PREVIEW: Clare Game Is Chance For Kerry Players To Impress For Harder Tests Ahead

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Gavin O’Connor says there’ll be no shock this Sunday against Clare as Kerry players will be out to impress the boss… 

Paul Geaney in action for Kerry in the Munster SFC semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium in June. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Paul Geaney in action for Kerry in the Munster SFC semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium in June. Photo by Dermot Crean.

THIS week the Kerry footballing public has gone through one of the most lacklustre build-ups to a match in Croke Park in recent memory.

For players, the focus will be on impressing Eamonn Fitzmaurice who has been doing his best all week not to sucked into chatting about what’s likely to be a semi-final against Dublin.

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Fitzmaurice has been correct in his appraisal that Clare have not been given due credit for their ride through the qualifiers, but nevertheless his players will find enthusiasm for nailing down their positions, rather than the opposition they face.

The game on Sunday ranks alongside Cavan (2013) and Limerick (2011) for uninspiring trips to Croke Park in recent years and it seems there could be a very small travelling contingent for this All-Ireland series match. Kerry exiles in Dublin supporters may even make up the bulk of Kingdom followers.

It will be four weeks since Kerry defeated Tippeary in the Munster Final and six weeks since they first met Clare which yielded a very comfortable 12 point victory.

Defying the odds through the backdoor, the Bannermen have cast aside Laois (0-14 to 1-10), Sligo (1-13 to 2-17) and Connacht finalists Roscommon (2-12 to 1-9).

This will be Clare’s fourth week in a row of championship action. In that time Kerry have not moved outside the confines of the locked gates of Fitzgerald Stadium.

Much has been made on the rise of Clare’s Gary Brennan who has already been earmarked for an All-Star. The 27-year-old midfielder’s runs from deep have thrust him on The Sunday Game highlight reel and he will most likely give a game-rusty Kerry midfield some bother.

Injuries to Colm Cooper, Mikey Geaney and Johnny Buckley are another setback for three players who have have varying degrees of injury woes recently. The Gooch’s momentum has been halted following a shoulder injury against Tipp, Mikey Geaney, missed the vast majority of the league because of a back injury and Johnny Buckley has not featured since picking up a knee injury in the National League semi-final against Roscommon.

Injuries have stuttered and stifled this team in 2016, with James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney both missing all of the National League. These two men who burst into the limelight in 2014 will be vital to proving that All-Ireland was no fluke.

Paul Geaney is the side’s championship top-scorer so far with 2-8 and the Dingle man is showing all the swagger of a player coming into his prime.

With defeat difficult to fathom on Sunday, it will be an opportunity for players to put themselves at the forefront of Fitzy’s plans. Kerry may creak into action but it’s difficult to see this game be anything other than comfortable.

Verdict – Kerry by 8 

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