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Post by Mickmack on Jul 4, 2014 7:10:15 GMT
By JP McCarthy
Munster MFC Final: Cork v Kerry Halfway through the interview Jack O’Connor is scratching his head: "Maybe I’m labouring this point lads?" He’s not, it’s crystal clear: Kerry’s underage sides need to rediscover the winning habit.
So, is this year all about winning for the Kerry minor manager?
“The cop-out for managers when they don’t win an All-Ireland is that ‘well, look, we have brought through a few players’. I think it is important to do both. Nothing succeeds like success. That’s an auld cliché, I know, but success makes you ravenous for more success.”
O’Connor has now been involved at all inter-county levels with the Kingdom and is well placed to understand what underage success brings.
“I keep going back to the 1990s — when I was involved in the Kerry U21s — when we really had five top class U21 teams in a row. We reached four All-Irelands, we won three of them. That period backboned Kerry for ten years. That was also on top of winning in the 1994 All-Ireland minor. So, we won a minor in 1994; an U21 in ’95, ’96 and ’98, as well as reaching a final in 1999. It was five or six years in a row where you had serious players coming through.”
He continued: “Young fellas have a lot of choices these days and they can easily go one way or the other, especially when they are 18, 19 and 20. If they get that feeling of winning early that will drive them on to greater heights. Dublin have had that recently.
“I think it is absolutely critical that Kerry start winning at minor and U21 level. The great side that reached six All-Ireland finals in a row [2004-2009], the vast majority of them are moving on and we now need new guys coming through that have tasted success. If you win underage it gives you the confidence to go on and win at senior.”
O’Connor is approaching high noon in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday with relish. He views the 12pm throw-in as a “factor, no doubt” purely because some of his players will have to get up at the “dawn of day”. However, he knows his side can also go for broke.
“We can have a right go as there is that safety valve, or parachute, of the back-door. It’s a good enough position to be in.”
The Kerry players were on a high in April/May — backboned by the Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne (PCD) Hogan Cup winners. Then the Leaving Cert intervened and O’Connor, the teacher, and now, the manager, had to deal with a different examination.
“There was great momentum and the PCD lads were on a high, and they brought that into the squad. That stood to us in the first couple of games, but that’s in the past. We now go on what we see inside in training now, what a fella did six weeks ago is no good to us. We need to see it happening now.”
His side experienced two convincing wins over Clare (2-16 to 0-7) and in May against Tipperary (2-18 to 0-7). O’Connor now wants his young men to reignite their season.
“I wouldn’t say we are at the same pitch that we were around the time of the Tipperary game. We are hoping the occasion will bring it out of us and we will get up to the level that we need to be at. We have to get up to a very good level to beat Cork.”
As Munster champions, Kerry can call on half a dozen men tracing familiar steps.
“The biggest help is that fellas have been through the mill. The likes of Spillane [Killian], Burns [Micheál] and Ryan [Shane] — they help to steady fellas down when the going gets tough, that’s a help.”
Burns recently starred for Dr Crokes kicking 0-5 in a County SFC win over Kenmare District while Spillane — Tom’s son — kicked 0-10 in that win over Tipperary. He knows they will be marked men on Sunday.
He’s also well aware of Cork strengths citing, in particular, their size around midfield. He was also involved with Coláiste na Sceilge this year when Michael Hurley — in the colour of St Fachtna’s — did a number on his side. Hurley kicked 1-2 in Kenmare to knock O’Connor’s school out of the Corn Uí Mhuirí.
“I was prophesying then that he [Hurley] would be following his brother into the seniors very soon. He is an exceptional player with a lot of pace, power and scoring ability.
“We are expecting a huge test from the Cork forwards as a whole. They have some serious forwards and we know we will come up against a calibre of forward that we have not met before. Our backs are going to have to be on their toes.”
One last question: is he laying a foundation for future Kerry teams?
“The best foundation that you can lay is to get a group that can win and bring that winning mentality with them. I feel this is a good group. I am not saying we will win an All-Ireland or anything but we will be very competitive.”
He may feel as if he is labouring the point, but he’s only starting that foundation.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
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Post by townend on Jul 6, 2014 12:35:31 GMT
kerry 2-17 cork 2-13 great win lads now for the double.
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Post by undercovereustace on Jul 6, 2014 20:31:55 GMT
Cork's back line was like a comedy show, such were some of the unbelievable mistakes made. Sean Powter (Douglas!) was the best of them, tight and sticky. Otherwise it was like 2010 all over again, only the present forwards are not as good.
