GAA: Kerry v LimerickSHANE ENRIGHT and Kieran O'Leary have been nudged aside as Kerry seek to do exactly what they couldn't do last year: start an All-Ireland quarter-final with Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé on the field.
Ó Sé was suspended last year because of a running battle he got into with Limerick’s Stephen Kelly during the Munster final in Killarney. They will be working down the same corridors of this spacious football field so expect the pair to get reacquainted tomorrow.
Also expect every Limerick man to get a little closer to their famed opponents. Their only hope is to turn this into a heated, messy affair. They must deny clean ball into Kieran Donaghy. They must ensure Galvin isn’t allowed scavenge without shipping a few belts. They must mind the Gooch. They must shadow the O’Sullivans.
They must do so many things so well it is difficult to see them staying afloat. The bookies agree.
Kerry know the importance of this fixture. It was at this moment in 2009 that they went electric with a quick gutting of the Dublin defence. Limerick must hold the line early on.
It will be interesting to see where Darran O’Sullivan, Galvin and Donnacha Walsh take up as O’Sullivan is shifted into the corner to accommodate Galvin’s return. O’Sullivan has been unstoppable charging in off the wing.
Maybe Limerick can get a foothold in midfield, where Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan are unproven. Oh, to have John Galvin fit. Their great midfielder will be a mere water carrier tomorrow. A shame; this stage is made for him.
The Kerry defence might be suspect but Limerick were relegated to Division Four a few months back so they shouldn’t unduly hurt them.
Maybe Ian Ryan and Ger Collins can pilfer some goals. Without them, Limerick are stumped because the Kerry points will rain down at some stage. There won’t be 26 of them, like in June, but there will be a few showers nonetheless. That should be enough.
KERRY: B Kealy; K Young, M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Sé, E Brosnan, A O'Mahony; A Maher, B Sheehan; P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan, D Walsh; C Cooper, K Donaghy, Darran O'Sullivan.
LIMERICK: B Scanlon; T Stack, S Gallagher, S Lavin; J Riordan, J McCarthy, P Ranahan; S Buckley, J ODonovan; S Kelly, J Mullane, M Sheehan; G Collins, S OCarroll, I Ryan.
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).
In the Last Episode:A disastrous 11-point defeat in last month's Munster semi-final is only softened by the 2-5 Limerick registered in the second-half. Then you see a free-wheeling Kerry also posted 16 points.
You Bet:Kerry 1/16, Limerick 10/1. Kerry are a whopping minus nine points at evens. Limerick are +9 at 10/11.
On Your Marks:Limerick must put at least one man between their defensive lines and the half-forward line must track back. Every time.
Gaining Ground: There was a healthy Limerick crowd in Thurles last week but that was hurling and they had a chance. Kerry don't travel until September.
Just the Ticket: It works out as €3 a child on the juvenile group package. One adult over 10 kids gets in free.
Crystal Gazing: Kerry to win in comfort but don't expect another thrashing.
