Kerry’s mood will dictate Hyde Park outcome
Roscommon forward Conor Cox is tackled by Kerry's Jason Foley during last season's league meeting between the sides in Tralee. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
The prospect of David Clifford rocking up to the Hyde this afternoon (Sunday) will generate plenty of excitement, particularly among the younger generation that will hope to rub shoulders with the Kerry icon once Noel Mooney blows his final whistle. The same prospect won’t be met with the same enthusiasm by Roscommon boss, Davy Burke, who knows that games are in short supply to turn around his side’s league fortunes.
Much of what happens once the ball is thrown in at 1.45 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day may well be outside of Roscommon’s control. If Jack O’Connor wants Kerry to reach a league final, which a fully-loaded Kerry coming to the Hyde suggests, then that spells trouble, particularly for a Roscommon defence that has shipped too many scores in the majority of their games to date.
If O’Connor decides that he’s going to rest a few of his star-studded players before throw-in, and that may be wishful thinking, then Roscommon will sniff an upset.
The team’s Division One League record under Davy Burke at home reads four victories, one draw and one loss, so there are grounds for optimism that the Rossies can deliver what would be an unexpected two league points.
The main worry emanates from the recent second-half collapse in Castlebar. It’s not the first time that Roscommon have pressed the snooze button after half time during the league. That needs to change this afternoon.
Roscommon’s main problem has been getting their hands on the ball, particularly around the middle of the field. Tadhg O'Rourke and Enda Smith have been selected to fill positions 8 and 9 this afternoon, but Roscommon could do with their All-Star in a more advanced roll.
Last year in Tralee, Roscommon started slowly, allowing Kerry to build up a buffer that they subsequently never relinquished. But there was plenty of heart and courage in that Roscommon performance. All that, and a little bit more, will be needed later today.
Kerry’s two games on the road so far couldn’t have been more different — a comfortable victory in Clones and a chastening experience in Croke Park.
Jack O’Connor will know that Roscommon aren’t as bad as Monaghan but they’re a good bit off Dublin’s standards. Hence, whatever team he fields, Kerry will feel confident that they can get the job done.
And that’s the way things will probably pan out.
