The previous two fixtures against the Model County side couldn't have been more contrasting - in Ferrycarrig Park on St Patrick's Day, the game was highly competitive, and with a bit more luck, a share of the spoils might have been possible, but the return fixture at Mounthawk Park was a far more sobering 6-0 hammering. The home side have been excellent form in their push for the play-offs in recent weeks, with Thomas Oluwa settling in immediately after his move from Waterford, but Kelliher and Gaxha have performed similarly for Kerry. Picking up a point here will be a stiff task, but consecutive draws would instil confidence in the squad facing into the historic Drogheda tie next week.
09/08/2023, 9:07 PM
legendz
The loss on St. Patrick's Day was frustrating. Early season defensive set piece mistakes that would become more repetitive. 6-0 was a sobering hammering. The lads will be coming in positive off the back of a good performance on Monday. The worry is that sometimes after an energetic performance like Monday, there could be a bit of heavy legged sluggishness on Friday, though the mind and team talks will want a high tempo performance.
Following on from the other thread on pushing for wins or picking up points, some teams know how to pick up results, even if they are not getting a strong foothold in a game and are even being outplayed.
Wexford will rightly be favourites. Kerry after good performances of late can go into the game with confidence however. If the game can be scoreless or level going into the final quarter, Wexford will push for a win. Kerry could utilise that for playing on the counter attack.
11/08/2023, 6:18 PM
legendz
5 changes from Monday night. Sean Kennedy, Alex Ainscough, Martin Coughlan, Kennedy Amechi and Cian Brosnan all start.
Vasiu, Kos, McGrath, Kelliher and Gaxha drop to the bench. Depending on how the game is going, you could nearly imagine a triple substitution of McGrath, Kelliher and Gaxha coming on. Arguably the 5 top performers from Monday are being rested.
11/08/2023, 6:31 PM
culloty82
Presumably worried about our star players picking up injuries for the Cup game, so as you say, they'll probably all get a run out with half an hour to go.
12/08/2023, 7:35 AM
legendz
Firstly, some performance to go 2-0 up away after so many changes. The players and management will be kicking themselves for throwing away another 2 goal lead. 2 goals is a dangerous lead for an underdog. Concede one, then comfort gives way to pressure and panic.
I don't want to be critical of any one player but Axworthy's clanger on Monday night for the equaliser and last night for Wexford's first goal are terrible mistakes.
Kelliher had a great opportunity to equalise. Second game in a row that a great chance for a third goal has been squandered. The small margins that are going against Kerry at the moment.
Leaving out the two recent Waterford games, I calculate that we've taken 1 from 24. Should have been at least 12 from 24, which would have us on a reasonable 18 points for the first season.
