Cork City and Kerry League created history as they took part in the first ever SSE Airtricity National Under 15 League game at Bishopstown. And if the rest of the League is the same as this game it will be an exciting one. The sides shared five goal
Cork City and Kerry League created history as they took part in the first ever SSE Airtricity National Under 15 League game at Bishopstown.
And if the rest of the League is the same as this game it will be an exciting one. The sides shared five goals with the home side taking the points in a game where Kerry probably did enough to take a point.
The visitors started the brightest and both Sean McGrath and Leo Gaxha both had shots on target before Cork’s first effort from Robin Walsh was saved by Kerry’s Gavin Doody.
It was Kerry that took the lead in the 22nd minute when Sean McGrath got onto a ball that the Cork defence only half cleared and shot home from 20 yards to score the historic first goal of the League. They probably should have doubled their lead 7 minute later when Cian Brosnan, Sean McGrath and Liam Collins combined to set up Leo Gaxha whose shot was saved by Cork keeper Darragh Burke.
Robert Walsh was proving dangerous from crosses and set pieces and his corner in the 35th minute led to Cork’s equaliser. Sean Cummins got the run on the Kerry defenders to head the ball home to leave the sides level at the break.
Kerry again started the second half the brightest but were hit by a sucker punch 5 minutes in. Kerry were in possession but the ball looks like it rebounded of the referee, although some say it was a touch by Walsh. Either way the ball fell kindly for Chris O’Connor who made no mistake from the edge of the box to give Cork City the lead.
Credit to Kerry as they worked hard at getting back on level terms and after going close on a number of occasions the goal that levelled the game came from a cracking shot by Colin Walsh in the 70th minute.
But the old adage that a team is most vulnerable after scoring was proved through again when Cork City went ahead less than a minute later from another corner.
Again Walsh crossed and this time it was Barry McCarthy who eluded the Kerry defence to put his side 3-2 ahead.
Kerry were unable to find another equaliser and leave Cork empty handed. City will be delighted to have won their first game while Kerry will also take a lot of positives for the rest of what promises to be a very exciting addition to the League of Ireland.
Teams – this League is played with (roll on – roll off substitutes):
Cork City: Darragh Byrne, Alan Nagle, Fintan Cody, Jack Anthony, Dylan O’Halloran, Sean Cummins, Conor Hughes, Chris O’Connor, Robert Walsh, Elysis Eshaji. Subs: Keelan Crowley, Diarmuid Byrne, Ethan Giltenan, Barry McCarthy, Maththew Murphy.
Kerry: Gavin Doody, Char Chaudhry, William Shine, Eliah Riordan, Liam Collins, Soni Rramni, Cian Brosnan, Junior Ankomah, Leo Gaxha, Sean McGrath, Sean Ryan. Subs: Colin Walsh, Philip Evans, Robert Vassiu, Daniel Okwute, Dylan Doona.
