WE’RE BACK O’CONN TRACK

O’shea believes Kingdom have middle men to compete with the very best in country

SEAN O’SHEA insists Kerry’s midfield can compete with the best – even if a preferred pairing has yet to be established.

Former captain Joe O’connor, just back from a cruciate lay-off, has played every minute of their Division 1 campaign so far in the centre of the pitch.

The Austin Stacks man was partnered by Sean O’brien for the opening round loss to Derry and by the more experienced Diarmuid O’connor against Monaghan.

Barry Dan O’sullivan featured in Kerry’s engine room during the Mcgrath Cup while EX-AFL player Stefan Okunbor and perhaps even O’shea himself are other options.

Boss Jack O’connor has had to experiment as David Moran and Jack Barry, his All-ireland winning midfielders in 2022, are both unavailable. Moran retired at the start of 2023 while Barry has opted to take a year out.

Mayo, who beat Kerry twice last year, will travel to Kerry tomorrow and try to exert their authority.

But O’shea, who has been named the GAA’S Irish Language Ambassador for 2024, rejected that it is now a problem area.

O’shea said: “I don’t think so. We back our midfield to compete against any in the country.

“There are some great lads there. There’s a few different fellas who can go in there on a given day. So we’re well stocked in that department.”

The league then, and Kerry’s remaining ties against Mayo, Dublin, Tyrone, Roscommon and Galway, will be used to settle on a preferred pairing? O’shea wouldn’t even concede that much.

He said: “You could say that about every position really. That’s what the league is about, trying to cement your spots and trying to find players in different positions and see what works.”

He is more definite about the return of Joe O’connor and what a good thing that is for Kerry. O’shea stood in for O’connor as captain when the then skipper wasn’t starting games in 2022. They eventually hoisted the Sam Maguire Cup jointly.

“He worked so hard on his own to get himself into unbelievable shape. He did everything by the book, and more. It’s great for Joe and it’s great for us as a group. He’s a great character and a great fella to have around. He brings really positive energy around the group.”