Mac an tSaoir eager to recapture Kingdom's crown
Jason O'Connor spoke with new Kerry Under 21 captain Tomás Mac an tSaoir
New Kerry Under 21 captain Tomas Mac an tSaoir who gained invaluable experience playing for the Kingdom's seniors during the McGrath Cup Credit: PICTURE: BRENDAN MORAN / SPORTSFILE
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Wednesday March 10 2010
THE memory of Kerry's great triumph in the All-Ireland U21 grade two years ago is the main motivation for captain Tomas Mac an tSaoir heading into this Saturday's first round clash with Cork in Austin Stack Park and the An Ghaeltacht goalkeeper says his run with Kerry in the McGrath Cup in January has been a great experience to take into the match.
"When you're playing with the senior team and the likes of Micheal Quirke, the leadership he shows you is bound to rub off so hopefully we'll be able to bring some of that into Saturday," he says.
Despite being brought so quickly back down to earth by Cork in last year's first round when, as reigning champions, they were unceremoniously dumped out in Pairc Uí Rinn, the Kerry captain says that revenge will not be a factor following Kerry's exit to the 'Rebels' at the same stage last year saying it is a new year and a new team. However, he is mindful of the fact it could be a very short year for the U-21s after Saturday afternoon.
"It is a bit harsh on teams when it is a straight knockout system, but that's the way it is. We'll just have to give it 110%. We're up against a great team in Cork. The format in itself does add a bit more spice and grit to the game alright. It is tough but we're ready for it," Mac an tSaoir said.
He believes that Cork's threat comes from all over the pitch having four of last year's six starting forwards among their ranks as well as being very strong through the middle of the field and feels that John Kennedy's involvement is crucial to the side having worked with all the players at minor level.
"It's great to be back working with him. He puts his heart and soul into everything and he knows us all inside out so there was probably no better man for the job," he said of Kennedy. Mac an tSaoir said it's a great a great honour to be captain of the team this year following West Kerry's triumph in the U-21 County Championship last year, but said he's more concerned about trying to leading the team back an All-Ireland final.
"We've a long way to go but we'll take it one game at a time. Cork is a big hurdle and that's our first mission," the captain said.
What does Mac an tSaoir feel that Kerry need to do come out on top this Saturday? "We have to play to our ability naturally, we've to play it strong and hard and take our chances. Six or seven of us got a good run in the McGrath Cup and we hope to able to carry that into Saturday. It would be fantastic if we could all get ourselves to show off our abilities on the big stage," he said.
JB Spillane's loss is regrettable, but understandable at the same time according to the Kerry 'keeper. "He's had a long year playing with Castlegregory and it does take its toll on you so you need a break. He's busy with exams and I don't think you can say too much to him because he's up to his eyeballs doing a very hard course," Mac an tSaoir said.
Finally is he viewing the U-21 position as a catalyst for putting himself in the shop window for the Kerry Seniors? "I'll concentrate on the U21's first, that my mission for the moment and we'll just have to see what happens after that."
