Our hurling analyst, Mike O’Halloran, on the Christy Ring Cup semi-final this Saturday as Kerry travel to Kildare…
Mikey Boyle (seen here in action against Meath in the Christy Ring Cup match in Austin Stack Park earlier this month) needs to be on the top of his game this Saturday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
THE stated aim of the Kerry Hurling management team for the 2015 was to win The Christy Ring Cup and not be relegated in the Allianz Hurling League.
Not alone were they not relegated, but they were promoted to Division 1B to sup at the table of hurling lords with the likes of Clare.
One would think that achievement would have done for one year, but no, this ambitious group wants to “win the Ring”.
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“Winning the Ring” will mean that they can compete in the Leinster Round Robin series next season.
I nailed my colours to the mast from the off of this competition saying that I believed if Kerry had any chance of competing at the highest level they should be able to “walk the Christy Ring Cup”.
Kerry have not exactly “walked” their way to the semi-final and were tested especially against Meath in Tralee a few weeks ago, where, were it not for the indicipline of Meath and the accuracy of Shane Nolan from placed balls, the result might have been different (Nolan drove over 10 points from dead balls).
Meath were the team that Kildare defeated last weekend to reach the semi-final. Kildare won that quarter-final clawing back a nine point lead after 16 minutes, Gerry Keegan scored 2-5 from play.
Kildare bagged three goals and had nine different scorers.
Kildare have been busy in this competition; a draw against London in Ruislip saw them gain an extra game in the heat of the championship, which most managers will tell you is worth ten training sessions.
Meanwhile, Kerry have had to contend themselves with challenge games and training, some of the Kerry lads have played a game or two with their clubs and more of them were involved with in the football championship last weekend.
The game next Saturday is very hard to call as Kildare are very hard to breakdown in Newbridge and have always caused Kerry bother in the last few years.
Kerry have a team good enough to “Win The Ring” but sport shows us that the better team does not always come out on top.
To win, Kerry must be very diciplined as Mark Delaney will put away any free-taking chance he gets. They must get goals, and if Kildare adopt a sweeper system Kerry must be able to manage it.
Sean Weir has to start at centre forward and the likes of Michael Boyle have to win the ball in the air.
Kerry will have to win the physical battles against a very robust and skilful Kildare side who have on their coaching staff the ex Munster Rugby man Niall Ronan.
The Kerry fans also need to travel in their numbers to support the team.
Supporters should not wait for the final in Croke Park as the team needs their support in Newbridge (throw-in 2pm) to get to Croke Park.
Verdict: A draw, with Kerry winning in extra time.
