Paddy Codd
Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice intends to use the McGrath Cup to run the rule over as many players as possible.
He’s decided to field an U-21 selection in their first match against Tipperary on Sunday, and will then unleash a more recognisable senior side against Cork a week later.
The Kingdom have won the last three All-Ireland minor titles in a row, so their U-21 selection this year is stacked with talented up and coming players with a pedigree of high achievement.
“I was interested in looking at a share of the under-21s in the first couple of games,” said Fitzmaurice.
“We said ‘you know what it makes sense for us as a management to look at the whole lot of them playing that first game'.
“So that’s what’s happening for that first game against Tipperary and the following Sunday it’ll be a senior squad that will take on Cork.
“With regard to the squad there’s a good bit of coming and going at the moment because of the club situation, with Glenbeigh/Glencar, Kenmare and Crokes.
“The Crokes lads are just going to stay with the club until they are finished. Darran O’Sullivan and Stephen O’Brien, they might do a small bit with us in January, but for the most part they’ll be with their clubs.”
With Kerry fielding an U-21 selection on Sunday, Tipperary will have to start as favourites to win the match.
They’re without key players like Michael Quinlivan, Alan Campbell, George Hannigan, Bill Maher, Ciaran McDonald, and Ian Fahey for a variety of reasons, but still have a strong deck to deal from.
Former captain Paddy Codd has returned to the fold after taking a year out in 2016 and is likely to anchor the defence from full-back on Sunday.
Tipperary manager Liam Kearns believes he has a stronger panel to pick from this year and is bullish about building on the tremendous progress the team made in 2016.
“We are in better shape this year than we were at this stage last year,” said Kearns.
“We have a year’s work done with the lads and 2016 was a very progressive year. We are looking forward now to maintaining that progress.
“I said last year that we were a young and improving team as we progressed through the championship. We improved to the point where we could and possibly should have reached an All-Ireland final, which was phenomenal.
“I feel there is more improvement in the squad and in most of the players. So, if we can keep improving and developing it will be very interesting to see where we can go.”
In Sunday's other McGrath Cup Round 1 clash, Waterford could give a number of fresh faces their chance to impress against Clare.
Deise manager Tom McGlinchey has drafted in nine new players into his panel including the county’s Young Footballer of the Year, Dylan Guiry, from county champions The Nire.
McGrath Cup Round 1
Sunday January 8**
Kerry v Tipperary, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
Clare v Waterford, Meelick, 2pm
