Galway (A)

No sooner have Kerry started to come to grips with the standards and pace of the First Division (at the lower end, at least), then they find themselves on the road to the best side in the early stages of the league. The Tribesmen appear to be extremely solid defensively, only conceding once in their first three outings, and that from the penalty spot, while Vince Borden is the dangerman, notching three of their four goals. Apart from either O'Reilly or Teahan replacing the suspended Andy Quaid, it should be the same Kerry starting XI again on Friday, and given they have been most effective playing on the front foot, it's unlikely the style of play will alter drastically for the encounter, even if, much like the Treaty game, it may be all hands to the pump for long stretches. In truth, the game appears the toughest task the team will have faced since entering the league, and even a 2-1 defeat would mark a degree of progress since the Bray match, with a draw very much in bonus territory.

Galway and Waterford will be tough opponents. We're only a few games into the season. Waterford seem to have a hangover from last year. Galway are capable of going on a winning run. If there are defensive errors on Friday, it could be a difficult evening. Galway and Waterford will have some big wins this season. It'll be interesting to see how Kerry set up for this game. It's great that they want to play on the front foot. When they come up against a difficult opponent, it'll be interesting to see how they adapt.
Billy seems to have settled on a core group that will start the majority of games. That's key coming into this game. They'll have to switched on defensively at set pieces.
With this being the start of two away trips, Kerry should be a more cohesive unit by the time they are at home to Athlone in round 6. Even for established teams with a big turnover in playing personnel, it can often take up to around 6 weeks for the team to gel.

This will be a big test for the team tomorrow!! They have been improving every game, which is very positive to see, but this could be a real test if Kerry go down by 1 or 2 by half time.

If they can stay in the game up until half time, they will give themselves every chance of coming away with more than a good performance, but a point too.

I think this could be 0-2 or 0-3 to Galway.

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Originally Posted by dansultheman

This will be a big test for the team tomorrow!! They have been improving every game, which is very positive to see, but this could be a real test if Kerry go down by 1 or 2 by half time.

If they can stay in the game up until half time, they will give themselves every chance of coming away with more than a good performance, but a point too.

I think this could be 0-2 or 0-3 to Galway.

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If Galway are 2 goals up with half an hour to go, they might be in the mood to score a few more. Cobh and Bray were comfortable with the two goal cushion, Bray at the second attempt. Galway might push for a statement win if Kerry are not careful. Defensive errors cannot reoccur.

On the injury front, Graham O'Reilly and Stephen McCarthy are unavailable, and Trip will face a pre-match fitness test, so every likelihood Barrett could be thrown straight into the starting line-up tonight.

Two changes from last week. Shane Guthrie is out. Samuel Aladesanusi comes in. Ronan Teahan starts in place of the suspended Quaid. Trip is on the bench.

10 of tonight's starting XI were born in Kerry, which is a record to date, if immaterial in the broader scheme of things.

A harsh lesson.

The big worry would be the potential impact the scoreline will have on squad confidence, and also while it would obviously be brilliant to see every home game sell out, supporters won't be blindly loyal unless they see an obvious weekly progression, and it's very much a case of just seeing occasional sparks of talent so far.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

10 of tonight's starting XI were born in Kerry, which is a record to date, if immaterial in the broader scheme of things.

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Fielding the best local players tends to get you nothing but good hidings, big & often in D1 until you only have that hardened core support willing to turn up, which is a thing Kerry don't have yet either & that's another worry. I'm not crowing here, I've just seen it with ourselves over & over down the years. The next month needs to go better than the first month & attendance over the coming weeks will be interesting. Scorelines like tonight are bad for the league, never mind for Kerry. The next four games are slightly in your favour though at least.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

The big worry would be the potential impact the scoreline will have on squad confidence, and also while it would obviously be brilliant to see every home game sell out, supporters won't be blindly loyal unless they see an obvious weekly progression, and it's very much a case of just seeing occasional sparks of talent so far.

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To be fair, supporters are being asked to pay good money. Defensive structures have to be put in place and last night was a harsh reality lesson that I could see coming. I didn't think it would be more than 6 though. Galway showed no mercy and were in the mood for more.
Kerry have 4 games to improve the defensive setup before the visit of Waterford.