Kerry exit Cup

Bohemians have knocked Kerry FC out of the Sports Direct FAI Cup.

They won 4-2 on penalties in Tralee in Round 3 after a 2-2 draw.

In an afternoon of what could have been for the underdogs as a plucky Kerry FC side made Premier Division side Bohemians sweat as they progressed past the country's newest team on penalties after an absorbing 120 minutes in Mounthawk Park on Sunday.

Having convincingly defeated Cobh Ramblers in the second round last month, Kerry were rewarded for their efforts with a dream draw against SSE Airtricity Premier Division side Bohemians. With the 7-time winners and last year’s finalists coming to Tralee on the festival weekend, tickets were in high demand as the game had the sold-out signs up for several weeks.

But Kerry didn’t show any nerves and were highly competitive in the opening 20 minutes, creating passes and getting into the final third of the pitch. But despite the Kingdom’s best efforts, it was the visitors who scored the game-opening goal, James Clarke finding the net for the Gypsies who took a somewhat deserved lead. But Kerry fought back well and Ryan Kelliher drew the hosts level in the 43rd minute. Cian Barrett did really well in the box to turn and find space before letting a cross-goal shot off his right boot. The ball looked to be heading wide but Kerry’s top goal scorer was at the back post to turn the ball home and send Mounthawk Park into ecstasy. But the visitors were ahead just 90 seconds later as Grieve pounced on a cross with his shoulder to guide the ball past Aaron O’Sullivan in the Kerry goal. So the Kingdom went in behind at the break having clawed their way back into the game just moments earlier.

Kerry could have found a leveller just moments into the second half, Nathan Gleeson’s shot went just over the crossbar. But Kerry did level the game in the 53rd minute, Ryan Kelliher once again adding himself to the scoresheet. He chased down the Bohemians goalkeeper who took too much time over a clearance. He dispossessed the keeper and shot home into an empty net and the roof nearly came off Mounthawk Park.

But from there on out, Bohemians squandered numerous chances to put the game well. Kerry’s back 4 stood strong and snuffed out the danger putting bodies on the line but you’d have to wonder how Bohemians missed some of their chances in front of goal. McDonnell, Smith and Tierney all came within inches of getting Bohs back in front while Rooney shot inches wide in the 95th minute when the game should have been dead and buried.

So Kerry were entering into extra time for the first time in the club’s history and the 30 minutes were played out much the same as the final thirty in ordinary time. Aaron O’Sullivan pulled off some fantastic saves while Oran Crowe was throwing himself into any sort of challenge to keep the ball out. Andy Spain, Ethan Kos and Sean O’Connell were all gallant in defence while Finn Barrett made several goal-saving challenges throughout the extra period.

With the sides still at a stalemate, we went to the penalty spot to decide the tie. A perfect 4 penalties for the visitors while Kerry missed 2 along the way meant the Premier Division survived a massive shock to advance to the quarter-final. Kerry’s attention now returns to the First Division campaign and with the remaining games in single digits and some crucial positions to play for, it will be an important final couple of weeks for Conor McCarthy’s men.

Kerry FC: A O’Sullivan, F Barrett, E Kos, A Spain, S O’Connell, O Crowe, R Teahan, C Barrett, N Gleeson, R Kelliher, S McGrath. Subs: K Amechi for S McGrath, 69, D Okwute for R Kelliher, 83, C Brosnan for R Teahan, 95, S Aladesanusi for N Gleeson, 114.

Bohemians: K Chorazka, L Smith, J Mills, L Kevanagh, B McManus, D Devoy, A McDonnell, J Clarke, R Tierney, D Rooney, A Greive. Subs: Akintunde for A Greive, 58, D Grant for J Clarke, 66, D McDaid for D Rooney, 95, F Piszczek for B McManus, 107.