Banner rising swamps the Kingdom at LIT
JUST one of those days, much like last weekend’s was. Kerry came to the Gaelic Grounds with a decent run of form and games behind them and left with their tails between their legs.
Limerick put four goals and twenty eight points on Kerry in the corresponding fixture to this last year. Just one of those days. It does lead you to wonder though whether there’s much value to the exercise for Kerry
(or for the Limericks and Clares).
On one level you’d have to imagine these games are invaluable. Any chance to pit yourself against the best of the best needs to be grasped with both hands. Experiences such as these can help bring a team to another level.
By watching at close quarters just what these top hurlers can do – their skills and most crucially the speed with which they put those skills into effect – it gives Kerry players something to aim for. It lets them know what work there’s to be done.
When the bottom falls out of it, much as it did in the Gaelic Grounds last January, however, you are left to wonder whether it’s worth it, whether in fact it becomes counter-productive.
You could be forgiven for feeling a certain amount of ennui in the wake of a twenty eight point walloping. Can that gap ever be bridged? Probably not, but anybody involved has to believe that it can be. Otherwise what’s the point of it all?
Sunday afternoon is another chance for Kerry to learn. It’s also a chance for them to put some of the ghosts of last year’s defeat behind them and, indeed, last weekend’s defeat in LIT.
Kerry have proven quite competitive in this league over the years – they gave Limerick a right rattle in 2016 and gave Cork a run for their money last year – so they could stand to put in at least one solid performance before the competitive stuff begins at the end of the month.
Fintan O’Connor will aim for a good result, but he’ll also aim to continue a process of renewal. Last weekend he freshened up the side giving game time to Niall O’Mahony from Abbeydorney, to Daithí Griffin from St Brendans, to Daniel O’Carroll from Ballyduff and to the most talked about hurler in the county, Shane Conway from Lixnaw.
Former Kerry minor and Under 21 football Brandon Barrett (of Causeway) also got a first start with the senior hurlers. Another positive development for the Kingdom despite the heavy defeat last weekend.
Alas another defeat is almost certainly on the cards this Sunday. Even at this time of year a win for Kerry would be a bombshell result especially with Limerick in good form having seen off Cork last weekend.