animal
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Post by animal on Aug 22, 2011 8:44:24 GMT
Very pleased with how it went yesterday. Mayo gave us plenty to think about and we stood up to the challenge. Colm Cooper clearly stole the show but the support acts were significant. A rumour went around before the game that Tomás would not line out. Thankfully this was nonsense. He had the look of a man determined not to lose from the start - he was even the first man to line up for the parade! His first half showing in particular was immense. What a man. Tom Sullivan was back to his best yesterday and if there's one man who you can rely on in an All Ireland Final we know it's Tom. I was very impressed again with Maher. He handled a lot of ball and used it well. The half forward line was not on fire yesterday but i'd have no fear for them on the big day. I suppose the major talking point now will be whether Galvin will come in for Walsh. An interesting 4 weeks ahead on the training ground me thinks. Kieran O'Leary had a fine game and showed us what he brings to the full forward line. Donaghy was a mixed bag yesterday. Some things he did very well and to be fair to him most of the balls sent into him in the first half were very poor and gave his marker the advantage. His first half point was nicely taken. As for the magician Cooper. He was scintillating. How lucky are we to be able to watch this genius at work? How can so many supporters stay at home (at least those who can afford it) when there's a chance to see Cooper play like he did yesterday? He deserves all the superlatives.
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Post by bilythewalsh on Aug 22, 2011 8:54:54 GMT
Lots of players stood up to the plate yesterday - Kieran O'Leary buzzing around the place, Tomás surging forward time and again, Aidan, Eoin and Tom all doing their bit, players switching positions to good effect, kickouts went well enough...Gooch's body language was worrying initially but then he got a nice point and made that catch. Donaghy looked out of sorts but there were times when he jumped for a ball and could have done with a bit more support around him. I thought Declan did alright, worked hard and spent a lot of time foraging, granted he didn't really get a chance to do the flashy stuff. Great to be in the final again, can put on the slippers now and enjoy Donegal and Dublin next Sunday! Will worry about the final after that then.
Also it was satisfying to see Eoin put in the performance that he did, he must have been aware of all the talk about him and that can't have been easy.
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Joxer
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Post by Joxer on Aug 22, 2011 9:06:26 GMT
Many good performances today. Tom O'Sullivan rolled back the years...gave me my answer anyway for suggesting he could/should be dropped to the bench. Tomas O'Se was outstanding in the first half in particular and was part of everything that went right. The backs still look a little too open at times but this will no doubt be addressed in the next few weeks on the training grounds...plenty of work to do. Midfield was more than ok again....Expect some positional changes and obviously one possible personnel change in the forwards. Kieran O'Leary had his best game for Kerry so far. A word for Brendan Kealy too... outstanding performance and hopefully he can maintain that for the final. as for Gooch, what can you say.....to use the well-worn cliche, simply the best....
We're back where we wanted to be...we have much improvement to make before the final, regardless of who we will play in it....its going to be an interesting few weeks.
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animal
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Post by animal on Aug 22, 2011 9:19:04 GMT
We're back where we wanted to be...we have much improvement to make before the final, regardless of who we will play in it....its going to be an interesting few weeks. Which is exactly what you'd want. The goal chances Mayo created will focus the minds. No harm to have a few lads looking over their shoulder wondering if their place is secure. Some intense nights in Killarney ahead.
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seamus
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Post by seamus on Aug 22, 2011 9:31:16 GMT
Paul single handedly picked up the pace of the whole game when he was introduced. Very few players can affect a game to the degree. His footpassing and link play made a huge difference to our inside line.
Could he sustain that effort for 75 minutes or is he better to be introduced to regain a grip on the game in the vital 3rd quarter. That is one of the big questions for the next 4 weeks. History and tradition tells us that Kerry always start with their best team.
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Post by longball2 on Aug 22, 2011 9:37:08 GMT
Paul single handedly picked up the pace of the whole game when he was introduced. Very few players can affect a game to the degree. His footpassing and link play made a huge difference to our inside line. Could he sustain that effort for 75 minutes or is he better to be introduced to regain a grip on the game in the vital 3rd quarter. That is one of the big questions for the next 4 weeks. History and tradition tells us that Kerry always start with their best team. Thinking about the very same thing earlier. Paul will always be an influence but would he be even more of an influence when a blanket defence is tiring and the space opens up in the second half. The space opens up eventually as teams time then he can be more devasting. Would you start Donnacha and spring paul for the last half hour. Lot to be said for having your best team at the end. Another thing midfield did well yesterday but dont cover the defence as much as I would like. Seamus Scanlon did this very well in 2009. Plenty work for Kerry to do for the final but we will improve a lot
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Post by longball2 on Aug 22, 2011 9:40:01 GMT
Well done Kerry yesterday.
