Main pic: New signing Gradi Lomboto who made his debut for Harps tonight as a second-half substitute.
Finn Harps have a long trip home tonight after going down to Kerry FC in the opening game of the new SSE Airtricity League First Division.
Kerry FC 2
Finn Harps 0
There wasn’t much excitement in the first 20 minutes with both defences on top.
However, Kerry upped a gear and took the lead in the24th minute when Nathan Gleeson crossed low across the goal and found Joe Adams who finished at the back post.
Finn Harps started the second half the brighter and had a strong claim for a penalty when substitute Gavin Hodgins had his path blocked.
In the 53rd minute the visitors missed an open goal when a poor Alabi back pass had former Harps keeper Tim Hiemer in trouble but Hodgins shot wide of the target.
Kerry rallied and, from an Adams corner, Abel Alabi headed down and Niall Brookwell blasted past Cooney to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
A short-time later, Adams received a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Michael Place.
But, they held on for a deserved three points.
Harps play host to Dundalk next Friday night and hope to pick up points in their first home game of the season.
Kerry FC: Tim –Oliver- Hiemer; Alex Dunne, Abel Alabi, Chris McQueen, Sean O’Connell; Ronan Teahan, Niall Brookwell, Sean McGrath, Nathan Gleeson, Joe Adams, Ryan Kelliher.
Subs: Kevin Williams for A Dunne (h/t), Daniel Okwute for N Gleeson (h/t), Oran Crowe for S McGrath (80), Stevan Stanic-Floody for R Teahan (86), Theo Marcel Farquharson (96)
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Michael Place, Max Hutchison, Conor Tourish, Joel Thompson; Patrick Ferry, David Cawley, Anthony Dodd, Tony McNamee, Dara McNamara, Gavin Gilmore
Subs: G Hodgins for G Gilmore (h/t), Max Johnson for Anthony Dodd (69), Gradi Lomboto for P Ferry (69), Joel Bradley Walsh for G Hodgins (94).
Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin)
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