"The 'will it go ahead, will it not go ahead' is not going to affect them"

August 28, 2021

Kerry's Paul Geaney celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal against Tyrone ©INPHO/James Crombie

Former Kerry captain Darran O’Sullivan expects the Kingdom to exercise a certain amount of caution when they take on Tyrone in this afternoon’s All-Ireland semi-final.

The two sides finally cross swords at Croke Park at 3.30pm today after the last four clash was twice postponed over an Covid-19 outbreak within the Ulster champions’ camp.

Speaking to RTE Sport ahead of the game, O’Sullivan says it has been a long wait for Peter Keane’s men between their Munster SFC final victory over Cork of five weeks ago and today.

"It's not ideal preparation. I think most players would tell you four weeks is a long time - now it's five," he stated. "The 'will it go ahead, will it not go ahead' is not going to affect them. But they've looked focused all year.

"It may take them a bit of time to get into the game. They haven't had much competition so far this year but I think they have the focus at the moment that they might start a bit slower than they would have wanted, but I think they'll be okay."

On the last meeting between the two sides in June which saw the Munster champions hit six goals against the Red Hands, O’Sullivan added:  "I think Kerry know it's not going to be like that. They know Tyrone aren't going to come with that approach. The worrying thing from a Kerry point of view is that Tyrone have been very attacking this year, a lot more than usual. I can't see them being that attacking again.

"They will try to mind the house, they will try to frustrate Kerry and I think Kerry just have to show maturity and a bit of patience to break it down."


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