Of course the Gooch did well yesterday. However I have to say I am delighted for some of the guys who have got a lot of unfounded critcism on this forum over last few years. Kieran O'Leary and Brendan Kealy did well. A lot of people expect youngs to walk on the Kerry team and be the finished article. These guys are growing before us. Eoin Brosnan and Bryan Sheehan have got a lot of abuse here over the year. A lot of it over the top nice to see em doing well. Im sure they will keep it up for the final.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Aug 22, 2011 9:41:21 GMT
Vincent Hogan's description of the Gooch's goal in today's Independent almost does it justice;
" As Darran O Sullivan's delivery dropped towards the Mayo square, Gooch looked fourth favourite of the four beneath it. But Hennelley and Cunniffe collided and suddenly there he was, arcing away from goal in possession, a quick shiver splitting through every Mayo man and woman in the building. Genius locates space in the most claustrophobic of places and, sure enough, Gooch found his, banked to the left and, mercifully, killed no human with his thunderbolt. Breathtaking."
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Johnnyb
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Post by Johnnyb on Aug 22, 2011 10:38:12 GMT
The 9 point win with the amount of pressure our lads were under is a serious victory. Anyone not at the game may be tricked into believing that Mayo weren’t up to much and that we have cruised to another final. Not so. The intensity of every single tackle was immense. Mayo have the meanest defensive record this year for good reason. Star, Darren and Dec Sull all had quiet days. But, it was hard work and mountains of endeavour of our lads that ruled the day.
Galvin was like a shot of adrenaline that surged through both teams and supporters. It was in those heady few mins we finally pulled clear. Jacks big dilemma will be Pauls place for the final - starting 15 or final 20. Pro’s and cons to both.
Aidan O’Mahoney deserves mention, looking back to his best. He should be hitting peak form come September.
And of course, Gooch. At 28 he already sits in the Throne Room of the Kingdom.
We’ll take some beating.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Aug 22, 2011 11:51:00 GMT
Yes I don't understand why Donaghy wasn't taken off that time.
PS: You REALLY like Donnachadh Walsh!
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Post by delorean on Aug 22, 2011 11:59:00 GMT
Kerry produced another sting that, to be honest, I was pretty doubtful they had left in them. It wouldn't be my first time making this mistake, maybe it was wishful thinking to some degree. It really was an exceptional second half showing. How the Gooch can just click his fingers and turn it on like that is amazing. I'd imagine Mayo were, pretty much, exactly where they wanted to be at half time. In hindsight, I suppose Kerry were starting to get their scores that bit easier near the end of the first half and although I'd normally have thought the writing was on the wall, the way Mayo have preformed in the second half of their matches up until now gave me a different feeling. It's hard to see past Kerry now in all honesty, I think they would beat Donegal at their ease. Dublin may or may not provide stiffer opposition, it's hard to know exactly what they are capable of yet.
Probably fueling a fire now, but it would be a lot nicer to read Kerry fans being more gracious in their victory. Mayo are a good honest team for the most part. They were pumped up to the last and maybe let it boil over a little bit, big deal...ye won the match, were very impressive and have a massive occasion to look forward to.
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kot
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Post by kot on Aug 22, 2011 12:45:46 GMT
Kerry produced another sting that, to be honest, I was pretty doubtful they had left in them. It wouldn't be my first time making this mistake, maybe it was wishful thinking to some degree. It really was an exceptional second half showing. How the Gooch can just click his fingers and turn it on like that is amazing. I'd imagine Mayo were, pretty much, exactly where they wanted to be at half time. In hindsight, I suppose Kerry were starting to get their scores that bit easier near the end of the first half and although I'd normally have thought the writing was on the wall, the way Mayo have preformed in the second half of their matches up until now gave me a different feeling. It's hard to see past Kerry now in all honesty, I think they would beat Donegal at their ease. Dublin may or may not provide stiffer opposition, it's hard to know exactly what they are capable of yet. Probably fueling a fire now, but it would be a lot nicer to read Kerry fans being more gracious in their victory. Mayo are a good honest team for the most part. They were pumped up to the last and maybe let it boil over a little bit, big deal...ye won the match, were very impressive and have a massive occasion to look forward to. I thought the same. Couldn't be at the game myself so watching it on TV I couldn't understand what Brolly was on about at half time about playing the game on Mayo's terms. We had them opened up after 20 seconds and could have been 8 - 10 points up inside 5 minutes! We then were architects of our own downfall for quite a while giving away possession rather than being forced to do so by Mayo. We kicked 5 unanswered points before half time so we were clearly in the ascendency and I was not in the least bit worried at half time. This was proved right and we simply blew them away in the second half.
