Gavin O’Connor looks forward to the Kerry v Monaghan, Allianz National League Division 1, Round 6 game at St. Tiernach’s Park Clones, Sunday 3pm (deferred coverage on TG4)… 

ON paper it looks like Kerry have a great opportunity to extend their winning run to four.

But memories of last year’s defeat to Monaghan at home may indicate this game should be approached with a healthy dose of trepidation.

In Austin Stack Park last year, Kerry fell flat against Monaghan and lost 0-10 to 1-11.

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The teams meet once again in the penultimate match of the campaign. Victory for Kerry would mean, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, stands a great chance of preparing a side for a National League semi-final tie for the first time since taking over in 2014.

Defeat and the Finuge man could be looking at fighting relegation on the final day once more.

Kerry are currently third in the table on six points, a loss against Monaghan and a loss on the final day could well put The Kingdom in the drop zone.

Although if Mayo lose at the weekend against Roscommon, Fitzmaurice and co need not worry of such permutations.

Monaghan have two wins under their belt, coming against the division whipping boys Down (0-13 – 0-11) and surprise package, Roscommon (1-9 – 2-10).

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That victory against Down was the Farney county’s only win on home soil.  Mayo (1-12 – 2-11) picked up their only points of the league in Clones earlier this month.

The side are heavily reliant on Conor McManus, who has scored  an incredible 2-32 of  the side’s total of 4-62 in the National League.

So it’s natural to assume that if you stop McManus, you stop Monaghan. But that’s easier said than done which anyone who saw his blistering display in Croke Park against Dublin can attest to.

Despite being on the losing side, McManus, claimed man of the match after scoring eight of his side’s tally 16, five of which from play.

The Clontibret man is arguably the in form forward in the country at moment, so it will be interesting to see how Fitzmaurice and his backroom staff hope to curb his influence.

A massive loss for Kerry is Bryan Sheehan who has been sidelined due to a hand injury, the St Mary’s man finally succumbing to the rigors of a 20 match streak between club and county which contained only one defeat.

Kerry do however welcome back David Moran, Paul Geaney and Killian Young from injury and Alan Fitzgerald from suspension.

Given the result of last year’s match against Monaghan at home under very similar circumstances, you’d be wary of calling it.

Relegation is still a possibility so you would be hopeful Kerry can keep it going after wins against Down, Donegal and Mayo to ensure they stay in the division.

There’s also that carrot of a league semi-final and more importantly one more meaningful fixture, before the long break that leads to the championship.

Verdict – Kerry by three

Gavin O’Connor says Kerry are likely to face a more negative style of football from Monaghan this Sunday, but that might be no harm in preparation for later this year…

KERRY will once again face northern raiders at home in this league campaign, having dispatched of Donegal with some exciting, open football.

Surely Monaghan will come with the shutters down?

For the Donegal game, I got the three point win prediction correct, but I was off in how I thought the game would pan out in terms of style.

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The two sides are currently in a healthy position, with both on six points and Monaghan one place ahead of Kerry – who lay in third – because of a better points scored difference.

Whoever wins on Sunday will almost certainly book a place in this year’s semi-finals.

With players like James O’Donoghue, Colm Cooper, Marc Ó Sé, Aidan O’Mahony, Donnchadh Walsh and Paul Galvin still without a run in the league, a couple of extra games could be very beneficial for championship preparation.

There are three changes in the Kerry team, Shane Enright, comes in for Paul Murphy who, after surviving a game without a black card, managed to pick up a back strain which has put him out.

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Brian Kelly returns from injury, reigniting that friendly rivalry he has with Brendan Kealy in the battle for the number one jersey.

Kealy will feel disappointed after putting in a few solid performances, in particular with regards kick-outs, but Kelly is there on merit from last year.

Healthy competition between both keepers can only mean good things for the Kerry team.

Sunday will be a landmark moment for Alan Fitzgerald, who will become the first Castlegregory player to start a competitive Kerry game in 30 years.

Fitzgerald has impressed, coming on as a substitute in the previous two games against Cork and Donegal, as he replaces Bryan Sheehan who is out because of a rib injury.

Sheehan is big loss against a team like Monaghan who now will be happy to foul outside the fifty knowing Sheehan won’t be there to pick them off from the dead ball.

Those duties will most likely fall to David Moran, who has it in his locker to go long from the ground, but not with the regularity of the Cahersiveen man.

Monaghan’s focal point in attack will be full-forward, Conor McManus. Hopefully, Fitzmaurice opts to stick with the assigned positions and leaves Mark Griffin on McManus.

Against Donegal, Griffin left Micheal Murphy without a score from play, with the All-Star eventually moving to the half forward line to find more influence.

For Griffin, another good test against a top inter-county full-forward could further cement his place ahead of the return of Marc O’Se and Aidan O’Mahony.

The war of attrition expected in the Donegal game didn’t materialise, but you’ve got to feel with Monaghan’s reputation as committed exponents of the ‘northern brand’ they will not make the trip down with positive football at the forefront of their minds.

So far, Kerry’s games in the league have been open. It might not be any harm to go up against a resolute blanket defence in preparation for what could be in store later in the year.

Football is constantly evolving and the league is the best place to learn, tweak and experiment.

Verdict – Kerry by 2 points