Kerry v Cork:THE ONE perspective that appears to have created common ground for the counties going into tomorrow's Munster football semi-final is the undesirability of travelling the qualifier route despite Kerry having won two of the last four All-Irelands by that route.
Jack O’Connor’s side have the advantage of a first round played and the team gave a polished display in disposing of a feisty Tipperary. Injuries haven’t helped the home side, with Footballer of the Year Paul Galvin sidelined because of an ankle injury and much speculation about the fitness of Michael McCarthy, who is named at centre back.
The big performer was Kieran Donaghy, back to full fitness after missing last year and whose ball- winning and laying-off were top quality. Graham Canty is named to mark him at full back, which seems regressive given his form farther out last year but with Eoin Cadogan short of football practice after his heroics with the hurlers and Jamie O’Sullivan switched to take care of Colm Cooper there wasn’t a huge choice.
Another debutant, Aidan Walsh, comes in at centrefield where he’ll either sink under the pressure of the heavyweight Kerry pairing of Séamus Scanlon and Micheál Quirke or swim, buoyed by his mobility advantages.
Good news for Cork comes from training and challenge matches where Colm O’Neill has been in excellent and prolific form, although Counihan keeps him in reserve and goes with another promising youngster, Ciarán Sheehan, at full forward. John Miskella is also playing well after a lengthy injury absence.
This will be the first real indication of how Kerry have been affected by all the departures, although with Galvin out the effect may be exaggerated. Donaghy’s return and the form of Bryan Sheehan in Thurles have done much to raise optimism about the forwards.
Their defence will be under the spotlight against a Cork attack where Donncha O’Connor has been impressive playing on the 40 and Sheehan brings aggression and ball-winning to the full-forward role. Pearse O’Neill lines out at wing forward, either to block Tomás Ó Sé’s runs or simply to switch into centrefield.
Kerry are said to be very motivated to avoid the qualifiers.
KERRY: B Kealy; M Ó Sé, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan; T Ó Sé, M McCarthy, K Young; S Scanlon, M Quirke; Darran O’Sullivan, Declan O’Sullivan, D Walsh; C Cooper, K Donaghy, B Sheehan.
CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, G Canty, J O’Sullivan; N O’Leary, M Shields, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; P O’Neill, D O’Connor, P Kelly; D Goulding, C Sheehan, P Kerrigan.
Referee: Pádraig Hughes (Armagh)
In the last episode: The never-ending quarrel that has seen the counties meet six times in the championship during the two years to date of Conor Counihan's managerial tenure encompassed last year's All-Ireland final when a disappointing Cork display after getting a terrific start was efficiently exploited by Kerry.
You bet: A balanced 11/10 Kerry and evens Cork, with the draw available at 15/2.
On your marks: Jamie O'Sullivan had a sound league final at full back and is moved to the corner and asked to do a marking job on Colm Cooper instead of on Kieran Donaghy. It's a big detail for a championship debutant.
Gaining ground: Cork haven't won here in 15 years but on the seven occasions the counties have since played in Fitzgerald Stadium the matches have been tightly divided into four Kerry wins and three draws. Cork won all three replays back in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Kerry have actually won just once here since 2000.
Just the ticket: O'Sullivan Stand €30 and terraces €20.
Crystal gazing: Cork narrowly.
