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Gavin O’Connor looks at an important game for Kerry as they face Down in the Allianz National Football League in Newry at 2pm on Sunday (deferred coverage on TG4)…
Bryan Sheehan could be instrumental for a Kerry victory on Sunday.
AFTER two winless outings, Kerry could find themselves once more knee deep in a relegation quagmire.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side will head to Newry on Sunday knowing anything short of victory could well see them odds-on for the drop and another doomed National League campaign.
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There is six personnel changes to the Kerry team from the one that lost to Roscommon in Killarney.
What’s most striking is the forward-line, which bears hardly any resemblance to the one which started the All-Ireland Final. Of that side, only Donnchadh Walsh and Stephen O’Brien will start.
In the side, making his debut, is St Mary’s man Aidan Walsh, in place of Jonathan Lyne who is out of the 23 man squad because of a knock.
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Tommy Walsh and Barry John Keane have lost their starting places – the O’Rahillys men didn’t impress in that defeat to the Rossies.
Coming in to make his debut in the forward line is Paul Murphy alongside Darran O’Sullivan and Alan Fitzgerald who replaces Tommy Walsh at full-forward.
Aidan O’Mahony makes his 80th championship appearance on Sunday.
Marc O’Se will begin his 14th season with Kerry in the full-back position while another veteran, Aidan O’Mahony, will make his 80th appearance in green and gold.
David Moran is partnered in midfield by the returning from club duties captain, Bryan Sheehan, who may well be the key to victory on Sunday.
Kerry face a Down side who are also low on confidence, riding in on a two match losing streak.
In 2015, Down won promotion, along with Roscommon, to Division one. Their campaign got off to a dreadful start, where at the hands of Donegal, the Mourne men shipped an 18 point beating.
A trip to Monaghan restored a bit of respectability, though a two point loss still left Down with nothing to show.
This year Eamonn Burns’ side welcomed the return of former All-Stars, Marty Clarke and Benny Coulter, though it remains to be seen if the veteran Coulter and the injury-dogged Clarke, can reclaim the magic of Down’s run to 2010 All-Ireland Final.
Of course, as if we need reminding, Down boast a 100% record against Kerry in championship action. Five out of five wins coming in 1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 2010, so even in the league, they will be far from overawed by the visitors.
This kind of situation is becoming all too worryingly predictable for Kerry.
Under Eamonn Fitzmaurice, ‘must win’ matches in the league to stave off relegation have become a regular chore. And for that reason you would have to fancy Kerry to come out of Newry with the two points. They just know what needs to be done.
Though the starting forward line may well raise a few eyebrows, they’ve ground out wins like this before and there is a wealth of quality in reserve to get them over the line.
Down have been low scorers so far and the selection of Paul Murphy in the half-forward line may give an indication the Kerry backroom staff have been looking at limiting that scoring even further.
There’s also that weapon of a right boot from Bryan Sheehan, who was unstoppable for St Mary’s on their way to All-Ireland glory.
Looking at the starting 15, there will be many around the county wondering how this will pan out on Sunday. For me though…
Kerry by 4 points
