6 days ago
Kennedy Amechi's extra time winner sends Kerry past Athlone Town in FAI Cup
Kerry 2 Athlone Town 1 (After extra time)
There was a sensational finish to this FAI Cup clash as Kerry struck the equalizing goal in the 96th minute thanks to a superb Joe Adams free before Kennedy Amechi scored the winner at the beginning of extra time.
The meeting of the bottom two in the First Division proved a lifeless affair in the opening half. It was a mediocre contest that never caught fire with the ball spending more time in the air instead on the deck.
Kerry created precious little as four defeats in a row had obviously left its mark. Athlone came into the contest with just one win in their last 17 games, so it was never going to be a classic.
Both sides, low in confidence, created very few scoring chances with Athlone slightly the better team. Jason Folarin Oyenuga fired over the top in the 11th minute while at the other end Kevin Williams shot high and wide in a rare Kerry attack.
Athlone almost took the lead in 20th minute but Martin Scally had a better chance at the other end. Gideon Tetteh and Oyenuga were causing Kerry problems out wide but the game remained scoreless until half time.
The Town were still in control and looked the more likely side as the Kingdom's experiment of playing Ronan Teahan at left fullback did not appear to be a success.
The visitors finally took the lead in the 56th minute albeit a goal that should have never have been scored as Kerry keeper Mathyas Randrianmamy allowed a harmless looking shot slip from his grasp and into his own net.
It was no more than the visitors deserved but it appeared to wake Kerry from their slumber.
The hosts were almost on level terms two minutes later when a move started by Aaran Healy released Robert Cleary, who raced through but former Kerry keeper Lee Axworthy saved the initial effort and in the follow up, Daniel Okwute saw his effort cleared off the line by an Athlone defender.
The home-side finally got going and they forced a succession of corners (five in total) but Athlone Town defended them well as Randrianmamy made superb staff from Dean Williams.
Now it was all Kerry and in the 96th minute Daniel Okwute was fouled by Athlone substitute Eoin Sheeran and from the resulting 25-yard free kick, Joe Adams floated the ball high into the right hand corner to force the game to extra time.
The first half of extra time opened in explosive fashion when in the second minute, Daniel Okwute raced down the right wing and his low cross was met by the onrushing Kennedy Amechi, who finished from close range to give the lead.
Niall Brookwell and Joe Adams, along with Okwute, were superb for a revitalised Kerry outfit and Athlone never looked like breaching the Brookwell inspired defence where he was an absolute colossus.
KERRY FC: M. Randrianmamy, K. Williams, S. Aladesanusi (J Adams 66), N. Brookwell, C. McQueen, A. Healy (S O'Connell 66), C Mujaguzi, R. Teahan, S. McGrath, D. Okwute, R. Cleary (K Amechi 72).
ATHLONE TOWN: L Axworthy, R. Webb, C. Omorehiomwan, D Hand, K. O'Connor, J. Oyenuga, M. Scally ( A Lennon 101) , B. Gilmour, G Tetteh ( W Smith 86), B. Feeney ( K Robinson 93), D. Williams ( E Sheeran 88).
Referee: D Carolan (Drogheda).
