Kerry boss has no doubts over Keane

KERRY attacker Barry John Keane will be back in contention for next Wednesday’s Munster U21FC final against Cork, with his eight-week suspension set to draw to a close this Saturday night.

Keane has been unavailable since being sent off in the senior side’s opening Division 1 league game against Cork in early February. Kerry U21 boss John Kennedy is confident that Keane’s fitness levels will be up to scratch despite the long lay-off as he has been involved with college and club sides.

He said: “Barry John got a lot of football in with IT Tralee in the Trench Cup over the last while. He also was involved with his club Kerins O’Rahilly’s in last year’s county league final, which was played last Sunday.

“So I don’t think he’s going to be rusty and fitness won’t be a problem for him.”

Keane, along with fellow senior panellists Peter Crowley, Jonathan Lyne, Barry John Walsh, Daithí Casey and Paul Geaney, will not be involved with Jack O’Connor’s senior squad for their trip to Inniskeen next Sunday to face Monaghan, as they focus on preparations for next Wednesday’s clash in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Kerry only have one injury concern ahead of that match in Barry John Walsh, who sustained an injury while lining out for Kerins O’Rahilly’s last Sunday.

Kennedy added: “He took a knock and had to go off with it.

“At this stage we’re not too sure whether it’s to his hip or his hamstring that the problem is. We won’t know for a few days yet so he’s going to go get it checked out.

“We’ll have more information and a better idea of how he’ll be for next Wednesday towards the end of this week.”