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Kerry aim to defend home record as Mayo come to town

ALL-IRELAND

Sfc Group 1

| By Adam Moynihan

Kerry v Mayo

Saturday at 3pm Fitzgerald Stadium | Live on GAAGO

Kerry’s 28-year unbeaten home record is on the line this weekend as league champions Mayo roll into Killarney for the opening game of the new All-Ireland group stage.

The Kingdom haven’t been beaten in a championship match at the Fitzgerald Stadium since 1995 but they could face one of their toughest battles in years on Saturday afternoon.

Mayo looked rejuvenated in the National League under new manager Kevin McStay and they demolished Jack O’Connor’s team in Castlebar in February. The final score of 2-14 to 1-10 flat- tered the reigning All-Ireland champions, who struggled to cope with Mayo’s fitness levels and slick ball movement. The good news for Kerry fans is that the squad is looking far healthier now and the recent mauling of Clare in the Munster final suggests that their team might be moving in the right direction. Along with long-term absentees Stefan Okunbor and Darragh Roche, Kil- lian Spillane, Donal O’Sullivan and Jack O’Shea are currently nursing injuries. Other than that, O’Connor should have all of his All-Ireland-winning team available to him.

Here in Killarney, excitement has been building all week. Tickets were still available as this publication went to print but a large crowd is expected to flock to what is already being billed as one of the games of the season.

Saturday 3pm Kerry v Mayo Group 1

Saturday 5.15pm Galway v Tyrone Group 2

Sunday 2pm Clare v Donegal Group 4

Sunday 2.30pm Sligo v Kildare Group 3