Moyle boss Cahill hoping lucky Premier charm pays off

MOYLE ROVERS will be wearing a set of Tipperary jerseys when they meet Kerry outfit Kerins O’Rahillys in Sunday’s AIB Munster club football semi-final – and manager Jim Cahill believes that could be a lucky omen.

Rovers have played in blue and gold twice before in the Munster championship – and emerged victorious both times against Cork opposition.

In 1998, the South Tipp outfit shocked Bantry Blues in the Munster SFC semi-final and in 2007, Rovers captured the provincial junior club hurling championship with victory against Barryroe.

The normal Rovers shirt is light blue while Kerins O’Rahillys favour a dark blue shirt and the Munster Council has issued a directive that both sides must change for the Tralee clash.

Rovers have obtained a Tipperary kit from the county board while it is understood O’Rahillys will line out in their white second-choice shirts.

Meanwhile, Rovers will once again line out without experienced centre half-back Robbie Boland, who hasn’t recovered in time from a back injury sustained against Killenaule in the Tipperary semi-final.

Boland’s absence is a major blow as 3/1 outsiders Rovers look to spring a surprise against pre-match favourites Kerins O’Rahillys, who are 4/7 with the bookies.

The home side may have lost Tommy Walsh and David Moran to AFL club St. Kilda but Cahill believes that the return of midfielder Michael Quirke from suspension is a major fillip for the Kerry representatives.

Cahill said: “Quirke will be back now and he’s rated as the best club midfielder in Kerry. They also have former Kerry forward Declan Quill in attack. Tommy Walsh’s brother Barry John is there with David Moran’s brother Barry at centre back. ! Their full back line contains Barry and Morgan O’Shea so there are household names everywhere and there’s rarely a weak team to come out of Kerry.”

Rovers have won seven Tipperary SF titles since 1995 but have yet to land a coveted Munster crown.

Cahill, who was also in charge 14 years ago when Rovers first tasted county success at senior level, reflected: “We had it in our hands in 1998 and that was an awful blow. We were five points up with six minutes to go against Doonbeg in the Munster final but they came back and drew. We were missing Jimmy Dunne and John Owens for the replay, our two midfielders, so we were a weakened side and losing that took an awful lot out of the team. It was a huge regret of ours that we didn’t win that one.”