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How will Kerry line out in the championship?

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The race for the 2018 Sam Maguire began in earnest last weekend with games in the three provinces but no action in Munster. That  Munster series gets underway tomorrow at the Gaelic Grounds where Clare and Limerick meet at 7pm. It is of special interest to Kerry as the winners of tomorrow’s game will meet the Kingdom in the Munster semi-final on the June bank holiday weekend (June 3) in Killarney. The other semi-final is on June 2 when Cork meet the winners of Tipperary and Waterford. The Munster final is fixed for June 23 and if Kerry are in it the fixture will be an away game for Kerry. While tradition points to a Kerry v Cork Munster final, it’s not a foregone conclusion. Clare v Limerick should be a very close affair but I fancy Clare to win this one, even if though they are away from home.

Kerry fans will be assessing the chances of a team that will be very different to the one which lined out last year. Retirements of defenders Marc ó Sé and Aidan O’Mahony have weakened the new Kerry backline and that was very evident in the league when Kerry conceded 10 goals. Mark Griffin will probably be at full back with Shane Enright at corner back and Fionn Fitzgerald in the other corner. Paul Murphy will certainly be selected, probably at wing back but he can also play in the corner. Tadhg Morley, Killian Young and Peter Crowley will be hoping to start in the other two half back positions.

Other options include Brian ó Beaglaoich, Jason Foley, Ronan Shanahan and Gavin White, who is just back after a long spell out through injury. He came on in the last 20 minutes for Dr Crokes in the club final against Dingle and scored a goal. He has the potential to make it at intercounty level but will not start in this game. I could see him entering the fray at some stage in the second half depending on how the game is developing. The defence as a whole is the weak link in this team. David Moran took a long rest during the league but he will line out at midfield along side Jack Barry. Johnny Buckley is an option also.

Forwards win matches and Kerry have some exciting options. I don’t expect Kieran Donaghy to start , but James O Donoghue will get the nod if he has fully recovered from the injury which kept him out of action for so long. It will be very interesting to see if Fitzmaurice will give senior championship starts to two brilliant ex-minors, David Clifford and Seán O’Shea. Micheál Burns has slotted in well in the league so he might get a call up at wing forward. Paul Geaney has been consistently Kerry’s best forward for the past few years and Stephen O’Brien also has plenty of experience. Who will lead the attack in the absence of Gooch who has retired? Donaghy is a good playmaker, but he hasn’t the legs for the 40. They may take a gamble with James O’Donoghue who has the pace. Johnny Buckley and Daithí Casey are other options, but they may not be in the frame to start.

There is a panel of 40 players training in the new complex at Currans so Eamonn Fitzmaurice has plenty of choices in this his sixth season in charge. My hunch is that he will start three new players and hope that they will provide the winning blend probably against Clare. Exciting times for Kerry supporters and this is just round one. They should be good enough to win in Munster on route one and so avoid the big guns in the round robin series later in the summer.

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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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