PREVIEW: Senior Footballers Prepare For Kerry Test

Dublin head to Tralee this weekend looking for a first win at Austin Stack Park since November 1982, when they take on Kerry on Saturday night in our third Allianz Football League Division 1 game of 2025.

Dessie Farrell's side began their 2025 campaign with a two-point win over Mayo at Croke Park but in our second league outing, we tasted defeat. 

Donegal impressed during the first 35 minutes of our clash in Ballybofey and deservedly led by five by the half-time whistle- Killian McGinnis, Colm Basquel, Seán Bugler and Ciarán Kilkenny keeping Dublin’s bid to take points back to the capital alive.

When the teams came back out for the second-half, Niall Scully, Greg McEneaney and sub Luke Breathnach closed the gap on the hosts to just a point, but unfortunately, Dessie Farrell’s men could not pull off an impressive comeback. Points from Oisin Gallen and Patrick McBrearty saw Donegal home with a 0-20 to 0-16 win.

Bugler, Kilkenny and McGinnis have all had an impact in front of goals in our first two games and will hope to be the difference against the Kingdom on Saturday. In the half-back line, McEneaney has shown he can get forward as well as prove himself to be a solid defensive option, picking up two points for himself in both of our opening two games.

This weekend also gives the chance for faces new and old to stake a claim in our inter-county footballers starting 15 as we look to get back to winning ways. 

This weekend’s opposition need no introduction to the Dublin faithful, with Dublin and Kerry playing out a number of classic battles over the years.

Jack O’Connor’s men started the league by going goal crazy in Derry, with the men in green and gold finding the net five times. 

Donal O’Sullivan and Paul Geaney netted in injury-time to level through O’Sullivan before Geaney’s strike 60 seconds later won the game for Kerry in incredible fashion. 

Conor Geaney had scored 2-2 before he made way for his cousin Paul in the 54th minute. Seán O’Shea was his usual reliable self with 0-5 as Kerry won it late in Derry.

However, their rearranged game against Donegal saw them frustrated and just like Dublin, Kerry also suffered defeat at the hands of Jim McGuinness’ men.

After a slow start, Kerry were finally up and running in the 10th minute thanks to Dylan Geaney. O’Shea and Conor Geaney would add to the Kerry tally, but they trailed after a quick start from Donegal. At the other end, Gallen and McBrearty were key to Donegal leading 0-11 to 0-7 at the break.

Kerry came out fighting in the second-half and by the 40th minute, after a Diarmuid O’Connor score, they were behind by just a point. However, Donegal were able to keep their noses ahead, but O’Connor made it a one-point game seven minutes from time with a three-pointer to put the game up for grabs.

Despite late points from O’Shea, scores from Jamie Brennan and Conor O’Donnell made sure Donegal picked up two wins from two.

There’s a lot of talent in this Kerry side; O’Shea, Conor and Paul Geaney have impressed so far, as has Dylan Geaney. Former captain Paudie Clifford provides experience and flair and the Kerry attack’s threat will only increase should his brother David make his first league appearance of 2025.

New faces to the Kingdom’s panel include Cathal Ó Beaglaoich who scored a point from midfield on his debut against Donegal while Listowel Emmets’ Eddie Healy and Listry’s Ruairi Murphy will be itching to impress should they feature.

Dublin and Kerry write another chapter in the long history between the two counties this weekend; here’s hoping it’s another game to remember!

Dublin v Kerry last five Allianz Football League meetings: 

● 24th February 2024, Croke Park, Dublin - Dublin 3-18 (27) - 1-14 (17) Kerry

● 5th February 2022, Austin Stack Park, Tralee - Kerry 1-15 (18) - 0-11 (11) Dublin

● 23rd May 2021, Semple Stadium, Thurles - Dublin 4-9 (21) - 1-18 (21) Kerry

● 25th January 2020, Croke Park, Dublin - Dublin 1-19 (22) - 1-19 (22) Kerry

● 9th February 2019, Austin Stack Park, Tralee - Kerry 1-18 (21) - 2-14 (20) Dublin

You can buy tickets for Saturday’s game here. 

The game will also be shown live on RTÉ 2 - throw-in 7:30pm.