Kerry's Bolger ready to make most of opportunity
Kerry possess an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the goalkeeping department, so when you are presented with an opportunity, it's imperative that you grasp it with both hands.
Chisel into the 2026 season to date and it’s clear that Kingdom manager Mark Bourke is well aware that he has not one, but two exceptional goalkeepers to call on.
Heading into this year’s Munster final against Waterford, Ciara Butler had started seven games, Mary Ellen Bolger had started just three.
For the provincial final though, Southern Gaels' Bolger was given the nod - and she made the most of such faith by denying Waterford’s Laura Cusack with a superb save at the death to all but secure a Munster three in-a-row for Kerry.
It was no surprise then, that she started in the thumping All-Ireland opening win against Tipperary and just a few days later she was named the PwC GPA Player of the Month for May in ladies football.
"Me and Ciara are the same age, there's only two months between us so we've played with Kerry underage and with the seniors for a good few years now," said Bolger of the double act.
"It's always been good competition but I think it does kind of drive you on. Whether it's me starting or her starting, it does drive the standards.
"You know you can't slip up or you can't have a run of a few bad games or a few bad training sessions, otherwise you'll be out."
There must be some trepidation from rivals at how the 2024 All-Ireland champions are starting to crank through the gears.
This Saturday, they face Kildare in Newbridge - part of a double-header with the men’s sides meeting in an All-Ireland Round 2B clash afterwards.
When the counties met in Kildare in March, Kerry were staring down the barrel of Division 2 football, but a one-point win at Manguard saw them survive.
A slow start to their Munster campaign - starting with a loss to Waterford - suggested that those league wrinkles were maybe more serious than first thought, but it’s been getting better and better ever since.
That was abundantly clear in their 2-16 to 0-04 win over Tipp last weekend.
Bourke’s side led 2-09 to 0-01 at the break, the Premier score coming on the whistle, but Bolger didn’t necessarily agree when it was put to her that it was their best half of the season.
PwC GPA player of the month for May in ladies football, Kerry's Mary Ellen Bolger
"I think it’s up there, but our second-half performance against Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium a few weeks ago, that was a very, very good performance.
"I think the first half of the Tipp game and the second half of the Cork game were our best so far, this year anyway."
"We had a very tough pre-season and we trained very hard throughout the league so I think that kind of showed in our performances, we looked a bit tired both physically and mentally," Bolger continued.
"We were trying to peak at the right time of year so I think we're becoming a bit better as the year goes on so hopefully we'll continue on that trajectory now."
A warning shot for Kildare, but the Lilywhites should have the benefit of a large support behind them this weekend at St Conleth's Park given it’s a double-header.
"It’s sold out so there should be a decent enough crowd in for our game," Bolger said.
"We played Kildare in the league and there was good noise from the home crowd that day as well so it’ll be interesting now on Saturday."
Watch an All-Ireland Football Championship double-header, Louth v Armagh (1pm) and Tyrone v Mayo (3.30pm) on Sunday from 12.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
