THE meeting of holders West Kerry and Avondhu offers the potential of a cracking encounter in the Credit Union Duhallow u20 Football Invitation Cup Final in Knocknagree on Saturday with a 5.30pm throw in. At the outset of the competition, ten teams drawn from Cork and Kerry entered and following a sequence of terrific action and close struggles, all the indicators are no effort will be spared by either side to seek outright honours in a novel decider for one of the most after possessions in under age football.

Up to 2002, Kerry sides hold the upperhand in the Invitation Cup for just two Cork representativesnamely Bishopstown and hosts Duhallow had inscribed their name on a Cup initiated by former Duhallow senior football coach John Fintan Daly in 1987.

In 2003, Douglas broke the Kingdom's dominance by virtue of an exciting triumph over Mid Kerry with O'Donovan Rossa and Duhallow adding subsequent titles. However, debutants West Kerry came good last season on claiming a narrow but deserved victory over hosts Duhallow. East Kerry head the roll of honour with five outright wins. Apart from East Kerry's proven pedigree todate, St. Kierans, Austin Stacks, Rathmore/Glenflesk, St Brendan's and West Kerry have recorded outright victories for Kerry sides.

On Sunday, Avondhu and West Kerry go in search of the outright honours. Returning in a bid to retain their title, West Kerry was regarded as amongst the frontrunners for outright spoils at the outset of the competition under the watchful eye of team trainer Vinnie Flannery, manager Damien Foley along with selectors Mossie Spillane, Muiris O Finnachta, Brendan O'Shea and Jim Kennedy.

The side come with rich credentials after sampling back to back county minor football titles. However, the unavailability of Castlegregory players owing to the All Ireland JAFC final limits West Kerry from fielding a full selection.

That said, their strength in depth is confirmed on reaching another decider, defeating Cork champions Ballincollig in round one and subsequently sweeping past Castlehaven and getting the nod over Rathmore/Kilcummin after extra time in a cracking semi final.

West Kerry possess a side loaded with potential including county underage players Tomas Mac an tSaoir, Micheál Ó Sé, Paul Geaney and Eoin Mac Gearailt. Add in the likes of Dara O'Sullivan, Matthew Guiheen, Mike Geaney and Paudie Murphy confirms a finely balanced line up.

Opponents Avondhu will enter this decider with a degree of confidence after delivering capable performances though defeated in the initial hurdle. Rathmore/ Kilcummin took the spoils in round one, Avondhu somewhat unlucky before they put together workmanlike displays to put one over Ballincollig, St Kierans and Feale Rangers to reach their first decider.

Guided by a management team of Daithí Pierce and Mitchell O'Leary, Avondhu possess a solid looking combination. Their leading lights are goalkeeper Cormac Quilligan fronting key defenders Tadgh O'Sullivan, Luke Dockery and Fionn O'Shea. At midfield, Jack Hutchings and Sean Finn have a key role to perform. And in attack, Teddy O'Shea, Shane Beston and Rory O'Hagan are capable of creating openings.

Though Avondhu will start as outsiders, tradition will not favour West Kerry on Saturday. This is the 23rd staging to the Invitation Cup and no side has managed to retain the accolades. This West Kerry and Avondhu confrontation points to a thriller and sets to continue the great tussles between Cork and Kerry sides with a big attendance expected into the Knocknagree venue.

- John Tarrant