Kerry warned they might not be 'properly prepared' for All-Ireland quarter-final
Lee Keegan believes Kerry might not be 'properly prepared' for their meeting with Armagh in the All-Ireland Football Championship this weekend.
The former Mayo defender said that "Kerry's run to this stage hasn't been near as intensive, as Ulster folk won't be shy of telling them. But you'd fairly argue it hasn't properly prepared them for what's coming down the tracks this Sunday."
The Sunday Game analyst also questioned the actions of David Clifford and Paul Geaney in the build up to the clash, where they requested their fans to show up in numbers at the quarter-final in Croke Park.
He added to RTE: "Paul Geaney, last week, and David Clifford, this week, have made appeals for Kerry supporters to turn up in numbers. This is unusual enough talk coming from Kerry and probably indicative of the pressure they're under.
"I know Jack O'Connor played up the impact the huge Armagh crowd had on the momentum of last year's semi-final, particularly when the game turned frenzied in extra-time. The wall of noise for every Armagh score was deafening and they can be intimidating."
Despite this, he feels that Kerry will be very competitive in the match, saying: "So many people have written Kerry off in the last week and a half, most of them ex-Kerry players. I'd be wary of that talk.
"With Kerry's array of attacking talent, they can catch fire at any time. But the big doubts surround Paudie Clifford and Seanie O'Shea. Paudie hasn't seen much game-time since getting harshly sent off in the Munster semi-final."
Indeed, Paudie Clifford has been eased back into action, only seeing around 15 minutes in their last game against Cavan. It is reasonable however to not risk him after his injury woes.
"Seanie's form has been hot and cold. Personally, I think he's devoting himself to too much donkey work. It's admirable but I feel he's more use to Kerry when he's focusing on attacking the opposition and putting their defence on the back foot.
"Kerry have the raw material at their disposal. They can catch fire at any moment. But it's hard to trust their form when they're coming up against the All-Ireland champions, who are fresher, boast huge squad depth and have a very hard-nosed mentality."
A bumper clash certainly awaits at Croker this Sunday.
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