Impressive start for Keane’s Kerry Juniors
A CONTEST that couldn’t be analysed in any great detail with its one-sided nature, Kerry Junior manager Jimmy Keane still was happy with how the side performed on their first day out regardless of how poor their opposition were.
“There’s always a worry with a group of players as to how they will perform the first time they play together. We knew that we had the individuals but you always wonder how they will perform as a team and we’re very happy with how well they worked together today. We did a lot of the simple things right in how we moved the ball and there was no one trying to be a hero in how they played,” the Brosna native said.
Even when it became obvious that Kerry were going to coast to victory, the Juniors stayed competitive with Keane particularly impressed with how some of the subs performed when introduced.
“There are a lot of players who felt hard done by in not starting and wanted to take their chance when it was given to them. That is something you certainly need to drive on a set-up like this,” he said.
Asked about Brendan O’Sullivan’s display, Keane said it proved that the Valentia player only wanted to focus on playing football. “We’re delighted that Brendan has come on board with us and he is a big asset for a set-up like ours to have. The only thing I will say is that our panel is still wide open in terms of places ahead of the Munster Final,” Keane said.
Was Keane worried by the fact his side failed to score a goal on the day?
“No, not with the way the conditions were because with that wind it was more about taking points. We’re confident that they (goals) will come for us on another day,” he said.
With less than two weeks to the Munster Final meeting with Cork, the Kerry Junior boss feels that it is pretty even between the sides in terms of competitive action (one game each) he feels home advantage will be of benefit to the Rebels.
“We know how tough it can be up in Pairc Uí Rinn but we will have to make the most out of preparation before the Final now with the turnaround.”
ALTHOUGH Kieran Fitzgibbon is the nominated captain by Kenmare Shamrocks as last year’s Intermediate winners, Templenoe’s Killian Spillane is assuming the role for the Kerry Juniors for the moment with Tomas Mac an tSaoir starting ahead of Fitzgibbon in the goalkeeping position. Mindful of having such an honour, Spillane enjoyed the experience of being captain last Sunday in Cusack Park as he reflected on last Sunday’s convincing win as well as getting involved with the Junior set-up once more.
“Today was about getting the basics right with the amount of time we had to prepare for today. Once we managed to get ahead of Limerick we never looked back and it was great to see everyone make a contribution today, 11 different scorers speaks for itself. It was a no-brainer in terms of coming back (to the Juniors) as it is still inter-county Football that you are being asked to play and you are playing against players of a similar age to you from up along the ranks,” last Sunday’s captain said.
Spillane praised the quality of the panel and the standard of the Football played last Sunday as thoughts turn to another meeting with Cork in the Munster Final.
“You have to remember that there are still some other players to come into us once they recover from injuries and finish exams so we have plenty of competition still for places on the panel. Cork will be a challenge regardless of how people think they might be going elsewhere and we have to be prepared for a tough game up there (Pairc Ui Rinn) when it comes to the Final.”