THE hour has come for one of the most stylish and entertaining minor teams the country has ever seen.
Kerry have taken to the field against Derry in Croke Park as they go in search of an unprecedented four All-Ireland titles in a row.
Peter Keane’s swashbuckling team of talented teens certainly have all the ingredients required to make their mark and they are arguably one of the greatest minor teams the game has seen.
Led by the brilliant David Clifford from Fossa – who has scored an incredible 4-37 in this campaign to date – Kerry can look to outstanding performers in all sectors.
Deividas Uosis will be the most confident player in Croke Park this afternoon given that he has an all East Kerry backline, carved from granite but with great pace, ready, willing and able to protect his net.
The tenacious Sean O’Leary from Kilcummin, Glenflesk’s Chris O’Donoghue and the talented Cian Gammell of Killarney Legion form a rock solid full back line while, directly in front of them, Niall Donohue of Firies, the speedy Michael Potts of Dr Crokes and the tough-tackling Pa Warren from Gneeveguilla are all capable of breaking Derry hearts with their sheer experience of the big stage and their super link play.
Barry Mahony and Diarmuid O’Connor are a very formidable midfield pairing – with both capable of notching a score or two – while, in attack, the simply superb David Clifford is flanked by excellence with the sheer work-rate of Fiachra Clifford and Adam Donoghue, the scoring prowess of Donal O’Sullivan, Brian Friel and the opportunist Jack Griffin all likely to be telling factors.
And if all does not go according to plan – unlikely given the class and experience of this fine side – then players of the calibre of Donchadh O’Sullivan, who was unlucky not to start, as well as Eddie Horan, Ciarán O’Reilly and Ryan O’Neill are all ready to play their part.
David Clifford’s home club of Fossa are throwing a party this afternoon with the match being beamed into the parish on a big screen in the GAA clubhouse and, win lose or draw, the Kerry minor will be back in Fossa on Monday night – hopefully with young Clifford holding Tom Markham by the ears.
Kerry: Deividas Uosis (Dingle), Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin), Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion), Patrick Warren (Gneeveguilla), Michael Potts (Dr Crokes), Niall Donohue (Firies), Barry Mahony (St Senans), Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds), David Clifford (Fossa), Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan), Fiachra Clifford (Laune Rangers), Jack Griffin (Dr Crokes), Brian Friel (Rathmore).
Subs: Nelu O’Doherty (Dr Crokes), Donchadh O’Sullivan (Firies), Eddie Horan (Scartaglin), Ciarán O’Reilly (Austin Stacks), Ryan O’Neill (Na Gaeil), Michael Slattery (Austin Stacks), Michael O’Leary (Renard), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), Cathal Ferriter (Annascaul).
Keep it local: Advertise on KillarneyToday.com. Email: news@killarneytoday.com or call 087-2229761
