Cuteness the key to enduring rivalry
Some people, who don’t know the people of these neighbouring counties, might see this game as the ultimate grudge match. But that would be incorrect. Yes, there is a great rivalry between the two southern stars but it is a rivalry based on mutual respect rather than naked hostility.
Granted, during the course of the match in Croke Park on Sunday, there will be no love lost by the combatants but when the game is over, it will be a case of ‘congratulations, and see you next year’.
This has all the ingredients of a battle royale between the best two teams in the country. Kerry hammered Cork in the All-Ireland final two years ago, and Cork hammered Kerry in the replayed Munster semi-final this year.
But those games will have little bearing on Sunday’s encounter. Cork are a much-improved team and, under the legendary Conor Counihan, they have improved steadily this season, emphasised by a wonderful performance against last year’s champions Tyrone.
But Kerry, too, are a much-improved team and also a much changed outfit from the Munster championship loss in Páirc Ui Chaoimh.
Most people consider Kerry and& Cork players the cutest in football, and the destination of Sam might all come down to cuteness – a cute pass, a shrewd switch or a clever score.
Either way it should be a great occasion. Of course, if one were really cute, one would have a foot in both camps so that you couldn’t really lose. One could, for instance, be from Kerry but have a cousin playing for Cork. Then you’re on a winner, either way. If Kerry won, you could be really proud of your own county and wonderful team. If Kerry lost, you could be very happy for your cousin from Cork. That would be an interesting situation. And do you know what, there is a fellow playing for Cork at wing-forward called Paddy Kelly whose father Johnny comes from Rathmore in County Kerry.
The Kellys of Rathmore are close relatives of the Kilcummin Kellys.
If Cork win we will be ever closer cousins, as we can boast of an All-Ireland medal in the family! If Kerry win, we won’t say anything about our great cousin on the Cork team. Now that’s real Kerry cuteness.
So will Kieran Donaghy and his Kingdom cronies come charging through in the final furlong for a great Kerry victory or will cousin Kelly and his Rebel raiders whisk Sam back to the banks of their own lovely Lee? As the man said – that is the question.
