UNDER 21 FC FINAL:THE COUNTIES that won the first two titles at this grade come together in this evening's Cadbury under-21 All-Ireland football final but history has been divergent since. Kerry are seeking their 10th whereas Kildare haven't added to their success of 43 years ago.
Glenn Ryan's team has progressed unexpectedly but their strength, capable defending and imposing full-forward line have taken them past Meath, Dublin, Carlow and Wexford in Leinster and then most notably past Down, 2005 minor All-Ireland winners.
Kerry haven't been adding up to the sum of their parts let alone exceeding it in this campaign but in their semi-final against a Mayo side they allowed back into the match they responded, resisting the comeback and taking the match with some good scores.
Like last week's National Football League final this will swing on the centrefield contest. Kerry were at their most impressive when getting a steady supply into full forward Tommy Walsh and under most pressure when Tom Parsons and Séamus O'Shea turned the tables for Mayo in the middle after half-time. Walsh eventually had to emulate Kieran Donaghy by switching out to midfield though Mayo were surprised at how long Kerry took to make the move.
The Munster champions' half forwards will have their work cut out on Kildare's best line. John Browne, Gary Whyte and Tom Byrne provided the foundation for the win over Down and will be encouraged by the grip Mayo exerted in the semi-final.
Once Mayo began to dictate possession Kerry struggled in defence, particularly in the full-back line, and only a Herculean effort from captain Killian Young held everything together. Kildare full forward Alan Smith has been prominent so there may be more pressure this evening.
Kerry have the potential to raise their game at centrefield and enough talent in attack to convert chances. If they don't get it right they'll lose but expect sufficient improvement on the semi-final.
The death has taken place of Wexford All-Ireland winning hurler Martin Codd. From the same club, Rathnure, as the legendary Rackard brothers, Codd played for the county for 16 years, 1949-'65. He was centre forward for the 1956 final win against Cork and lined out at full forward in the 1965 defeat by Tipperary.
KERRY: T Mac an tSaoir; C O'Mahoney, M Moloney, S Enright; A O'Sullivan, K Young, G Duffy; G Duffy, A O'Sullivan; K O'Leary, J Buckley, M O'Donoghue; P Curran, T Walsh, P O'Connor.
KILDARE: N McConnell; C Brophy, D Brennan, S Murphy; J Browne, G White, T Byrne; M Watter, N Higgins; D Whyte, E O'Flaherty, C Kelly; S Fahy, A Smith, G Smullen.
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
