Sammy strikes early to dent Kerry's play-off hopes

Kerry had been on a 12-game unbeaten run at home

Bray's Tyreik Sammy opened the scoring after just seven minutes against Kerry. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division: Kerry FC 0 Bray Wanderers 0

Kerry FC’s play-off hopes were dealt a huge blow on Friday evening after Tyreik Sammy’s goal gave Bray Wanderers all three points.

Colin Healy’s side had been on a 12-game unbeaten run at home, but when Sammy opened the scoring after just seven minutes, it began to look like a tall task for Kerry, who looked toothless going forward.

Bray Wanderers made the long trip to Tralee on Friday evening but did not feel the effects of the journey as they flew out of the traps in the tie. The visitors almost took the lead just 16 seconds in when Ferizaj drove goalward but was denied by Matt Connor.

The visitors remained on top and didn’t take long to break the deadlock. Richard Ferizaj played Sammy over the top in the seventh minute, who did well to take the ball into his possession before finding the bottom right corner with his right foot.

From then on, Bray looked very comfortable sitting back and letting Kerry play around in front of them. Healy’s side enjoyed a lot of possession as the first half wore on but had absolutely nothing to show for it.

Mustali and Ferizaj had chances to extend Bray’s lead but failed to do so, but the Seagulls did look really threatening on the counter-attack.

Colin Healy’s men usually come out firing in the second half, but it was not the usual viewing for the 910 in attendance, as once again in the second half, the Seagulls looked well in control of the tie, and with no threat, held out for a massive three points in their promotion push.

Elsewhere, UCD and Athlone shared the points after a 2-2 draw, while bottom-side Finn Harps were 3-1 winners over Wexford.

Kerry FC: Connor; Aladesanusi, Brookwell, Häkkinen, O’Connell; Lee, Borden (Brosnan, 83); Perez (Keane, 65), McGrath (Healy, 83), Bargary; Murphy.

Bray Wanderers: Hogan; Kizenga (Reddy, 60), Duggan, Osagie, O’Shea; Tucker (Ryan, 56), McCormack; Sammy, Ferizaj, Oluwabiyi (Shelley, 79); Mustali.