SPORT Home crowd hoping for historic first win

League of Ireland new boys Kerry aiming to put unwanted record to bed

of the season.

Another capacity crowd will pack into Mounthawk Park in Tralee this evening as Kerry FC try once again to get up and running in their maiden League of Ireland First Division campaign.

The green and white faithful are still waiting to savour that first ever win at this level following six defeats and a solitary draw in the opening seven matches

Most recently, an impressive brace by Joshua Giurgi helped Longford Town to a 2-0 victory over Kerry last weekend. Giurgi’s first came at the end of some neat interplay and an incisive dribble, while the second arrived in the 89th minute when his long-range curler evaded Wayne Guthrie in the Kerry goal.

Seánie McGrath, Leo Gaxha and Nathan Gleeson all went close for the visitors when the tie was at 1-0 but it wasn’t to be.

That most recent loss leaves Billy Dennehy’s side rooted to the bottom of the table on one point, two behind Treaty United (against whom they earned their only point to date) and six behind to- night’s opponents, Finn Harps. Harps have a record of one win, three draws and three defeats and they’ll be hoping to bounce back from their last outing when they fell to a demoralising 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Waterford. Their only victory to date came against Longford on March 18 when Ryan Rainey’s penalty proved decisive in a one-goal game. For those who won’t be attending tonight’s match, it will be streamed live by

LOI TV at a cost of €5.

Elsewhere in the First Division, league leaders Galway United will be seeking to maintain their 100% record when they travel cross-country to take on Wexford; second place Cobh Ramblers host Waterford; and third place Bray Wanderers welcome Athlone Town to the Carlisle Grounds.

Kerry’s fellow strugglers Treaty are at home to Longford Town. All matches kick off at 7.45pm

CHALLENGE: Longford's Joshua Giurgi and Shane Guthrie of Kerry challenge for a header in last weekend's match at Bishopsgate.

Stephen Marken/Sportsfile.