous just before the half-hour mark.

Arran Healy dinked the free-kick over the Kerry wall, and he found the run of Barry Coffey who looped an inch-perfect header over the head of Tuta and into the net.

City’s second strike came just before half-time and it was yet another header from City’s new centurion, Barry Coffey. Jack Doherty’s delivery from a whipped corner landed perfectly to Coffey, who leapt highest over both of his markers to nod home at the back post.

Kerry came out swinging in the second half, with the Kingdom almost getting a goal back as Valerii Dolya was almost played through, but Cian Bargary did well to spot the danger and clear.

Jack Doherty added a third just the very next play though, as he struck a curling shot over Antonio Tuta from long-range to add to his impressive record against the Tralee-based club.

On the hour mark City assistant manager Jamie Hamill introduced CCFC Academy graduate Noah Sowinski to the game, for the young full-back’s professional debut for Cork City.

After sixty-two minutes Matthew Kiernan won City a penalty as he was tripped by the outstretched leg of substitute Cian Brosnan, and Barry Coffey was afforded the opportunity to complete his hat-trick. Coffey did it in style, sending the goalkeeper diving as he cheekily dinked his penalty down the middle.

The gloomy faces in green were brightened somewhat with ten minutes to go, as City failed to clear a Kerry free-kick and centre-half Ethan Kos capitalised to scrappily hoof the ball past Aidan Dowling to drag a goal back for The Kingdom, the first ever goal scored by the club against City.

Arran Healy was close to adding a fifth for Cork City, striking a low free-kick just inches wide of the Kerry post in added time.

Full-time at Mounthawk Park confirmed a stylish 4–1 victory, with hat-trick hero Barry Coffey doing well to commemorate his 100th appearance in City colours, which he reached last week over UCD.

More positive notes were the substitute debut of Noah Sowinski who impressed after he was brought on, and also the return of Cathal O’Sullivan from international duty with Ireland U-19, with the winger introduced for the final quarter-hour.

City now look ahead to their first game back at Turners Cross as champions, as they will face Finn Harps next Friday evening.

Kerry FC make the journey to the east coast next, as they face Bray Wanderers.