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Post by ballybunion on Aug 22, 2011 13:19:17 GMT
We had stars all over the field but our much maligned mid field was super and controlled from the outset. Mayo manager says they never got to grips with Kerry's midfield dominance and the end of the road began there for them. Anthony Maher is having a great season, the quiet man, the defending midfielder blotted out Mayo's star midfielder and even though Gooch is the deserved MOTM Maher was not far off. I believe he is sporting a fine shiner from an ugly punch in the eye. Sheehan is of course playing at his best and we now have a settled midfield.
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Post by greengold35 on Aug 22, 2011 13:21:00 GMT
Congrats to this great Kerry team; they have been on the road for a long long time, written off by many so called pundits but the bottom line is that we have some of the finest footballers ever seen with a fierce desire to win who will do anything to achieve their goal; just reading the piece by Tony Leen in the Examiner about Tomas getting up at 1am 3am & 5am last week to have ice baths in an effort to speed up his recovery from injury- no more needs to be said. When the recent history of gaelic football is being written we will all realise that we have witnessed some of the greatest players ever to play this ancient game and thank God we are from Kerry and represented by these galacticos. Ciarrai Abú
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Post by kerryeye on Aug 22, 2011 13:23:06 GMT
Nearly everything that needs to be said has been said already.Tremendous win by us.Great second half performance with 3 of our main forwards(Star and the 2 O Sullivans) not performing to any degree.I wouuld have taken Donaghy off after 20 minutes yesterday.He wasn't performing and i thought if he had been taken off it might have given him the shake up he needs.
Special word to Brendan Kealy,this man is now shaping into the inter county keeper i knew he would.Looked composed throughout yesterday,pulled off a couple of excellent saves and his kick outs were top class.It was always going to take a while for him to settle into the spot but he now looks comfortable there.
One final word.........GOOCH!!
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thepope
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Post by thepope on Aug 22, 2011 13:23:08 GMT
Just in the door from Dublin, a privilege to watch that flame-haired fella again. Been watching him at senior level since '02 and he spoils us, one of the beautiful things in life. This generation's O'Connell or Sheehy- an absolute joy to watch.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Aug 22, 2011 13:24:18 GMT
Brolly was talking *e and he knows it too. Its just that he had to say something contrary to what Spillane was saying.
Was a joy to be back in Croker yesterday and witness greatness. We are really in a good position now after yesterdays performance. I think we can be happy to know that we won yesterday without some of our best players on top form. Donaghy wasn't at the races and needs to get his confidence back (thats why Jack didn't take him off), Declan looked like he wasn't fully fit, or just had an off day, and Darren took several hard knocks, legal and illegal. I think Galvin will be bursting to start the final and if fit Jack will surely start him. He was outstanding yesterday.
Delighted for the lads from 1 to 9. They pretty much all played well. However, we were lucky not to have conceded a couple more goals. If Mayo had someone with more pace, then we could have been in trouble. We can't afford to leave Mark isolated at full back against the likes of Dublin!
Well done to Tom Sull who once again proved himself on the big stage, Killian was excellent and Mark, while getting a tough time, managed to keep Moran to two points one of which was magical. And our "aging" half backline were excellent, including Brosnan whom came in for a lot of criticism, from people, me included.
Maher and Sheehan really have proved the doubters wrong and deserve all the praise they get. Lets hope they can kick on from here and with Seamus Scanlon breathing down their necks who's to say they won't.
Enough has been said about Gooch. Best player ever?
Big mention for Kieran O'Leary. He hasn't really done anything wrong since the start of the championship and his control and decision making yesterday was brilliant. Well done him.
What a privilege it is to follow this group of players. 8 finals in ten years. Wow.
But, alas, nothing is won in August and they know that they will have to improve a lot if Sam is to come home.
