Kerry SFC previews: Do East Kerry integrate the Cliffords? 

NOT SO SECRET WEAPON: David Clifford on the field ahead of the East Kerry v Templenoe game.

SATURDAY 

Rathmore v Spa, Fitzgerald Stadium (S Joy), 2.30pm 

Rathmore enter brimming with confidence after knocking out club championship finalists Kenmare in the latter’s backyard. The Ryan trio of Mark, Cathal, and Shane are in fine form, as is John Moynihan. If the Paul Murphy-led defence can keep somewhat of a leash on Evan Cronin, Cian Murphy, and of course Dara Moynihan, Rathmore will go from 2022 intermediate winners to within an hour of the 2023 senior final.

Verdict: Rathmore 

East Kerry v St Kieran’s, Austin Stack Park (J Griffin), 4.30pm 

The Clifford brothers had minimal involvement in East Kerry’s three group victories. They sat out two of them and were introduced late in the second half of the Round 3 Templenoe win. They’ll likely get away with neither of them starting here, but with an eye to the semi-final, is it better to integrate them now into the starting front-six as opposed to making changes ahead of a difficult semi-final assignment?

Verdict: East Kerry 

SUNDAY

Dingle v Templenoe, Fitzgerald Stadium (S Mulvihill), 1.30pm 

Templenoe have fallen at this quarter-final hurdle in the three seasons since their 2019 promotion. A combination of their unconvincing performances in emerging from Group 1 and Dingle being the form club team in the county means Templenoe’s quarter-final losing streak is set to be extended to a fourth successive term.

Verdict: Dingle 

Mid Kerry v Na Gaeil, Fitzgerald Stadium (P O’Sullivan), 3.30pm 

It’ll be interesting to see who Na Gaeil get Stefan Okunbor to track and tie down among the Mid Kerry forwards. Éanna O’Connor, Keith Evans, Cillian Burke, and Daire Cleary have all had their moments for a divisional side whose greatest strength is their spread, rather than a reliance on one or two players. Na Gaeil’s 0-10 and 0-8 tallies from Rounds 2 and 3 will not be sufficient.

Verdict: Mid Kerry