Kerry U-21s bid to end Cork’s Munster monopoly

KERRY’S bid to end Cork’s dominance of the Munster U21 football championship begins this afternoon in Tralee.

The Rebels have won the last four titles and senior selector Sean Geaney, along with John Galvin (Waterville) and Jerome Stack (Listowel Emmetts), have worked hard in a bid to change the Kingdom’s fortune.

They entertain Limerick in the opening round at Austin Stack Park today (2.30pm) and with defending Munster and All-Ireland champions Cork meeting the winners, Kerry have every incentive to win and land another home tie next Saturday.

The Kerry team for today’s clash includes four senior panelists including Young Footballer of the Year Killian Young, who captains the team.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s David Moran will partner Alan O’Sullivan at midfield, while in attack, Moran’s Strand Road colleague Tommy Walsh, and Kieran O’Leary will play at centre forward and right corner forward respectively.

Paddy Curran, one of the most exciting minors in recent years, and Brian Looney complete a formidable half forward line. Mike O’Donoghue, a star with St Brendan’s, is at full forward.

Limerick, also back-boned by some senior players, will provide Kerry with a searching test. Ger Collins is at left half back while James Ryan and Ian Ryan will play at centre and full forward respectively. The team is captained by centre back Eoin Joy, a former star minor.

First round games are notoriously difficult to predict, but the Kingdom should advance.

Tipperary with home advantage (Ardfinnan), and 10 seniors, should be good enough to see off Clare in another first round tie (2.30pm).

The Premier County ran champions Cork close in last year’s final where Barry Grogan scored a hat-trick of goals off Michael Shiels. Grogan’s brother Seamus is named in the same position (full forward) on a team that includes Mathew O’Donnell, who figured prominently with Cork IT in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup.

Clare sensationally defeated Kerry last year but came unstuck against Tipperary in the semi-final. David Cannole, John Hayes, Greg Lyons, Gary Brennan, Chris Dunning, David Tubridy and Sean Collins have all played senior this year.