Sharp-shooting Laois should probably have too much for Kerry in top-of-the-table clash

Last March when Kerry travelled to O’Moore Park in Portlaoise to face the home side their fate had already been sealed the night before with Kildare’s win over Carlow, while already-qualified Laois had equally nothing to play for.

Then last year it was more of a de facto sort of a dead-rubber in that neither side had control over their destiny in the Joe Mac last round. Chances were Carlow were always going to get the job done against an understrength Offaly – and they did – so the game in Stack Park mattered little.

It means that we’ve not got a huge amount of data to draw upon for this weekend’s top-of-the-table showdown in Austin Stack Park, save for a sense that Laois, having already claimed the Division 2A title this year, and having been a Leinster championship side not so long ago, should be at least a touch ahead of the green and gold.

All that said we don’t have to go back too far for evidence that the Kingdom can live with and best the O’Moore County on occasion. Think back to 2016 and Kerry hammered Laois out the gate in a Division 1B relegation play-off in Austin Stack Park – 2-27 to 1-19.

Ancient history now, we suppose. Nobody who played for Kerry that day will play this weekend. Laois will have at least a handful, though, with the likes of Enda Rowland, Willie Dunphy, Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher and Paddy Purcell still in situ.

Not for the first time this season Kerry will face a more experienced, more settled side. That, though, doesn’t seem to be in any way daunting for them. The impetuousness of youth, we guess.

And for that reason alone we’d give them a chance here, a genuine chance. This Kerry team don’t seem to have any fear, or harbour any doubts. They’ll simply do what they’ll do and see where it takes them.

As noted there’s really not a whole pile we can read into the sides’ league contest last March. Kerry did alright in the contest, shooting 1-19 against Laois’ 4-20. Kerry started really well, before Laois took control… and after that there’s not much that can be said.

Dan Goggin shot seven from play that Saturday afternoon, which at least should give the Causeway man confidence heading into this weekend. Not that confidence is an issue with him at the moment.

The way he was able to come off the bench, having just recovered from injury, to shoot four points from play against Down last weekend was really encouraging. Should he be able to continue that sort of form this weekend it’ll go a long way towards getting Kerry a result.

Indeed, the impact of players like Goggin, Brandon Barrett, David Woulfe and Gavin Dooley off the bench is evidence for the Kingdom added some much-needed oomph off the bench, not to mention strength-in-depth up front.

Goggin we can, for sure, expect to start this weekend, while Barrett can't be too far way either. The one thing Kerry can’t afford to do again is squander so much possession with poor shot-selection. The steadying influence of Goggin and Barrett could help there.

At the back, meanwhile, Kerry will certainly have to tighten up some on last weekend’s performance. Laois will have seen both Down goals – the first a long ball in which caused a small bit of consternation, the second coming at the end of a surging run from deep – and taken note.

Add that to the fact that Laois are scoring freely at the moment and it’s very possible to envisage a tricky day at the back for the Kingdom. Meath, we know, are quite poor, even so Laois’ 7-29 against the Royals is notable. And Meath were at home.

Considering that Meath weren’t that much off Down, and that Kerry weren’t that much ahead of the Mourne men, there’s reason to be wary of whatever Willie Maher's men bring to Tralee this weekend.

Okay, form isn’t necessarily fungible, you can’t do easy maths in your head and decide that on the basis of a handful of games between the same sides, Kerry are sure to lose.

Still you can’t look past the sheer array of firepower Laois brought to bear in Trim. Willie Dunphy 1-4. Mark Dowling 2-0. Aaron Dunphy 0-5. Paddy Purcell 0-4. And that’s just a selection. Laois had twelve different scorers on the weekend.

Clearly, then, they’re a good team, a very good team and, let’s be honest here, are the favourites for this weekend’s game, but as we’ve said there’s a certain fearlessness to the way this Kerry team are playing.

Add to that the fact they can out-last pretty much anyone with their fitness and Kerry have got a chance. So long as they don’t leave Laois get too far out ahead, so long as they make the most of the chances that come their way.

Never say never, but we still can't shake the feeling Laois should have a bit too much for the green and gold on this occasion.

Verdict: Laois

JOE McDONAGH CUP (Round 3)

Kerry v Laois

Saturday, May 4

Austin Stack Par, 3pm