Kerry ease past 10-man Cobh Ramblers in FAI Cup second round

KERRY HEADING THROUGH: Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh in action for Cobh Ramblers against Kerry in the 2024 Sports Direct FAI Cup at St Colman's Park. Pic: Larry Cummins

Cobh Ramblers 0 Kerry FC 2

Kerry FC ran out comfortable winners against Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park on Friday evening, as an early blitz from Cian Brosnan and Ryan Kelliher ensured their passage to the round of 16 in the Sports Direct FAI Cup.

Gary Hunt’s men will certainly be disappointed with their performance on the night, with the hosts failing to muster as much as a single shot on target in the second half.

They also played half an hour with 10-men, as Beineón O’Brien Whitmarsh was sent off at the 60 minute mark when he received his second yellow card.

The damage had already long been dealt at that stage, as Kerry defender Sean O’Connell picking out Kelliher with a long ball forward. The visitor’s number nine flicked it on brilliantly to Sean McGrath, who found Cian Brosnan out wide. The forward cut in and struck it near post to put the visitors in front, 1-0 after 10 minutes.

Within two minutes they had a second goal, as a poor thrown pass from Ramblers’ second choice goalkeeper Cathal O’Hanlon allowed Kevin Williams to steal possession, and he was needlessly brought down by Nolan Evers for a penalty.

Kelliher stepped up and made no mistake from the spot – sending O’Hanlon the wrong way as he slotted it home, giving the away side a two goal cushion.

Ramblers improved for the rest of the half, but that was as good as it got for Gary Hunt’s men.

Were it not for an excellent tackle from Mike McCarthy at the end of the half, they would have found themselves three goals down – as he stepped in brilliantly to prevent Nathan Glesson from going through on goal.

Kerry regained control of the game on the restart and tested O’Hanlon three times in the first eight minutes, but that third goal continued to elude them.

Eventually O’Brien Whitmarsh was dismissed for his challenge on O’Connell, a needless foul that only ever had one outcome – and it was clear even to Beineón, who had already began his march to the dressing rooms when he was shown red by referee Declan Toland.

Kerry again came close in added time, as Williams missed a golden opportunity when presented with a one-on-one chance against O’Hanlon, but it won’t matter to James McCarthy’s side as their advance was never in doubt.

COBH RAMBLERS: O’Hanlon; McCarthy (O’Brien, 74), J Equaibor, Frahill, O’Brien Whitmarsh, McKevitt (D Eguaibor 74), Larkin, O’Leary (Kervick, 85), Evers (Browne, HT), Holland, Abbott.

KERRY FC: Tuta, O’Connell, Spain (Crowe, 15 inj), Kos, McGrath, Teahan, Kelliher (Udeze 83), Gleeson (Okwute, 67), Williams, Brosnan, McCarthy.

Referee: D Toland (Athlone)