Wallace believes he has reaped reward for faith in youth

ALL-IRELAND JFC FINAL:

One third of the Kerry junior team from the semi-final win over Sligo were involved in the comprehensive 0-18 to 2-8 Munster U21 defeat to Cork in early March, while seven members of Wallace’s panel are eligible to play under Darragh Ó Sé next spring.

“I nailed my colours to the mast early on in terms of wanting to promote young players this year. I wanted to give youth its fling and so far so good,” says Wallace.

“A lot of them at minor and U21 level have unfortunately missed their chance. They had one U21 game this year, what was the alternative? Leave them off and let them return to the inter-county scene in 2015. They have a chance here of winning a junior All-Ireland.

“I think a lot of them grew up in Cusack Park, Ennis against Sligo. We were after playing with a strong breeze and we were going down the tunnel at half-time tied at 0-8 apiece. Serious questions were asked, we had a few choice words with them and a lot of them stood up. Next year’s U21 team will benefit from our campaign and I think a lot of these lads will play National League for [Eamonn] Fitzmaurice next spring.

“We are going up confident, but they are very young in comparison with what they are going up against. We got a dream start against Cork in the Munster final, we got an early goal and the lads drove on from there. Cork cut it back to four early in the second half. We made a couple of substitutions and ended up winning by 10 points. Monkey off the back.”

Conscious of the need to create the correct blend of youth and experience, Wallace sought the services of a footballer who he had soldiered alongside during the 2006 junior All-Ireland-winning campaign.

“Andrew Garnett took a bit of convincing that there was a role for him in the set-up this year. He has three junior All-Ireland medals won. You need the experience of Andrew Garnett and Kevin O’Dwyer.

“Against Sligo when we were struggling to win the breaks at midfield, Andrew just decided to stop the breaks. He started to catch the ball, stopping the breaks. That is what he brings. Brendan O’Sullivan compliments him very well at midfield. This is Andrew Garnett’s swansong.

“He mightn’t give you the full hour but he will hobble to the sideline having done all he can. We need him big time to perform.”