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Mike O’Halloran looks forward to a fascinating Garveys Supervalu Kerry SHC semi-final clash between Lixnaw and St Brendan’s this Sunday in Austin Stack Park (2pm)…
Action from when the sides clashed in 2015.
When Lixnaw face off against St Brendan’s next Sunday it will almost be three months since they played their last game in the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Hurling Senior hurling Championship.
It has taken from the beginning July to the end of September to get down to the last four of a competition with eight teams.
In their two games, Lixnaw have racked up 4-45 when they put both Ballyheigue and Ballyduff to the sword.
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If the championship was run off in a timely manner I have no doubt that Lixnaw would be champions.
The fact that St Brendan’s have five games under their belt in the competition must stand to them on Sunday, in their five games they have amassed 5-79.
There is no doubt that Lixnaw possess one of the greatest Kerry hurling forwards of all time in Shane Conway. He will need the support of Ricky Heffernan, Jason Wallace, Colin Sheehy and his brother Michael to match the teak-tough skilful backs of St Brendan’s.
The Horgan brothers, Kevin Hannafin and Kevin Orpen and the great Darren Dineen will test any forward line. I would suggest that Kevin Hannafin would be a lot more effective at full back if Michael Conway is to be curbed.
At the back Martin Stackpoole is solid between the posts and a magnificent game restarter with his accurate pucks out.
Darragh Shanahan did not turn out for the Kerry U21s last week due to a hamstring injury and will be a loss if he does not start, expect Liam Mullins to slot in perhaps in the halfback line as a starter, he must have been disappointed not to start the All Ireland U21 final.
Cian Hussey will lead the St Brendan’s attack and will have to produce the devastating form he showed against Causeway in the first game to ease the pressure on his fellow forwards Tom Moloney, Kevin Skinner, Stephen Leen, Tim Hannafin, and the excellent Kevin Skinner.
St Brendan’s captain John Egan will be doing all in his power to get a chance to get to the final.
At midfield there will be a battle royal between David Griffin and Seamus Skinner and Johnny Buckley and Jeremy McKenna. Jeremy is recovering from a hand injury, but I’m pretty sure he will play through the pain barrier to make a final. VERDICT: Lixnaw to win
