Donal O'Sullivan returns to catch the eye as experimental Kerry beat Cavan

Kerry beat Cavan 1-16 to 0-6 but the challenge game was close at half-time. 

Donal O'Sullivan in action for Kerry during the 2023 National League. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Donal O’Sullivan Down was the standout performer for Kerry in a challenge game against Cavan at Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday.

A Kerry side with only three regulars proved too strong for their opponents in the match played under new rules. Conditions militated against flowing football and while fare was moderate, the Kerry management was said to be happy with the way the side adapted to the new format.

Kerry won 1-16 to 0-6 but it was close at half-time. The introduction and Conor and Dylan Geaney appeared to give the Kerry attack more bite as the first half starters found the Cavan defence was taking no prisoners. Kerry only started with three regulars, Jason Foley and Tadgh Morley at the back while Diarmuid O’Connor played at midfield.

Kilgarvan man O'Sullivan was not involved in Kerry’s championship campaign last year and subsequently went to the US. He had also looked for a transfer from Kilgarvan to neighbours Kenmare Shamrocks but that was not allowed through by-law nor were Kilgarvan willing to release him. He did not play football or hurling with Kilgarvan during the club season in 2024 but he scored 0-6 in the county semi-final for East Kerry in their extra time loss to Dingle. However, it appears another East Kerry man, Glenflesk's Darragh Roche, has opted out for now with injuries curtailing his playing time last year.

Tom Leo O’Sullivan it is believed to have caught the eye in defence while Dan O’Brien from Glenflesk also did his chances of getting some league action no harm. Niall Geaney played at wingback and he was joined by his brothers Conor and Dylan in the second half as Kerry pulled clear. 

Beaufort's Sean Coffey took over in goals from Shane Ryan, who is on his honeymoon, while Shane Murphy is still involved with his club Dr Crokes.

Meanwhile in the Kingdom club management merry-go-round former Kerry and Castlegregory underage star Mícheál O’Shea has taken over the reins at Glenbeigh/Glencar after Peter O’Sullivan stepped down. O’Shea, who teaches at Intermediate School Killorglin, managed An Ghaeltacht to the 2022 Kerry IFC final against Rathmore.

Killarney Legion have appointed Louth native Nigel Shevlin as manager, replacing Gary McGrath who stepped away after taking over from Peter Keane, now with Clare.

Donal Rooney returns to Na Gaeil who are now joined by Austin Stacks to double the number of senior clubs in Tralee. Rooney guided Na Gaeil to All-Ireland Junior success in 2019. He replaces Paul Fitzmaurice from Dingle. Former Na Gaeil manager Jerome Stack has replaced Adrian Sheehan at Fossa. Sheehan has joined Wayne Quillinan’s Kerry minor management team. 

Castleisland Desmonds have managed to secure the services of last year’s Ballyduff hurling manager Barry O’Grady who guided his side the county final where they lost out to Abbeydorney. O’Grady played minor, U-21 and senior with Kerry.