Beauty and the beast
Kerry -v- Donegal (14:30)
SOME SUGGEST THE geography separating these counties accurately reflects the difference in their approach to the game. Keep an eye on the number of jerseys that are in their own half when not in possession this Sunday in Killarney.
Donegal will be in boisterous mood, having seen off a stop-start Cork in Ballybofey, but they will be up against a Kerry team happy to be back on the lively sod of Fitzgerald Stadium.
Cooper is still on deserved leave and O’Donoghue has been confirmed out (hamstring) so Declan O’Sullivan will probably be deployed at full-forward again, as he was in their win in Newry. He might even be partnered on the edge of the square with Donaghy, so expect a lot of quick long ball from midfield, with the electric Barry John Keane buzzing around the scraps.
Donegal will no doubt pack their defence and make things as awkward as possible. They conceded a stingy six points against Cork so they are well capable of a shut-out.
Ironically, at the other end, an almost identical situation is likely to unfold with the robust McFadden and Murphy expected to sit inside all afternoon. Murphy bagged a goal in under thirty seconds last weekend and will therefore be in a confident mood. It is probably no coincidence that their first win coincided with his return. McBrearty should feature too. Hopefully, it is not the last we see of him.
Galvin looks to have his hunger back so his battle with Gallagher in the middle could decide the game. Both teams will fancy themselves. After such a slow start, a win here could see Donegal back in contention for the play-offs. Expect both managers to have their excuses ready, should they lose what is shaping up to be a real game of chess.
Intriguing stuff. Purists look away.
Can the real Kildare please stand up?
Kildare -v- Derry (14:30)
Did you watch Kildare v Meath last weekend? Wow! As close to Championship as you can get this side of Paddy’s Day. Who needs Seanie Johnston when you have O’Flaherty? McGeeney must be secretly delighted with the CCCC’s decision. Surely that saga can only distract his current forward line.
Having said that, it was a defender who won it for them in Pairc Tailteann; Lyons pointing right at the death to give Kildare their first win.
And there’s the rub. Kildare, so awesome against their fierce rivals, yet well beaten by Tyrone and Monaghan. They shipped two goals in their opener and, after conceding a worrying seventeen points against Monaghan, they again invited Meath in for a brace.
They looked vulnerable when attacked at speed up the middle; something Geezer will have noted, as will John Brennan and Paddy Bradley.
Derry cantered home with a swagger against Monaghan last Sunday, in what was also their first win of the season. That leaves them both on two points, with a win meaning a sniff of promotion and a loss pulling them into a relegation battle.
It is almost unthinkable that Kildare could play Division 3 football next year. Would McGeeney be shown the door? Would Brennan? Such things can be decided on days like today.
Derry will feel like they are on the verge of a run of form. An injury-plagued February seemed to end with the return of Craig and McGoldrick but it has been confirmed that O’Kane has been ruled out for the rest of the league; a huge blow for the Oakleafers.
For Kildare, there is always the temptation to play Doyle closer to goal but that leaves a lot of the defensive responsibilities with Flynn.
If Kildare can rekindle Saturday’s intensity, their excellent home support should see them through, but Derry are shrewd when their backs are to the wall. Two points are a must for both. Expect high scores and caution thrown to the wind.