When the SSE Airtricity First Division is in town on Friday nights, Dublin has a distinct advantage. The bowl at UCD isn’t a glamorous location. There isn’t a lot of noise coming from the stands. However, what transpired on the field on June 19 had significant implications for Kerry FC, a team still looking for its first away victory of the year, in addition to the table.
UCD prevailed 2-1. They scored both of their goals from corners. The same man, Eanna Clancy, was in charge of both. The second came in the ninetieth minute, and it was the kind of finish that depletes a team in more ways than just three points.
For extended periods of this game, Kerry had actually performed admirably. Their Croatian goalie, Antonio Tuta, was among the better players that evening. His stop from Michael Raggett’s attempt in the 51st minute, where the ball hit the post, was the kind that gives a team confidence that they can hang on. With about twenty minutes remaining, he also stopped a penalty kick from Danu Kinsella Bishop, which at the time seemed like it might be the game-winning moment. It almost was, but not in the manner that supporters of Kerry had hoped.
After Clancy’s first header gave UCD the lead, Ryan Kelliher tied the score in the 38th minute. A corner whipped in from the right, confusion in the box, and Kelliher alert enough to meet the ball were all part of the same pattern. The symmetry of both first-half goals, which were the result of dead ball situations rather than anything particularly inventive, had an almost poetic quality. These two teams’ game never really opened up the way you might have hoped.
As is often the case with close, tense games, the second half was scrappy. Both groups put forth a lot of effort. In an attempt to make a difference, Kerry brought on Graham O’Reilly, Victor Udeze, and Nathan Gleeson. They appeared to be able to score a winner on their own at times. However, the energy of playing away from home for a team that hasn’t won away from home this season tends to weigh on legs after the 70th minute, and the final ball was rarely present.
The 94th then arrived. Kerry’s defenders were completely unprepared for a swiftly executed low corner from the left side. At the near post was Clancy. He brought it home. As the ball nestled in the net, the players surrounding him appeared perplexed and nearly motionless.
James Sugrue has been open with the media about what needs to be altered. At home, Kerry FC has been a different team, winning back-to-back games, including one against Treaty United right before this trip. The biggest issue they are currently facing is the discrepancy between their home and away records. Identifying it is one thing. Fixing it on a Friday night in Dublin, away from Tralee’s support, is quite another.
With three more points, UCD, currently ranked second in the table, advances. Kerry remains eighth and will now have to get ready for Longford Town on Thursday before the opportunity and distraction of the Munster Senior Cup final against Waterford FC. There is still a lot of football to be played. However, nights like this one often linger.
