Niall Brookwell's leveller against UCD continues Kerry's unbeaten home run

Niall Brookwell’s second-half goal cancelled out Charles Akinrintayo’s early effort as Kerry and UCD shared the spoils in the First Division at Mounthawk Park on Friday evening. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kerry 1 UCD 1

Niall Brookwell’s second-half goal cancelled out Charles Akinrintayo’s early effort as Kerry and UCD shared the spoils in the First Division at Mounthawk Park on Friday evening.

Kerry were without suspended striker Cian Murphy and injured winger Daniel Okwute and could have won this but captain Seanie McGrath failed to finish two clear cut goal chances.

The result keeps Colin Healy’s side in sixth place, while the Students move a point clear of Bray into sole possession of second place, but both sides will be watching on tomorrow as Longford Town host Bray Wanders with the result having huge implications for their playoff ambitions.

Akinrintayo put the Students in the lead just fifteen minutes into the game with a well-worked effort from Smith after a poor turnover from Vincent Borden deep in his own half. Smith played a low cross to the back post where the winger was on hand to tap into the gaping net.

Kerry needed a response in their battle for the playoff places and got back into the tie just seconds into the start of the second half when Sean O’Connell’s free-kick from deep found Ewan Lee in the area. He nodded the ball forward and with the Students failing to clear their lines, Niall Brookwell found himself on the breaking ball to smash home and get Kerry back on terms.

It was a game that lacked many clear-cut chances, although both sides did hit the post in the tie. UCD struck the woodwork after just six minutes through Goodness Ogbonna, who rifled off the outside of the post from an acute angle.

Meanwhile in the second half, Vincent Borden smashed the right post with an effort from range that was caused by Kerry triggering a high press, which saw Sean O’Connell steal possession and play to Cian Brosnan, who set it to the American defensive midfielder, who came within inches of the winner.

As the second half wore on, both managers looked to their benches for inspiration. But the substitutions seemingly killed the flow with the game going a whole twenty minutes without an effort towards the net.

Kerry FC: Matt Connor; Samuel Aladesanusi, Niall Brookwell, Jonas Hakkinen, Sean O’Connell; Ewan Lee, Vincent Borden; Cian Bargary, Sean McGrath, Ryan Perez; Cian Brosnan.

Subs: Arran Healy for Borden (72), Colin Healy for Brosnan (72), Robert Keane for McGrath (79), Matthew Britton for Perez (84).

UCD AFC: Noah Douglas; Luca Callioce, Eoin Sheeran, Carl Lennox, Sean Murphy; Adam Wells, Louis Dignam; Mikey McCullagh, Goodness Ogbonna, Hugh Smith; Charles Akinrintayo.

Subs: Jayden Goad for Akinrintayo (69), Stephen Mohan for Ogbonna (69), Sam Norval for McCullagh (84).

Refere e: Declan Toland.