O’Connor says Kerry must appoint Director of Football

Kerry minor manager Jack O’Connor believes county board bosses must appoint a Director of Football to ensure the Kingdom’s finest underage talents are not lost before transition to senior ranks.

All-Ireland SFC winning boss O’Connor insists such a role would aid hugely in eradicating the burnout of elite young players.

“I have been saying for a long time, that by right, there should be someone looking at the development of elite players in the county.

“Everybody wants a piece of the young elite player and there is nobody overseeing the development of the elite players, and saying ‘no, that guy cannot do that because it’s going to affect his development’ and so on.

“There is no doubt that there are players lost through burnout so we may have to take action in this county, so as to ensure that our best young players proceed up along to the senior ranks.”

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne’s Hogan Cup journey hasn’t aided preparations for tomorrow’s provincial opener away to Clare. O’Connor, however, admits it was a welcome headache.

“A lot depends on how they come out of that Hogan Cup final. I am presuming they have come out on a high after such a brilliant win, so the adrenalin is high, but it is also very draining on the lads after their exploits in Croke Park.

“Winning might well enable them to lift it for Wednesday night’s clash and they could also have a positive effect on the rest of the squad. The scheduling of the Clare game is unfortunate coming so soon after Saturday. “You would think they could have done with a week, but that’s the hand we have been dealt.”

O’Connor’s starting side features seven members of the victorious Dingle outfit. Brian Begley and Tom O’Sullivan anchor the defence, Barry O’Sullivan and Mark O’Connor renew their midfield partnership, while Brian Rayle, Matthew Flaherty and Cathal Bambury spearhead the attack.

CORK (v Limerick): C O’Driscoll (Castlehaven); C O’Donovan (Clonakilty), K Flahive (Douglas), S Powter (Douglas); T Bushe (Ilen Rovers), D Meaney (St. Michael’s), C Kiely (Ballincollig); S O’Leary (Bantry Blues), B Coakley (Carrigaline); S O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), M Dineen (Naomh Abán), S Ronayne (Clyda Rovers); S Kingston (Douglas), M Hurley (Castlehaven), D Buckley (Ballyclough).

LIMERICK (v Cork): A Brudair (Newcastlewest); L O’ Connell (Mungret), S Murphy (Newcastlewest), S Brosnan (Monagea); S Ivess (Newcastlewest), C Flanagan (Crecora), F O’ Grady (Oola); T Childs (Galtee Gaels), M Reidy (Croom); M Morrissey (St. Marys/Sean Finns), R Hayes (St. Senans), K Daly (Na Pairsaigh); S Stack (Newcastlewest), C Burke (Crecora), K Ryan (Mungret).

KERRY (v Clare): S Ryan (Rathmore); J Morgan (Austin Stacks), B Begley (An Ghaeltacht), T O’Sullivan (Dingle); J Foley (Ballydonoghue), A Barry (Na Gaeil), B Sugrue (Renard); B O’Sullivan (Dingle) M O’Connor (Dingle); M Flaherty (Dingle), B Rayle (Lispole), M Burns (Dr Crokes); J Kiely (Dr Crokes), K Spillane (Templenoe), C Bambury (Dingle).

TIPPERARY (v Waterford): J Brady (Ballina); D Owens (Moyle Rovers), L Ryan (Clonmel Commercials), Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan); W Connors (Kildangan), Cathal O’Mahony (St. Patricks), J Skehan (Holycross-Ballycahill); T Nolan (Drom and Inch), S Quirke (Moyle Rovers); Emmet Maloney (Drom and Inch), P White (Clonmel Commercials), Ross Peters (Clonmel Commercials); J Bergin (JK Brackens), J Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), P Maher (Kilsheelan).

WATERFORD (v Tipperary): K Dwane (Ballinacourty); C O’Neill (Brickey Rangers), J Guiry (Nire), D Kirwan (Dungarvan); M Shine (Ballinameela), E O’Halloran (Clashmore Kinsalebeg), J Mullaney (Stradbally); C Curran (Brickey Rangers), C Prunty (Ballinacourty); A Donnelly (Dungarvan), C Murray (Rathgormack), J Allen (Dungarvan); D Guiry (Nire), C Gleeson (Nire), D Lyons (Dungarvan).

CLARE (v Kerry): K Normoyle (Lissycasey); B Cahill (Lissycasey), P Lillis (Cooraclare), J Woods (Éire Óg); C O’Dea (Kilfenora), C Pyne (Killimer), C O’Hanafin (Éire Óg); N McCarthy (Lissycasey), C Hanrahan (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield); C Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), E Courtney (Éire Óg), A Rudd (Wolfe Tones); C Finucane (Lissycasey), D Duffy (Kilfenora), A Davidson (St Breckans).