Tralee aim to impress in Kerry audition

WAYNE QUILLINAN takes his IT Tralee players into McGrath Cup action tomorrow afternoon, fully aware that they have an array of priorities.

On one hand, they are limbering up for the defence of their Trench Cup title next month, and progress through the Munster provincial competition would ensure January provided a series of ideal tests. On the other hand, the presence of Kerry in the opposition corner will focus plenty of minds in the IT Tralee squad, as they seek to produce an impressive audition in front of the watching Jack O’Connor.

“Absolutely, it’s a massive chance for some of the lads,” admits Quillinan.

“I’ve no doubt that they’re going into tomorrow’s game thinking that this is a good chance for Jack to look at them and see what they’re capable of. Barry John Keane and Gary O’Driscoll are of course the main two that spring to mind, but there are a number of other very good players in the frame as well. But it’s also an important competition for us as these games are of big benefit ahead of the Trench Cup.”

In contrast to the luminaries from around the country that filled the IT Tralee squad during their glory run in the Sigerson Cup in the 90’s, the majority of the current panel are local players.

“We’ll have a team tomorrow that the majority will be Kerry-based players with a lot of them from around Tralee. That helps as they all know each other from club football, would have experience of playing together underage for Kerry and it’s easier to gel them together. We don’t have that many from outside the county, Kevin Hartnett who’s with the Clare seniors and Eoin Murray, a Meath U21, would be the main two.”

The home-grown talents backboned last March’s Trench Cup success and their continued development has placed IT Tralee on the cusp of a return to the Sigerson ranks.

“After winning the Trench Cup, we had the choice whether or not to go up to Sigerson,” says Quillinan. “We decided to try to build the team and stay in the Trench, and gain promotion to the top level of the league. We qualified for the final of that, which is on January 19. That’s a huge game for us and if we win that, we’ll definitely be competing in the Sigerson next year.”

Quillinan is relishing his involvement this season after former Kerry trainer John Sugrue had been at the helm during last season’s triumph. Before Christmas he did have a hectic schedule as he combined his IT Tralee duties with co-piloting Austin Stacks drive to the Kerry county final.

“It was fairly busy alright and there was a lot of intertwining with training and matches. But I enjoy it.”