Kerry FC secured a historic playoff place by holding First Division champions Cork City to a 1-1 draw on Friday night. The result confirmed Kerry's fourth-place finish and a semi-final against Bray Wanderers, while Cork City's title celebrations were followed by a second consecutive league draw.
Ruairi Keating opened the scoring for Cork City midway through the first half, finishing from a Conor Drinan assist down the left. Kerry responded five minutes later when Vincent Borden's shot took a deflection off a Cork City defender and beat goalkeeper Conor Brann at the near post, with Sean O’Connell providing the through ball.
Cork City, who sit first in the First Division with 75 points from 36 games, created early chances through Hans Mpongo, Keating, and substitute Seani Maguire, forcing saves from Kerry keeper Matt Connor. The champions' record stands at 23 wins, six draws, and seven defeats from their 36 matches, having scored 74 goals and conceded 35 for a goal difference of plus 39. Kerry grew into the match and looked dangerous on the break through Cian Brosnan and Cian Murphy, but the game became cagey after the equaliser with both sides trading half-chances.
Colin Healy, the Kerry FC manager, named a strong lineup with only one second-half substitution, while Cork City were missing several regulars and made three changes. The visitors' recent form reads two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last five matches, a sequence that includes a 2-0 win over Finn Harps and losses to Athlone and Longford Town. This run of form, which began with a 5-1 win over UCD on 18 September and a 2-3 loss to Cobh Ramblers on 11 September, has not prevented them from finishing the season with a commanding 19-point lead at the top of the table.
The draw confirmed the final playoff positions across the division. UCD moved up to second with a 5-2 win at Wexford, Bray Wanderers finished third despite a loss to Finn Harps, and Longford Town secured fifth place by beating Athlone Town. Cobh Ramblers, who needed a huge victory to overtake Kerry, were defeated 2-0 by Treaty United.
Kerry FC will host Bray Wanderers in the playoff semi-final first leg at Mounthawk Park next Saturday evening. Cork City have completed their league campaign as champions, 19 points clear at the top of the standings.
Kerry's achievement is showed by the fact they have reached the playoffs in only their second season as a League of Ireland club. The team's goal minutes show a pattern of resilience, with 10 of their 41 league goals this season scored between the 76th and 90th minutes, a period where they have conceded only 6 times.
The original report is at Irish Examiner
The match at Mounthawk Park on Friday was a sell-out, Kerry FC confirmed. The club's report stated the home side created the first big chance in the seventh minute through Cian Bargary. Cork City, who are 19 points clear at the top of the First Division, saw a late effort from substitute Seani Maguire saved by Matthew Connor in the 88th minute. Kerry FC manager Colin Healy said the point was enough "to secure Kerry FC’s place in the League of Ireland First Division playoffs for the first time in the club’s history."
On Saturday, Cork City manager Barry Robson confirmed he had given starts to Ike Manjor-Georgewill and Brody Lee in the 1-1 draw with Kerry. Robson said the rotated side was part of managing the squad after a long campaign. The champions, who are 19 points clear at the top of the First Division, finished their season with the stalemate at Mounthawk Park on October 16.
