Kerry move up to sixth after win over bottom club Finn Harps

Kerry extended their unbeaten run at home to nine games in all competitions

Sean McGrath opened the scoring for Kerry against Finn Harps. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

SSE Airtricity First Division: Kerry FC 2 Finn Harps 1 

First-half goals from Sean McGrath and Cian Bargary helped Kerry FC secure all three points over Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division in Tralee on Friday evening.

McGrath opened the scoring after ten minutes, with Bargary doubling the home side’s lead on the half-hour mark before Guilherme Priosti cut the Harps deficit in half ten minutes before the half-time break.

But Colin Healy’s side shut up shop in the second half, limiting the Ballybofey side to very few opportunities as his team picked up a vital three points, moving their unbeaten run at home to nine games in all competitions.

Kerry were well worth the two-goal lead after half an hour, and it easily could’ve been more. Cian Bargary caused several problems from the right wing, finding teammates with crosses they failed to convert on four occasions.

The opening goal came from a Bargary set piece, though, as his left-footed corner was not dealt with before falling to the feet of Sean McGrath, who smashed it home.

Bargary then doubled the lead on the half-hour mark after Aladesanusi won back possession on the halfway line before driving forward and sliding a pass down the right channel for Bargary to come onto it and smash the ball beyond Barbosa at the near post.

Harps raised their game from that moment though, and found one back just six minutes later when Monteiro’s corner towards the back post found the unmarked Priosti, who nodded home from close range.

Healy’s side were less aggressive in the second half, which caused Harps several problems as they struggled to break Kerry down, but did have one late chance when Hutchinson latched onto a header in stoppage time but was denied by Matt Connor, to ensure Kerry march up the league table continues.

Elsewhere, Treaty United won 2-1 at home to Athlone. 

Kerry FC: M Connor; S Aladesanusi, N Brookwell, J Hakkinen, S O’Connell; E Lee, V Borden; C Bargary, S McGrath, D Okwute; C Murphy. Subs: C Brosnan for McGrath (59), L Palmer for Bargary (83), M Britton for Murphy (83).

Finn Harps: L Barbosa; J Bradley-Walsh, B Monteiro, M Hutchinson, T McNamee, G McAteer, D Coyle, G Priosti, N Lumingo, A-M Tiego, O McHugh. Subs: A McDaid for Priosti (66), B Bosakani for McNamee (77), L Doherty for Tiego (89), C Tourish for Coyle (89).

Referee: Mark Houlihan