Kerry FC u-17s fall at final hurdle in Mark Farren Cup final against ...

Shelbourne 4

Kerry FC 1

Despite a real spirited performance, Kerry FC fell to a three-goal defeat to Shelbourne in the Mark Farren Cup Final in Tolka Park on Sunday afternoon.

It was always going to be an uphill task for the under-17 Kerry side against a Shels side that are unbeaten this entire calendar year, and that task was made extremely difficult after the Kingdom saw themselves two goals behind after just twenty minutes.

The Kingdom fought their way back into the tie but couldn’t create a clear-cut opportunity to get a goal to shift the balance of the game with Shels pulling away in the second half.

Dan Ring was the best player on the pitch, contributing a goal and two assists for his side and proved to be a class above the rest on the day.

Kerry FC came out of the traps hot with a long ball from kick-off earning them a corner that Rob Keane delivered into a good area. Unfortunately despite finding Jamie Forde at the back post the Kingdom forward couldn’t get a decent connection on the shot and Shels managed to deal with the danger and survive an early scare.

Shelbourne got the ball down and began to run the game shortly after. It was to be expected for Kerry coming up against a side who have not lost a game at this level since this cup final last year. The opening couple of shots came from range for the home side through James Bailey who pulled one wide of each post.

The home side broke the deadlock just before the ten-minute mark of the game. Aaron Keogh delivered a ball across the box that Cian Beirne could not clear of danger and up popped Dan Ring to produce a real poachers finish into the top corner.

The Reds came very close to doubling their advantage just four minutes later when Cillian Ryan latched onto a loose ball near the penalty spot but Nathan Aherne threw his body in the way to keep his side one behind.

The hosts kept the barrage of attacks coming and did get a second just before the twenty-minute mark. Kerry turned over possession deep in their own end and James Bailey played a lovely one-two with Cillian Ryan who returned with a defence-splitting pass that left Bailey time and space to bury the chance.

Kerry settled down over the next few minutes and got a foothold in the tie. Luke Palmer up top was seeing much of the game happen in isolation early on but managed to prove a pivotal outlet for his side's defence who appreciated a breather. Kerry managed to earn a couple of corners but Shels and in particular goalkeeper Topcu proved dominant in defence.

To their credit, Kerry kept Shels at bay as the half came to a close and managed to get in at the break just two goals behind, which after twenty minutes of play looked a real uphill task.

Kerry came out much better to start the second half and managed to halt the ferocious tempo of the play and find their feet in the tie. Cian Beirne had the best chance of that period with a header that found the keeper's arms.

Just like the opening period, the home side found the net ten minutes into the half. The third Shelbourne goal came largely against the run of play after striker Dan Ring fired a seemingly harmless effort across the face of goal but in rushed Aaron Keogh to poke home from close range and put the tie to bed.

Three soon became four just after the hour mark. Dan Ring who was the star of the show to this point, found himself in on goal down the left channel and smashed towards the near post which Mangan could not parry away from danger. Ring picked up the rebound and dinked a ball into the box for Alex Flynn to meet and comfortably head home.

With Shels name all but written on the cup, the closing stages of the tie fizzled out with both teams using up their allocation of substitutions.

Kerry did manage to get on the scoresheet deep into added time when Luke Palmer latched onto a through-ball and battled goalkeeper Topcu who couldn't clear to safety, instead straight to the feet of substitute Callum Robertson who found the net from the edge of the area.

It was not to be for Kerry FC once more, who suffered their second Mark Farren Cup Final defeat in five years, but a huge learning experience for a young side that will be looking to move up the ranks and feature for the Kerry FC Senior side in years to come.

KERRY FC: Harvey Mangan, Jack Daly, Nathan Aherne, Cian Beirne, Oran Horgan, Ethan Ballard, Davidson Amechi, Shayne Stack, Luke Palmer, Robert Keane, Jamie Forde. Subs: Christian Amundala for J Forde (57), Darragh Taylor for E Ballard (66), Rooney Nono for D Amechi (66), Callum Robertson for N Aherne (78), Daniel John Cussen for J Forde (78)

SHELBOURNE FC: Ali Topcu, Patrick Bridies, Fiachra Coffey, Taylor McCarthy, Mario Omozee, Raymond Offor, Aaron Keogh, Alex Flynn, Dan Ring, James Bailey, Cillian Ryan. Subs: Max Ferguson for D Ring (63), Lee Dunne for M Omozee (63), Arber Ferizaj for A Keogh (72), Thomas Toth for A Flynn (72), George Mosneagu for C Ryan (75)