SSE Airtricity Mens First Division: Kerry FC 1 Waterford FC 1.
Ronan Coughlan came off the bench to salvage a point for second placed Waterford FC and that strike meant that Kerry FC only managed a share of the spoils in this Munster Derby and unfortunately Kerry FC will finish the season without a home league win.
Lee Axworthy deserved the plaudits for stunning goalkeeping performance to ensure Kerry left with a point and they hardly deserved any more from this totally forgettable encounter.
Kerry did have the game’s opening chance when Daniek Okwute raced onto a through ball when defenders Paul Martin and Killina Cantwell were both indecisive for Waterford FC. Okwute raced into space before rounding Martin, his effort cleared off the line by Cantwell.
Waterford FC did have most of the ball as the game wore on but created precious few chances. Kerry had a solid backline but Waterford almost took the lead when Anthony Adenopo found space in the area to force Lee Axworthy into a save. This was the only real action of a slow-burner first half.
Into the second half and Waterford were pressing hard to try to force the opener, however the hosts would net first after 55 minutes. Leo Gaxha pressed a clearance kick by Martin and blocked the effort, the ball looping into the air towards the line before Gaxha headed into an empty net.
Waterford FC went to the bench as leading scorer Ronan Coughlan made his way onto the field; Coughlan had a chance to level matters in the 65th minute, Axworthy made himself big to make the crucial save.
A minute later however Waterford were level, a dubious free was chipped in by Shane Griffin and Coughlan supplied the finish low to the far corner with a lobbed finish over Axworthy. Conor
Read on irishexaminer.com