Kerr explains Galway victory

Antrim manager Liam Bradley with Geroid Adams

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers round three
Tipperary v Antrim
Saturday, Thurles, 3pm

FOLLOWING their stunning victory over Galway on Saturday, the Saffron Army are on the march again – and in goalkeeper Chris Kerr they have a fine officer between the sticks.

The 25-year-old St Gall’s player could be heard clearly by the crowd organising the troops against the Tribesmen, and his booming voice will be heard again this weekend when Liam Bradley’s side travel south to take on Tipperary in round three of the qualifiers on Saturday evening.

“The full-back line will let you know I’m always vocal!” said Kerr. “Without doubt it was the best Antrim game I’ve played in, not that I’ve played in too many, but it was some feeling to get over the line.

“We played into a strong breeze in the first half and maybe some of our shot selection was poor at times, but it will be something we will work on this week before playing Tipperary.

“The message at half time was to keep to the game plan as we had only conceded five points, and to have a bit more composure in the final third.

“I think we remained calm for the last few scores, kept the ball until it was right and the lads, thankfully, took the right option.”

Only for three good saves from Kerr, the side would not even have been in the position to take those right options, and he knows the side must be on top of their game to get past a Tipp side that surprisingly dumped out Wexford in the last round.

“Ah I done my job,” said Kerr. “I suppose if I didn’t save the shots I would have been annoyed at myself for conceding. We knew if we kept it tight at the back we had the forwards, and half-backs in Decky’s (O’Hagan) case, to get the scores.

“But it’s a very difficult draw. They had a great win over a very good Wexford side.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday July 19. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here