PREVIEW: O’Rahilly’s To Get Over First Round Championship Challenge

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David Moran looks for a teammate. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

David Moran will be important for the Blues this Saturday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Gavin O’Connor on Kerins O’Rahilly’s v Rathmore in the Super Valu Senior Football Championship Round 1 game at Austin Stack Park on Saturday…

KERINS O’RAHILLY’s begin their quest for county championship number seven this Saturday, when they face off against Rathmore in Austin Stack Park (throw-in 7pm).

The new year started with a lot promise for the blues who received an injection of returning talent from abroad, but after two home defeats the mood has become more subdued.

After the exit in the club championship to Legion a month ago, O’Rahilly’s succumbed to a second defeat – against intermediate opposition – to Glenbeigh/Glencar in the county league.

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“That result wasn’t a great way to build up, we just didn’t play well on the day,” said Kerins O’Rahilly’s manager, Barry O’Shea.

“We got a few injuries and our Kerry players have been away, so preparation has been difficult. But look, that’s the same for a lot of club teams, it’s extremely hard to get your team together,” he said.

The loss to Legion was largely orchestrated by James O’Donoghue, who came on in the second half of that game, playing with the wind at his back he ran the show and Legion did enough to get a one point victory.

Still, the capitulation in the last quarter of that match, where O’Rahilly’s shipped seven points without reply must be cause for concern.

Tommy Walsh bursts at the Legion defence. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Tommy Walsh bursts at the Legion defence in the recent club championship tie. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

One of the returning men, Tommy Walsh, has not kicked a ball with his club since that Legion game a month ago and a number of players have been tied up with exams and work commitments.

Giles O’Grady, David Murphy and Ross O’Callaghan are injured, but on the plus side, Strand Road’s inter-county men, David Moran, Barry John Keane and Tommy Walsh will be reporting for duty.

The opposition can also call upon men with All-Ireland experience. All-Star Paul Murphy and Aidan O’Mahony who is back motoring again after months on the sidelines. Last year’s impressive Kerry minor goalie, Shane Ryan is another man Rathmore will have at their disposal.

Barry O’Shea got a chance to have a look at Rathmore losing to Dr Crokes in the club championship, but he’s not reading a whole pile into it.

“Crokes took advantage of the wind in the first half and got a head by a large margin, once you get ahead it can be difficult for the other team to come back. Rathmore performed well, but it’s not a game I would read much into,” said O’Shea.

Rathmore took a big scalp last year by becoming the first team in four years to beat Dr Crokes and knock them out of the competition.

Looking at this, despite being short a few numbers in the back line, O’Rahilly’s have enough fire power to win out, but big games are required from their inter-county men.

David Moran will likely match up against Aidan O’Mahony in midfield, if Moran can get the better of his Kerry colleague, Strand Road will be halfway there.

No one could fault Barry John Keane in the match against Legion. He worked tirelessly and was the side’s inspiration. There’s a good chance Paul Murphy will pick up Barry John, which should make for another great battle.

If Jack Savage, Tommy Walsh and Cormac Coffey can up their performance, O’Rahilly’s have the better talent at their disposal to get over the line.

Verdict – Kerins O’Rahilly’s by 3 points 

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