When Kevin O’Boyle found himself axed from the Antrim starting line-up that overcame Cavan in the Ulster semi-final he was devastated, but the sporting wheel of fortune has suddenly turned full circle for the stocky Cargin defender.

Introduced as a substitute against the Breffni side when Antrim were feeling the heat, O’Boyle helped to shore up the defence with some skilful marking and covering.

Into the bargain, he scored a spectacular second-half point that has already been chalked down by most observers as their outstanding score of the Ulster Championship.

It was no surprise, of course, when he regained his starting berth against Tyrone in last week’s Ulster final and now he’s ready to do battle with Kerry’s marquee forwards Colm Cooper and Tommy Walsh at O’Connor Park, Tullamore tomorrow (2.00pm) in the fourth round of the All Ireland qualifiers.

“To be playing Tyrone and Kerry in successive weeks is a dream come true for us, but we are not losing the run of ourselves.

“We feel we can do even better than we did last week and if we manage that, we won’t be far away,” enthuses 21-year-old O’Boyle.

Antrim manager Liam Bradley has pondered long and hard on his strategy for this particular match, anxious to curb the threat of a Kerry front line that, while not operating at full throttle lately, nevertheless has the capacity to administer punishment to his side.

Bradley can take heart from the fact that O’Boyle along with Colin Brady and Andrew McClean has been forming an effective full-back line of late.

Tomorrow, though, will be another huge task for them coming as it does hot on the heels of their careful policing of a Tyrone full-forward line that scored just three points from play — and all of these came from Owen Mulligan.

Manager Bradley has faith in his charges, asserting that the trio were “quite excellent” against Tyrone.

“Kerry might have struggled to put away Longford and Sligo, but they are still in the last 12 of the All Ireland series and could quite easily hit top form.

“People are writing them off already but that is distinctly foolish,” maintains Bradley.

He is urging his defenders to maintain their vigilance throughout and to minimise the concession of frees — something that Kingdom county are adept at.

“That’s one area in which Kerry can wreck you — they rarely miss,” warns Bradley.

Antrim will certainly hope, though, that the Kingdom have another off-day tomorrow!