by Adam Moynihan

Seánie O’Shea has echoed manager Jack O’Connor’s recent comments about Kerry’s style of play, insisting that the team is at its best when moving the ball at pace.

Speaking at Croke Park at the launch of Allianz’s sponsorship of the football championship, the Kenmare man said that fast build-up play - via kicking the ball - is Kerry’s most effective and most enjoyable offensive tactic.

“Traditionally in Kerry that’s the way we always like to play,” O’Shea told this reporter. “Kick and move. Kick and move. Get the ball through the lines as fast as we can.

“The quicker you get it up, the tougher it is for the other team to get set up as well. It’s definitely a nice way to play.

“Now, it’s not possible all the time with the way certain teams set up against you. You might have to slow it down at certain times of the game.

“But generally it’s most enjoyable when you’re kicking the ball.”

O’Connor’s remarks about Kerry's attacking play came in the wake of the recent Monaghan game, a game which O’Shea and several other regular starters missed as they were injured and/or being rested. Kerry eventually ran out 11-point winners in Killarney (after they injected pace into their attack) with several fringe players to the fore.

The team’s captain on the field in 2022 says the form of these newcomers has given the whole panel a significant boost.

“That’s the way you want it. Fellas have come in and played very well. They’ll be looking to put down a marker for later on in the year and hold onto their jersey. It’s great for the squad. There’s good depth there and it brings great bite to training. There’s fellas lifting.

“The more competition the better you have to be playing to get your place, and that’s going to benefit the team.”

One of the players who has arrived on the scene in a major way is 22-year-old Kilgarvan native Donal O’Sullivan Down. After making an impact off the bench against Donegal, O’Sullivan was handed his first start against Monaghan and he scored 1-3 in a eye-catching Man-of-the-Match display.

The well-built corner forward is a guy whom O’Shea knows well. They work as teachers in the same secondary school in Kenmare and they also travel to training together.

While O’Sullivan’s form has come as something of a bolt from the blue for many observers, O’Shea is far from shocked at his colleague’s performances.  

“I’m not surprised [at how well he has done]. I obviously know Donal from when he was playing underage. He played very well for the Kerry minors and the U20s too. Then injuries came against him for a while. He had a couple of bad years out.

“But Donal works really hard off the field, getting himself in good shape. He spent a year on the panel last year and he got great experience from that and great learnings, and I’m just delighted for him now that he has hit the ground running. He’ll be looking to build on that.

“He's a great character. We do a good bit of travelling together and he’s good company in fairness. He’s a very happy character so he’s great to have around.”

O’Sullivan’s next challenge is to retain his place on the team, which will be easier said than done with the two Cliffords and O’Shea himself expected to return to the starting lineup in the coming weeks.

After recovering from a knee injury, O’Shea is hopeful of playing some part in Saturday’s match against Mayo in Castlebar.

“I’m feeling good now,” the 24-year-old confirmed. “I just had a bit of a niggle in the knee from last year. It just needed a couple of weeks extra to clear up. But I’m back doing a bit now the last couple of weeks and I’ll hopefully see game time soon enough. Hopefully now this weekend - if not then the weekend after.

“But please God now this weekend I’ll be able to see some bit of action.”