Preview : Dublin v Kerry Allianz Football League

Mon, 19th February 2024

By Conor Martin

Dublin will be looking to build on their first Allianz Football League win of the season last weekend as we take on Kerry at Croke Park this Saturday night.

Dessie Farrell’s men were edged out by just a point in their opening two games against Monaghan and Mayo but put things right with a comfortable seven-point win over Roscommon at Croker.

In what was a fairly even first-half, Dublin held a one-point advantage at the break thanks to efforts from all over the Dublin starting 15.

After the restart, Dublin extended their lead and in the 55th minute, thanks to a Niall Scully goal, as they went seven points up.

Scores from Con O’Callaghan (who top-scored with 0-7 (0-1f, 0-1m), Lorcan O’Dell, Ciarán Kilkenny and Brian Fenton wrapped up the points for the Boys in Blue.

This weekend’s opponents bounced back from an opening-day defeat to Derry with wins over Monaghan and Mayo.

David Clifford was the Kingdom’s hero last time out as he kicked five from open play, whilst his brother and Kerry captain Paudie Clifford and Séan O’Shea were key to the Kerry win.

Fans, players and the two management teams are fully aware of the history behind this fixture.

Naturally, given their current form, the Cliffords will be ones Dublin will be keeping a close eye on. They will also be keen to limit O’Shea’s threat, who has been a thorn in Dublin’s side in the past.

Dylan Geaney and Dara Moynihan are two more Kerry players who are a threat in the Kerry attack. Joe O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Connor will look to control the middle and at the back, the likes of the experienced Jason Foley and Tadgh Morley will look to keep Dublin's forwards quiet.

We are looking for a first league win over our opponents since 2018 and we have attributes to match Jack O’Connor’s side in defence, midfield and attack.

O’Callaghan and Kilkenny are experienced options in attack, whilst Ross McGarry and Seán Bugler will also be looking to pressure the Kerry defence. Fenton and Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne will be looking to kickstart several Dublin attacks, while at the back, Eoin Murchan and John Small have come up against Kerry many times before and will be prepared for whatever Kerry’s attack throw at them.

The next chapter in the history of this famous fixture will be written on Saturday night.

Those not at Croke Park this Saturday can catch the action live on TG4 from 7:30pm.