MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL:ALL IS not well in the Kerry camp. It never is until they win in September. Their captain and multi-decorated marque forward Colm Cooper has admitted that significant change is coming.
Donie Buckley departed as team trainer earlier this month but has only been replaced this week as former player and current Kerry under-21 manager Eamon Fitzmaurice comes on board as a selector.
There will be on-field changes as well. Since 2004, Kieran Donaghy and Cooper have formed two thirds of arguably the most deadly inside forward line in Gaelic football. Dropped against Tipperary on Sunday, Donaghy’s arrival on 46 minutes into the sweltering heat saw a 32-year-old Paul Galvin hauled off.
Patrick Curtin and Kieran O’Leary are less established figures in the Kerry attack, but neither player got past the 50-minute mark.
“Who knows what our best 15 is?” said Cooper at yesterday’s gathering in Croke Park, hosted by Eircom. “That’s what games like yesterday are for. Try things out and see what works. Nothing goes perfect all season.”
When Donaghy arrived they seemed more like Kerry of recent times,.
Cooper conceded that the team is undergoing a period of restructuring.
“Football changes and players come in and come out and that’s the same in every county.
“I suppose the boys are high profile and they might get a little more attention but that’s happened with Kerry down the years, where certain guys are dropped for games and other guys come in and do really well.
“That’s the beauty of sport. And, look it, that’s the way it is going to be for Kerry now this year.”
Cork are up in a fortnight. Whoever wins between this pair in June is usually at a disadvantage come August or September but it will matter when they meet on June 10th.
(It certainly matters to the GAA as on the same day the Republic of Ireland kick-off their European championship campaign against Croatia.)
“We certainly want to go through the front door and there won’t be any quarter given between the sides in Páirc Uí Chaoimh the next day. It’s always a right battle.
“Cork have shown that if you lose you can still go through the back door and it’s not the end of the world but I can guarantee you that on the 10th of June both teams will be going hammer and tongs at it.
“I can only remember two that I won down there and that’s what you want to challenge yourself against.”
It will be only be Cooper’s fourth game in green and gold this year as club commitments and a well-earned break was required. He kicked 0-4 on Sunday, two from play.
“I feel physically fine. A couple of things didn’t go the way I wanted but I’ve only had two previous outings with Kerry this year; that was only my third so I’m not going to get over-excited about things.
“Like the team, there’s plenty of areas I can improve on and hopefully, I can start finding some form sooner rather than later.”
VROOM AND BLOOM: Traffic diverted for FI show
THE Formula One demonstration along Dublin’s streets and quays next Sunday has forced Croke Park and the Garda to draw up contingency plans for those travelling to the stadium for the Leinster football championship quarter-finals.
Dublin are playing Louth, with Wexford and Longford on beforehand. Up to 100,000 people are expected along College Green and D’Olier Street as far down the quays as the O2 arena, ensuring ensure major traffic disruptions in the city centre from June 2nd-4th.
The annual Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park, which could draw 40,000 people, presents another potential obstacle for travelling GAA supporters.
Some 40,000 are expected at Croke Park on Sunday, with this estimate swelling significantly if the weather encourages local fans to come and see the All-Ireland champions begin the defence of their title.
“Anyone travelling from Wexford should be aware the East Link toll bridge is open,” said Alan Gallagher, Croke Park’s head of operations.
“That’s not affected by the Bavaria race. There are closures in the city from O’Connell Street, more or less, up to the O2”.
“We’ll be certainly asking supporters attending Croke Park to avail of public transport as neither the Luas or DART lines will be disrupted.
“The M50 will also be open, said Gallagher. “We do need to be cognisant of the Bloom festival, as the weather is expected to hold, so people will be coming in via the Phoenix Park and North Circular Road. There is a coordinated transport strategy in place with the the Garda and city council”
From Samuel Beckett Bridge to O’Connell Street and all along the northside of the quays will be closed on Sunday at times ranging from 5am to 8pm.
Some streets will be closed on Saturday until Monday due to construction for the race.
