by Adam Moynihan

A survey carried out by the Killarney Advertiser has found that 84% of our readers are expecting East Kerry to win the 2022 Kerry Senior Football Championship.

With a stacked squad that includes the best players from Fossa, Kilcummin, Glenflesk, Rathmore, Listry, Gneeveguilla, Firies and now Legion, the 2019 and 2020 champions are odds-on favourites to recapture the Bishop Moynihan Cup this time around. And fans clearly believe that those odds are justified as roughly five out of six respondents say the men from the East will do the business.

Kingpins of the 2010s Dr Crokes have been tipped to win by 4% of those surveyed. Last year’s beaten finalists Kerins O’Rahillys (2.2%) were the only other team to receive more than 2% of the vote.

If there is to be an upset, could it come in the guise of a small club from rural south Kerry? Around 28% of readers have singled out Templenoe as the championship’s dark horses.

The club that gifted Kerry with the Spillanes have already reached the final of this season’s Club Championship and it appears as though their underdog story has resonated with fans across the county. When asked which team they will be shouting for if their own club/district doesn’t win the Kerry SFC, 35% of supporters said they’ll be backing Templenoe.

Roughly 9% of neutrals opted for Rahillys with East Kerry and Spa close behind.

This year’s County Championship will feature a group phase for the first time ever with the top two from each four-team pool advancing to the quarter-finals. Fans are anticipating that the following teams will qualify safely from their respective groups: Dr Crokes and Kenmare Shamrocks; East Kerry and Dingle; Austin Stacks and Mid Kerry; and Templenoe and South Kerry.

If that forecast does, indeed, come to pass, it will mean that last year’s beaten finalists, Kerins O’Rahillys, and another seeded team, St Brendan’s, will be eliminated at the first hurdle. Rahillys will be missing influential players Cormac Coffey and Jack Savage, both of whom have emigrated to the Middle East. Brendan’s, meanwhile, are without their Na Gaeil players this year following the Killeen club’s promotion to senior.

Two divisional teams from North Kerry could find the going tough if our readers know what they’re talking about. Shannon Rangers (43%) and Feale Rangers (28%) are apparently the two main candidates for the worst record when all is said and done.

David Clifford has been dazzling spectators all year long and more fireworks are on the way if our survey is to be believed. Over 60% of our readers reckon the East Kerry’s talisman will finish up as the championship’s top scorer. Dr Crokes sharpshooter Tony Brosnan got 11% of the vote with Clifford’s teammate Darragh Roche and Kenmare star Seán O’Shea next in line on 5% each.

The County Championship is a tried and trusted breeding ground for Kerry stars of the future and our survey also tasked respondents with pinpointing the type of players that Jack O’Connor will need to keep an eye out for in the coming weeks. (Readers were asked to select the three most pressing positions from a list of 10.)

Over three-quarters of those polled (76%) said a new midfielder is a priority with half forward emerging as the second highest priority (48%). Corner back, half back, and corner forward (roughly 25% each) were next on the list.

The championship gets underway this weekend with a full round of fixtures between Friday and Saturday.

SURVEY RESULTS

1. Who will win the 2022 Kerry Senior Football Championship?

East Kerry 84%

Dr Crokes 4%

Rahillys 2%

Mid Kerry <2%

Others 8%

2. Who are your dark horses for the competition?

Templenoe 28%

Spa 12%

Mid Kerry 12%

St Kieran’s 10%

Others 38%

3. If your team doesn’t win the Kerry SFC, who would you like to see win it?

Templenoe 35%

Rahillys 9%

East Kerry 9%

Spa 8%

Others 39%

4. Which team will end up with the worst record?

Shannon Rangers 43%

Feale Rangers 28%

West Kerry 6%

Na Gaeil 5%

Others 18%

5. Which player will be the championship’s top scorer?

David Clifford  61%

Tony Brosnan 11%

Darragh Roche 5%

Seán O’Shea  5%

Others 18%

6. Kerry boss Jack O’Connor should be on the lookout for a… (respondents were asked to choose three positions)

Midfielder 76%

Half forward 49%

Corner back 28%

Half back 26%

Corner forward 25%