Allianz Football League Division One round two: Kerry v Monaghan (Sunday, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.30pm, live on TG4)
It’s hardly fair to build this one up as a must-win this early in the season, but victory for either side would help to relieve some of the pressure ahead of the break in the League.
Both teams will be minus some of their main men, and central scoring threats, so it’s all about playing with the cards you’re dealt and finding a way.
Things went from bad to worse for Monaghan’s attacking options last weekend. It was always likely that Conor McManus would miss out on the early rounds of the League, but at least they had Jack McCarron to keep defences on their toes, right?
Well at least they did for all of 30 seconds before he hobbled off with a hamstring injury in their two-point loss to neighbours Armagh, and they’d already lost Gary Mohan in the warm-up.
Yet they were still fit to pose a threat going forward. Conor Boyle and Dessie Ward drove Vinny Corey’s men from the half-back line for most of the first half, while Stephen O’Hanlon and Michael Bannigan chipped in with scores.
Conor McCarthy, who caught the eye in the half-back line last year, top-scored with 1-2, nailing the second-half penalty that brought Monaghan back into the game. But the problem is, there’s no star attraction at that end of the field.
You can be sure that Jack O’Connor and the Kerry full-back line will sleep a little easier tonight knowing that it’s unlikely that either McManus or McCarron will take the field.
But of course, they have their own attacking issues to deal with. The Clifford brothers – Paudie and David – are on a well-deserved hiatus following their club exploits that saw them lead Fossa to an All-Ireland JFC title.
Playmaker Sean O’Shea also missed the Kingdom’s one-point defeat to Donegal in the opening round and without that attacking trio, Kerry seem just a little bit less scary.
They dominated the opening exchanges against Paddy Carr’s Donegal, leading 1-6 to 0-3 at one stage before crumbling and eventually losing out to a last-minute Paddy McBrearty score.
Kerry were like a steam train in the League last year, powering to the title and devouring all in front of them, including Monaghan, but this season’s campaign has got off to an underwhelming start.
That clash in Inniskeen last year may have left mental scars that Monaghan will be eager to put right this weekend. Kerry showed no mercy in hammering home a 3-14 to 1-12 victory, but that was with the most explosive firepower in the business, David Clifford.
It’s a hugely difficult game for Monaghan, especially a weakened Monaghan side and they’re heading into the lion’s den. Vinny Corey will be keen to get a good performance, but they need points on the board and without a host of regulars, they’re unlikely to pick any up in Killarney.
