Countdown to Under 17 league

KERRY kick off their Airtricity Under-17 league programme on Sunday, March 18 with a journey to Dublin to play Cabinteely. The squad has prepared well for what lies ahead and will be beginning their league programme with big expectations.

Kerry have six players – Alex O’Connor, Sebastian Vasiu, Padraig McCannon, Paddy O’Rourke, Bojan Nikic, Dylan Murphy – from last year’s squad and their experience will be vital for the months ahead as they will have the responsibility of nurturing the rest of the squad and giving them plenty of advice and encouragement.

The squad was picked after a number of assessments, after an initial 60 was reduced to 40, that number has been further reduced to 20 for the commencement of the league. Reducing the panel of players was a painstaking job and every decision had to be weighed up after careful consideration.

Darren Aherne remains on as manager of the team, and his coaches are Billy Dennehy, Tim Collins, John Kerley, Darragh O’Riordan and Chris Hegarty. The management team have seen most of their players coming through at underage level and also through the Emerging Talent Programme.

The opening game against Cabinteely is a game Kerry would be hoping to get something from as they would be one of the weaker sides in the competition. However, any Dublin side can’t be taken for granted and they will have to work hard if they are to get anthing from this game.

Last season Kerry won six games, drew four and lost ten. They accumulated twenty two points and finished eighth in the table out of eleven. They scored 29 goals and conceded 49.

Those statistics won’t have too much bearing on the new season as new players and new oppositions await. Morale in the Kerry camp is high ahead going into the opening game with everyone hoping for a good result. Kerry have their first home tie on March 25 at Mounthawk Park against UCD.

The team will have a very busy schedule in the months ahead with 20 games to be played lasting right up to September. There will be a break for the month of June owing to the World Cup and the Mark Farren Cup.

SUNDAY MARCH 18 Cabinteely v Kerry

Cork City v Bray Wanderers Limerick v Shamrock Rovers UCD v Galway United Wexford v Cobh Ramblers (Waterford no fixture)

TEAMS IN KERRY’S GROUP

The teams in Kerry’s group are Cabinteely, Cork City, Bray Wanderers, Limerick, Shamrock Rovers, UCD, Galway United, Wexford, Cobh Ramblers, Waterford.