Forward thinking sees Kerry add Keane edge for Offaly clash

BARRY JOHN KEANE has been drafted into the Kerry minor football attack at corner-forward for today’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Offaly in Newbridge.

The Kerins O’Rahilly’s youngster will replace the luckless James O’Donoghue who dislocated his collar bone in a freak training accident on Tuesday night. The loss of O’Donoghue, who starred for St Brendan’s College during their march to the Hogan Cup final this year, is a major blow after his 0-4 haul in Kerry’s Munster final replay victory over Tipperary. Yet Keane is an able replacement, having featured in Kerry’s Munster semi-final win over Cork and the drawn provincial decider against Tipperary.

After easing their way past Cork by two points in a thriller, Kerry were taken to a replay in that Munster final by Tipperary yet the 2-12 to 0-8 defeat was not a true reflection of Tipperary’s efforts.