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Preview: EirGrid Munster U21 Final - Cork v Kerry

Brian Sugrue, Kerry, and Sean O Donoghue, Cork, pictured ahead of the EirGrid Munster Under 21 Final.

Brian Sugrue, Kerry, and Sean O Donoghue, Cork, pictured ahead of the EirGrid Munster Under 21 Final.

Wednesday March 29

EirGrid Munster Under 21 Championship Final

Cork v Kerry, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30pm

By Cian O'Connell

With a proud and deep tradition sprinkled with cups and class Kerry still want to scratch an itch at Pairc Ui Rinn this evening.

Kerry haven’t won an EirGrid Munster Under 21 Championship since 2008, losing provincial deciders in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016.

Managed by Jack O’Connor Kerry will be hoping to overcome the challenge of Cork, who have six titles since Kerry last triumphed.

The fact that Kerry arrive Leeside with three All Ireland minor winning teams on the spin adds another layer of intrigue.

Brian Sugrue, who captains Kerry, admits the Kingdom want to return to the summit of the Munster Under 21 game. “It is, to be honest,” Sugrue responds when asked about the importance of being standard bearers in Munster at this level.

“Last year I suppose we had a good chance, but Cork just got over the line. With the Under 21 it would be lovely to push on this year to get the last Under 21 in Munster under our belt. I can't wait, it should be a tough game, but we can't wait for it now.

“Cork came down to our home patch last year and turned us over, that was very disappointing to be honest. It will drive us on more to do the same to them in Pairc Ui Rinn.”

Several injuries bothered Kerry in 2016, but Sugrue isn’t using that as an excuse. “We had an awful lot of injuries for the Munster Final which didn't help,” Sugrue says.

“We had five or six different injuries before the game started which dampened the whole scene. I suppose you can't really blame that because Cork were a serious outfit.”

Sugrue acknowledges that there is a real enthusiasm in the Kerry camp with O’Connor and Declan O’Sullivan involved. “There is, having the likes of Jack and Declan you automatically look up to them straightaway,” Sugrue states.

“You know what they are at, they have all been through it all. Jack won't do anything by half measures, it will be all or nothing. All the boys are in the same boat, we are focused this year on trying to do it this year hopefully.”

Eamonn Fitzmaurice has integrated several promising young players into the Kerry senior panel during his tenure. That is something all the budding footballers aspire to achieve according to Sugrue. “It is good, we had five or six boys in with the seniors this year,” Sugrue says.

“In one sense it is great to see them in to boost the motivation in the camp from seeing the boys playing with the seniors and then beside us. Then on the other side of it then it can be tough to get a full panel together for training. It was nice for them to get the experience ahead of Wednesday night.”

Cork, though, are shrewd operators under Sean Hayes’ guidance. Limerick examined them at the penultimate stage, but Cork stayed cool to carve out a win.

A well regarded Clare outfit gave Kerry some problems in the Quarter-Finals before a convincing success over Waterford. Cork, though, are sure to provide a demanding assignment in this much anticipated tussle.