Masterclass
Mikey Sheehy believes this Kerry team still has all the components to be ultracompetitive through 2012
SATURDAY evening provides the perfect start to the National Football League as we take to Croke Park to play Dublin in a re-match of the All-ireland Final.
Calling it a rematch might be a bit over the top though, as both teams are sure to be rusty to some extent. Injuries and club commitments will also impact on the respective managements' selection process, although you can be sure that both sets of fifteen players will want to win and start the league as they mean to finish it.
Dublin's finish to last season was incredible. The commitment, hunger and levels of fitness they showed, coupled with what could be described as raw talent in more ways than one, showed them to be one step ahead of the pack.
I've watched to final quite a few times since last September and I've no doubt that the better team won over 70 minutes. Mutterings in the street that we were robbed are blinded by love for the green and gold. We showed our capabilities over a 20-25 minute period but we were a spent force at the business end of the affair as Dublin gathered momentum.
We are far from a spent force though, and this Kerry side still has a tremendous amount of class. And for all the fitness and power and passion and desire, all things being equal skill and skilful players will always dictate results.
That said, skill will get a team so far because so many other factors come into a football match and a season, and I would hate to see us take the Barcelona approach of "if they score 3, we'll score 6".
Football has progressed so much over the past 10 to 15 years, never mind from when I was playing. The technical aspect has reached new heights and fitness is key. I will never worry about ability levels in the Kingdom, but hunger for the battle may cause some worry.
The overall make-up of the squad looks healthy with a mix of youth and experience. The introduction of younger players will prove invaluable in two ways. It's vital that we have a conveyor belt of talent rolling through the county year on year, and I really believe that a "one last go" attitude this year would have negative impact on a long-term basis.
Secondly, an injection of younger lads will add to the hunger within the panel and there's nothing like a healthy competition for places.
Our defence will see new faces in Shane Enright, Peter Crowley, Brian Maguire and maybe Jonathan Lynne. Young Enright showed his potential last year and it was obvious that he could have a role to play in the coming seasons in the green and gold. I would expect him to play a big part in the league campaign this year in order to give him that bit more experience to build on.
Peter Crowley from Laune Rangers is another outstanding prospect. I've seen him play a number of times
