TO suggest that the Kerry team that will line out against Cork in the opening round of the McGrath Cup this weekend will have a very unfamiliar ring to would be a contender for the great sporting understatement of 2019.
With the bulk of the senior inter-county squad on holidays in Thailand, Kerry has no choice but to field a completely experimental and inexperienced team for the Group B opener at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Sunday (2.00pm).
With Peter Keane away, new Kerry under 20 trainer and former Laois boss John Sugrue will take charge of the team and joining the astute Renard man on the line will be selectors Kieran O’Leary of Dr Crokes and Brendan Guiney of Listowel Emmets.
Pa Kilkenny of Glenbeigh/Glencar and Cormac Coffey of Kerins O’Rahillys will add a little experience to the side which is backboned by under 20 and former minor players but there will be some exciting young talent on show, not least exciting Kilcummin attacker Paul O’Shea, Kilgarvan sharpshooter Donal O’Sullivan and Listry’s Ronan Buckley who had an impressive county championship campaign with winners East Kerry.
Cork will also send a largely untried side to Tralee but there are some very familiar names in the starting line-up, not least big midfielder Ian Maguire, Eire Óg’s Ciaran Sheehan, Kevin Crowley and Ruairi Deane.
The game will be refereed by Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).
Kerry: Brian Lonergan (Ballymacelligott), Sean T Dillion (St Senans), James McCaarthy (Kenmare), Owen Fitzgerald (Gneeveguilla), Dan McCarthy (Kenmare), Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys), Griffin Wharton (Kenmare), Barry Mahony (St Senans), Ronan Buckley (Listry), Paul O’Shea (Kilcummin), Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds), Paul Walsh (Brosna), Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan), Sean Quilter (Austin Stacks).
Subs: Marc Kelliher (Glenflesk), Sean O’Connell (Cordal), Luka Brosnan (Castleisland Desmonds), Seán Óg Moran (Dingle), Tadhg Sugrue (Tuosist), Killian Falvey (Annascaul ), Darragh Rahilly (Rathmore).
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