Limerick may have lost their chance

Tomorrow's Munster football semi-final is the fifth meeting of Kerry and Limerick in less than two years. It is both encouragement and discouragement to Limerick that they had good chances to win all of the previous four.

Although the clearest margin was in the Munster final of two years ago, that match was probably Limerick's best chance. They missed too many chances early on but, had they established the upper hand, it is likely Kerry would have folded, as they later did against Tyrone.

By last year Kerry had acquired a harder edge and, though some of the players lacked experience, they were able to come through three gruelling matches, one in the National League semi-final plus the replayed provincial final.

Now, as All-Ireland champions, Jack O'Connor's side have the status and composure they were only acquiring 12 months ago.

Limerick, as a result, have to cope with enhanced opponents as well as the inevitable question marks over their own confidence given their failure to put Kerry away in three tight matches.

There has been only tweaking to the teams since last year's final but the champions have been strengthened by significant changes. Declan O'Sullivan wasn't fit to play last year but captains the side tomorrow from full forward. Coincidentally it was from that position in the league semi-final 14 months ago that O'Sullivan gave Limerick a roasting until his hamstring went.

Liam Kearns pointed out that Tommy Stack missed that match and so Limerick's full-back line was short of vital pace. But O'Sullivan's presence will nonetheless be a problem, especially with his finishing skills now deployed closer to goal.

It was a major blow to Kerry last year that Séamus Moynihan was injured. He had been the team's most consistent performer during the National League success as well as being the best player in the country during the spring.

Now, having missed the opening victory against Tipperary, Moynihan has been unable to regain his place, which reflects the growing assurance of a team that had to win an All-Ireland without the great Glenflesk player and Darragh Ó Sé. It was probably between Moynihan and Eamonn Fitzmaurice for the third spot in the half backs.

Given that Limerick have gone for pace on the wings with newcomer Michael Crowley, an exiled Kerryman formerly of Dr Crokes, and Stephen Kelly, who cut Kerry to ribbons during the opening quarter in Killarney two years ago, Moynihan was realistically in contention for the centre-back position - not his optimum placing.

Furthermore, Fitzmaurice acquitted himself well against Tipperary, albeit under minimal pressure, and was deemed to be the man in possession.

Kerry also bring in Paddy Kelly to partner Darragh Ó Sé at centrefield in place of last year's All-Ireland man of the match, William Kirby.

Kelly is an athlete who, despite not being tall for the position, can compete in the air and cover acres of ground.

He may have a wide-ranging brief tomorrow as John Galvin, named at full forward, is likely to start in the middle, with Jason Stokes switching to the edge of the Kerry square. In a recent challenge against Kildare, Galvin played very deep, in behind his half backs, presumably a practice run for the defensive strategy designed to stop ball coming through to Kerry's full forwards.

The word from Kerry is that O'Connor has been picking the team on current form as manifest in challenges and practice matches. This has impacted on a few selections besides the obvious.

It may be that Eoin Brosnan would have been detailed to do the running at centrefield given Kelly's relative inexperience, but the switch that would have brought Dara Ó Cinnéide into the team, with Declan O'Sullivan dropping back to centre forward, became inoperable when Ó Cinnéide's form didn't pick up.

Ó Cinnéide had a tough practice match up against Pádraig Reidy, a minor last year, and that seemed to confirm Kelly as the option.

It can be expected Limerick will come out with all guns blazing but it can also be expected Kerry will be more composed and less easily wound up than they were a year ago.

There is a consensus that this year might well be Limerick's last realistic crack at the Munster title. The truth, though, is that they've had better and didn't take them. Kerry have improved since the teams last met while it's not clear that Limerick have. Tomorrow will be the logical outcome of that.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; T Stack, J McCarthy, S Lavin; P Browne, S Lucey, C Mullane; J Quane, J Stokes; M Crowley, M Gavin, S Kelly; C Fitzgerald, J Galvin, S Buckley.

KERRY: D Murphy; A O'Mahony, M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Sé, E Fitzmaurice, M Ó Sé; D Ó Sé, P Kelly; P Galvin, E Brosnan, L Hassett; C Cooper, D O'Sullivan, MF Russell.

Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).