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Mike O’Halloran looks at Kerry’s upcoming league tie with Wexford on Sunday and says the Model County will hold no fear for the home side…
John Egan will be a vital player for Kerry this Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE Kerry hurlers have a homecoming on Sunday when they take on Wexford in round three of the National Hurling League.
Their home game coincides with the reopening of Austin Stacks Park after extensive work on the playing area and refurbishment to the spectator areas.
Kerry had a win in their opening round against Laois in Portlaoise when they blew Laois away with a display of total hurling. They then went on to put it up to Limerick who would see themselves as potential MacCarthy Cup contenders.
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The second half display by Kerry that day in Killarney was awesome. Their team work, determination and confidence could have won them the game if they had the same belief in the opening half.
Kerry go into the game on Sunday knowing that Limerick gave Wexford quite a dusting when they met in the opening round, this should give Kerry confidence as Kerry ran Limerick to four points.
On the other hand, Kerry were well beaten by Clare in the Munster League and Wexford were with Clare for a long period in their encounter when they met.
So the game is very hard to call. Kerry have home advantage and seem to have the whole country behind their progression in the second tier. Home advantage should count for something but I think this team will rely on their own confidence to overcome the Yellow Bellies and will not depend on the vagaries of goodwill or home advantage.
The commitment of this Kerry hurling team knows no bounds. I was talking to Damien Ryall a few days after the Limerick game and he told me that the subs who did not play against Limerick were in the gym on Monday morning in order not to lose any fitness.
Darren Dineen, who was injured for the game against Limerick, is named at number 22. His replacement that day John Griffin is at midfield with Thomas Casey remaining in the centre back position following his fine display against Limerick.
The half backline as well as being able to defend are well able to carry the ball out of defence and launch attacks from deep.
The work rate of Jack Goulding and Colum Harty will be needed again in spades to stem the challenge Wexford will bring to Tralee. Wexford will do everything in their power to prevent what they might regard as unthinkable; to be beaten by a Kerry hurling team.
Wexford have had some in house upheavals to contend with in the last few months, they now travel to Tralee with only 22 players “due to injury”. Andrew shore is moved back to wing back after a trial up front against Clare. Lee Chin will pit his considerable talent and wit against Patrick Kelly or John Griffin, Lee also had a term as a forward as Wexford attempt to add power to their attack.
They will find it very difficult to overcome this Kerry outfit, who these days fear nobody and especially in their own back yard on a pristine surface with the whole county behind them.
A Donegal man, now living in Tralee, says that even the Donegal supporters will be cheering for Kerry.
The double header will begin at 12.30 pm and by two o’clock Kerry hurlers will have done their bit to have half the double in the bag.
Kerry team to face Wexford;
1 Martin Stackpoole Lixnaw
2 Sean Weir Crotta O’Neills
3 Bryan Murphy Causeway
4 Keith Carmody Causeway
5 Daniel Collins (C) Kilmoyley
6 Tommy Casey Causeway
7 Tom Murnane Kilmoyley
8 Patrick Kelly Clarecastle
9 John Griffin Lixnaw
10 Shane Nolan Crotta O’Neills
11 Michael O’Leary Abbeydorney
12 Colum Harty Causeway
13 John Egan St Brendans
14 Mikey Boyle Ballyduff
15 Jack Goulding Ballyduff
Replacements;
16 Aidan McCabe Kilmoyley
17 Brendan Brosnan Lixnaw
18 John Buckley Lixnaw
19 Mike Milner Dr Crokes
20 Jordan Conway Crotta O’Neills
21 Jason Diggins Causeway
22 Darren Dineen St Brendans
23 Dougie Fitzelle Kilmoyley
24 Philip Lucid Ballyheigue
25 James O’Connor Abbeydorney
26 Brendan O’Leary Abbeydorney
