No signs of Kerry coming unstuck in the middle as options now abound

Jack O'Shea looks at the Kingdom midfield and sees green shoots as well as sturdy roots with veteran Moran guides next wave

Rising again: Jack Barry, escaping the attentions of Cork's Rory Maguire and Cathail O’Mahony, has proven his worth as a covering midfielder for Kerry this term. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Kerry’s bat signal still shines Mark O’Connor’s way but Na Gaeil’s caped crusaders have eased the county’s midfield tensions, according to Jack O’Shea.

As David Moran, who turns 34 next month, looks forward and sees the end of his inter-county career drawing nearer, the reassurance Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor have brought this year to an area of concern has been timely. And there is back-up from Moran as well as Joe O’Connor and Stefan Okunbor, who injured himself in the warm-up against Cork. Not to mention Adrian Spillane, who could switch from the wing.