'We need to go up another few levels': Kenmare embrace buzz of historic Kerry final

Kenmare Shamrocks play Dr Crokes on Sunday in the club's first ever Kerry SFC final

Kenmare Shamrocks manager Peter O'Sullivan: 'You’ll probably see people from America and Australia booking flights home to support the lads.' Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Sunday's clash with Dr Crokes will be historic for Kenmare Shamrocks. Though the club is nearly 140 years in existence and has won three Kerry hurling titles, this weekend's match will be their first time contesting a Kerry SFC final. 

Kenmare only joined the Kingdom's top table in 2017. Sunday's opponents have a permanent seat there, leading the roll of honour with 14 Kerry SFC titles. Since the turn of the millennium alone, Crokes have won the Bishop Moynihan Cup nine times and lost four finals. 

Kenmare do have the experienced former Mid Kerry boss Peter O'Sullivan in charge. The ex-Glenbeigh/Glencar goalkeeper led Mid Kerry to three county finals, losing out on each occasion to a crack East Kerry side that had David Clifford in their ranks. 

O'Sullivan knows what the build-up to a final can be like. That's especially important given this is a novel experience for the club. 

"It’s something that we would have touched on during the week," said O'Sullivan.

"It's great for the club because, look, I'd imagine it's different from the Crokes, because they're so used to getting there. 

"You’ll probably see people from America and Australia booking flights home to support the lads. It's just a massive occasion for the club. It's huge to get to a county final. I know a few of those boys contested a county final with Kenmare District in 2016, but I guess it's different with your own club.”

O'Sullivan knows Kenmare will have to improve from their semi-final victory over a profligate North Kerry side.

“We're not foolish about it, we need to go up another few levels to beat Crokes," said O'Sullivan.

"Crokes were very, very slick against Spa. You'll be always hoping there's more in you, of course. It was enough to win the game [against North Kerry]. Will it be enough for next week, I'm not so sure. It's looking good, we will have to go up several notches to match the Crokes.” 

The quick turnaround from last weekend's semi-finals to this weekend's decider makes it tricky for both managers. 

“It’s probably the most difficult thing," said O'Sullivan.

"The training is kind of done. It's just about recovering, getting the lads back in the field. Just hoping the body has recovered properly. It's your fourth week in a row. They need to enjoy the week as well.

"They can't take it as pressure because, look, it's different for Crokes and these teams. They're historically there down through the years, and you know we need to enjoy a little bit of it as well. We must try to get the balance right of enjoying the build-up and just take it as if we are preparing for another game. 

"It’s important for the people involved in the club as well, and the people involved in the town and around the town just to enjoy the bit of buzz that it’ll bring. You can't stop lads doing that either again, it's just our job to keep lads grounded and concentrate on the game.” 

The loss of James McCarthy to injury before the semi-final was a setback but it was offset by Dara O'Shea, brother of inter-county star Seánie, returning home from travelling in Indonesia to line out in the game. He will also be available for the final though veteran forward Paul O'Connor is an injury concern. 

“He got married and, to be fair, when I took the job at the start of the year, he did tell me he wouldn't be around for the championship because he has been away travelling for nine or 10 months with his wife," explained O'Sullivan.

"But when James McCarthy got injured, I suppose it was needs must and he answered the call. In fairness to him, he said he'd come home and we’re grateful, very grateful to him. And I suppose more importantly, very grateful for his wife for allowing him to come home. But look, it was nice for Dara because he deserved it in one sense because he's given a lot of service. 

"People don't realise that man was in Dublin for 10 years and travelling up and down for games all the time, which is a huge ask. It was nice for him that he could come home and play. Then to win made it worth his while to come home and now he will be around for the final too."

Seánie O'Shea was a key player in the semi-final win, scoring eight of Kenmare's 15 points. O’Sullivan believes injury may have limited O’Shea’s training during Kerry’s All-Ireland campaign and affected his fitness, with the break after the club championship helping him return to form.

“In hindsight it was a big thing and obviously everybody knows Seánie had the injury he had," said O'Sullivan.

"I suppose, look furthermore people probably don't realise, I don't know, I wouldn't have asked him the question but I'm sure he wouldn't have trained with Kerry for eight, nine or ten weeks. 

"Maybe his fitness levels weren't where he felt they should be, do you know. The couple of weeks off obviously gave him a chance to get back training and look he took a week off after the club championship. It did stand to us as a group, yeah, so we're delighted with that and with Seánie.”