It is fair to say that neither Kerry nor Dublin started their league campaign in ideal fashion last weekend.
Kerry played out a fairly uninspiring draw at Kildare, looking a bit short of match sharpness in comparison to their opponents. Meanwhile, the Dubs were at the receiving end of a convincing loss to Armagh.
Both teams are likely to improve as the league goes on, although Dessie Farrell admitted last week that his team could struggle at times in the weeks ahead. They are missing a number of key players at the moment and are using the opportunity to try out some untested members of the panel.
As for Kerry, they are likely to have a number of players return to the fold for this weekend's meeting of the two sides in Tralee. Ladbrokes ambassador Marc Ó Sé feels that this could be the difference between the sides:
Last weekend Kerry were poor against Kildare, in the second half in particular, and physically they looked vulnerable, especially as they were without midfielders David Moran, Joe O’Connor and the Na Gaeil players Diarmuid O’Connor and Jack Barry, whose return will add more strength where it is needed.
They certainly need it as their half-back line and half-forward line are major issues. For me, they lack physicality and more importantly height in these areas.
Dublin were made to look very ordinary against Armagh. Dessie Farrell had described them as going through significant transition. Now they are missing a lot of quality players, but their shooting efficiency was poor and it is something they’ll have to improve upon if they are to beat Kerry.
There have been a lot of retirements in recent years and it is hard to replace quality. If Dublin get the likes of Con O’Callaghan, James McCarthy, Robbie McDaid, Johnny Cooper, and Paddy Small back for Saturday night, then they have every chance of winning this game.
There is going to be a reaction after last week’s defeat. That said, listening to Dessie’s interview, he doesn’t think that those players will be back.
I think with the two significant additions to the Kerry team for this match (O’Connor & Barry) it will bolster their physicality and with home advantage I see Kerry winning here, but it will be tight.
It will certainly be an interesting clash, a fixture both sides will be very keen to get a win in.
With a sellout crowd set to descend upon Tralee, it should be quite the occasion.
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