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Kerry v Louth Preview: Kingdom need result and performance in Portlaoise

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Kerry manager Jack O'Connor would love to get one over on his old rival, Mickey Harte. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile.

All-Ireland Group 1

Kerry v Louth

Sunday at 2pm

Portlaoise

For the first time in 2023, Kerry’s season is on the line.

Following a disappointing defeat to Mayo at home and a hard-fought win away to Cork, The Kingdom know that they could be eliminated from the championship if they lose their final group game against Louth.

With that in mind, Jack O’Connor has named as strong a team as possible. The only change from the last outing sees Mike Breen replacing All-Star half back Gavin White. The Dr Crokes player has been omitted from the matchday 26 due to a calf injury.

The Kerry manager will provide an official update on White’s status tomorrow but the unofficial word is that he is expected to feature in the knockout phase - that's if Kerry get there.

Louth, who are currently on zero points, would jump ahead of Kerry on head-to-head with a win in the midlands on Sunday. However, if Cork were to lose to Mayo (Sunday 2pm, Limerick) they would also finish up on two points. Then Kerry, Louth and Cork would need to be be separated by points difference.

Cork (+3) hold the advantage over Kerry (-3) and Louth (-3) at the moment, but the margins are fine and they will naturally shift if that sequence of results were to occur.

Looking at it from the other angle, Jack O’Connor’s men will secure a preliminary quarter-final – at worst – if they manage to win at O’Moore Park. Victory would eliminate Louth and guarantee qualification for both Kerry and Cork, alongside Mayo who are already safe.

Kerry will end up on four points if they beat the Wee County with the final standings then hinging on Cork’s result against Mayo. If Cork lose, it’s straightforward enough. Mayo will top the group on six points and advance directly to the All-Ireland quarter-finals; Kerry will finish second on four points and secure a home preliminary quarter-final; and Cork will wind up third on two points, also securing a preliminary quarter-final, albeit away from home.

If Cork and Kerry both win, however, things could get complicated. That will mean that the top three – Cork, Kerry and Mayo – will have four points apiece. If this happens, the final standings will be decided based on points difference. Mayo hold the upper hand as things stand (+6).

A draw between Kerry and Louth would leave Kerry with a home preliminary quarter-final if Cork lose or draw and an away preliminary quarter-final if Cork win.

Whatever the permutations, Kerry will be aiming for victory and an improved performance against Mickey Harte’s outfit. Louth have risen through the ranks in impressive fashion and in Sam Mulroy they have a legitimate scoring threat. They will get bodies behind the ball and try to frustrate their more illustrious opponents so patience and focus will be crucial from Kerry’s perspective.

The match will not be shown on RTÉ or on GAAGO. Follow @AdamMoynihan on Twitter for updates.

KERRY TEAM TO PLAY LOUTH: S Ryan; G O’Sullivan, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; P Murphy, T Morley, M Breen; D O’Connor, J Barry; D Moynihan, S O’Shea, A Spillane; P Clifford, D Clifford, P Geaney.

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LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy. 

  He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your career, was there ever a player or manager you idolised? […]

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1 day ago

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5 February 2026

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He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager.

Here’s how it went:

When you began your career, was there ever a player or manager you idolised?

‘When I started my career, not really, I was 18 with Celtic and you know a lot of good players were there. Henrik Larsson was one. It was more important for me to get to that level and stay at that level, and it was a great experience’.

Tell me how it felt to play for Ireland while Mick McCarthy was manager.

‘It was very good. I began working with him in the Irish camp, and then when I joined Sunderland he would have been the manager there. So he’s been fantastic’.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?

‘I’m just proud as always that I had a long career, a lot of injuries aswell, so probably getting back from those injuries. Along with playing for Cork City and playing internationally for Ireland which is always a good thing’.

When you went into managing, was there ever a manager or manager’s style you idolised?

‘Well we had a few, obviously Martin O’Neil at Celtic, and of course he’s still coaching today. Martin was a very good man and a very good manager. So I’d probably say Martin’.

Describe to me what it felt like to represent your country at an international level.

‘Yea, it was probably the proudest day and one of the biggest achievements’.

This will be your first full season with Kerry, what would you like to being to the club?

‘We recruited well, we still look to bring in more players, but listen i just want to get us as far as we can and get higher up the table and improve on last year’.

What do you believe is Kerry’s strongest capability?

‘We’re still in pre-season so we got some good goals, there’s still some stuff we can improve on, but its still early doors for us. Obviously we got new players, and they need the type of time as the players that are here. So overall it was good to get into the next round (of the Munster Senior Cup), but as I say, we can always be better’.

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Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

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3 months ago

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7 November 2025

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Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.

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