Tralee, Co Kerry – Na so we don reach halfway mark for 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season. After mid-season break wey fit recharge battery, all teams dey ready to chop action once again from tomorrow night.
Kerry FC go make their first visit to Lissywollen as dem dey eye Athlone Town, who dey for ground zero of the league table after 17 matches. Meanwhile, Kerry don dey chop the season like hot jollof rice, moving enter break with fine 2-0 victory over Longford Town two weeks ago. Luke Palmer and captain Sean McGrath put dem for the groove, as dem carry serious joy enter summer break. Right now, Kerry dey the 7th position, just 5 points from play-off zone. Na wah!
This season, na the best start ever for Kerry FC since dem start their journey, and the players dey improve like fine wine. But make we no forget say Athlone numba one dey struggle, so e go sweet if Kerry fit carry three points come back home.
Di match wey dey come on Friday night for Athlone Town Stadium won’t be easy. Athlone don hire Ian Ryan as dem new manager, and e fit change the game entirely. Kerry don get history with teams wey Ian dey manage – them no fit score any point against his Bray Wanderers for last two seasons. So, Kerry FC gatz step up dem game sharp sharp if dem wan carry points come Lissywollen.
Last time dem play this fixture na Matchday 9, where Kerry FC carry the day with a 3-0 victory. E be like say dis one go carry plenty goals because the past meetings don dey produce serious action, wey give total 26 goals in nine matches (that one no be small thing, abeg).
Kai! Injury matter dey on ground too, as Ryan Kelliher don go surgery wey go keep am out for months. Luke Palmer don get small injury for Longford win, and dem dey check am. Ronan Teahan still dey ginger with small injury, but him don dey train. Carl Mujaguzi still dey feel am for legs too – no be small wahala oh!
Colin Healy, di Kerry FC coach talk say, “Ian na very good manager. I don play against him when I de with Cork. E dey set his teams well. When new manager come, players dey usually fire up. But we go focus on our own game. We dey feel say our players dey ready for any challenge.”
So, make we mark our calendar for Friday, June 13th, as Kerry FC go battle Athlone Town for that sweet 19:45 kick-off. E no go easy, but we dey hope say dem go bring the three points home. We dey ready to cheer dem, as na football we sabi!
