By Eamonn Fitzgerald

Kerry v Roscommon NFL preview

All-Ireland champions Kerry have the ultimate goal of retaining the Sam Maguire well in train.

It becomes serious on Sunday at 2.30 pm when they meet Roscommon in the first round of the National Football League at Fitzgerald Stadium.

They are the NFL champions of 2025 and hope that by winning their four home games in 2026 that there will be no worries about possible relegation and they will be able to trial new players.

Even though the oldies have not officially retired I contend that Kerry will not retain the Sam Maguire if they start with the same 15 as last year.

They need up to three new players to freshen up the bid for Sam and to provide competition for any established players who may be expecting to retain their places automatically.

I expect Kerry to have a strong team to collect the first points and not to have to worry about that expected revenge game away to Donegal in round two.

Certain key established players are unavailable for the next few months, recovering from injuries or being rested and minded to be fresh for the championship.

Paudie Clifford and 2025 captain Gavin White are in these categories.

The Kerry team has not been announced as this column goes to press so I expect new players who have been training and participated in the McGrath Cup to start along with established players who missed most of last season’s championship such as Diarmaid O’Connor and Dylan Casey. I expect Kerry to win.

Cash is not king
The match is scheduled as all-ticket. I don’t have a problem with that but have campaigned through this column for special arrangements to be available for people who are not tech savvy or are not near retail outlets.

For the McGrath Cup final in the Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday last most patrons had bought tickets online and there was one entrance where a credit card was accepted, but no admission by cash.

That is an improvement, but I still feel strongly that the famous ticket van should be open to purchase tickets by cash.

That same bus is available so why not use it for games such as next Sunday’s league opener.
This is not criticism of Kerry County Board or the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee. It is not their gig.

Last week I saw just one strong Kerry supporter well advanced in years unable to enter the McGrath Cup final.

His cash would not be accepted, and he did not have a credit card, by choice.

He had to wait too long for a friend who had a credit card.

He paid for two and was refunded by the uneasy waiting supporter.

Now if it was blowing storm and a down pour how awful and embarrassing that wait might have been.

What is the forecast for early afternoon on Sunday next?

If it is a bad one, then mo dhuine and probably some more will have to rely on Tim and Ambrose on Radio Kerry or online via (the paid for) Clubber to follow the fortunes of the team he loves so well.