Kerins O’Rahillys

Titles: Six (1933, 1939, 1953, 1954, 1957, 2002) 2016: Lost to Dr Crokes in the Quar ter-Finals Manager: Michael Quirke/Morgan Nix (Second Year) Captain: Danny O’Sullivan Players In: Paudie Griffin, Tom Hoare and Karl Mullins Players Out: Giles O’Grady and Kevin Walshe

Overview: To say their form heading into this has been far from ideal would be a bit of an understatement. The surprise nature of their defeat to Kenmare on home turf and the loss to Austin Stacks in the relegation play-offs means Strand Road must either reach the County Final or else win another relegation match to stay a senior club. It seems incomprehensible to some but since their last appearance in a semi-final back in 2013, the Tralee side have struggled to make any impact on the competition with their defeats in the quarter-finals to Legion and Crokes in the last two years showing the cutting edge they are arguably missing to succeed. On paper Strand Road have always looked impressive, but that dramatic loss in the 2008 county final replay is the only time they have come close to another county championship since their last win 15 years ago. David Moran and Tommy Walsh’s attributes need no explanation to seasoned observers, but they going to need big contributions from Barry John Keane and Jack Savage to more forward this year you feel. The absence of David McLoughlin, Greg O’Connell, John C O’Connor and Kieran O’Mahony for the early rounds is a setback as they prepare to meet South Kerry for the fourth time in five years this weekend. They do seem to be a side possessed on of quite a bit of quality, knitting it all together into an effective collective is the challenge that faces Micheál Quirke and Morgan Nix.