Experienced Rebels could come a cropper to hungry Kingdom
CADBURYS MUNSTER U-21 FC QUARTER-FINAL: When: Saturday, March 13 2pm Where: Austin Stack Park, Tralee, KERRY V CORK
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Thursday March 11 2010
AS reigning All Ireland champions and with a larger number of last year's panel available to them than usual Cork will head into this Saturday's clash as favourites. Rightly so with the quality they've got, but don't for a minute think that the Kingdom will be as poor this year as they were last.
They've got reasons to be confident –a certain amount of experience, a strong midfield pairing and a forward line of serious potential. Last year, despite the presence of Tommy Walsh and David Moran, it was a pretty callow side. This year they have much more football under their belts and the experience of twelve months ago to draw on.
With a large number of Kerry's senior squad either retiring, heading to the AFL, or taking an extended winter break Jack O'Connor has had to call on a large number of this Under 21 squad for the McGrath Cup and the opening two rounds of the National League. Goalie Tomás Mac an tSaoir, defender Paudge O'Connor and forwards Barry John Walsh, Barry John Keane and James O'Donoghue have all featured for the Kerry seniors this year.
Cork's primary strength would seem to rest in their forward division. That's not to say that Kerry's backs won't be able to come through this test – Paudge O'Connor, Brian McGuire, Barry Shanahan and Jonathan Lyne are all fine defenders. O'Connor, one suspects, will be given the difficult task of keeping tabs on Ciaran Sheehan. Sheehan will score, there's no doubt about that, but it's how much he scores that will likely decide this contest.
Cork may have an experienced midfield partnership in Chris O'Donovan and Kevin O'Driscoll, but with UCC star Johnny Buckley (who lest we forget also has an U-21 All Ireland winners medal in his back pocket) in magnificent form and with the ever improving Colm 'Benny' Moriarty beside him Kerry could well win this particular battle and on home soil one would expect them to, perhaps, just edge it.
If they do then Kerry have the forwards to shoot down what is, admittedly, an impressive Rebel rearguard. Kerry's full-foward line just oozes class – Barry John Walsh at full will act as target man and with Paul Geaney and Daithí Casey either side of him points and goals should be forthcoming – if they get enough ball.
Kerry's half-forward line are no slouches either – any line that contains the mercurial ability of James O'Donoghue must be respected, while Cork will be on the look out for Barry John Keane who impressed all in Pairc Uí Rinn during Cork's defeat of the Kingdom, when as a second half sub the Tralee man scored two points from play in quick succession.
John Cleary has probably considered all of this and has solutions in mind – he's been there and done that lest we forget. While the smart money may be on Cork to march on don't be surprised if the Kingdom triumph.
Verdict: Kerry
- Damian Stack
