Confident Kerry have the quality to keep on rolling

THERE could hardly be a more distinct difference in Kerry’s build-up to tomorrow’s All-Ireland football semi-final meeting with Meath in Croke Park from their game a month ago against a Dublin side which had performed impressively on the way to a fifth consecutive Leinster title.

Then, they went in as clear outsiders, based as much on their poor form against Cork in their Munster semi-final replay as their unconvincing wins over Longford, Sligo and Antrim in the qualifiers.

What happened almost defied belief – a virtual collapse by the home team (even worse than what happened against Tyrone last year) and a truly magical display from the Kingdom. Instead of being ‘yesterday’s man’ – as would certainly have been the case if the game had worked out as expected – Jack O’Connor re-established his reputation as a coach and even before half-time, the players had won back their pride and their self-respect.

The general consensus favours a Kerry victory – and an intriguing clash with Cork in the final – and it’s hard to go against the tide. The bottom line is that we are unlikely to see the favourites implode the way Dublin did (losing their confidence, their shape – everything – after Colm Cooper’s early goal and a succession of early points), yet, there is no absolute certainty about the outcome.

Not that it has much relevance – except, perhaps, for Mike McCarthy, Tom O’Sullivan and Darragh O Sé who played that day, as well as selector Eamonn Fitzmaurice who was sent off near the end – but there has been a lot of talk about Kerry’s last meeting with the Royals eight years ago. It was, as Jack O’Connor has commented, ‘a black day’ for the county, with a 15-point defeat (2-14 to 0-5).

It also serves as a reminder that no team can take victory for granted.

Meath have come in under the radar, having exited Leinster at an early stage after producing a mixed performance against Dublin. They acquitted themselves well against Limerick in their final qualifier and if they were favoured by an incorrect line call which indirectly led to a goal, they were better than Mayo in the quarter-final.

The strongest part of the team is the attack, understandably boosted by the return of Stephen Bray after suspension and their midfield pairing of Nigel Crawford and Brian Meade will be quite competitive. However, their defence will have to cope with the strongest forward line they have met this season and, with doubts over the fitness of Anthony Moyles (who has been standing in at full-back for the injured Kevin Reilly) they could be exposed.

Whatever questions may be asked about which is the ‘real’ Kerry, either way we should be treated to a stirring contest. And, whether they manage it with ease or with some difficulty, at the end of the day I expect Kerry to make it to the final for the eighth time since 2000.