Paul Galvin not underestimating challenge Dublin will pose to Kerry

Michael Bolton

Seen by most as favourites to retain the All-Ireland, Paul Galvin is not looking past Kerry's semi-final against Dublin on Sunday.

The former Kerry forward dismissed any talk of Dublin's demise, following their impressive wins over Donegal and Galway.

Winner of four All-Irelands with the Kingdom, Galvin knows how daunting Dublin can be in a semi-final in Croke Park, and has warned that Kerry must not get ahead of themselves.

"There is a little bit of loose talk of Kerry being strong favourites, I don't think we can afford that kind of thinking, to be honest.

"My first big encounter was in the quarter-final in 2004. It was Jack's first year, and my first year; we were a new Kerry team.

"We were out on the pitch early after half-time before the Dubs, I was over on the Hill at the Hogan wing, and the Hill started singing, 'Come on you boys in blue,' and it was such a sight.

"I thought it was an incredible moment to be a part of. I found it inspiring. The Kerry-Dublin rivalry is a great one, it is a massive part of the GAA."

Dublin have had the upper hand in this fixture in the championship, with Kerry's last win coming in the 2022 semi-final, thanks to a free from Sean O'Shea.

Prior to that game, Kerry's last win against Dublin in the championship was in 2009.

In between those years, Dublin defeated Kerry in All-Ireland finals in 2011, 2015, and the 2019 replay, while also winning the 2023 final, and coming out the right side of a classic semi-final in 2016

A fixture that always delivers, Galvin says Dublin's record will give them confidence going into the game.

"I think it is definitely a factor if you are Dublin. If you are in the Dublin dressing room, you are making it a factor. It is probably the number one factor if you are a Dublin player.

"You are going to go out and say we have won these games more often than we have lost them. I would think it is a big part of the conversation in the Dublin camp.

"I figured Dublin would beat Galway, so I haven't been on this bandwagon that Dublin are down in the dumps to be honest. I thought they were gone.

"I did think they would win Leinster, and they didn't win Leinster. In the wider public's eyes, that was probably the day everyone thought they were gone.

"They are in the long grass in a way, and they are in a great position."

Kerry have had to overcome their own issues on their journey to a semi-final.

Big defeats to Donegal in the league final and the championship raised questions about this Kerry side, while their injury list was growing as the season went on.

After a clinical win over Armagh and battling past Tyrone in the quarter-finals, the likes of Gavin White, Joe O'Connor, Diarmuid O'Connor, Paudie Clifford, and Tom O'Sullivan showed why they were missed.

An injury crisis that could have derailed their season, Galvin praised O'Connor for his reaction to both defeats and  managing the squad.

"I thought he dealt with both defeats very well, actually. His experience and nature, his calm nature came to the fore. It could and probably would have derailed most seasons, getting two beatings like that.

"I think Jack's role was key in all of that, in terms of steadying the ship again and keeping perspective. Jack is a very optimistic type of guy.

"He was never one for dwelling too much on bad results. He'd always be pretty optimistic and looking ahead. Jack's role has been important.

"At the end of the day, we will see on Sunday how significant those hammerings were or weren't. Whether Kerry have actually recovered from them or whether they haven't."

Kerry's depth has been vital as they dealt injuries to key players all season, while Dublin finally has all their big names back in action after their own injury struggles.

In their last meeting in the championship, Dublin's bench was a key factor to victory in the 2023 final, and Galvin expects the bench of both teams to be crucial.

"In the 2023 final, Dublin had a ferocious bench that day, and I think Kerry were caught for a bit of depth. If we were to compare it to 2023, Kerry definitely has more bodies and better options to come in.

"Dublin have a couple of decent options on the bench as well. It is what the engines are like now. They have all missed varying degrees of the season.

"What they have to give this Sunday will be a big piece of who wins and who doesn't."