Will it be third time lucky for Southerners?
Wednesday September 01 2010
HEADING into their third consecutive Minor final, South Kerry will be considered the favourites ahead of tonight's clash with Kilcummin in JP O'Sullivan Park, however after coming up short in the last two years, their manager John O'Dwyer is not taking anything for granted following their defeats to West Kerry and St Kierans in the last two final encounters.
"I suppose being forewarned is forearmed, when you get to a final you don't what to lose them and the lads are well aware of the pitfalls that can present themselves in these sort of matches when you are made out to be the favourites," O'Dwyer says.
While their opponents Kilcummin are absolute novices in this grade, playing as they are in their first County Minor final, O'Dwyer is well aware of the threat they will pose.
"I know a lot of them from having been involved in the Kerry South U-16 Development Squad and they have some fine footballers among their ranks. I saw their semi-final against Legion and any team that shoots 22 points has every right to fancy their chances heading into a final," the Waterville native said.
Experience will be a key factor for South Kerry with a number of the Hogan Cup winning team of last year amongst their ranks and O'Dwyer is also hopeful that the district side's campaign itself will stand to them.
"We were in trouble at half-time against Mid Kerry in the Last 16 before coming good in the second half and Kenmare District really gave us a huge fright before we came through in extratime in the quarter-finals.
"We had probably our best performance in the semi-final against Kerins O'Rahillys but we're well aware that we have to be focussed in the final.
"Our backs have to cut out the supply to their forwards after what Kilcummin scored against Legion and I feel if we keep down their score then we're in with a big chance."
- Jason O'Connor
