Having been pipped by a star-studded Tyrone in last year’s decider, and having lost the 2022 semi-final meeting with Dublin, the Kingdom, if they can overcome the Connacht side, will ensure a repeat clash with one of their biggest rivals, who do battle in the other last-four encounter.
Under the management this year of Keel’s David Clifford and Beaufort’s Paddy Howell, Kerry began their campaign in May with successive away victories over Cork, 0-9 to 0-6, and Clare, 1-20 to 0-5. That was a very promising start to the season, and they have kicked on since.
On Kingdom soil, for their only two home fixtures, the men in green and gold overcame Galway in Moyvane on June 8, John O’Connor and Seán O’Sullivan netting in an eight-point win, 2-7 to 0-5, before they saw off Kildare in Brosna two weeks later, by the same margin, 0-13 to 0-5.
Kerry’s only reversal up to now came in early July when Dublin pipped them by the bare minimum in Salthill, 1-10 to 1-9, with Dave Curtin notching the goal, but they bounced back two weeks later against Limerick in Dromcolligher, 1-10 to 0-6, Mike Joe Driscoll raising the green flag.
Last time out, on August 10 in the play-off to advance to the semi-finals, the Kingdom travelled to Tyrellspass in Westmeath, and just edged out a very competitive Antrim outfit, 1-12 to 2-7, to make it six victories from seven matches in their passage to Saturday’s big game.
The return of Cromane’s O’Sullivan to the fold has been a huge boost to the side this season, and he is one of three senior All-Ireland medal winners in the squad, along with Austin Stacks’ William Kirby and Rathmore’s Aidan O’Mahony. However, this has been a complete panel effort to reach this stage.
Colm Brosnan of Tuosist and Eoghan Lawlor of Gneeveguilla are important figures at the back, with Jeremy King (Beale) a solid addition around the middle. Up front, the likes of Dave Curtin (Brosna) and John O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys) have been very reliable.
Kerry will pick their line-up for Saturday from the following extended panel of players:
Martin Hewitt (Scartaglin), John Brosnan (Dingle), Colm Brosnan (Tuosist), Jerry Kennedy (Glenflesk), Flor McAuliffe (Brosna), Eoghan Lawlor (Gneeveguilla), James Nagle (Keel), Don Murphy (Gneeveguilla), Jeremy King (Beale), Mike Joe Driscoll (St Michael’s Foilmore), John O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys), Paul O’Donoghue (Listry), Sean O’Sullivan (Cromane), David Curtin (Brosna), Terry O’Sullivan (Keel), Donnacha Enright (Tarbert), Shane Dennehy (Glenflesk), Darren Halpin (Listowel Emmets), John Enright (Ballydonoghue), Tim O’Donoghue (Cordal), Liam Poff (St Pat’s Blennerville), Fintan McEnery (Clounmacon), Denis Kennelly (Moyvane), John Paul Leahy (Ballyduff), Fergus McAuliffe (Gneeveguilla), John Sheehan (Gneeveguilla), William Kirby (Austin Stacks), John Quilter (St Senans), Sean Costello (Ballyduff), James Galwey (Currow), Gary O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), Eoghan Darmody (Listry), Tom McGoldrick (Brosna), Robert Quinn (Knocknagoshel), Timmy O’Leary (Gneeveguilla), Kevin Lynch (Castleisland Desmonds), Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore)
