Juniors likely to look a lot like the team of 2015

IT will be Friday night before we know the team for definite, but the Kerry Junior set-up for 2017 appears to look back a lot to the 2015 class in terms of its make-up.

Pa Kilkenny, James Walsh, Thomas Hickey, Phillip O’Connor, Jeff O’Donoghue, Conor Cox and Eamon Kiely all featured in the side that won the first of two All-Ireland Final wins over Mayo in Croke Park as one interesting feature of this year side is that from the last three All-Ireland Minor winning teams, no defender from the 2014 or 2015 side features as defenders from the 2016 side in Dan O’Brien and David Naughton are a part of the Junior set-up this year.

There could be more from the 2016 Minors in the form of Niall Collins, Mike Breen, Caoilm Teahan, David Shaw and Dara Moynihan but these are not available for the Limerick game due to the Leaving Cert.

Two other possibilities who are ruled out through injury come in the form of South Kerry duo Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) and Brian Sugrue (Renard). When it comes to goalkeepers Jimmy Keane’s side will be choosing between either former Minor and Under 21 goalkeeper Tomas Mac an tSaoir of An Gaeltacht or Kenmare Shamrocks’ Kieran Fitzgibbon.

There is also a strong representation of the aforementioned West Kerry side in the set-up with PJ Hand, Eanna Ó Conchúir, Dara, Roibéard and Tomas Ó Sé as Templenoe’s Killian Spillane looks like being a part of the set-up once more.

A few members of the extended senior panel might be joining the Juniors but it will be later in the week before that becomes apparent or not. Thomas Hickey is another injury doubt following the recent setback he suffered in the County Championship with St Kierans.

The eligibility of players for this grade does make continuity hard for the reigning All-Ireland Champions at this level but certainly since the emphasis went to a more younger outlook it has brought more consistent success with Kerry unbeaten in the province since 2013 and unbeaten at All-Ireland level since the 2014 Final loss to Cavan.

The competition is subject to a lot of debate about its relevance, but it has endured despite the many reviews that have taken place on its structure. Indeed with the Munster Council making its equivalent in Hurling (Intermediate) an Under 25 competition it does reinforce the point that this is the niche from which this level can continue to exist.

It’s not easy when potential players may want to travel and focus on other things in life at this stage of their lives but it does provide those that might slip through the net after the underage grades an opportunity to show their worth for their county at a higher level.

The first game can always be the hardest, two years ago it took a late intervention to stop the 2015 side having to line out with their clubs in the County League the night before they were due to play Tipperary while last year needed a late Adrian Spillane goal to see off Limerick in the Juniors first outing at Fitzgerald Stadium.

The conclusion of that game will form the basis for Sunday’s re-match between the two counties.

The Treaty County will be smarting no doubt from the way they lost at the death last year despite Jamie Lee’s heroics (11 points) throughout.

They will view the game being on neutral territory in Cusack Park this time as a chance to avenge that defeat although you do wonder are they handicapped by the fact that Clare’s withdrawal deprived them of a competitive outing together that would have aided them no end against the reigning All-Ireland Champions.

If Kerry heed the memory of last year and prepare accordingly they should be in a good position to advance with the necessary experience of this level from their 2015 contingent.

There is also a freshness from some of the new players coming in at this level to drive everyone on a bit further but don’t be surprised if this turns into a bit of a Battle Royale on Sunday especially if Limerick bring what they brought to the table last year with them to Killarney.

The promise of some further players to strength the squad should they advance on Sunday will make victory all the more important for the Kingdom side that takes to the field in Ennis.

Verdict: Kerry