Tough trip to Galway is next on the cards

PETER Keane will welcome a two-week break before Kerry are back in National League action, but he will keep an anxious watch on this weekend’s Sigerson Cup semi-finals in the hope that Kerry panellists Sean O’Shea, Graham O’Sullivan and Killian Spillane come through unscathed. However, Spillane must be a doubt to play with UCC on Sunday after being left out of Kerry’s squad last Saturday because of an injury picked up in the win over Cavan.

Kerry made it three wins from three under Keane last Saturday against Dublin, and the fortnight break will give Keane an opportunity to work more closely with the panel for the first time since the League started.

They will be back in action on Sunday week when they travel to Galway to face the team that scuppered Kerry’s Super 8 debut last July. The game is expected to talk place in Pearse Stadium in Salthill (2pm) although there is some speculation that it could be fixed for Tuam.

Kerry sit just behind Mayo on scoring difference, with James Horan’s team scheduled to go to Croke Park on Saturday week to play Dublin, who are in sixth place in the division and already under pressure to mount a successful defence of their League title.

Kerry could have Kevin McCarthy back for the trip to Galway now that Kilcummin have finished with the All-Ireland Club Championship, while James O’Donoghue will be assessed ahead of that trip.

David Clifford and Killian Young are understood to be still a few weeks away off full fitness and it will probably be March before either man is under consideration for a match day squad.

Meanwhile, those Sigerson Cup semi-finals take place this weekend with UCD taking on St Marys Belfast on Saturday in Mallow while UCC play NUI Galway on Sunday in Mallow.

This game has been rescheduled from the Saturday and means David Shaw will be able to play with Dr Crokes in their All-Ireland Club semi-final on Saturday and be available for UCC 24 hours later.