Enough of the handbags, lads

IN ITS most basic form National League football can be, and has been, a platform for many a good team and many a good player.

While the correlation between league and championship success tends to get over-emphasised in these giddy early spring days, getting some vital stage time in off-Broadway shows has, in recent years, been an important part of the graduation process for any team or individual with notions of making an impact as the drama moves centre-stage.

Kerry and Cork, the two teams who have given most to the league and who have taken most from the championship these last two seasons have more reasons than many to remember these early February auditions. As far back as Jack O’ Connor’s debut season seven years ago a hard-fought win over Cork on a dreary night in tomorrow’s venue got a league campaign back on the rails after a shock opening day defeat to Longford. Even last year’s nondescript clash in Páirc Uí Rinn became remarkable for the long term imprint on Kerry’s year as Paul Galvin’s sending off had a knock on effect further on into the championship.