KINGDOM’S NAMES NO GUARANTEE OF WINNING

KERRY might have four stellar attacking talents back in harness ahead of the Munster Championship in the shape of Colm Cooper, James O’Donoghue, Paul Galvin and Tommy Walsh but selector Mikey Sheehy insisted: ‘Reputations count for nothing’. That list of blue-chip forwards means that Kerry are well-placed to become the first team since the Kingdom side of 2006-07 to defend an All-Ireland senior football title, even if Sheehy (below) was keen to play down expectations. ‘There is fantastic competition within the squad but that doesn’t give you any given right to win games. You still have to go and treat every team that you’re playing with respect. The fact that we do have Colm back, Tommy [Walsh] back and Paul Galvin as well certainly adds to the squad. ‘P ‘People will have to be patient with T Tommy. Tommy has been away since the end of 2009. It’s a different game. People have to remember too that he had a s serious injury two years ago. He’s fine fitness-wise, we just have to be patient in relation to his fo football. ‘I think he’ll have a major role to play.’ Walsh has only fe featured in infrequently since wrapping up his AFL career in Australia but it was the retirement U-turn by former Footballer of th the Year Paul Galvin that created the most h headlines since January. ‘I ‘It gives you another option up front,’ e explained Sheehy. ‘He’s one of these guys who looks after himself really well. Came back in great shape. He’s working very hard. ‘W ‘What I’d like to think about us as a m management is that we’ll be consistent like we were since 2013. No matter who you are, reputations count for nothing. Whoever is playing well in training and performing well in the Av B games will get the jersey.’ The return to action of reigning Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue after shoulder surgery and one of the greatest footballers of the modern era in Colm Cooper after a cruciate knee ligament injury has shortened Kerry’s odds for the All-Ireland. Again though, Sheehy sounded a cautionary note. ‘James missed all the League, Colm missed 12 months — the idea that Kerry are simply going to be better, it doesn’t work that way. You still have to go out and perform. I’m sure those two guys will get extra treatment from defensive systems.’