Kerry to make a statement as real business begins

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

Finally, it’s time for some proper competition between teams who have realistic ambitions of winning the Sam Maguire.

For others, the Tailteann Cup will be very acceptable on their journeys upstream to join the elite counties in Gaelic football.

The four provincial finals disappointed even if the Ulster final ended in a welter of excitement. The Derry goalkeeper Odhran Lynch covered himself in glory in the dreaded penalty shootout. Although the game was close and well contested throughout, it was like watching paint dry. I found it hard to watch the boring back- pedalling, recycling and negative fare.

In Leinster, not even Mickey Harte’s prayers could work a miracle as the Dubs crushed Louth in another provincial stroll. They scored five goals. It could have been ten. They mean business, especially with some of the golden heroes of the past in from the start.

I believe that Kerry, Dublin, Galway and Derry are the top four in contention for the Sam Maguire. Tyrone, Armagh and Mayo will also have realistic hopes.

Stop right there; tóg sos. How good are Mayo and Kerry? We will have a much better indication of how well they wintered after tomorrow’s plum tie in the Fitzgerald Stadium. Throw in is at 3pm. Not alone is all available reasonably-priced accommodation in the greater Killarney area booked out by those Mayo fans, but Tralee and elsewhere are also reporting increased bookings. God knows Mayo supporters are unbelievably loyal. Despite all the disappointments they come back for more. McStay has named a panel of 36 for the trip to Killarney, no doubt buoyed by that big home win over Kerry in the league. Kerry were terrible in that game and Mayo scored at will.

I expect good value for the €25 admission to this game with two teams who are at their most appealing with direct, open and attacking football. Mayo will put it up to Kerry.

As I write this, I expect the same starting 15 that played against Clare to be announced on Thursday at 8pm. I also expect the Kerry defence, led by Shane Ryan, to curb the Mayo attack; the midfield to hold their own with additional help from Paudie Clifford; Seánie O’Shea to shake a leg more often and kick over at least six points from frees; and the other forwards to deliver the winning scoreline.

Yes, Kerry to win. Losing is not an option, even if away to Cork (possibly Páirc Uí Rinn) and a neutral venue game versus Louth (possibly Portlaoise) provides a kind of back door on the road to Croker.

I hope Kerry come through without injuries, especially to David Clifford. Where would we be without him? Where would the GAA be without him? Someone said they do not like the microwaved treatment of the hurling games coming so fast with just two-week gaps, ditto for football. Players will have little time to recuperate.

Ticket Information

Tickets were still available as we went to print. Terrace tickets are the same price as stand tickets: Adult €25 and Juvenile €5. With the terrace tickets there are three zones to facilitate crowd control –Green, Blue and Red. Red is on dressing room side behind the town goal. Blue is from Lewis Road side across the Terrace as far as the press box. Green is from there to the end of the western terrace. Tickets are unreserved but zone-specific including stand.

I expect the 8,500 stand tickets will have been sold out by Friday. Unless you have mobility or other health issues, you can go to the sunny Michael O’Connor Terrace, named after a marvellous GAA servant, nach maireann anois, and don’t bother Patrick Tatler or Der Bros for tickets. They have very other demanding duties and it’s not their gig. The authority for this game is the GAA in Croke Park. Tickets for the terraces are sold online. The county board won’t be handling them. Terrace tickets can also be purchased from participating Centra and SuperValu stores, along with Mr Google.