Minor footballers face Rossies in quarter-final
ALL IRELAND MFC QUARTER-FINAL
Kerry v Roscommon
Saturday, July 28
The Gaelic Grounds, 3pm Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)
A STRAIGHT forward knock-out bid now for the Kerry minors as they bid to become Tommy Markham Cup winners for the fifth consecutive year and for the first time with an Under 17 side.
Last year, of course, the county’s Under 17s were beaten at All-Ireland semi-final level by Roscommon in what is the only blot in the underage success story since 2014. However, with official minor recognition on both sides now with the changes this year it will be interested to see what the dynamic will be on Saturday.
From what we have seen so far from this present side there is much to admire not least when they pulled themselves out of the cauldron that was their Munster semi-final meeting with Cork back in May where a late Jack O’Connor point ensured they would be at this stage of the competition regardless of the Munster Final result with Clare.
Despite some early difficulties against the Banner County, Kerry rose to their potential as the game wore with Paul Walsh of Brosna putting in a Man-of-the-Match display similar to that of his performance the first night against Tipperary in Thurles.
Team captain Paul O’Shea was impressive in proceedings as well but was withdrawn through injury late on, but has made a full recovery before the trip to the Gaelic Grounds.
It’s been hard to get a good handle on this Minor side with the age change but this is where the stakes will rise considerably with all the potential ‘back-doors’ now removed and with a single path to an All-Ireland that can be followed.
The loss last year will probably provide the management team with more motivation than the Kerry team itself in terms of redemption but one thing last year will have reminded them of is the prowess Shane Cunnane can have in proceedings if he hits form.
The effect Kerry’s half-back line of Dan Murphy, Dan McCarthy and Darragh Rahilly have had so far has been one of the most noticeable features of their campaign with Marc Kelliher proving up to the task in goals when called upon to make some saves in the second period last time out in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.
The absence of a competitive game in five weeks will be a worry, but it is not like the team is short of football with the rounds of the County Minor Championship that have been played.
Shaking off the cobwebs early and getting into a rhythm would be a big effort to the minors and Dylan Geaney proved he has an eye for goal in the brace converted against Clare.
Limerick would feel a lot more suitable from a Kerry point of view than Ennis, but the Under 20s’ loss to Kildare there two weeks ago will sharpen the management to the potential pitfalls.
Both counties have had some close encounters at this level in the past decade or so, but if Kerry can cope with Roscommon’s strong physique they stand a great chance of continuing being ever present at All-Ireland semi-final level since 2012.
Verdict: Kerry