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Gavin O’Connor looks at Na Gaeil v Glenbeigh/Glencar in the Kerry Junior Football Championship Final, Fitzgerald Stadium, Sunday 1:30pm…
Na Gaeil’s Jack Barry. File Photo
GIVEN the success of Kerry teams in the All-Ireland Junior Championship in recent years, the winners here could start to build something special come February.
Before Na Gaeil can they even think about the road to Croker, they must first get past Glenbeigh/Glencar, who this year played three divisions higher than Na Gaeil. This match is the curtain raiser for the senior final and looks a mouth-watering contest.
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Over the last five years or so there has been a quite revolution happening in Killeen. Na Gaeil began to contribute players to Kerry minor and under 21 teams, most notably 2-time All-Ireland winner, Andrew Barry and brother Jack who was also a star for UCD in the Sigerson Cup this year.
Darragh Carmody, Stefan Okunbor, Mike Griffin are three other players that leap off the team sheet at Na Gaeil. On the way to the final Na Gaeil beat, Cromane, Ballymac, Annascaul and Listowel Emmets where they impressively won by seven points.
Their Mid-Kerry opponents are no slouches though and have within their ranks match winners, Darran O’Sullivan and Gavin O’Grady. On route Glenbeigh/Glencar have dispatched, Knocknagoshel, St Pats, Dromid Pearses and Ballydonoghue.
Glenbeigh/Glencar are a more experienced side and will feel their time has come having been here before. They also have one or two marquee forwards that match Na Gaeil’s star power.
It’s a tough one to call, but if Na Gaeil’s young bucks can keep that winning mentality they have fostered with club and county, they could be on the verge of doing something special.
