Dingle ready to end the great hunger

It’s been a long wait for Dingle to reach a county final.

Many a Dingle man has played in the senior showpiece, West Kerry won titles in 1984, ’85 and ’90, but it’s 1951 since the club played in one.

Having claimed a Kerry IFC title in 2005, the step up to three-in-a-row-chasing Dr Crokes is immeasurable. But they have a steely determination back-boning their cause.

Captain Brendan Kelliher epitomises it. He plays like a man built from granite in the heart of their defence and his infectious drive has worked its way into the younger members of the team bursting through.

“Being captain comes with its own responsibilities but it doesn’t mean much more this week than any other week,” he said.

“In this team so far this year a lot of fellas have stepped up to the mark and become their own leaders, and perhaps that’s why we are in a county final this year and why we are different to other years.

“I think in other years we would not have got through that quarter-final or semi-final when things got really tough but this year we did get through them. That’s because all these young fellas — Paul Geaney, Mikey Geaney, Joe Sheehy, Paul Devane, Adrian Devane — all these lads have stepped up to the mark this year.

“We have a very young team but we have a lot of talent. We have a lot of U21s coming through so it’s great that we have finally stepped up to the mark.”

With all that youth available to them, they need some experienced players to help them through. That is their biggest worry going into the game. There are few men with more experience in Kerry than Tommy Griffin and he is out due to injury.

“Tommy Griffin is a player I would have looked up to as a young fella,” said Kelliher.

“I’d have watched him with the Kerry minors and U21s and seniors. Tommy is a great footballer, and has been a great leader for Dingle and it’s just a pity that he won’t be out there on Sunday. If there’s one Dingle player who deserves to be out there, it’s Tommy.

“He and Diarmuid [Murphy] have been two great leaders for the club, but you have to try to step up to that level yourself and lead as best as you can. As captain you try to do your best to keep the team going and lift all the players around you.”

But Kelliher knows the town of Dingle is behind the team and they will draw inspiration from that when the battle begins.

“It’s all very new to us. It’s the club’s first county final in 61 years. It’s a huge thing for the town because there’s a huge tradition of football back here in West Kerry.

“People love their football back here. We [players] are trying to enjoy it a little bit but we are keeping the heads down. We will train hard and do what we have to do, and hopefully, come Sunday, you’d never know.”