Kerry FC played out a goalless draw away to Athlone in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
Words by David Moriarty
Kerry FC travelled to the midlands once again this week, as this time they headed for County Westmeath to take on Athlone Town in Lissywollen. Kerry FC came into the game on a very tough run of form, having picked up just two points in their previous six games. They returned to the site of their first-ever League of Ireland win, so many hoped this would help spark a turn of fortune for the Kingdom.
Athlone Town sat fourth in the table before kick-off after a very strong start to the 2026 campaign. They have won three of their last four, with the best of the lot coming just last week away to Finn Harps as an eighty-ninth-minute Gradi Lomboto winner sealed all three points for the town.
With just four years in the League of Ireland, this is one of the fixtures for Kerry FC that has been quite even throughout. Both sides won five with four draws in the mix, meaning this one was going to be as close as ever, with a big crowd in Athlone to see it all unfold.
FIRST HALF
The game got underway in Athlone with both sides eager to impose themselves early. Athlone Town threatened almost immediately, as Brian McManus found space inside the penalty area in the opening two minutes but failed to hit the target, letting Kerry off the hook. It set the tone for a lively opening spell, with the home side looking sharp in attack.
In the fifth minute, Gradi Lomboto delivered an inviting ball across the six-yard box that just evaded the onrushing Cillian Tollett, who could not get a touch on the ball. Kerry FC were being tested, but they responded with resilience, and goalkeeper Matthew Connor soon showed his quality. In the eighth minute, Connor produced an excellent save, tipping Tollett’s effort onto the post to keep the score level.
Kerry began to grow into the contest as the half progressed. In the sixteenth minute, Ewan Lee capitalised on a misplaced Athlone pass and quickly set up Cian Murphy, whose shot drifted narrowly wide of the right-hand post. Moments later, Murphy tested Brendan Clarke again, but the Athlone goalkeeper was equal to the effort.
Athlone continued to pose a threat, and in the twenty-fourth minute, Lomboto drove into the penalty area and aimed a shot at the near post, only for Matthew Connor to get down smartly and make another important save. Kerry responded well, and in the twenty-ninth minute Kilian Cantwell delivered a superb ball over the top to Ryan Kelliher. Kelliher squared for Murphy in a promising position, but his effort was blocked, denying the visitors a clear chance to break the deadlock.
The game remained finely balanced, with both sides enjoying spells of pressure. Aaron Moloney was shown a yellow card in the thirty-second minute as the physicality of the contest increased. Despite chances at both ends, neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval, and the teams went in level at 0-0 after an entertaining first half.
SECOND HALF
The second half began in a more measured fashion, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities in the early stages. By the fifty-third minute, it remained an even contest with little to separate the sides.
Athlone threatened again in the fifty-sixth minute when Brian McManus struck a low half volley inside the area that took a deflection and went out for a corner, though the resulting set piece came to nothing. A minute later, Kerry’s Niall Brookwell was shown a yellow card as the midfield battle intensified.
McManus continued to be a danger from distance, and in the fifty-ninth minute he tested Matthew Connor once more, but the Kerry goalkeeper was equal to the effort, maintaining his clean sheet with another assured save.
Kerry made a change on the hour mark, with Robert Keane replacing Sean McGrath as Colin Healy looked to inject fresh energy into his side. Gradually, the Kingdom began to push higher up the pitch, gaining more territory, though clear chances remained elusive.
In the sixty-eighth minute, Ryan Kelliher had an opportunity at the back post but directed his header wide. Kerry were beginning to build momentum, and in the seventieth minute, Cian Bargary delivered an excellent ball from the right wing that again found Kelliher, but his header sailed over the crossbar.
The visitors continued to threaten, and in the seventy-fifth minute another pinpoint delivery from Bargary located Kelliher inside the six-yard box. However, he was unable to convert, as Athlone survived a sustained spell of Kerry pressure.
Athlone responded late in the game, with substitute Patrick Ferry forcing a save from a tight angle in the eighty-third minute, but once again Matthew Connor stood firm. Kerry made further changes, with Matthew Britton replacing Ryan Kelliher in the eighty-ninth minute, followed by Cian Brosnan coming on for Cian Bargary in stoppage time.
Five minutes were added at the end of the ninety, setting up a tense finale. Callum Cleary received a late yellow card, and Athlone pushed for a winner. However, the defining moment came deep into added time when Matthew Connor produced a superb save to deny Aderinsola Adewale from distance, ensuring Kerry secured a valuable point.
At the final whistle, it finished 0-0 in Athlone. Kerry FC can take plenty of positives from a disciplined and determined performance, with their goalkeeper playing a crucial role. Colin Healy’s side now head home with a well-earned draw and another solid defensive display to build upon with Cork City in Mounthawk Park this coming Bank Holiday Monday.
Athlone Town Team: Brendan Clarke (C); Reece Webb, Kyle O’Connor, Evan O’Connor, Aaron Moloney, Robert Lyons, Brian McManus, Gradi Lomboto, Cillian Tollett, Callum Cleary, James Crawford.
Subs Used: Aderinsola Adewale, Patrick Ferry, Thomas Consadine.
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor; Kilian Cantwell (C), Sean O’Connell, Sean McGrath, Ryan Kelliher, Cian Murphy, Jonas Häkkinen, Samuel Aladesanusi, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee, Cian Bargary.
Subs Used: Robert Keane, Matthew Britton, Cian Brosnan
Kerry FC academy games today:
WU17 – Away to Treaty – 2
MU15 – Away to Limerick FC – 2
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