Down look to history as Kingdom come again

Down v Kerry:BACK IN 1991, there was great amusement in Newry during the week leading up to that year's All-Ireland semi-final. The almost sacred record of having turned Kerry over on the only three occasions that the counties had met in the 1960s was about to go on the line again.

Here were Down, having miraculously avoided Kerry during the O’Dwyer years, about to get another crack at the county at the very time that they had a good chance of extending the sequence.

That’s what happened and in the years that followed as Kerry gradually re-ascended the pecking order, Down stayed out of their way.

Until today.

There is a faint buzz of anticipation that Down might have timed the re-engagement quite well. Kerry are now missing six of the team that won last year’s All-Ireland, whereas, under the new management of James McCartan, an alumnus of the 1990s success, Down look in better shape than for a while.

McCartan has led them back to Division One and imposed some order on a previously chaotic back division, while at the same time benefiting from Martin Clarke’s return from Australia to add depth to the attack.

They have efficiently made their way to this stage for the first time without hitting any major speed bumps in the qualifiers.

Their most presentable credentials were the opening half hour against Tyrone when their attack shone before being dulled by the Ulster champions.

How will that apply to today’s contest? Kerry aren’t short of man markers to deal with the threats of Benny Coulter and Clarke, as Marc Ó Sé and Tom O’Sullivan are proven performers on this stage.

Yet, the defence is weakened by Tomás Ó Sé’s absence and as a unit, has aged to the point where its ability to cope with Down as effectively as Tyrone did is open to question.

Centrefield is another problem area for Kerry in that Down have a useful combination in Kalum King and Ambrose Rogers and with Galvin and Ó Sé suspended, the supply of breaking ball won’t be assured.

Kerry’s prospects swing on two considerations: one, their capacity to find their rhythm in Croke Park and two, the quality of their forwards. The latter is especially relevant given Down’s still suspect defence.

Dan Gordon has been switched to full back, presumably to reinforce their ability to counter big full forwards and this afternoon he’ll be up against the prototype.

Coping with the quality of Donaghy, O’Sullivan and Colm Cooper will stretch Down even if Kerry can’t maximise the supply.

In the last episode: The history between the counties has been well revisited since the draw was made. Kerry’s history of coming second in the fixture hasn’t been supplemented for 19 years.

In 1991 after a first Ulster title in 10 years Down effectively raised the curtain on the modern era by going on to win the All-Ireland – the first time since 1968 for them and indeed any county outside of Munster or Leinster.

It wasn’t a good period for Kerry and two goals from Peter Withnell helped Peter McGrath’s side to a comfortable win on the way to beating Meath in the final.

On your marks: Kerry are unique in having progressed past this stage every year since its introduction in 2001. The suspensions of Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé are however significant since each was a main mover in the two most recent victories over Limerick and Cork

Gaining ground: All championship meetings have been in Croke Park but they haven’t otherwise met at the venue since the 1997 NFL quarter-final, won easily by Kerry.

You bet: Kerry 3 to 10, Down 3 to 1 and the draw 10 to 1 (70 mins).