Championship

Preview of Kerry Vs Limerick in the Munster Championship

May 31st, 2011
by Weeshie Fogarty

When Kerry and Limerick race on to the Gaelic Grounds next Saturday to do battle in the Munster semi-final one man will be very conspicuous by his absence. And that man is the magnificent Limerick mid fielder John Galvin. A crusciate knee ligament injury has ruled out one of the games outstanding players.  The Limerick man with very close Kerry connections made his debut for his county against Cork in 1999 and has not missed a championship game for Limerick since 2001. Last season Galvin was selected at midfield in the GPA team of the season after some how not getting richly deserved recognized on the All Star selection.  In my opinion if he had been from one of the so called strong footballing counties he would definitely have received an All Star or even two during the past number of years. His display last year in Fitzgerald Stadium was as good as I have ever seen by a midfielder. Superb catcher of the high dropping ball, he would race away from his markers showing tremendous athletic ability and following one such run against Kerry last year he scored a brilliant goal. Early this year I invited him as my guest on Terrace Talk and after being in his company for a full hour I found him one of the most courteous and obliging young me I have ever met. And let's not forget he is also an outstanding basketball player.  All true lovers of the game will miss him and we wish this exemplary Limerick star a speedy recovery.  The occasion will be poorer without his presence.

Despite the absence of Galvin I believe Limerick will probably give Kerry a sterner test than that given by Tipperary. Now in my opinion they may not be as good all round skilful players as Tipp but and this is important they have this tremendous inner steel like character and never say die attitude which few of the so called weaker counties have. Their other long serving mid fielder Jim Donovan is also a very accomplished performer and with Ger Collin and Ian Ryan in the forward line Limerick have the potential on a good day to notch up the scores. Joe Lee from Galway joined the panel last year and one Limerick fan remarked to me recently that this man is as good as John Galvin; we will have to wait and judge on this statement. Another long serving player who has given Kerry some problems in the past is Stephen Kelly, however he has be struggling with a long term groin injury and might not be at his best.

One thing is certain and that is the man who took over from our own Mickey Ned as manager, Maurice Horan will have his men ready for the fray and home venue will be a great advantage. In recent years Limerick have always given Kerry their belly full in all games.  A nice story about their speedy forward Ger Collins. When just a youngster his parents would bring him to Waterville on holidays and meeting Mick O Dwyer one day the youngster was asked did he kick with both feet. No was the answer so Micko advised young Ger to go away and practice his left, which he did and is now equally proficient with both feet.

Turning to Kerry I expect the Tipp game will have brought on the boys greatly and that sharpness so badly needed for championship football will have risen as the great Dr Eamonn O Sulivan would say "a few degrees more". Midfield as I continue to speculate here on a constant basis will continue to rotate and whoever starts against Limerick might not be the ideal pairing for the Cork game, as I expect Kerry of course to win Sunday.  The more we discuss midfield the clearer it becomes and when you look at it closely whoever comes off the bench some time in the second half will I believe do a good job. Any side that can introduce for argument sake say Seamus Scanlon and Michael Quirk will be doing a good days work. Brian Sheehan will definitely start and Anthony Maher also needs the game under his belt before the Munster decider. Kieran Donaghy as he did the last day is available to lend a hand around the centre also and his position inside will be very easily filled by Declan O Sullivan and indeed it would be interesting to see Michael Quirk stationed around of the small square for a while also. 

What fifteen the selectors start would be pure guess work on my part, however Thomas O Se the man always best on the big occasion will be badly missed. Killian Young could move to the half back line and the selectors might decide to have a championship look at the very promising Tarbert lad Shane Enright. It's vital some of the young guns taste the cut and thrust of the championship. Munster is the place to do it not Croke Park.   No need to elaborate on the forwards expect to say we have five of the best, most skilful, and accurate in the country and they are so assured and comfortable on the ball. And what about Paul Galvin? Where will he fit in? He badly needs a full game to try out his match fitness. Our all action, running, tackling, defending, the half forward line is asked to do now will test the stamina and fitness of the very fittest and Paul is at his very best in this role. We reserve our judgment on the goalie and defense. The Tipp game showed some slowness here however its early days yet. Kerry to win, and keep a close eye (or two) on that outstanding exemplary Cromane man Donnacha Walsh as he covers every blade of grass in the Gaelic Grounds.  He surly epitomizes wonderfully the Spirit of Kerry.



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