Fossa are more than just David and Paudie Clifford insists Kilcummin manager

Kilcummin defeated Fossa by 12 points to top their group and they are ready for a repeat meeting with the Clifford-inspired neighbours at Austin Stack Park (1.30pm).

Paudie Clifford and David Clifford at the Irish Open Pro Am. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Before a ball was kicked in the Kerry county intermediate football championship, Kilcummin were not considered among the leading contenders for the title.

Now, heading into the semi-finals on Sunday, they are the only side left with a 100 per cent winning record.

Two short weeks ago, they defeated Fossa by 12 points to top their group and, following the narrowest of quarter-final victories over Listowel Emmets last weekend, they are ready for a repeat meeting with the Clifford-inspired neighbours at Austin Stack Park (1.30pm).

Kilcummin manager James Foley is entitled to be satisfied with the progression and development of his side this season but, after watching their next opponents in Beaufort last Sunday, he knows the result a fortnight ago will have no bearing on this mouth-watering contest.

“We won’t read anything into the group stage result. Both teams were already through, and we were anxious to win that game because it gave us a home quarter-final. I won’t deny that for a moment,” said Foley.

“We went about our business, and the reality is that Fossa happen to be the team that are standing between us and a place in the county final. Fossa have been favourites from the outset. We were 14/1, so we are under no illusions as to the challenge that we’re up against.

“By the same token, we have confidence in our own ability, and what we can do. We need to beat Fossa to get to the final, and that’s the ambition this week in Kilcummin.

“We all know what special talents the two boys (David and Paudie Clifford) are. They are outrageously talented. I was behind in Beaufort last Sunday, and I’m not sure if you’ll see a better goal this year. Look, that is what you’re up against with Fossa, but they’re more than just the two boys.

Kerry’s Paudie Clifford lifts The Sam Maguire Cup with David Clifford and his son Ogie. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

“Often it’s the two boys that do the finishing, but there’s a lot of talent in that Fossa team. If you concentrate on just the two boys, then you will pay a price for it. We will, of course, be taking them into account, but we’ll plan accordingly for everybody else as well.

“We support the Cliffords when they have the Kerry jersey on, but our aim this weekend is to deny them another win.”

As well as Fossa, Kilcummin got the better of both Firies and John Mitchels in the group stages and, while their character was hugely tested in the last eight last Saturday evening, the blend of young guns and wise heads is paying dividends.

“We’re very happy with the progress that we’ve made. Our team is a mixture of youth and experience, and it’s great to see young players like Dara Stack and Keelan O’Shea, at 19 years of age, getting a good run in championship football.

“You’ve got other players like James Williams, back from a cruciate, Dara O’Callaghan, Mark O’Shea, Cian Foley, they’re all only 20 or 21, and then you have the Paudie Moynihans, Jack Fogartys, Cian Lynchs, so a lot of young players getting experience.

“Of course, at the other end, we still have Brendan Kealy, Kevin Gorman and Shane McSweeney, who are just incredible club warriors, all around the 40 age bracket, and have been playing decades for the club. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís, it would be fair to enough to say for those type of players.

“We’d like to think that we have a mix of players who can show leadership when we need it. We don’t have stand-out stars really, but I’d like to think we have a nice balanced team at the same time,” added the Kilcummin boss.