Growing anticipation of a Killarney classic

MUNSTER SFC Kerry v Cork:THE OLD firm. Cork and Kerry have produced humdingers and damp squibs in recent years, but there is a real anticipation that this match will be the real thing.

The whispers of Cork fanciers have grown louder recently – there is a considerable school of thought that believe they are nicely poised to make one of their patented All-Ireland grabs this summer.

The placing of Graham Canty at six gives the defence, with Michael Shields operating at full back, a balanced look. The irreplaceable Anthony Lynch is fit and well at left corner back.

They have a huge and mobile midfield, bright and upcoming attackers in Paul Kerrigan and Daniel Goulding and the real deal in James Masters.

Donnacha O’Connor has already put in a couple of smashing seasons in red and big Michael Cussen is waiting to swoop in from the wings. Cork are athletic and fast, they have comfortable ball players and they are a very imposing force, very tall and physically strong.

The big Kerry surprise is no real surprise at all – Darragh Ó Sé is on the bench. Jack O’Connor will need to use his senior man judiciously this year. He has been a thorn in the side of Nicholas Murphy for many seasons, but that duel may be for later this summer.

The midfield pairing of Tadhg Kennelly and Michael Quirke has plenty going for it but it is a novice pairing. After all the auditioning during the league, the full back spot again falls into the versatile hands of Tom O’Sullivan.

KERRY: D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T Ó Sé T Griffin, A O'Mahony; T Kennelly, M Quirke; P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan, D Walsh; C Cooper, T Walsh, Darren O'Sullivan.

CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; J Myskella, G Canty, G Spillane; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly, P O'Neill, P Kerrigan; D Goulding, J Masters, D O'Connor.

Referee: M Deegan(Laois).

In the last episode: Inevitably, Cork and Kerry bumped shoulders again in the All-Ireland semi-final, when Kerry appeared to be coasting to an unremarkable win until Cork came to live at the last, smashing two goals to earn themselves another day out.

That twist saved the day for Darragh Ó Sé – the Kerry veteran had been red carded during the tie and stood to miss the next match, which looked like being the final until Cork’s late dash. His team- mates went out and won the replay in his absence by 3-14 to 2-13.

Just the ticket: Stand tickets are €30, terrace tickets are €20. Students €15. OAPs, stand €10. 3,000 family tickets were made available, with concessions on the above prices.

You bet: Kerry are quoted at 4/7 and Cork at 2/1. A draw is available at 7/1.

Crystal gazing: Traditionalists have begun to complain that these gargantuan provincial ties ain't what they used to be because nobody really gets beaten.

They have a point – it could be that the backroom boys are planning for tomorrow’s game in the knowledge that Cork and Kerry will meet again on hotter days.

Still, does either county really want to go through the qualifying route? And once they catch sight of one another in Fitzgerald stadium, won’t the outside world simply fall away? Kerry without Donaghy and O’Se on the starting line are a less certain force, but still very potent.

Cork will hit them with everything and like previous Munster engagements, this one should be close. Kerry on home ground, though, should go through.

Tomorrow, throw-in – 2pm Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney Live on 3