Moynihan managing expectations at Spa

SEAN MOYNIHAN puts it down to meeting expectations.

When Spa hoisted themselves up onto the Kerry intermediate football victory podium last year, there was no sense of being happy with their lot then and packing away the year. The wave of success enjoyed by Ardfert, St Michael’s Foilmore and Skellig Rangers had raised the bar for Kerry club teams and those standards had to be maintained.

“The expectation was there of a Kerry team doing well in Munster and beyond,” says the Spa manager.

“Getting out of Kerry was a tremendous achievement for us, as we hadn’t won the intermediate since 1974 and hadn’t won a major trophy since 1989. But in Kerry it’s expected that you go on from there and continue being successful. We put the heads down and decided to have a right good go.”

They did just that. The hurdles in Munster were safely negotiated, with Cratloe being the opposition in the provincial decider in Mallow. Two sublime goals by Michael O’Donoghue were key to the win and it’s his double act with team captain Niall O’Mahony that provides much of the Spa attacking spark.

“They’re two fantastic players,” says Moynihan. “All year they have dug us out of big holes. Even last Saturday you had both playing for the Kerry seniors and that’s a just reward for their performances. They give it their all for us anytime they go out.”

Tomorrow is the next port of call where that attacking input will be required. Spa travel to the Gaelic Grounds for an All-Ireland club semi-final meeting with Maynooth, full of optimism despite being plagued with injuries of late.

“We’ve been with Mike Finnegan and Ivan Cahill for a long time with cruciate injuries, and last Sunday we lost Bryan Russell, who was a Kerry U21 last year, after he broke a bone in his foot in a challenge match. It’s a huge disappointment for himself as he has worked exceptionally well in improving his football over the past year.

“Andrew Garnett has been a big worry since he injured his ankle in the Munster final but I’m very confident now that he’ll have a big role to play. He might not start but he’ll be a big plus for us as someone to bring in to settle things down. He gets involved in everything, is good in the air and has a great attitude.”

They’ve managed to keep tabs on their opponents’ progress as well, although Moynihan is adamant that they are cast in the role of underdogs against Maynooth.

“Willie Cahill one of our selectors saw them play in the Leinster final and we’ve looked at a video of that game as well. They’re a team that moves the ball very well up from defence. Karl and Pierre Ennis are Kildare seniors and everything seems to go through them.

“Our forwards will have to work very hard, and with the injuries, we’re going in as underdogs. But it’s going to be a fantastic occasion for us. There’s a huge buzz around as we’ve had nothing to shout about for a long time. There are people flying home from America and England for this game and we want to do them all proud.”