Poacher fears reversal of roles

Poacher turned gamekeeper, wrapping up in a nutshell the current standing of the Kerry ladies’ football team.

Since manager William O’Sullivan stepped into the breach in 2010, the Kingdom’s championship route followed a pattern. The annual Munster final defeat to Cork first, then a slip of the championship highway and on to the qualifier route, rack up a victory or two and catch whatever provincial champion was unfortunate enough to draw Kerry at the quarter-final.

Not this season, however. O’Sullivan’s side showed their hand early on. Successive victories over Cork in the provincial championship, complimented by Division 2 league success moved Kerry to the top of the rankings. Poacher turned gamekeeper. Certainly that is how Mayo will view their opponents today in their All-Ireland quarter-final clash at Birr (throw-in 12.30pm).