Kerry to pack too much punch

CLEARLY, not least because of doubts raised by their second-half collapse in the Munster final, All-Ireland champions Kerry face a much more difficult challenge in Croke Park tomorrow than they did on either of the previous two occasions they were forced to go through the qualifier route.

It was comparatively easier against Wicklow in Portlaoise in 2002 and Longford two years ago in Fitzgerald Stadium than facing a Monaghan side they struggled to beat in the quarter-final 12 months ago.

First, the elimination of one round of the qualifiers by confining Division 4 teams to the Tommy Murphy Cup means that it is harder for the teams involved from the start to advance. More significantly, the four counties which come through to take on the provincial runners-up benefit more in terms of regaining confidence and recapturing form.