As full SSE Airtricity League debuts go, they don’t come much better than Ronan O’Kelly’s on Saturday against Wexford FC. A stunning cameo against St. Patrick’s Athletic in the Leinster Senior Cup last week saw the utility player earn a first Cabint
As full SSE Airtricity League debuts go, they don’t come much better than Ronan O’Kelly’s on Saturday against Wexford FC.
A stunning cameo against St. Patrick’s Athletic in the Leinster Senior Cup last week saw the utility player earn a first Cabinteely start in the First Division at Ferrycarrig Park.
A goal, a winning assist and man of the match display saw the 19-year-old deservedly take the plaudits in a much-changed line-up.
But he stressed the South Dublin’s side focus is now firmly on the 3rd/4th play-off against Longford Town next month.
“I’m very happy. It was my first start for Cabinteely in a competitive League of Ireland game. I was delighted with how the team played. The most important thing was the three points” he declared after a fantastic performance at left-wing back.
O’Kelly made a lung-bursting run to get into the box and break the dead-lock in the second period against the Slaneysiders.
“The ball was making its way up the pitch on the far right. I saw an opportunity and made a run. Keith (Dalton) slotted it into the box. The ball just fell perfectly for me” stated the Wicklow native who then set-up the winner for Yuta Sasaki.
“I was slipped in along the left wing. I just whipped the ball in first time. Yuta – fair play to him – it was a great header. He just smashed it into the net.”
Cabinteely will now entertain Longford in the first leg of the play-offs on Friday October 4 at Stradbrook.
And O’Kelly believes that the depth in the squad will help the White and Greens.
“(Director of Football) Pat Devlin introduced a few faces against Wexford that maybe deserved a chance. I think we all did all right. The main focus now is the play-offs. The mood in the camp is good. We just to focus on that.”
