Best use of the League would be to bring on the younger players
will not progress us in this year's ultimate aim in making Croke Park next September.
Looking to this year, we know that Tommy Griffin has retired from inter-county football but he looks like the only player we will be without this year. Tom O'sullivan will, in my opinion, be back for another tilt at the title but while we wait for Tom others need to be looked at.
Fellows like Brian Mcguire, who had a good League programme last year, should be given the chance to progress during this League campaign as should Shane Enright and Peter Crowley as this must surely be the year that the Kerry defence begins to take on a fresh look. We must be conscious that some of our back line is losing that yard of pace and there is a particular onus on the management to look at these young players on a more than cursory basis.
Kerry played Daniel Bohan at full-back in a recent challenge against Offaly. Might he be the answer in that position?
With the Crokes lads unavailable for the first two rounds – at least – JB Spillane is a player that could be worth a closer look. He is a good footballer and has real potential but I think he still has to find his best position so I would hope the selectors would work with him in finding his best slot.
The squad has had a few kick abouts against Dr Crokes and a couple of county sides and I understand that James O'donoghue, Patrick Curtain and Barry John Keane have nothced up impressive scores from tyhe full forward line.
Young James Walsh, Jack Sherwood and one or two others will be concentrating on the start of the Under-21 championship in mid March but they might get a look in at a future date.
Jonathan Lyne and Brian Moran have been featuring in the back line in recent matches and both will be viewed with interest.
From the more senior players Aidan O'mahony has had a couple of runs while Tomás Ó Sé is reported to be as anxious as ever. No doubt brother Marc will feature on Saturday while Paul Galvin, Darran O'sullivan, Declan O'sullivan, Kieran Donaghy and Sean O'sullivan will be the likely forwards with the Croke lads missing. Declan O'sullivan will, no doubt, make himself available but could do with a break after a long season with club and county.
All in all, we will enjoy the League as we assess the form and make-up of the team going forward. The year ahead will be interesting for supporters and management.
I've said it before but I think it's worth repeating: I would love to see the young fellows given their heads in the League. If we can unearth a few players that can meaningful contribute in the Championship that, for me, would be a good National League campaign.
