Kerry's attempt to end famine begins at Clonmel

PAIDI O SE is acutely aware of the demands on his team this year. Ten years without the Sam Maguire Cup is bad enough for any major power, but for Kerry - winners of the prized silverware more often than any other team - it seems like an eternity.

Kerry's attempt to end the decade long famine starts in Clonmel next Sunday whey they meet Tipperary in the Munster Senior Football Championship quarter final, with a June 23rd semi final date with Waterford awaiting the winners. Anything other than a comfortable win for the men from the Kingdom would represent a shock of earthquake like proportions.

But manager O Se still intends to warn his team against any signs of complacency. "From my own experiences of playing against Tipperary in Clonmel, I know you have to fight for your pound of flesh there," he said. "It is a championship game and we must be prepared for that."

Indeed, Kerry go into Sunday's encounter with the benefit for a number of challenge matches against Dublin, Louth and Galway under their belt and, while an injury doubt exists over hamstring victim Seamus Moynihan who picked up the injury in the challenge with Galway, O'Se is "happy" with the way his side has prepared. It is expected Moynihan, who has been receiving intensive treatment for the past two weeks, will be able to play.

"If the lads produce what they are capable of, then we shouldn't have any problems," he said. "But given the attitude and spirit that exists in the squad, let's say I am hopeful that everything will work out to our advantage.

Meanwhile, Cork full forward Colin Corkery - who sustained a "double" injury in their Munster championship win over Limerick last Sunday night - is expected to be available for their provincial semi final encounter with Clare in Ennis on June 23rd.

Corkery pulled a hamstring and also strained ankle ligaments which forced his retirement from the Limerick match, but Cork team doctor Con Murphy is confident the Nemo Rangers man will be available for the Clare match: "I expect Colin to be out of action for about three weeks, which should just about give him enough time to be ready for that game," said Dr Murphy.

Apart from the Kerry Tipperary encounter, the only other championship match on a rather quiet Sunday for competitive fare is the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship preliminary round replay between Carlow and Westmeath scheduled for Dr Cullen Park. The winners will earn a meeting with Meath in the first round proper.

. All Ireland hurling champions Clare will continue with their preparations in the build up to the defence of their Munster crown when they take on Babs Keating's Laois team in a challenge game to mark the opening of a new pitch and dressing rooms in Errill next Sunday. Clare aren't due to open their Munster campaign until June 16th when they meet either Cork or Limerick, while Laois will meet any one of four - Westmeath, Carlow, Meath or, most likely, Offaly - in the Leinster semi final on June 23rd.

And Kilkenny finalise their championship preparations when they take on Waterford in the Morrisey Cup SH Tournament Final at Walsh Park on Sunday.