Kingdom bracing for tough trip to Longford

THERE is more than a hint of déjà vu about last night’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier draw.

Kerry meet Longford, the side they defeated in Killarney en route to September glory in 2006; Monaghan are paired with Derry who knocked them out of the Ulster championship in May while Down and Laois have backdoor history from as little as 12 months ago.

Kerry selector Ger O’Keeffe admitted: “It is ironic that we played Longford in 2006 and now we face them again in 2009. They are a good side. The last time we went to Longford for a league game was in 2004 and we lost that match.