New look minors favourites to get off on a winning note

MUNSTER MINOR MFC QUARTER-FINAL

Tipperary v Kerry

Wednesday, April 11 Semple Stadium, Thurles 7pm

EVEN with all the success of the last four years, there still is a sense of caution about a Kerry Minor team heading up to Thurles. That comes from the events of 2011 when despite an 11 point lead at one stage of the first period in the Munster Semi-Final, the Kingdom fell victory to a Tipperary tidal wave in the second period that eventually went on to win the All-Ireland title that September. The success of the 2014 side up there at the same stage probably has lessened the impact of that loss but there is no doubt that loss serves as the turning point for the county’s fortunes thereafter. Only one year since have Kerry not won the Munster title (2012) and not reached an All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final (2013) after with four Tommy Markhams and five Tadgh Crowley (Munster Minor) Cups since. The changes to the age grade might make things a little more uncertain as to how U-17’s will fare at this level but Kerry still can call on players with experience of big occassions. Take team captain Paul O’Shea playing at Corn Uí Mhuirí level this year alongside fellow Sem players Patrick D’Arcy and Darragh Lyne or Conor Flannery, Colm Moriarty, Cillian Falvey and Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich featuring in a recent Hogan Cup Semi-Final with Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne.

Legion’s Kieran O’Donoghue managed another St Brendans side to another All-Ireland Schools Final in the Paul McGirr Cup decider at U-161/2 level while Kenmare’s Dan McCarthy was also on the Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine side that reached the All-Ireland B Semi-Final. Schools success is not a prerequiste to Minor success but it does provide players with an understanding of the profile there can be of games at this level. This will be the first time since 2013 that a Kerry Minor will enter without any All-Ireland Schools winners from the same year but the look of the side is still strong even without a Hogan or McGirr Cup for the county. Tipperary have not have the threat at this level since they reached their last All-Ireland decider back in 2015 as the strength of the side led by Mark O’Connor that year was their for all to see in the decider. These new rules of engagement at Minor level might re-energise them but how much the Round Robin system for the Munster Minor Hurling Championship affects their dual players will be interesting to see although Tipp have seemed to manage the issue well in recent years. Returning to the team captain, the fact O’Shea is a first cousin of his immediate predecessor at Minor level in David Clifford is a pretty interesting coincidence. East Kerry had a say in this year’s selection but of the East Kerry contingent the fact O’Shea was chosen would indicate he has qualities to take on the role and down the line it will be better for future captains as managements will have the confidence in them to hand them what can be a tough role at such a young age. Again we are shooting into the dark somewhat with this being the first outing. The result as opposed to the performance is the most important thing tonight.

Verdict: Kerry