Kelliher and Britton goals earns Kerry comeback win over Wexford

Kerry picked up their third win of the season to remain second from bottom of the First Division 

Ryan Kelliher scored a 13th minute equaliser for Kerry against Wexford. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division: Kerry FC 2 Wexford 1

Matthew Britton’s goal fifteen minutes from time secured Kerry FC their second home win on the bounce as they beat Wexford in Tralee on Friday evening.

Jake Doyle opened the scoring for the visitors after ten minutes for a Wexford side who came out of the blocks flying, but after going behind, Colin Healy’s men took full control of the game.

Ryan Kelliher equalised just two minutes later, before his shot fifteen minutes from time was turned home by Britton.

Before the game, the new Mounthawk Park astro was officially opened by Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan and FAI President Paul Cooke, and it became an evening to celebrate as Healy’s side picked up back-to-back home wins for the first time since August.

Jake Doyle’s edge-of-the-box strike finding the top right corner ten minutes into the tie dampened the spirits of the Mounthawk Park faithful, which was deserved off the back of a threatening start by Wexford.

But after going behind, Kerry FC well and truly dominated the tie. Ryan Kelliher netted the equaliser just two minutes later after McGrath crossed to the striker, who held off three defenders before finding the top right corner on the spin.

Kerry came within inches of the go-ahead goal shortly after, when McGrath was once again the provider from a cross, this time from the left wing and found the head of Hakkinen, who was only denied by the underside of the crossbar.

The Kingdom had several decent chances to take the lead in the second half through Kelliher, McGrath, and Hakkinen once more, but the away side did rattle the woodwork through Mikie Rowe.

After surviving the scare, Kerry pushed on and secured the points fifteen minutes from time when Kelliher picked up a rebound off of his own shot and unleashed a second effort towards the bottom left corner, to which Britton got his toe to, to send Mounthawk Park wild.

KERRY FC: Connor; Aladesanusi, Hakkinen, Cantwell, O’Connell; Lee, Brookwell, McGrath (Borden 85); Perez (Palmer 89), Brosnan (Britton 67), Kelliher.

WEXFORD FC: Moody; Murphy, Osam, Verdon, McCourt, Rowe (Ritchie 69), Abada, Harnett (Hodgins 65), Wynne, Hand, Doyle.

Referee: John Sconnie Walsh