Joe McDonagh Cup Final

Kerry v Antrim

Saturday at 4pm

Live on RTÉ

Croke Park

The Kerry hurlers will be seeking to end their unfortunate run of Joe McDonagh Cup final defeats when they take on Antrim in Croke Park on Saturday at 4pm.

The Kingdom came up just short against the same opposition in 2020 and again versus Westmeath in 2021 but hopes remain high that this will be their year.

A hard-fought and unexpected victory against the Ulster side in the final group game a fortnight ago certainly gives Stephen Molumphy’s team cause for optimism. 15 points from Podge Boyle proved crucial as Kerry overcame a late Antrim fight-back in Belfast. Another brave team performance will be required if the men from the southwest are to cause another upset this time around.

The reward for Kerry if they win will be a playoff against the lowest-ranked team in Munster - Tipperary - with a place in the 2023 championship at stake. The fact that Kerry will be forced to take part in this playoff match has sparked controversy. Many observers have suggested that prevailing in the Joe McDonagh should automatically give them the right to play in the senior championship.

In fact, the manager of Kerry’s opponents in Saturday’s intermediate decider is of the same mind.

“I think it is something that should have been addressed before now,” Darren Gleeson – a native of Tipperary - said.

“We’ve ended up in a situation where, if Kerry win the competition, they go into a play-off for something they’ve already earned. I thought that was something we’d taken out of our competitions, in the Leagues a few years ago when there were promotion playoffs.

“It shouldn’t be in our games. If you win something, you should have the right to go into the next level of the competition.”

If Antrim win, they will be promoted to the Leinster Championship without having to face a playoff. It certainly seems slightly unfair, but Kerry must nevertheless focus on the task at hand. A win this weekend would be a major leap forward on their ambitious journey.