Only a few days remain before we will know who will lift Sam in 2009.
The only thing we are uncertain of is whether the Cup will be presented out in the middle of the field the way the GAA have requested or, if Plan B will once again fall into action with fans taking centre stage.
I reckon whatever team wins on Sunday, there will be a massive pitch invasion. Why? A win for either county will mean so much to the supporters. While up to now there has been a lot of ball-hopping between both sets of with a lot of texting going back and forth but once Martin Duffy throws in the ball at 3.30pm on Sunday, passions will run sky high and tensions between both supporters at times spills over and causes the odd scuffle.
So for the supporters, sit back, enjoy the match and enjoy this roller-coaster and let the players battle it like true Gladiators.
It is my belief that the first 20 mins of this game while be the most intense, physical, in-your-face battle that we will have witnessed in a very long time, even matching the great rivalry Meath & Dublin attained in 1991 during their famous draws.
Both teams on revenge missions
Why - both teams know each other inside out, they both know the opposition's strengths and weaknesses and there are always sparks when Cork and Kerry meet, never mind when this game is the final in headquarters. Both teams are on revenge missions.
Cork will want to delete the bitter ghosts of 2007 and they can only do this by beating Kerry on Sunday.
They will also want to say that they managed to beat the Kingdom in Croker during this decade. It is now or never for the rebels. a defeat here will not be accepted by their supporters even though 6 of their players are lining out in their 1st senior all ireland final.
Kerry, on the other hand, are still smarting after their annihilation down on Lee-side and have possibly dreamt of an opportunity to lock horns again with this team.
Memories of the Rebel fans applauding every pace Cork gave late in the match will not have sat well in the Kerry players brains.They now have their chance and players like Marc O' Se, Tomas O' Se, Tommy Griffin, Dara O' Se, Declan O' Sullivan and in particular Gally & Gooch must feel that the Gods were against them in Lee-side and they now have the ideal chance of proving their calibre against the bitter enemy.
Kerry will not have forgotten the pain felt from the heartaching defeat in last year's decider and will not want to fall into the abyss again in Croker once the final whistle blows.
Canty will be going for Mission Accomplished
So if you were Conor Counihan what words could you say to your team to instil the confidence which is require in Croker on Sunday.
No doubt he will be drilling in the fact that Cork have already beaten Kerry comprehensively in 2009, they are the form team, that they have youth, physical strength, a team with higher workrate levels, a team that beat Tyrone (something Kerry failed to do in this decade), have several players with pace in abundance who can torture an old man's legs but most importantly he will say to his team that their mission has not been accomplished until mr. maguire is in Canty's hands inside in their dressing-room and he has the panel to accomplish this job.
Kerry - no youth but plenty of the E-stuff
What of Jack, what can he say to his old bunch of warriors, very little i feel. the big trump card Jack has on Sunday - EXPERIENCE.
Kerry are contesting their 6th final in a row, this final day has become part of their yearly routine, like going for a confession.
Kerry will not be phased by the crowd, by the long build up, by hanging around to meet the President, they have done this so many times and have come out the right side - 3 out the last 5 occasions.
Kerry have leaders in every line who will rally to the cause and will raise their game without Jack opening his mouth. Players Like Dara, Declan Sull, Tomas, and Gooch are leaders within leaders and can raise their game to another dimension when it is required the most.
Miles on the clock will countTo me this is key for Kerry. They may have miles on the clock, they may not have the burning pace of Kerrigan, they may not have the souped up engine Paddy Kelly has under the jersey, they may not have the strength that Canty and Alan O'Connor naturally have but their abilty to know what it takes to win a game will be the difference on Sunday - knowing what it takes to win.
If Kerry win, it will be the last time for yearsIt is my belief that Kerry can win on Sunday, if they do it will be one the greatest turnarounds any teams have produced but it will also be the last victory Kerry may see for a few years to come.
No doubt there will be an exodus of players win or lose on Sunday from the Kerry camp, too many player in their 30s to be hanging around for the ride, a much higher loss of players compared to the Rebel team, who no doubt will become the dominant force in Munster and Ireland for the next few years.
But Sunday's final will be their biggest test, there is still on kick left in this Kerry dog and as a Kerryman I wish I will see Darren O' Sullivan get the opportunity of lifting Sam, what a day it will be for the small Mid-Kerry club in Glenbeigh.
see you all in Croker
The Pony
Before the ball is thrown in on Sunday, Graham Canty is in poll position for Player of the Year followed by Tomas O' Se & Paul Galvin. Next Sunday will no doubt decide this title. i know either player wont give a F**k about such honours, celtic crosses are a far more important commodity right now.
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