Kerry took time to gel but Colin Healy confident team now has character for maiden playoff battle
Kerry manager Colin Healy issues instruction during the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division match between Kerry and Cork City at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Eakin Howard/Sportsfile
Kerry FC are back in training today with manager Colin Healy looking forward to next Saturday's historic First Division playoff first leg with Bray Wanderers at Mounthawk Park.
Healy praised his "fantastic" players following the 1-1 draw with Cork City on Friday night that sealed Kerry's first playoff venture.
Reflecting on Kerry's season as a whole, Healy admitted the side took longer to gel than he hoped but had gradually found the sort of character that helped them come from behind once more to secure a vital point against champions City.
"They've been fantastic. The start wasn't the start probably that we wanted, but obviously it was a new group of players and it did take probably longer than I thought," Healy told the Kerry FC website.
"I think in the second half of the season, we've been outstanding. I think we've probably been the best team in the second half of the season. So, that's credit to the group of players that we have.
"It's all on them. They did everything that we asked and they've been fantastic. They deserve it.
"Yeah, we're in the playoffs, but we'll look after that next week."
Ruairi Keating opened the scoring for City midway through the first half in front of a capacity crowd at Mounthawk, before Vincent Borden's deflected shot levelled.
"We know Cork, the quality that they have. Obviously, champions, for a reason, they've got quality all over the pitch. Barry's done a fantastic job there.
"But we've got a good group of players. They knew what to do tonight and they did.
"The lads' heads never went down. They kept pushing and pushing. I think that we have that in the team and sometimes that takes a bit of time to get, but we have it. We've got good characters in the group and they showed that there tonight."
"Keats gets a fantastic goal. He's a top, top player. But it's great character from the lads to get back in the game. We had more chances as well. We defended when we needed to defend. I think a draw was probably a fair result."
Healy also praised the vocal backing from the home crowd.
"I thought they were brilliant, fantastic. Go back to when we played Cobh (away) last week and we had over 300 there. It's incredible.
"You feel the energy in the stands and the people getting in early, supporting the team. The club has grown from strength to strength.
"All the work the people do behind the scenes, it's fantastic.
"Bray are a very good side. They are a very good side. We've had good games against them this year. It will be a tough battle
"We'll come back in tomorrow (Saturday). We'll come back in tomorrow and we'll recover and we'll train and we'll get ready for next week."
Saturday, Oct 24: Longford Town v UCD, Bishopsgate, 7:30pm; Kerry v Bray Wanderers, Mounthawk Park, 7:45pm
Tuesday, Oct 27: Bray Wanderers v Kerry, Carlisle Grounds, 7:45pm; UCD v Longford Town, UCD Bowl, 7:45pm
All four games will be live on LOITV.
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