Jack O'Connor admits one of his biggest challenges as Kerry manager is getting the balance right.

O'Connor's first championship XV of the year shows a healthy mix of youth and experience and he says getting that balance right could be key to challenging for major honours this summer:

"Ah sure, I don't know about being stronger than ever but we hope to be competitive every year," O'Connor is quoted as saying in this morning's Times.

"It is a balancing act. We're giving a few younger guys their go on Sunday. There has to be a new face in the full-back line due to the retirement of Tom [O'Sullivan] and a few young forwards have been showing up well.

"These players need to get a feel for championship. We need to find new players and keep the core of experience players there. It is hard to get the balance right sometimes, and you don't know if you have it right until you are in the middle of the championship.

"The best bet is to go with what you see in front of your eyes in training. We see the young fellas going well in training so we'll give them their head on Sunday." Tweet

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