Kingdom primed for a Royal encounter
Injury Worry: Kerry hurling boss John Meyler is sweating on the fitness of Kilmoyley?s James Godley
Wednesday March 10 2010
WITH two wins from two the Kerry hurlers will approach their first home game of the year in a positive frame of mind and with a settled team.
Team boss John Meyler looks set to keep his faith in the starting fifteen players from the Derry and Mayo games – despite several players (who hadn't started either of the opening two games) showing up well in a challenge game against the Cork U-21 Development squad at the weekend.
"This game against Meath really is a vital one. If we win we'll be on six points and in good shape. That then gives you the scope then later in the campaign to try something different, but for now we'll stick with what we have," he told The Kerry
man.
Meyler's only injury concern surrounds Kilmoyley wing-back James Godley, who is suffering from a groin injury. If fit Meyler expects to start him, but as of yet the Kerry boss isn't certain as to his fitness. "James trained with us last Thursday night, but he wasn't able to finish. Will he start? I don't know yet, we'll see how he fares at training tonight [Tuesday]," Meyler confirmed.
John Griffin, meanwhile, will play at midfield against Meath on Sunday. Meyler had experimented against Mayo by playing the Lixnaw man on the half-back line, but he looks set to be restored to his midfield berth for Sunday's game. "We missed his dynamism around the middle," Meyler continued. "I think he's more suited to midfield."
Kerry's opposition next Sunday are playing very well at the moment and will be looking to leapfrog the Kingdom with victory in Austin Stack Park. With a victory over London and draw at home to Armagh TJ Reillys men are moving well.
They were disappointed not to take full points agains the Orchard County, but with Stephen Clynch and Neil Hackett scoring thirteen points from play between them the Kingdom's defence will need to be at their best to prevent the Royals from putting up a big score.
One the flip side, Armagh managed to score 2-17 against the Royals on their home patch and with Shane Brick and John Mike Dooley along with newcomers Darragh O'Connell and Shane Nolan playing well John Meyler will be expecting his Kingdom combination to score enough to down this Meath outfit.
Despite Meath's firepower one would expect the Kingdom to take this one on home ground.
- Verdict: Kerry
