Marc Ó Sé believes that if Kerry can break even with Galway at midfield in this Sunday's All-Ireland football final, they should have enough in other areas to get their hands on Sam Maguire for the first time in eight years.
David Moran and Jack Barry lined out at midfield for Kerry in their semi-final victory over Dublin, while it was Paul Conroy and Cillian McDaid in the middle for Galway against Derry.
"What strikes me about both of these teams is how both managers have tweaked their style of play and the system of how they now play the game," said Ó Sé, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes.
"There has been question marks over both defences in recent years and I genuinely feel that Padraic Joyce and Jack O’Connor have identified these areas and made huge efforts to improve them.
"In doing so, Joyce has brought in Cian O’Neill and O’Connor has brought in Paddy Tally. The latter is renowned for his defensive style, and having worked closely with O’Neill under Eamonn Fitzmaurice, I know that he will bring huge organisation to the Galway set up.
"Joyce took this job three years ago and came out with a bold statement in that he wanted to win All-Irelands with his team. Jack O’Connor is on his third term as manager of Kerry. He has managed to win both the league and championship, so he is going for the hat-trick."
29 May 2022; Galway manager Padraic Joyce, centre, in conversation with coach Cian O'Neill during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Roscommon at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Ó Sé continued: "Getting down to the nitty gritty of both teams is where this All-Ireland Final will be fascinating in my opinion. I know a lot of things can change between now and after the final but if I was picking my All-Star team, I would have nine or 10 players on the team from Galway and Kerry.
"As always match-ups are going to be key to the winning of this game. You look at Galway and straight away you have Sean Kelly, John Daly, Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid, Damien Comer and Shane Walsh.
"Then there’s the quality Kerry possess in the form of Tom O’Sullivan, Brian O’Beaglaoich, Tadhg Morley, Paudie Clifford, Seanie O’Shea, and the genius himself, David Clifford. A player of his calibre deserves to get his hands on Sam Maguire.
"Ultimately, I think this game will boil down to six key players and how the opposition can curb their influence. Galway have McDaid, Comer and Walsh, while Kerry have the two Cliffords and Seanie O’Shea."
The five-time Kerry All-Ireland winner feels that Galway's quarter-final tussle with Armagh holds the key to a Kingdom win.
"Having seen Kerry kick long diagonal high ball into their inside forwards against Dublin and having seen how poorly Galway dealt with the high ball against Armagh signals to me how Kerry are going to set up," he said.
"David Moran and Paudie Clifford’s first instincts are to kick the ball straight away into the inside line and I think this could prove to be the match winner for me.
"If Kerry can break 50/50 at midfield, I think that will be enough to see them through for their first All-Ireland since 2014."
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