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chrism
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Post by chrism on Aug 22, 2011 13:27:02 GMT
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Post by veteran on Aug 22, 2011 13:49:49 GMT
I was suppremely confident going up the match but my confidence had waned to a significant degree at halftime, particularly when Andy Moran scored a wonderful point just before the break to narrow it to two. I felt that psychologically that was an important score for Mayo. In that opening half, even allowing for the excellence of Mayo, there was a disturbing lack of running off the ball by our forwards and a disturbing lack of support for KD when he was contesting deliveries which very often favoured the back. At the other end of field, the Canal End where I was perched, it was clear that Marc was finding Andy Moran very difficult to handle, who admittedly was being plied with very good ball. As expected, Mayo played aggessively and as expected they dropped back a wing forward, with success, to buttress their back line. It was also clear that Declan was not getting into the game. However, midfield was, at least, matching the opposition and Tomas was lifting the team and supporters with his energy. Was it ever any different?
In the second half, I began to relax and my confidence began to return. Kerry gradually exerted control and we were cruising until Cillian o'Connor got that superb goal. Who was marking him at that stage and more pertinently where was that marker. Paul Galvin seemed to be the nearest player to him. Shades of Peter Canavan's goal in 2005. That goal blew the roof off the stand. Mayo were back in the game and my confidence began to sag again. Had we not struck back so soon, who knows? Sitting in Canal End I had a bird's eye view of the moment when Mayo's goose was cooked, or rather when their goose was gooched.It is said that the African black mamba is one of the most dangerous snakes on earth. Happily, he has never been sighted in Ireland. Until yesterday, that is. A high ball came in and the elusive butterly should have been last in the queue to claim it. Control it he did, he darted outfield, fifty thousand people thought he did so to lay it off to an inrushing forward. No. With the suddeness, with the grace, with the cunning of the African black mamba he turned, made a yard or two and then, surprisingly, he did not, as his wont, glide it home, rather he struck venomously. Just as an African black mamba would. Next item on the agenda, please.
It would be easy to patronise Mayo but they surely are going in the right direction. They have a good mix of skill, aggression and attitude. To single out one player, Andy Moran. I have always considered him to be an average player. On the evidence of these two past games he is a very serious operator. How many forwards can claim to have got the better of the Michael Shieelds and Marc in consecutive games? That Donal Vaughan is another hardy, competent, confident player.
Once more, I am thrilled for Brendan Kealy. He could not be blamed for the goal. A back should always be alert for a rebound from goalie or woodwork.
I was doubting Tom O'Sullvian on the evidence of his form this year. He was supreme, admittedly against Mayo's feeblest attacker, Enda Varley. There is no doubt Tom feels at home on the big occasion. Killian, Tomas, Aidan and Eoin all did well.
I thought Antony Maher did very well. He is a much more confident player now and I expect him to play a very important role in the final. It was no surprise that Bryan was not as eyecathing as in the Limerick game. The opposition was stronger but he ensured that we were never over run in this sector.
Darren was in hard luck for those two goal chances. He still made a significant contribution in spite of getting fairly unpleasant attention from some of the opposition. Doncha has had more productive times. KD found it difficult to get his hands on the ball in the first half, a lot of it of the poor variety. He did score a monstrous, invaluable first half point and a very clever one in the second half. In addition, he gained some very significant possession when he drifted out to midfield. Not a bad day's work. I have never doubted Kieran O'Leary's skill or football smartness but I did doubt the stoutness of his heart. Another miscalculation by Veteran. He was excellent, as indeed he has been in most of the games, and he is as economical as the fellow in the other corner.
Marc O'Se and Declan O'Sullivan are two of the best I have seen play for Kerry. They have rarely been as ineffective as they were yesterday. In a perverse way, it is pleasing that we could win without two of our genuine stars performing at optimal levels.
Colm had another quiet one!
It was gratifying to witness the huge Kerry support yesterday. It is the least these lads deserve. On this subject, I was amazed, in an era of falling attendances at sporting fixtures, that over fifty thousand reported for duty yesterday.
Pity about those awful blue jerseys.
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Post by chiarraiabu2007 on Aug 22, 2011 14:20:34 GMT
Who is Terry Reilly and why does he pretend to know anything about GAA. Clueless to say the least!
