Oscar Traynor Trophy 1/4 Final Preview

Friday 03rd April 2015
Oscar Traynor Trophy 1/4 Final
Wexford v Kerry DL
Kick off , 4.00pm
Venue , Ferrycarrig Park Wexford

By Tommy Naughton

The Kerry District League travel to Wexford on Good Friday in the Oscar Traynor Trophy 1/4 Final .

Kerry came through a tough group which contained The Cork Aul , Limerick District and the Desmond League . In their opening game away to the Limerick District they picked up a point with a late equaliser . In their second game Kerry hosted the Cork Aul and again had to score late to take a valuable point . Kerry’s final group game was at home against the Desmond League where they knew a win would secure second place in the group which they secured on a tight and nervous 4-3 score line . In the second Round Kerry welcomed the Defence Forces to Mounthawk Park where Kerry easily accounted for their opponents on a three nil score line .

Kerry Manager John o Regan will be very aware of the tough task ahead of them after recent meetings between the sides were very close and very heated at times . North End United from Wexford have reach this season FAI Junior Cup semi final stage where they accounted for Listowel Celtic in the last 16 stage by a single goal .

Kerry Assistant Manager Tadgh Healy told me hoe preperations for this big game have been going , ” Kerry management have been fine tuning their squad over the past month culminating on Wednesday night with a light challenge match that helped the coaching staff to test specific formations and assess players match fitness. The good news is that all the players involved came through with a clean bill of health. Kerry have two players missing for Fridays encounter due to work commitments Shane Guthrie and Steven O Mahoney, with two players carrying knocks Con Barrett and Sean Foley waiting to get the all clear from the physio. We are expecting a very tough away encounter from a strong Wexford side but I believe Kerry’s work ethic and heart for the battle ahead have the players to grab a narrow away win “.

Wexford’s path to this stage saw them in a group with Kilkenny ,Carlow and Waterford . In their opening game they defeated Kilkenny by two goals to nil . Their second game was their only away group game where they travel to Carlow and won on a 2-1 score line . The final game saw Wexford host Waterford where they came out on top by three goals to two to finish top of the group . In the second round they welcomed the Galway league to Ferrtcarrig Park where after a one all draw Wexford won on a penalty shoot out .

Wexford are managed by Nicky Murphy and earlier this week he told me how their preparations for Friday have been going , ” Preparations are going well , as it is with this competition it is hard to get all players together . We have had a few practice matches over the past few weeks . As far as I know we should have a full panel for Friday except for Paul Murphy .

The Kerry Squad is as follows : David Hennessy, Kevin Moran, Seamus Keane, Jonathan Hannafin , Ryan Downey , Stephen Conway, Kevin McCarthy, Aidan O Callaghan, Con Barrett, Paudie Quinn, Sean Brosnan, Sean Foley, Joe Sheehy, Luke Burgess, Brian Murphy, Gintarus Paketarus, Trevor Nagle, Genie Griffin, Ger McCarthy, Daniel Clinton .