Ballinderry Shamrocks are in London where they take on Kingdom Kerry Gaels in the quarter-final of the All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship this lunchtime (throw-in 1.00pm).
Martin McKinless.
The Derry champions go into this afternoon’s game as hot favourites to progress to the last four.
However, Shamrocks boss Martin McKinless knows his side cannot afford to be complacent.
Kingdom manager Noel Dunning is not taking the game lightly either and was in Healy Park, Omagh to see Ballinderry defeat Donegal’s Glenswilly in the Ulster final.
Kingdom Kerry Gaels, as their name suggests, are a side with strong Kerry connections and have a number of Kerry men in their panel.
Their link to the Kingdom was reflected by the fact that the great Mick O’Connell was in attendance at their London final victory over Tir Chonaill Gaels in October, winning 1-7 to 0-9, with London senior footballer Lloyd Colfer notching 1-4 in the victory.
However, the step up against Ballinderry will be vast and it will take something very, very special from the Gaels to trouble the Ulster side.
This year has been a big one the Gaels, as it has seen them win their first London title since 2004.
While they will relish the opportunity to face Ballinderry, a quick look back at the recent results of the London champions at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage reveals a lot about how tough an ask it will be on Sunday.
Last season, Dr Crokes defeated Tir Chonaill Gaels by 15 points in the quarter-final while the year before, St Brigid’s ran out eight point winners over Fulham Gaels.
The winner of Sunday’s tie advances to an All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin and Leinster champions St. Vincent’s in February.
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