O’Leary shares the spoils as Kerry secure second league point

Kelliher initially gave Kerry FC the lead with 71 minutes elapsed but just four minutes later O’Leary struck a dagger to the heart of the hosts as he fired to the bottom right corner.

Sean McGrath of Kerry FC.

SSE Airtricity Mens First Division: Kerry FC 1 Cobh Ramblers 1 

Kerry's search for the elusive first home win of the season goes on after James O’Leary struck late for Cobh Ramblers to deny them three points.

Kelliher initially gave Kerry FC the lead with 71 minutes on the clock but just four minutes later O’Leary struck a dagger to the heart of the hosts as he fired into the bottom right corner of the net.

Cobh were much more dominant in the opening exchanges of the contest. After just seven minutes Jack Larkin forced Antonio Tuta into a save when the Kerry defence failed to deal with a corner.

The visitors had chances galore and could easily have taken the lead after ten minutes when David Bosnjak latched onto a loose ball but failed to set himself. Tuta was fast out to clear the danger.

Composure was very much lacking for the Kingdom outfit. It took 22 minutes to register a shot, a comfortable Darragh burke save from a Kennedy Amechi effort outside the area.

Cobh dominated the latter stages of the half with Kerry's Tuta making seven saves in the opening period. Jack Larkin and James O’Leary both caused havoc for a nervous looking Kerry backline. O’Leary forced Tuta into a stunning acrobatic save to keep the game deadlocked on the half hour mark.

Kerry were relieved to be tied 0-0 going in at the interval.

Five minutes into the second half Cobh missed a gilt-edged chance. Kevin Williams with a miss hit pass at the back, Bosnjak intercepting and passing it to Jack Larkin who, with the goal at his mercy, struck wide from close range.

Cobh were again pressing and Kerry again looked shaky but out of nowhere the Kingdom struck. McGrath pivotal in the move. Using his strength he fended off a Cobh defender, a clever roulette spin gave him space in the area to run for the byline and the ball across was tucked away from close range by Kelliher.

Celebrations were short lived though as O’Leary took possession in the area and with a beautiful bit of movement opened his body and struck low to the bottom right corner past the outstretched frame of Tuta.

In Belfield, UCD defeated Athlone Town 3-0 through first half goals from Ciaran Behan and Mikey Raggett. Jake Doyle added the third just before the final whistle. Finn Harps made the long trip to Wexford and came away with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Patrick Ferry and David Cawley. Cian O'Malley had give the home side a first half lead.

KERRY FC: A Tuta; K Williams, S Aladesanusi (E Kos 63), A Spain, S O’Connell; D McCarthy, S Healy (R Teahan HT), S McGrath; D Okwute, R Kelliher, K Amechi (V Edeze 68).

COBH RAMBLERS: D Burke; N Evers, D Larkin, B Frahil (J Eguaibor 64), C Browne; J Abbott, J O’Leary; D Bosnjak (D McKay 87), D Holland, J Larkin (L Kervick 72); M McKevitt (B O’Brien Whitmarsh 65).

Referee: D Murphy (Cork)