Interview - Kieran Donaghy: Ian O'Riordantalks to Kerry's full forward, who is looking for a big performance in Sunday's final.

In the music business it's known as the "second-album syndrome" and over the years even the best of bands have struggled with their follow-up record. Especially if their first effort was a smash hit. There's pressure and expectation, but the main problem is that unless they actually surpass their debut record there'll be inevitable disappointment. Of course it could still be brilliant, even without any chart-toppers.

Kieran Donaghy could be forgiven for feeling that way about his second season as a Kerry footballer. He has that rock-star feel about him anyway after his sensational breakthrough last year (plus they call him "Star"), and yet the general perception is that he has failed to live up to the standards of 2006, when he proved a scoring machine at full forward and ended up Footballer of the Year.

It's something Donaghy already appears a little weary of hearing about, and although he was held scoreless in Kerry's semi-final win over Dublin, and so far only hit two points in four championship games, he's clearly as confident and secure as ever about his role in the Kerry team.

"No, it hasn't been as good as last year," he says, "but it was never going to be. I said that at the start of the year. That it couldn't be as good. Personally, I don't really care anyway how well I play, as long as Kerry get over the line. The main thing in my eyes was getting back into the final. Personally, it has been fine. I don't let that get on top of me. Having said that, I will be looking for a big performance in the final because I know that will help us.

"But I never worry too much about scoring, and I'd say you can see that from the way I play. I don't try and kick points for the sake of it. I'll always try and get it into the fella who can score more. And if I am kicking at the posts then it's because I feel I'm the best person to score."

There is also a feeling that Donaghy may have saved his best game until last. The ankle-injury scare of earlier this week has cast some doubt over that, but earlier reports from the Kerry camp were that he was playing brilliantly close to goal. In other words, he's almost certain to start in at full forward, and will be the target man from early on.

Against Dublin, however, Donaghy played most of his football out the field, and ended up just as effective in winning and distributing possession. He almost laughs at the suggestion that this was a new role for him, perhaps because he'd become such a marked man at full forward.

"Well I am still a midfielder by trade. That's all I know. That's what I did for 10 or 12 years as a youngster, and it was only last year that I was thrown in full forward. I think the people that were surprised at the way I played against Dublin didn't really know that background. Like even in the league of 2006 myself and Darragh Ó Sé had some very good games at midfield. I was happy with it, but more so the way Kerry won the game. I did get around the place a little more, won a few balls. But the boys up front did the real damage.

"So both roles are fine for me. And it's not about being more closely marked either, because I think people were paying enough attention to me last year, at least from the Longford game on. I was marked tightly last year, and this year was no different. So wherever I'm put I just do my best. I'm still only the baby on this panel, really."

What is certain is that the effort Donaghy has put in at training easily matches last year. If anything, he put too much enthusiasm into the league, sometimes allowing that to spill over into indiscipline, and after a shoulder injury cut short that part of the season there was never going to be any staleness coming into the championship.

"I certainly think the hunger is still there in the team. I don't think there's anyone on this team satisfied. We're very hungry, and I think anyone that questioned our hunger has already got the answer in the Dublin and Monaghan game. We know if we don't show that hunger again against Cork we'll be beaten, simple as that. Like if we don't out-fight and out-battle them for ball we will lose the game.

"We did find the six-week break (after winning Munster) very difficult, and I think that's something the GAA will have to rectify, because it's almost a punishment for winning your provincial title, which every player wants to win, as much as you can. The question does arise, are you better off losing it? A month is the longest anyone should have to wait.

"But anyway we came up against a very tough Monaghan side, and we were lucky to get over them. I don't know if I thought we were about to lose the game. That just doesn't come into your head until a minute or two to go. There were still six or seven minutes to go when we got back into it. The way we were playing, I felt Monaghan couldn't keep up the doggedness, and eventually they just tired a small bit. They kept it going as far as they could, but we just picked it up enough to get over the line."

Having listened to several Kerry players this week, the one thing that clearly unites them is the fear and loathing of losing to Cork, particularly in an All-Ireland final.

Donaghy is no exception.

"I was carried out to these games against Cork since I was two or three. It's a lot different though to a Munster final, especially when you know what's at stake . . . I just couldn't picture losing. It just wouldn't enter my head until the whistle goes and we're a point down . . ."

And Donaghy trails off with that thought. Never, it seems, has a Kerry team - and indeed Donaghy - appeared more motivated to win.

Kieran Donaghy

Age: 24.

Height: 6ft 5in.

Weight: 15st.

Honours: One All-Ireland senior; one National League; two Munster senior; one All Star; Player of the Year 2006.