Such tourist attractions as Hula dancers, the black sands of Kaimu Beach and Waimea Canyon will seem like an eternity away for Kerry's footballers when they resume competitive action today after their recent trip to Hawaii, a reward for their All-Ireland and National League triumphs.
Paidi O Se's campaigners, barely a week back in the country after their globetrotting, meet Limerick at Abbeyfeale (2.30), in a match brought forward by 24 hours to facilitate the county's convention which takes place tomorrow. Even if Kerry field a largely experimental side, they are expected to be far too strong for a Limerick side who lost to Clare in last weekend's encounter in this competition. In fact, team manager O Se could have as much interest in the county board convention as this particular match.
A new county chairman will be elected tomorrow to succeed the successful Sean Kelly, who is standing down after a decade in the chair. Outgoing vice-chairman, Liam Cotter, Dave Geaney and Sean Walsh are the three contenders for the position - and one of their first duties will be to oversee the selection of two football selectors to fill the void left by Bernard O'Callaghan and Tom O'Connor who stepped down before Christmas.
The other McGrath Cup match, which takes place tomorrow, will see Cork take on Tipperary at Fermoy. One of the newcomers to the Cork side expected to demand much attention is midfielder Nicholas Murphy, who is carrying a fine reputation from displays for the county's under-21 side last year.
Incidentally, this will be Cork's first time to play under the experimental rules which are being used in the "secondary" competitions, although, from what he has seen so far, Larry Tompkins believes the clean pick-up is the rule which stands the best chance of being adopted into the rule book. "I feel it will cut out a lot of the pulling and dragging which goes on," he says. "I don't think the present pick-up is a great skill. Chipping the ball into your hand when on the move is a skill, but that will still be part of the game."
The experimental rules are also in operation in the O'Byrne Cup in Leinster, and there are two games down for decision tomorrow, with Wexford playing host to Louth at Gorey and Carlow, putting their troubles behind them, taking on Wicklow at Dr Cullen Park. Even with seven changes from the side that beat Kildare last weekend, Louth are expected to have the edge over Wexford while Wicklow - who are without Philip McGillicuddy, a victim of the two personal foul rules in last week's win over Meath - should be too strong for Carlow.
In Connacht, the FBD League continues, with Galway facing Sligo at Dunmore and Roscommon playing Leitrim at Kilmore.
