'Sideshow' draws spotlight to tonight's action in Thurles

THE Kingdom's loss in the 1998 All-Ireland semi-final, the involvement of sons on either side and the viewpoint that Mick O'Dwyer's involvement with the Lilywhites will end with their next defeat, have conspired to attract nationwide attention for this evening's fourth-round qualifier game between Kerry and Kildare in Thurles.

The '98 meeting of the sides marked the most significant milestone in Kildare's modern history, following the arrival of O'Dwyer in late 1990. They hadn't contested an All-Ireland semi-final since 1956 and their huge following in the crowd of 65,002 acclaimed his major role.

On the issue of facing his former boss for a second time in the championship, Paidi Ó Sé agrees that "it's a different situation" now and their sideline battle is no more than a side-show. "Micko has spent so much time out of Kerry that he's nearly more a Kildare man,'' he says, half joking, half serious. "A lot of the lads involved with Kerry now would only associate him with Kildare.

"The game in 1998 was different. It was a novelty, it was an All-Ireland semi-final and we were All-Ireland champions the previous year.

"This is a qualifying game. It's not the same kind of a situation,'' he adds.

O´ Sé makes no secret of his regret at losing in '98. It was clearly a setback for him and the team.

"It was a big disappointment. There's no doubt about that and there's no doubt that Micko got great enjoyment out of it. I'd say it was one of his happiest moments even though he wouldn't say that publicly."

In general, the Ventry man is optimistic and pleased that "things have come together again". He is reassured that the players have "got rightly tuned in". The exploits of Galway last year, winning the All-Ireland via the qualifier route, was an added motivation in this regard.

While the addition of new talent has benefited Kerry Colm Cooper, clearly, is an exciting talent it's noteworthy that the Dara Ó Sé/Donal Daly partnership at midfield has been renewed and that Seamus Moynihan has been restored to fullback.

Kildare put in a good performance in the Leinster final once they had recovered from a poor start. On the balance of play they would probably have won if Dublin had not managed to score two quick goals late in the game, as Dermot Earley was dominating the midfield section. If they had a weakness, it was that they didn't achieve more from their forwards. Tadhg Fennin looked a big threat after he settled, but Martin Lynch failed to match the form he displayed in the two games with Offaly.

Arguably the outstanding feature of Kildare's play is their resilience over 70 minutes and their almost fanatical approach. "They will never die Micko has instilled that into them,'' says Ó Sé. "They were right up with Dublin to the last minute and nearly sneaked a goal at the end. We know very well that if we are going to win we will have to be right up with them for the full duration of the game and totally tuned in.''

During the period of the game with Fermanagh that was competitive, Kerry displayed better form than in any of their three games in Munster. And there's no doubt that the team is steadier overall with Moynihan at the heart of the defence and Daly available once more in the centre field zone. Liam Hassett's return to form has also boosted the team. The only negative is that John Crowley hasn't been performing up to the level of his last two seasons, possibly for the reason that he hasn't been started often enough.

It's an intriguing contest, wide open and with the potential to go to extra time. Kildare may be fancied more because of the quality of their play during their good spells against Dublin, but I have the feeling that Kerry will play more consistently and will have that extra bit in reserve which should make the essential difference.

Meanwhile Mayo may be playing down their chances of beating Tipperary tomorrow evening in Ennis but the bookmakers are in no doubt about the outcome. Bruces have quoted Pat Holmes's side as the hottest of hot favourites at 1/20 an amazing price in a two-horse race.

Tom McGlinchey's Tipperary are given no chance by the bookmakers and are available at a price of 10/1.

As expected, Mayo GAA secretary Sean Feeney is taking the odds with a pinch of salt. "I don't bet on football games myself as a matter of principle anyway but those kind of odds are dangerous," he said.

"Everybody saw what happened to Cork the first day against Tipperary and yet all the talk beforehand was about how much Cork would win by. The game still has to be won and we'll be ignoring those kinds of odds completely."