Kerry end Carlisle Grounds hoodoo and boost play-off hopes
Cian Murphy of Kerry FC celebrates. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Kerry finally ended their Carlisle Grounds hoodoo to boost their growing First Division play-off hopes.
Since joining the League of Ireland back in 2023, the side from the Kingdom had visited Wicklow seven times and lost on every occasion.
But that run ended on Friday evening against second-placed Bray who played for over an hour with 10 men.
The Seasiders went into the tie unbeaten in 12 home league matches this season.
But it proved 13th time unlucky as goals by Vincent Borden, Sean McGrath, Jonas Häkkinen and Cian Murphy saw the away club leave with all three points.
The result means UCD have joined Bray in second position after their draw with Athlone, 17 points behind runaway leaders Cork.
Kerry have now climbed to sixth, just two points off Cobh in the last play-off slot.
The Seagulls were dealt a blow in the 26th minute following Alain Kizenga’s dismissal.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international – linked recently to moves to Blackburn Rovers and Millwall – was booked on 18 for a foul on Daniel Okwute.
The defender then brought down the winger eight minutes later which brought the red card from referee Daryl Carolan.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock moments later when Niall Brookwell headed just wide off Sean O’Connell’s resulting free-kick.
Away skipper McGrath then spurned a great chance on 38 when he blazed over close in after the ball rebounded to him in the box.
Yet, Wanderers almost found a 40th-minute breakthrough.
Drafted back to right full following the red card, Ifunanyachi Achara’s mazy run and 20-yard shot was deflected onto the crossbar.
Kerry made the extra man count in the 42nd minute. Okwute threaded a pass infield off the right.
Space opened up for Borden 20 yards out to curl a placed right footed to the top-right-hand corner of the net.
With the second score always going to be crucial, it went Colin Healy’s men way in the 57th minute.
From a Bray corner, the ball was cleared. Okwute broke straight up the middle. But was taken down by the challenging Richard Ferizaj on the left of the penalty area.
Referee Carolan played a great advantage as the ball ran to McGrath. He jinked back inside to brilliantly curl into the far top right corner of the net.
Ferizaj was subsequently yellow-carded.
Kerry rubber-stamped victory in the 77th minute.
From Sean O’Connell’s corner, Rian Hogan failed to gather. And Häkkinen bundled in over the line.
The gloss was put on the victory just a minute later.
From a superb solo run by Cian Murphy along the right channel, he fired past Hogan with a cracking drive.
Meanwhile, Longford were one-nil winners at Treaty United, while UCD were only able to garner a point in Athlone.
Hogan; Kizenga, Duggan, Osagie, O’Shea; Sesay (Knight 79); Achara, Ferizaj, McCormack (Tucker 65), Sammy (Jamie Ryan 57); Mustali (Oluwabiyi 65).
Matt Connor; Aladesanusi, Häkkinen, Lee, O’Connell; Brookwell, Borden (Luchinger 84); Bargary (Brosnan 84), McGrath (Perez 73), Okwute (Keane 58); Murphy (Colin Healy 84).
Daryl Carolan (Louth).
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