Nemo would have been happy to play tie in Tralee

NEMO RANGERS would have had no objection to playing Sunday’s AIB Munster club football semi-final against Kerry champions Kerins O’Rahillys in Tralee.

The game has been fixed for Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, but attempts by O’Rahillys to have the tie switched to Austin Stack Park, in their hometown of Tralee, proved unsuccessful at Munster Council level, leading to upset amongst the Eoin Liston-trained side and among members of the county board.

However, long-serving Nemo corner-back Larry Kavanagh said that the location was not an issue for the Cork side.

“We would not have had a second thought about playing the game in Tralee. Both Austin Stack Park and Fitzgerald Stadium are two wonderful venues. The only thing is that now we will have a shorter trip to Killarney.”

Kavanagh admitted that Nemo, who are seeking a third Munster title in-a-row are expecting “a very tough game” from the newly-crowned Kerry champions. “We played Dr Croke’s in a challenge game on the morning of the Kerry final and popped over to see Kerins O’Rahillys and Kilcummin in action. I must say we were impressed at the performance served up by O’Rahillys. They are a strong, physical side and move the ball very well. They looked good and certainly know what they are about.”

But Kavanagh disclosed that Nemo have their targets firmly set on winning the All-Ireland club championship after being subjected to heart-breaking successive final defeats. “We are looking on the Munster club championship as a stepping-stone to our major ambition. If we do happen to win out in Munster again there will be little or no celebrations.

“We will take a month’s break over the Christmas period and then go hell for leather for the All-Ireland, if we are fortunate enough to retain our provincial crown. But with Steven O’Brien doubtful with a thigh muscle injury, we will really have to perform well on Sunday to get the better of what, I would describe, as a very formidable Kerry side,” he said.

O’Brien pulled a thigh muscle in training recently and according to team coach Billy Morgan, it’s very slow in responding to treatment.

“I’m hopeful he can play some part in the game,” said Morgan, “but right now he has less than a 50/50 chance of being fit to line out.”

Morgan is also awaiting news whether his son Alan will be available for selection. He received a straight red card in the closing stages of the quarter-final game against Clare champions Kilmurry-Ilbrickane and was subsequently reported for kicking an opponent. Following a personal hearing with the Munster Council, the younger Morgan won’t know his fate until tomorrow.

One piece of good news from the Nemo camp is that Joe Kavanagh is fully fit again after missing out on the quarter-final through a recurrence of a back injury. Kavanagh took part in a challenge game at the weekend and suffered no ill-effects.