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Mike O’Halloran looks forward to the Kerry hurlers beginning their journey in Division 1B Allianz National Hurling League with a trip to O’Moore Park on Sunday to take on Laois…
Kerry’s Shane Nolan (seen here last month against Waterford) will be vital for Kerry this season. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
I spoke to Ciaran Carey a few weeks ago in Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney and he was offering no hostages to fortune by saying that he was not setting any long-term goals for the squad and was taking it step by step.
The step next Sunday is regarded as a step that might be near enough to be successful, but the steps with Limerick, Wexford and Clare might be steps too far.
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Ciaran Carey might not be setting goals for his charges but hurling fans I have been speaking to, have earmarked the game versus Laois as a game that Kerry can win.
Any game in Division 1 B is going to be difficult for a number of reasons, namely the other teams like Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Limerick and Clare are, to varying degrees, further along the road than Kerry are.
Also, Kerry were pretty late starting their training given the delay in putting the management team in place. Admittedly the panel have worked extremely hard to play catch up.
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Kerry players tell me the training regime is very intense with the highly regarded Damien Ryall putting them through a pretty rigorous training regime.
No stone is being left unturned by the manager and coach to get the hurling skills up to the level of the others in the division, who are regarded by most as being able to execute the basic hurling skills at a greater speed.
The Kerry panel lines up before the Waterford match last month. How will they fare in the big leagues this year. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Part of the preparation for the hurlers was their participation in the Munster Hurling League. What can be read into these results is open to debate.
Kerry seemed to do pretty well against Limerick, but Limerick were not at full strength by any means. Kerry travelled to Mallow to play a Cork team that only fielded three of four players that will be playing hurling in the summer.
Kerry took on Waterford in Killarney and, in a very poor game, they kept in touch with Waterford who were never at full throttle, a challenge game the following day against the same opposition resulted in a pretty comprehensive win for Waterford.
Kerry travelled to Clare in a freezing cold midweek night and were shown no mercy by David Fitzgerald’s charges.
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There may be some merit in not setting long-term goals but surely the goal has to be to survive in Division 1B for a couple of seasons in order that this ambitious squad can develop and learn at the second highest level before progressing to Div 1A and the Munster Championship.
The Kerry team selected for Sunday is a very impressive. Martin Stackpoole is between the sticks after a brilliant outing against Waterford in Killarney, Sean Weir of Crotta O’Neills who has been a constant in the corner back position remains in that role.
Two Causeway men complete the full back line with Bryan Murphy filling the number three position, Keith Carmody who can play at either end of the pitch with equal ability is number four.
Darren Dineen of St Brendan’s is flanked by two Kilmoyley men, the captain Daniel Collins and the experienced Tom Murnane.
Patrick Kelly, whose relatives hail from Moyvane, is at midfield with the Causeway man Thomas Casey.
The sharp shooter Shane Nolan is at ten with Michael O’Leary from Abbeydorney at centre forward – Michael was very impressive against Cork in The Munster League. The speed merchant goal poacher Colum Harty from Causeway wears number twelve.
Young Jack Goulding from Ballyduff comes in at fifteen (I was very impressed with his showing versus Waterford in Killarney), Michael Boyle his club mate will operate at full forward.
Kerry will be hoping that Michael will be able to get his brilliant hand to win ball and distribute to young Goulding and to the great fellow dual star John Egan who is selected at thirteen.
The subs bench contains the All-Star John Griffin along with fellow Lixnaw men Johnny Buckley and Brendan Brosnan. Also on the bench is the college star Jordan Conway from Crotta O’Neills
Sunday is Valentine’s Day lets hope that Laois show Kerry some love and allow us to leave Portlaoise with a bouquet of two points.
An opening win on the road a chance of a draw or win at home would put Kerry in with a great chance of surviving in division 1B. (Throw-in 2pm)
Hi Mike
I was just wondering why the best full back in the county over the last two years is not even in the panel . Any thoughts .