Kerry FC (Ireland)

Kerry Football Club is an Irish association football club based in Tralee, County Kerry. They play their home matches at Mounthawk Park.

The club competes in the League of Ireland First Division, starting in the 2023 season, with an inaugural fixture against Cobh Ramblers.

History

Early days

Participation from County Kerry in the League of Ireland began when a team representing the Kerry District League (KDL) participated in the Eircom U21 League in 2002 and 2003, while Tralee Dynamos subsequently played in the third-tier A Championship between 2009 and 2011. Following the folding of the A Championship in 2011, Tralee Dynamos submitted an application for a licence to compete in the League of Ireland First Division for the 2012 season. However, their application was unsuccessful.

Underage leagues

The KDL resumed participation with the League of Ireland at underage level in the late 2010s, joining the Southern Elite Division of the Under-17 League in 2016 and subsequently that of the Under-19 League in 2019.

Senior side

It was announced on 22 June 2022 that an application had been made by Kerry Football Club, an entity comprising the KDL and a consortium led by Brian Ainscough, Steven Conway and Billy Dennehy, for a licence to compete in the League of Ireland for the 2023 season. The application was deemed successful on 16 November, when Kerry were awarded a licence for the First Division. The club would operate on a fully amateur basis for the 2023 season, and play their games at Mounthawk Park. Dennehy was announced as the club's first manager on 19 December. Later that same day, Treaty United midfielder Matt Keane was announced as the club's first signing, followed by Seán McGrath from Cobh Ramblers.

The club's first ever competitive senior fixture took place on 17 February 2023, a 2–0 home defeat against Cobh Ramblers at Mounthawk Park. The following week, Leo Gaxha scored the club's first ever senior goal, in a 3–1 defeat against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. Kerry secured their first point in the League of Ireland on 3 March, following a 1–1 draw with Treaty United at Mounthawk Park. Figures released upon the completion of the first series of First Division fixtures showed that Kerry had an average home attendance of 1,194, placing them fifth out of the ten clubs in the division, with all four home matches selling out. Kerry secured their first-ever win in the League of Ireland at the fourteenth attempt, with a 3–2 victory away to Athlone Town on 12 May, before recording their first-ever clean sheet on 2 June, following a scoreless draw with Finn Harps at Finn Park. On 17 November 2023, it was announced that Billy Dennehy had stepped down as manager to return to his original position of Sporting Director, with Conor McCarthy taking over as manager. On 24 November 2023, Brian Ainscough departed the club to take over ownership of Dundalk, pulling his funding in Kerry after 1 year with the club.

The club qualified for the final of the 2023/24 Munster Senior Cup but lost out to Waterford F.C..

First team squad

Technical staff

Women's team

In June 2023, Kerry FC announced the establishment of a women's football club, via acceptance into the EA Sports LOI Academy WU17's league for the 2024 season.

References

External links

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2022 establishments in Ireland
Amateur association football teams
Association football clubs established in 2022
Association football clubs in County Kerry
League of Ireland First Division clubs
Organisations based in Tralee
Sport in Tralee