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thepope
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Post by thepope on Aug 22, 2011 15:09:10 GMT
sheehan got through some amount of work yesterday. interesting to see he took up position on the wing alot when a mayo attack broke down, he was available to take a pass from defenders from there. really impressed with him yesterday and i would have criticised him in the past, but he's putting in some shift this year.
ditto o'leary. now i'm sure we'll have plenty of the "told you so'ers", but leary needed to strengthen up after his initial arrival on the panel. now two, or more, years later he has the physique to take some hits and keep possession. watched his movement at times yesterday, he seemed to position himself off the defender's shoulder and point to where he wanted it. and thankfully maher, sheehan, gooch and others were able to pick him out. but his movement is impressive and he makes space with a quick burst before the defender really knows where he's going. he'll start the final now, so credit to him and well deserved.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Aug 22, 2011 15:28:58 GMT
One of the moments of the match was when Gooch came way out the field to collect a ball along the ground. As he caught it he fell, and as quick as lightning he was up and away from his marker.
Pure class!
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Post by popeye on Aug 22, 2011 17:06:02 GMT
What a day....great to be back for yet another september day out..... congrats to all the team on a job very well done..
Need to get planning now for the final.....could anyone tell me where the reception is in Dublin this year???
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Post by Kingdomson on Aug 22, 2011 18:54:22 GMT
It has more or less all been said.
It was just brilliant to have been there yesterday and such a pleasure to witness Colm Cooper at his dazzling brilliant best especially in the second half. There is a slight poignancy watching this Kerry team now as one just feels you are watching some of the greatest players we ever produced in their last season in a Kerry jersey. This great team have provided so many wonderful memories it is so fitting that players such as Tomas O’Se and Tom O’Sullivan end their career playing in an All Ireland Final.
Congratulations to the entire Kerry team and Management on reaching yet another All Ireland Final!! Up the Kingdom!
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Post by wayupnorth on Aug 22, 2011 19:17:17 GMT
Another great day at HQ yesterday! We floated back north afterwards arriving in time for TSG.
Despite the final score it was a great challange and we learned so much about ourselves - and I have a feeling the best is yet to come.
Great performances from the midfield and half back line - the very places where we are supposed to have the most problems. In the forwards KOL was hugely impressive - so much so that he is probably undroppable now. But we now have 16 "undroppable" players and something must give. PG's influence on the game when he came on was massive. And the Gooch? what more is there to say - not quite so quiet now! I would keep PG as an impact sub as I tink he can do far more damage that way, but I'm not amnaging the team and I'll trudt Jack's judgement on that one.
It's great being in another final - never mind who we are up against.
After that I would not be inclined to say anything negative but...
I greatly admire the Mayo team after their demolition work on Cork and feel sorry that they have to go back to the House of Pain for another year - we certainly haven't seen the back of them. However the treatment some of them dished out to Maher, Darran and especially Galvin was to say the least unsporting. It's all very well to say be happy with the victory and move on but think of two things - how can we make sure that this kind of thing doesn't happen in the final and how many of our team would we be without for the final if we had caused similar incidents?
I was also annoyed at the Mayo crowd jeering our frees - although sadly thats becoming too common from all supporters but what really angered me was the booing when PG took to the field - what was that all about?
The "live preview" was also mentioned which I found to be crass in the extreme. It must not be allowed happen again. Forunately we can expect the team to be focussed enough to ignore it in the same way they ignore the jeers.
Anyway enough of that and lets focus on getting in great shape for the final.
Ciarrai go deo!
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Post by Laoch na hImeartha on Aug 22, 2011 19:46:19 GMT
All I can say about the game is that that Terry Reilly is some tool
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2011 20:06:22 GMT
Another thing I noticed yesterday was the amount of times James Nallen was on the pitch giving instructions to various players. He got closer to the Kerry players yesterday than he did in the entirety of the 04 and 06 finals.
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Post by glengael on Aug 22, 2011 20:20:51 GMT
Don't have time to do an in-depth post at the moment .
Just wanted to say thanks to the lads.
Thanks for the joy of being able to go to the calender this morning and mark in "All Ireland final" in big letters on the little box for Sept 18th.
Thanks for making me so proud. Again.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Aug 22, 2011 20:43:06 GMT
Another thing I noticed yesterday was the amount of times James Nallen was on the pitch giving instructions to various players. He got closer to the Kerry players yesterday than he did in the entirety of the 04 and 06 finals. Class!!
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Post by stokerslodge on Aug 22, 2011 22:27:38 GMT
Another thing I noticed yesterday was the amount of times James Nallen was on the pitch giving instructions to various players. He got closer to the Kerry players yesterday than he did in the entirety of the 04 and 06 finals. Pathetic comment !
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