“Even though they might not like it, that will impact on them I’m sure” – mind games flowing

The word is that Kerry have a free-pass in Sunday's All-Ireland final.

A young team. 5/1 outsiders. A number of them in their first season of inter-county football. You'd imagine they'll get the chance again. All the pressure is on Jim Gavin's Dubs as they chase a piece of GAA history. Five All-Irelands in a row. It's been challenged a few times but it's never been done. Kilkenny fell at the final hurdle in 2010. Before them, Kerry were the last team to come close. Close but no cigar. Seamus Derby's iconic goal dashed Kerry's dreams as an unfancied Offaly side shocked the nation and pipped the Kingdom at the post. That was 37 years ago now, but according to former Dublin footballer Charlie Redmond, what happened in Croker all those years ago will have an impact on Sunday's showpiece. Speaking at the launch of the Londis Kilmacud Sevens, the Erins Isle club man began the final's mind games by insisting that the pressure is on Kerry, rather than Dublin. His reason being that these young players have the legacy of a county to protect. That's up for debate.

"There's a huge amount of pressure going to be placed on the Kerry guys," he began. "They're playing to keep that 80s team as the joint best team of all-time. And I'm sure that's been impressed upon them down in Kerry by their family, by their friends. And even though they might not like it, that will impact on them I'm sure."

None-the-less, Redmond reckons this Kerry team have every chance of causing a shock of their own. "I think they're a great football team, the Kerry team. I think they've been coming and getting better and better and better with every game I've seen them this season." "But Kerry are coming into this game with a huge opportunity. Don't be mistaken about that. Any team that has the forward division they have has an opportunity and a huge opportunity at that. No Kerry team comes to Croke Park without confidence and attitude. When you get confidence and attitude and the talent they have, they've a huge opportunity of winning on Sunday. As for Dublin's extensive dominance of inter-county football, Redmond puts it down to an adaptable bunch of players and a brilliant manager.

"Thankfully, we have adapted to it quicker than other teams. We have a very talented young group of players who make it the perfect storm with a manager who is so efficient and so cool.

"The perfect storm won’t last forever though. And while these are great times to be a Dublin supporter. This won’t last forever. This Kerry team - they’ve a lot of minors coming and they’re going to make a huge impact on Gaelic football in the next few years..."

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