Historic first home win for Kerry FC against Longford

SSE Airtricity Mens First Division 1 

Kerry FC 3 (McGrath 31', Kelliher 45', Amechi 82')

Longford Town 0

Kerry FC created their own bit of history with their first home league win at the 23rd attempt when they defeated Longford Town at a windswept Mounthawk Park on Friday evening.

A slow burner for the opening half an hour, it sparked into life in the final quarter of the first half with Kerry scoring twice. It should have been 3-0 on the stroke of half time when Kennedy Amechi missed the proverbial sitter from three yards with Longford Town keeper Jack Brady beaten.

It was also a red letter night for midfielder Sean McGrath who celebrated his 50th competitive game for the club with a goal and an assist.

Kerry took the lead in the 31st minute when Daniel Okwute intercepted a wayward Longford pass in midfield and after a weaving run, he found Ryan Kelliher raiding down the right and when he crossed Steven Healy placed Sean McGrath who had time to swivel and drill the ball low past Brady into the far corner.

Longford had some purchase down the left side with Kyle O’Connor sending in some dangerous crosses and one was met by a header from a flying Bastien Hery that shaved the Kerry FC post.

But Kerry were in seventh heaven in the 45th minute when Sean McGrath sent Kelliher through and showing some deft touch he slipped the defender before shooting powerfully beyond Brady’s reach.

Longford were all at sea at the back and in added time Okwute crossed and with the keeper beaten, the inrushing Kennedy Amechi somehow turned the ball behind from no more than a couple of yards.

Amechi also went close in the opening minute of the second half when he wriggled free of his marker and unleashed a shot that was saved by Brady.

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