- Patrick O'Connor
- Fri, Feb 24 2023
Kerry manager Billy Dennehy took a number of days before going back to analyse the first ever senior League of Ireland game involving a team from the Kingdom.
Dennehy’s new-look side were eventually bested 2-0 by Cobh Ramblers at a sold out Mounthawk Park in Tralee last Friday night.
After the hype and the emotions of the historic game, Dennehy spoke to the media earlier in the week and gave an honest appraisal of the overall performance on the night.
He said: “I could certainly see lots of positives from the game, especially in the second half.
“The slow start was down to many different factors. But some of the passages of play in the second half were more of what we expected from the group.
“If we had got that penalty, it could have made it a very different game. But that said we were very pleased with the group overall that they went right to the end’’
In relation to the learnings from the game, Dennehy said: “The conditions had an impact on the game.
“There was a strong win and that prevented us playing higher up the pitch in the first half and that meant there was too much distance between the units, backs to midfield, midfield to the forward unit.
“In addition I think the overall occasion had an effect on the players, especially in the first half where we started slowly.
“But they took off the shackles in the second half and played with a lot more freedom and showed the ability that is in this group.”
He went on to add: “It was the first time wearing a Kerry jersey for all the lads.
“There will be many more firsts to come. A first win, first goal and all that kind of stuff. There are plenty of more objectives yet to be achieved.”
Kerry travel to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night to face Bray Wanderers in their first away fixture.
The Seagulls claimed a 1-0 win away to Treaty United last week.
And Dennehy said: “They have a very strong group and are possibly even stronger than last season.
“They also have a new manager but our players will relish the opportunity to show what they can do at this level both individually and collectively.
“That said, we will need to get experience at handling key moments on games like this, particularly against sides like Bray.
“I am really looking forward to the game, as are the players, how we start the game on Friday will be a strong indicator of how the game goes.”
