Rathmore to bounce back

COUNTY SFC ROUND 2B

Rathmore v Kenmare Shamrocks Saturday, September 8 Rathbeg

5.30pm, Ref: Seamus Mulvihill

RATHMORE probably didn’t expect to see themselves in the losers round but they are here on the back of that loss to Legion and it’s all on the line for a club that has real desire to get to the top of the county championship pile this year.

They put up 2-12 against Legion and should feel that a similar return should be good enough to get past Kenmare Shamrocks out in Rathbeg.

Of course, they conceded 2-14 to Legion so that needs to be addressed, and Paul Murphy - so often an attacking player for his club - might have to sit back in defence and keep tabs on Sean O’Shea.

O’Shea was somewhat subdued in open play in his team’s loss to South Kerry, but between his free taking prowess and what is capable of on the ball, Rathmore will need to be wary of one of Kerry’s breakthrough players this summer.

Stephen O’Brien will be crucial to the Kenmare attack but it’s unclear if Paul O’Connor - missing against South Kerry - is available.

Rathmore’s key forward is Shane Ryan but there’s plenty others around him like Mark Reen, George O’Keeffe and John Moynihan to get Rathmore back on track. Verdict: St Brendans