Jack still has reasons to grumble

IN KERRY’S Munster Championship first round clash with Tipperary, the ingredients for a shock in Killarney were coming nicely to the boil when Maurice Condon called for half-time.

On Saturday, the flame went out on this one long before Rory Hickey brought first-half hostilities to a close. In fact, hostilities is slightly inappropriate. Kerry were ruthlessly professional and on a completely different level to Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

The Kingdom were noticeably tuned in from the off and scored 1-26, 1-24 from play. Their expansive kicking game and forward movement was at its very best. Colm Cooper was, once more, in spectacular form and is really enjoying his football. All of the forwards looked very sharp — from Declan O Sullivan’s link play on the 40 to his finishing inside, from Darran O Sullivan’s direct running that led to his goal to Kieran Donaghy’s wonderful fielding and from Donnacha Walsh’s break-winning to Kieran O’Leary’s point-scoring. If this forward line gets enough ammunition they will trouble most back lines, Cork’s included.