Dominant Kerry could match former greats
Darragh O Se has recovered from the hip injury that troubled him so much during the semi-final win over Dublin, so manager Pat O'Shea (right) will not have to pull any rabbits from the hat before Sunday
MODERN players may not buy too much into heritage and past records, but if Kerry claim a 35th All-Ireland title next Sunday it will make this the joint third most successful decade for a county so steeped in success.
So much so for the sweep of northern dominance that threatened, in the earlier part of this decade, to sack the country's greatest stronghold and bring it to its knees.
With three All-Ireland titles already from the first decade of the millennium a fourth in six days time would, incredibly, bring Kerry level with the county's haul from one of its most celebrated periods -- the heady days of the 1970s.
Even more pointed is the current side's amazing run of consistency since the turn of the decade.
The advent of quarter-finals and qualifiers hasn't prevented Kerry reaching seven consecutive All-Ireland semi-finals by reaching a fourth successive final this year they become the first county to do so since Billy Morgan's Cork between 1987 and 1990.
In a more competitive era with a far greater breath of potential All-Ireland winners Kerry in the 2000s may yet register as one of their most successful ever periods.
Barren
The 1990s remains Kerry's most barren period, with the 1997 All-Ireland final providing their only success.
The 1980s was, of course, Kerry's most dominant period of Gaelic football with five of the first seven titles returning to the Kingdom.
The four in a row team from 1929 to 1932 laid the foundation for a very successful 1930s when the 1980s haul of five All-Irelands was matched.
Surprisingly the 1960s only yielded two All-Ireland titles (1962 and '69), as the dominant Down and Galway teams emerged to loosen their grip on Sam Maguire.
The roll of honour is not something that Pat O'Shea or his players will be concerning themselves with this week.
The Kerry management's call in replacing Bryan Sheehan with Mike Frank Russell for the All-Ireland semi-final appeared justified with Sheehan's booming free from almost 55 metres just after half-time one of the most deflating and challenging moments of Dublin's tough afternoon.
Before each of their last two All-Ireland finals Jack O'Connor sprung surprises with his team selection that both came off.
In 2004 Johnny Crowley was thrust into the action against Mayo to become the focus of an aerial bombardment that closed the deal early that day.
Two years later Eoin Brosnan made way for Declan O'Sullivan in a move that looked controversial, but ultimately was justified too as O'Sullivan struck with an early goal and had Mayo reshaping their defence as James Nallen was hauled off after only 11 minutes. O'Shea doesn't look like he'll have any rabbits to pull from the hat this week. Darragh O Se has recovered from the hip injury that troubled him so much during the semi-final win over Dublin and will be partnered by Seamus Scanlon once again.
Ignominy
Brosnan's form held up well in the semi-final and he'll hardly face the ignominy of losing his places in successive years even is Sean O'Sullivan is challenging hard.
The Kerry team have stuck with tradition by spending the weekend in the Brehon Hotel in Killarney and will confirm their team tomorrow night.
