Kerry footballers in search of their aura

The aura of invincibility that they cultivated through winning, which has since been annexed by Dublin, must be regained, writes John Fogarty.

A wry smile broke across Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s face on Sunday upon hearing at the fifth time of asking he had won an opening day league fixture. He wasn’t informed by the statistic – he would have already known – but being reminded of it amused him.

If 2017 is to be a success for him then he should get used to it. Records need straightening. This Saturday offers another opportunity to right a wrong – in his previous four first home league games of the year, Kerry have lost on each occasion (Dublin 2013, Derry ’14, Mayo ’15 and Roscommon ’16). Not since 2009 when they beat Donegal in Austin Stack Park have Kerry won their debut game on their own sod.