O’Flynn focused on task in hand

Ladies Football: It’s been a busy week for Cork defender Geraldine O’Flynn, between moving homes and preparing for today’s second round Munster Championship showdown with Kerry (Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.30pm).

Having secured a teaching job at Pobailscoil na Tríonóide in Youghal, the multiple All Star had to say her farewells at Scoil Críost Rí in Portlaoise, where she not only taught for a number of years, but also coached the school’s ladies football team to and All-Ireland SCFC title last year. But, her focus is on today’s task, which will be the sixth time in 12 months the Liscarroll woman will have come face-to-face with William O’Sullivan’s Kerry.

Cork may be the league and All-Ireland champions, but the Kingdom holds the upper hand, having won three of their five meetings so far. “It’s going to take 20 players to beat them,” admitted the St Mary’s defender.

“We had a good win against Clare last week, but if our heads aren’t ready for Kerry then there’s no point. I’m sure they’ll be going all out to try and retain their Munster title and set a good foundation for the All-Ireland series. If we’re not up to the test, we will be beaten,” she admitted.

A 36-point win against the Banner doesn’t count for much, but at least Eamonn Ryan’s side will have the advantage of having one game under their belts, as Kerry make their provincial debut.

“Our defenders weren’t under much pressure against Clare, but there was good movement in the forward-line. There was a good feeling coming off the field, but we’ll have to take those chances against Kerry, and make use of the ball we do get,” said O’Flynn, who registered five points from wing-back against the Kingdom in the League semi-final in April.

Cork are likely to be without Doireann O’Sullivan, who recovers from a leg injury, while Kerry’s Debra Murphy remains on the long-term injury list.

In the Munster IFC round two clash, Limerick face Tipperary in Claughan at 3pm. Elsewhere, in the TG4 Leinster SFC semi-finals, Laois take on Meath in Crettyard at 2pm, and Dublin face Westmeath in Naomh Mearnóg at 1pm.

CORK: M O’Brien; R Phelan, Angela Walsh, B Stack; V Foley, D O’Reilly, G O’Flynn; R Buckley, B Corkery; Annie Walsh, C O Sullivan, O Farmer; V Mulcahy, G Kearney, E Farmer.

KERRY: A Brosnan; A Leonard, A Desmond, G Crowley; M Quirke, C Lynch, D Hallissey; E Sherwood, B Breen; SJ Joy, D Corridan, L Scanlon; S Houlihan, L Galvin, L Ní Mhuirtceartaigh.