Kerry. Kerry. Kerry.

Talk in the Kingdom about the three-in-a-row but there is only one real story that has dominated this year’s GAA Football Championship. Paul Galvin. He has been this year’s GAA story. Full stop. From the minute he was sent off against Clare, right up to the throw-in of Sunday’s All-Ireland final, barely a week has gone by that an update story on the Kerry captain has not appeared in the media.

When made captain of the Kerry team this year, many an eye-brow was raised. While the Finuge-man’s commitment to the green and gold has never been questioned as well as the additional intensity he has brought to the team’s success over the past two years, the question of discipline has always been bubbling under the surface.

While Galvin played in the 2005 final when The Kingdom were beaten by Sunday’s opponents, Tyrone, the style of play undertaken by Kerry since, and Galvin in particular, has changed dramatically. Such was the dominance of Ulster football and the increasing dominance of the blanket defence so well used by Tyrone and Armagh, Jack O’Connor, the then Kerry manager, knew he had to adapt the game-plan.

As the Kerry game evolved, Galvin’s new role in the team was not roundly welcomed by critics of Kerry football and their beautiful game. Think Dunga playing for Brazil. Think Kevin Maggs playing for Ireland. There is nothing pretty about their style, but they are effective and fit into the overall game plan of the team.

Galvin is the Ulster-style footballer, playing for Kerry. He has become the enforcer. The hard nut. He wins the dirty ball, swims in waters where others feared to tread. And his increased responsibility within the Kerry game plan over the last two years has been pivotal to their success.

Last week Galvin’s ban ended and so the debate now centres on Pat O’Shea’s decision to start the Finuge man or not. Even without three month’s competitive football, his involvement at some stage on Sunday is not in doubt. However, can the Kerry captain get up to the speed of the game quickly enough to justify an inclusion from the start?

Inversely, when would he be introduced to the game? If Davy Harte and Philip Jordan can make hay against the Kerry defence as easily as they did in the quarter-final against Dublin, their dander will be up and a late introduction of Galvin could be a case of too little too late. But once again his ability to get up to the speed of the game may be a worry.

In three Championship games, as well as in the League final, Kerry has thrown away significant leads. Their struggle to put away teams is now a recurring and evident weakness. Having lost the upper-hand, their defenders have not been strong enough to stem the flow. Is Galvin the man who can firstly lead the Kingdom to victory once in a position to win, or if under the kosh, can he grasp the game by the scruff of the neck to wrest control back for the green and gold?

A lot will depend on his fitness. It is unlikely that he can last the 80 minutes. If he starts, can he have such an impact on the team that he can be substituted after 55 minutes and remain confident that his team-mates can finish off the deal? Or should he be brought on after 55 minutes to seal the deal?

The expectation of a three-in-a-row sits heavily on Pat O’Shea’s shoulders before he even selects his starting 15. If Kerry are to win on Sunday, O’Shea cannot afford to let Tyrone control the game. One selection could make that difference: Galvin. Galvin. Galvin.