Fixture details confirmed for Athlone's cup clash with Kerry
Athlone Town's clash with Kerry FC in the second round of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup has been confirmed for Friday, July 18.
The match between the two First Division sides will take place at Mounthawk Park, Tralee with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Athlone played out a 2-2 draw with the same opponents in what was Ian Ryan’s first game in charge last Friday night.
Kerry eventually had to be content with a share of the spoils as Athlone fought back to salvage a point in the 89th minute. All the goals came in the second half as the visitors fought back from falling behind to take the lead only to be undone late on.
Oran Crowe's trip on Aaron Connolly in the box gave Athlone attacker Kyle Robinson the chance to opening the scoring from the penalty spot on 49 minutes.
The lead was short-lived though as there was an immediate response from the visitors. Kerry captain Sean McGrath was allowed to turn inside the box in the 51st minute to shoot across Athlone keeper Matt Connor and into the corner of the net.
Substitute Kennedy Amechi put Kerry in front after 68 minutes when he availed of hesitant home defending inside the penalty area to shoot home.
It looked like Kerry would return home with full points, but Athlone managed to salvage a point late on when centre-half Cole Omorehiomwan shot high into the net, after Billy Gilmore delivered a free kick into the box.
The point earned though was not enough to move Athlone off the bottom of the First Division table as Longford Town's stoppage time leveller against Cobh Ramblers 24 hours later moves them once more back in front of their Midland rivals.
Athlone's next league outing is at home to Finn Harps tonight (Friday) at 7.45pm.
Athlone Town: Matt Connor, Kyle O’Connor, Dylan Hand, Cole Omorehiomwan, Kailin Barlow, Gideon Tetteh, Aaron Connolly, Kyle Robinson, Ben Feeney, Dan McKenna, Oisin Duffy. Subs: Billy Gilmore for McKenna (67 mins); Dean Williams for Barlow (79); Noe Baba for Duffy (90).
Kerry FC: Tim Hiemer, Alex Dunne, Oran Crowe, Christopher McQueen, Sean McGrath, Ronan Teahan, Okwuy Okwute, Kevin Williams, Samuel Aladesanusi, Luke Palmer, Niall Brookwell. Sub: Kennedy Amechi for Palmer (62 mins).
Referee: Ryan Maher (Offaly).