Expect Cork to realise some of their potential

What effect will the ‘Super Eights’ have on the Championship?

IT should have a good effect for Kerry initially provided they qualify for it! The more Championship football they play the better they generally tend to get and the mix of Croke Park, Fitzgerald Stadium and another venue should give us a good sense of where they are in relation to the quest for Sam. Whether it makes the strong counties stronger and leave the rest behind remains to be seen but Dublin being taken out of Croke Park can only be a good thing not just for the team playing host to them but also the economy of their area!

What two Kerry players would you like to get a sustained run in the League?

BEYOND David Clifford it’s a big year for Sean O’Shea from Kenmare. A lot would feel he was wronged last year in being brought into the senior panel during the summer and not being used at the expense of being excluded from playing in a County U-21 Final with Kenmare District. Second would be Fionn Fitzgerald. He’s been nominated as Kerry captain despite not being a guaranteed starter at this point in time. A sustained run in the League should tell us if he will be in the reckoning or not come Championship time.

What Kerry player do you expect to make a significant mark in this year’s Championship?

KIERAN Donaghy. You sense this is his last year at inter-county level. While physically he appears to be in as good a shape as ever and has maintained the hunger to succeed, younger challengers from within and without will be a big test of his decision to stay on in 2018. He might just go out with a bang and rejuvenate himself like he did in 2014.

On the basis of who is available now, what would be your preferred Kerry team for the Championship?

SHANE Murphy; Shane Enright, Jason Foley, Fionn Fitzgerald; Paul Murphy, Killian Young, Peter Crowley; Anthony Maher, David Moran; Sean O’Shea, David Clifford, Johnny Buckley; Paul Geaney, Kieran Donaghy, James O’Donoghue

What one non-Kerry player are you looking forward to seeing throughout the Championship?

CON O’Callaghan. After a magnificent breakthrough year in 2017 in both codes, this appears to be one of the most exciting talents in recent years. Second Season Syndrome might well be the Dublin man’s biggest obstacle now teams are going to set up to try and counter his threat. Indications from 2017 would indicate that there is plenty more in the tank.

Outside of Kerry, Dublin, Mayo and Tyrone who has the best chance of reaching an All-Ireland semi-final?

CORK. After reviving themselves in Peadar Healy’s last game in charge in the Qualifier loss to Mayo, Ronan McCarthy isn’t quite having to pick the team up off the floor like some would have thought following their Munster Final capitulation. With Seán Powter and Luke Connolly there is genuine young promise in their ranks. Pairc Uí Chaoimh is hosting the next three meetings with Kerry, which has the potential to push them back into the top four provided they can get the Cork public to fall in love with them again like they did with the hurlers in 2017.

The four provincial champions and the All-Ireland SFC winner? Munster: Cork Leinster: Dublin Connacht: Mayo Ulster: Tyrone All-Ireland: Dublin