Experience still counts for Kerry

THERE were times when football diehards involved with the four ‘weaker’ counties in Munster would almost have questioned the justification of them participating in the championship.

One such mentor in Limerick famously described their existence in the 1970s as providing cannon fodder for Kerry and Cork on an annual basis. A single provincial senior title won over 100 years ago and a sole minor success in 1956 testifies to Limerick's low standing in the provincial scheme of things.

The county qualified for six senior finals in the last century against Cork in 1901, Tipperary in 1922 and Kerry in 1905, 1934, 1965 and 1991. In contrast, Kerry were involved in all but 13 of them and won 66 titles. However, all that is largely irrelevant in the context of tomorrow's Bank of Ireland decider in Killarney, save for highlighting what's at stake for Liam Kearns' team.

Under the direction of John O'Keeffe, Limerick came dramatically close to causing a sensation in their last final appearance 12 years ago, in Fitzgerald Stadium. Kerry were in buoyant mood having ended Cork's four-year dominance of the championship while Limerick had done little in a 0-13 to 0-11 win over Waterford to suggest that they had the potential to win the decider.

On the day, they lost by a mere two points, 0-23 to 3-12 having been four points in front at the break.

More recently, work done by Pat O'Shea, now in charge of the Kerry minors, and others at under-age level was complemented by the professional approach adopted by Kearns, who has proved himself an outstanding manager. Twelve months ago in the Gaelic Grounds, it took a late save by Declan O'Keeffe to ensure a narrow victory for the Kingdom and in the interim period, Limerick football has been taken to a new level.

They were devastating against Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, admittedly on a day that the home team performed very poorly and suffered all the more because of indiscipline and lack of leadership.

Limerick's real feat was in overcoming the potentially damaging consequences of losing the Division Two National League decider to Westmeath the previous Sunday, for which Kearns and his players deserved huge credit.

After this giant-killing act, in which free-taker and captain Muiris Gavin played a vital role, it was predictable that they would overcome Clare in Ennis. And Tipperary were hardly going to trouble Kerry in Tralee after finding it hard enough to get over Waterford.

One has only to refer back to last year's championship game to be reminded of the particular importance of midfield to both teams. Darragh Ó Sé couldn't start because of a hand injury and Kerry began with the same pairing which has been picked for tomorrow, Eoin Brosnan and Seamus Scanlon.

Limerick's big men, John Quane and John Galvin, monopolised the play there, but there was an improvement when Ó Sé arrived on the scene. However, the outcome was in doubt right up until the end.

Quane, the only link with the 1991 side, won't be starting tomorrow but, like Ó Sé, is certain to play some part in the game. The same applies to Donal Daly, back after injury but lacking match practice.

Excluding midfield, the Kerry team has a settled look about it. Seamus Moynihan once again anchors the defence at full-back having not played a championship game at centre-back since the 1999 final and Mike Frank Russell is back in the attack having recovered from the injury which kept him out for most of the League.

Clearly, their psychological approach will have a big bearing on how they perform. This Limerick team doesn't lack confidence and it will suit them to be underdogs. But, taking on Kerry at home in a final will be rather more daunting than playing Cork in a first-round game.

My own view is that Kerry will win, on the basis that they have the experience and greater strength in depth on and off the field. A failure to play up to form would leave them quite vulnerable but, really, the only surprise would be to see Limerick flop!