Battle for Kerry places moves onto club stage

KERRY supporters can expect full-blooded endeavour from their inter-county stars this weekend as several players bid to play their way into the Kingdom’s Munster final plans.

While some counties are limiting club action to protect their stars, up to 16 Kerry hopefuls will be attempting to convince Páidí Ó Sé and his selectors of their worth ahead of the July 13 clash with Limerick in Killarney.

Though Allstar Michael F Russell won’t be in domestic action this weekend, he would relish the extra opportunity to stake a claim for the Kerry No 13 shirt most assumed would be his again this season. Russell came on as substitute in Sunday’s crushing win over Tipperary and after claiming four points, revealed his disappointment at not starting the match in Tralee.

The Kerry selectors are easing the Laune Rangers star back into competitive action, but Russell said: “No one likes not starting, so it’s a question of getting the head down and my jersey back.

“Maybe I wasn’t fully ready but hopefully over the next few weeks I can knuckle down and prove myself to the selectors.

“I’m about 85% of the way there. My general fitness is ok but my match fitness isn’t right yet. I probably could have done with another club game or two. My objective is to win my jersey back and obviously with all the competition, that is not going to be easy.”

Though Russell won’t be in action, many hopefuls will, including six in Gallarus where Gaeltacht meet Glenflesk. Aodhan MacGearailt and John Crowley will be in the shake-up for Munster final places, but a lot of attention will focus on Gaeltacht’s Marc Ó Sé, who is easing his way back into football after a bout of glandular fever.

However, his brother Darragh warned after Sunday’s easy win in Tralee that while competition for places is healthy, finding a settled 15 is also imperative. “I think we still have work to do and a month to do it. It’s great to have a lot of fellas fighting for positions but you also have to get it right on the day as well, so a settled team is important to get a rhythm going.”

There is likely to be a Championship double-header on Saturday night as Listowel and Castleisland meet in a relegation play-off. This will be followed by the clash of Shannon Rangers and Kenmare, with the winners set to meet Laune Rangers at a later date.

Rathmore, with three Kerry panellists, also meet Mike McCarthy’s Kilcummin on Saturday, while on Sunday, Gaeltacht play Glenflesk, Austin Stacks travels to Castlegregory to play West Kerry, Dr Crokes entertain Mid Kerry, and East Kerry play St Kieran’s in Gneeveguilla.