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After last Sunday’s disappointing display against Wexford, Mike O’Halloran says the Kerry hurlers will show an improvement against Clare in Ennis on Sunday (throw-in 2pm)…
Shane Nolan and the rest of the Kerry team will want to improve on last Sunday’s performance.
THE Kerry hurlers will probably get on the ferry to Ennis on Sunday to take on what is regarded as the top team in Division 1B of the national hurling league in a game that most folk fear might be another defeat.
Clare have already given Kerry quite a dusting in the Munster League in Ennis and showed no mercy that night.
The management team in Clare are in a dilemma in that if they don’t defeat Kerry by a big score, there will be rumblings that Clare are going badly and have little chance of competing for All Ireland honours.
Kerry go into the game after a defeat to Wexford last weekend in a game that they never did themselves justice in front of a big crowd in Tralee and on national television.
The Kerry display against Wexford bore no resemblance to the mighty effort put up against Limerick in Killarney or the great win over Laois and Kerry’s form is somewhere in between both of those games.
Expect an improved performance from the boys on Sunday, because this outfit have too much pride and passion to just lie down and give up.
Kerry have three changes from their team last week, Martin Stackpoole is injured and he is replaced in goal by Aiden McCabe the Kilmoyley keeper.
Patrick Kelly, who was replaced last Sunday, starts at full back and Darren Dineen who was injured for the Limerick game comes in at centre back.
Thomas Casey partners John Griffin at midfield and he will be hoping that he can regain the form he showed against Laois and Limerick.
Michael O’Leary who was injured last Sunday wears number eleven and his recovery from injury is a welcome boost for the team that could be under the cosh against Clare.
I thought that Dougie Fitzell might have gotten a starting position, but such is the strength of this panel he will have to be satisfied with a role as a substitute.
The substitute line-up is pretty impressive including Jordan Conway, Philip Lucid, Johnny Buckley and Paudie O’Connor. Lucid can’t be far away from a start as he can also take frees.
Nobody expects Kerry to win but with an improved performance from Jack Goulding, Colum Harty and Michael Boyle, things might not be as grim as last week might suggest.
I presume the management team will be seeking a performance as they head to Birr the following Sunday to face Offaly where a win is essential to avoid a play off to stay in Div 1B.
1. Aidan McCabe, Kilmoyley
2. Sean Weir, Crotta O’Neills
3. Patrick Kelly, Clarecastle
4. Keith Carmody, Causeway
5 Daniel Collins (C), Kilmoyley
6. Darren Dineen, St Brendans
7. Tom Murnane, Kilmoyley
8. Tommy Casey, Causeway
9. John Griffin, Lixnaw
10. Shane Nolan, Crotta O’Neills
11. Michael O’Leary, Abbeydorney
12. Calum Harty, Causeway
13. John Egan, St Brendans
14. Michael Boyle, Ballyduff
15. Jack Goulding, Ballyduff
Replacements;
16. Stephen Murphy, Causeway
17. Brendan Brosnan, Lixnaw
18. John Buckley, Lixnaw
19. Jordan Conway, Crotta O’Neills
20. Maudie O’Connor, Kilmoyley
21. Jason Diggins, Causeway
22. Dougie Fitzelle, Kilmoyley
23. Philip Lucid, Ballyheigue
24. Mike Milner, Dr Crokes
25. James O’Connor,Abbeydorney
26. Brendan O’Leary, Abbeydorney
