GAA, Sport

PREVIEW: Champions Have Their Work Cut Out For Them Against Lixnaw

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Mike O’Halloran on the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC Quarter-Final to take place on Sunday at Austin Stack Park (3.30pm)… 

Tom Murnane in action during the Kilmoyley v Abbeydorney match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tom Murnane will be an important player for Kilmoyley on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Kilmoyley take on Lixnaw in the second game of the double-header in Tralee. The champions were defeated by a resurgent Abbeydorney in round two.

Most folk expected Kilmoyley to win that one, but they had no answer to Abbeydorney in extra time.

Daniel Collins went off injured in that game and his loss was immense. I saw Kilmoyley play in the county league and they impressed me with their ball distribution, game management and free scoring.

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It is fair to say that their main playmaker is Collins and his loss through injury, early in the game against Abbeydorney really upset their rhythm.

Kilmoyley will hope Collins (who is looking very doubtful now) can make it for the challenge that Lixnaw will present.

James Godley, Tom Murnane attempted to get Kilmoyley over the line against Abbeydorney and were well aided by Paudie Connor.

Jordan Brick was not his usual effective self against Abbeydorney, so expect a huge game from him on Sunday. Luke Fitzell was also introduced that day and he may start. This is also a game that may suit a role for James McCarthy or Ian Brick.

Room to improve for Kilmoyley, that improvement might not be enough to overcome Lixnaw.

Jason Wallace has his eye on the ball during the Lixnaw v Crotta O'Neills match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jason Wallace of Lixnaw has his eye on the ball during the Lixnaw v Crotta O’Neills match in the last round. Photo by Dermot Crean

Lixnaw arrived in the quarter-final, with a victory over Crotta, a game that they never looked like losing.

Lixnaw were defeated in the first round by Causeway in a game that was very competitive and hard, but the conditions didn’t help.

They have a very solid core of quality players, especially up front, in the Conways, Ricky Heffernan, Jason Wallace and James Flaherty, who are all capable of getting scores.

Add in the hard working Jeremy McKenna, and you have a potent force. Colin Sheehy who didn’t start the last day, is also there to add to the mix.

At the back Pat Corridon is sorely missed and if he comes back, the Lixnaw challenge will be hugely enhanced.

John Griffin will pull the strings at midfield, he will be joined by the back in form Brendan Brosnan.

The other young star, Johnny Buckley, will be doing all in his power to curb either Collins or Paudie O’Connor.

Lixnaw to progress, if Daniel Collins does not play.