The young and the restless
Timmy Sheehan assesses the chances of Kerry's young guns making the grade during this year's NHL campaign
Can James Flaherty build on his good work in previous years underage and nail down a place on the Kingdom's starting fifteen? Credit: PICTURE: BRENDAN CROWE
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Wednesday February 17 2010
K ERRY open their National League campaign on this coming weekend, when they make the long trek to Derry. Certainly, not the easiest of games to get one's campaign off the ground, for a number of different reasons. The team's preparation was initially hampered by the inclement weather in early January and with just one unsuccessful outing in the Waterford Crystal tournament – match practice, has been at a premium.
For different reasons, some players have only recently rejoined the squad, with the result that fitness is at present at varying levels within the panel. So it's hard to quantify Kerry's chances in their opening game. A trip of this magnitude can be a significant factor, and it's not just the physical elements, which it will impose, but the prospect of having to make a round trip on the same weekend of almost 550 miles (13 hours) if in fact the team travels by road could have a significant bearing on the performance.
So while John Meyler will obviously have everybody in the proper frame of mind, it's quite difficult to hit the ground running in such circumstances. Having to go back up along some of the same route for the next game against Mayo, adds to the discomfort, and really, it begs the question of the timing and location of GAA fixtures.
Realistically, one cannot gauge Kerry's progress, or prospects for the season until they have engaged Meath in Round 3 and Armagh in Round 5 with both games being played at home. In between, they will make the trip to London. It's only at that stage – at the end of March – that one can evaluate, how the season is shaping up.
Again, the team will feature a mix of youth and experience. One can be pretty assured of the level of contribution, such as Aidan Healy, John Mike Dooley, James McCarthy, Colin Harris, Mike Conway, Liam Boyle, John Griffin and the Brick brothers will provide, but really, Kerry's prospects and indeed, the long-term well being of the code in the County, will depend on the impact made, by the new kids on the block.
For a team to evolve and prosper it needs an injection of new blood, on a regular basis. Kerry's game in the Waterford Crystal suggests that John Meyler will afford quite a few young players the chance to stake a claim for a starting spot. In-terms of introducing new faces to aline up, it involves a balancing act, which will give youngsters, the chance to fit in, and obtain experience and confidence, alongside, the more established regulars. If one opts, for a large proportion of debutants, it could have the effect of putting too much pressure on players too early in their careers.
A few demoralising defeats, can drain one's confidence, with the result, that some players, with promising careers could depart from the scene, without ever realising their full potential. However, if Kerry's hurling stock is to survive and thrive it will look to the following players and a few more who will emerge to provide the spark in the present set-up and the foundation for the next decade.
