Finn Harps held to draw by winless Kerry

Kerry FC, playing in their fourth home game at Mounthawk Park and still without a win in their embryonic first season in the First Division, earned a valuable home point against Finn Harps but still remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Kerry FC 1 Finn Harps 1

This was far more encouraging as they took a first half lead to the dressing rooms only to concede the equaliser to Finn Harps midway through the second half.

Kerry FC made a bright opening with the aid of a stiff breeze and created a couple of half chances with Leo Gaxha forcing Finn Harps keeper Tim Oliver Hiemer to save at his near post

Kerry were solid at the back with Kevin Williams and Samuel Aladesanusi keeping a close eye on former Kerry Under-19 player Daniel Okwute, who is now playing with Harps on a year loan from Stockport County.

The visitors created two half chances in the 12th and 14th minutes when Wayne Guthrie had to be alert to keep out a Ryan Flood snap shot.

Michael Harris turned his marker Rob Vasiu and, raiding in from the left, unleashed a ferocious shot that had Guthrie beaten but whistled a foot wide of the far post.

Kerry, with Ronan Teahan and Cian Barrett at midfield, created a number of a chances and Leo Gaxha was a central figure in both.

In the 20th minute Sean McGrath played Gaxha through but he shot into the side netting.

Soon after, Gaxha knocked the ball to Ryan Kelliher whose shot was saved low to his right by Hiemer.

Kerry took the lead in the 36th minute when Ryan Kelliher won a turnover and played the ball out wide to Gaxha, who sent a low tantalizing cross into the box that was met by the inrushing Sean McGrath, who slid the ball to the net for only Kerry second home goal.

Kerry almost doubled their lead before half time but Gaxha’s corner was headed behind by Samuel Aladesanusi.

Harps made a bright start to the second half with Da Silva and Flood forcing Wayne Guthrie into two superb saves as the referee brandished three yellow cards, two to Harps players Michael Harris and Ryan Rainey and another Kerry’s Kevin Williams.

Kerry tested Hiemer, who had to dive full length to deny Sean Kennedy and concede a corner.

Harps scored the equaliser in the 66th minute when Caoimhín Porter crossed for an unmarked Flood to head home at the back post. 

Harps were pushing for a winner in the four minutes of added time but Ronan Teahan and Kerry held out for a valuable point, only their second of the season while Finn Harps leapfrog Longford Town into seventh.

Kerry FC: Wayne Guthrie, Rob Vasiu, Samuel Aladesanusi, Kevin Williams, Jonathan Hanafin (Cian Brosnan 87), Ronan Teahan, Cian Barrett, Seán Kennedy (Sean O’Connell 79) , Leo Gaxha, Seán McGrath (Matt Keane 67), Ryan Kelliher (Trpimir Vrjicak 67).

Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Caoimhín Porter (Kevin Jordan 79), Dáithí McCallion, Noe Baba, Eillis Farrar, Filip Fjeldheim Da Silva, Seamas Keogh, Ryan Rainey, Michael Harris (Katlego Mashingo 64) , Ryan Flood, Daniel Okwute.

Referee: David Connolly