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Post by greengold35 on Jul 6, 2014 20:54:48 GMT
Great win today- we have unearthed a few gems here I think- Kiely, Spillane & O'Se- if we get the defence right, we can win this- think we took a chance with our set up today but we need a centre back ! Referee kept it close- hard to see why either of our goals was disallowed- this display was simply not good enough and the better team could have been beaten.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 0:37:09 GMT
Robert Wharton will start in the backs the next day . Im sure they will probably bring in players to look at some backs . Its crazy how many good players did not make it this year .There are backs out there who could still make the panel . Sean Ryan (Austin Stacks) Conor O'Sullivan (Dingle) Macdara Debhilis (Dr,Crokes) DJ Murphy (Gneeveguilla ) Cathal Garvey (An Ghaeltacht ) Josh Flynn (Firies) TJ Friel (Rathmore ) are backs that could still make the Panel . The forwards look set but you could still see Brian Wall (Beale ) Danny Healy (Beaufort ) Tommy Cahill ( Glenbeigh/Glencar ) Sean O'Sullivan (St.Michaels , Foilmore) Sam O'Dwyer (Waterville) Seamus Moriarty (An Ghaeltacht ) John Tyther ( Laune Rangers ) some of them would make a lot of teams .
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Post by dingle101 on Jul 7, 2014 10:33:21 GMT
Robert Wharton will start in the backs the next day . Im sure they will probably bring in players to look at some backs . Its crazy how many good players did not make it this year .There are backs out there who could still make the panel . Sean Ryan (Austin Stacks) Conor O'Sullivan (Dingle) Macdara Debhilis (Dr,Crokes) DJ Murphy (Gneeveguilla ) Cathal Garvey (An Ghaeltacht ) Josh Flynn (Firies) TJ Friel (Rathmore ) are backs that could still make the Panel . The forwards look set but you could still see Brian Wall (Beale ) Danny Healy (Beaufort ) Tommy Cahill ( Glenbeigh/Glencar ) Sean O'Sullivan (St.Michaels , Foilmore) Sam O'Dwyer (Waterville) Seamus Moriarty (An Ghaeltacht ) John Tyther ( Laune Rangers ) some of them would make a lot of teams . Seamus Moriarty is in America for the summer.
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Post by dingle123 on Jul 7, 2014 10:41:43 GMT
Robert Wharton will start in the backs the next day . Im sure they will probably bring in players to look at some backs . Its crazy how many good players did not make it this year .There are backs out there who could still make the panel . Sean Ryan (Austin Stacks) Conor O'Sullivan (Dingle) Macdara Debhilis (Dr,Crokes) DJ Murphy (Gneeveguilla ) Cathal Garvey (An Ghaeltacht ) Josh Flynn (Firies) TJ Friel (Rathmore ) are backs that could still make the Panel . The forwards look set but you could still see Brian Wall (Beale ) Danny Healy (Beaufort ) Tommy Cahill ( Glenbeigh/Glencar ) Sean O'Sullivan (St.Michaels , Foilmore) Sam O'Dwyer (Waterville) Seamus Moriarty (An Ghaeltacht ) John Tyther ( Laune Rangers ) some of them would make a lot of teams . Seamus Moriarty is in America for the summer. some of them players not on u17 panel my friend
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Post by buck02 on Jul 7, 2014 11:26:43 GMT
Cork had the ref to thank for keeping them in this game. The black card was brought in for a reason and Corks full back got away with a cynical ankle tap in the first half to prevent a goal chance. From where I was the first disallowed goal should have been allowed as the player ran into the box after the ball came in. For the second disallowed goal the keeper overcarried the ball before bouncing into his own net. And for Corks penalty, well Robben would have been proud of that dive.
I think Kerrys full back line looked a little bit suspect, Cork ran straight through a few times and nobody closed the centre. Midfield was won and Flaherty, O Se and Burns all beat their men consistently, you couldnt say the same about Spillane but he came up against a good marker yesterday.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 11:32:19 GMT
Seamus Moriarty is in America for the summer. some of them players not on u17 panel my friend I know that im saying that these lads are good players but just didnt make it . dingle do you have the u17 panel ?.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Jul 7, 2014 12:51:53 GMT
Great display by the minors and was particularly impressed by Micheál Burns, thought he had a stormer.
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Post by dingle123 on Jul 7, 2014 14:12:02 GMT
some of them players not on u17 panel my friend I know that im saying that these lads are good players but just didnt make it . dingle do you have the u17 panel ?. No as no panel has been finalised I think.There are a large number of the U17s in and out of the minor set up.
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Post by gaaaddiction on Jul 8, 2014 10:23:35 GMT
Seamus Moriarty is in America for the summer. some of them players not on u17 panel my friend What players are still u17 in this?
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Post by gaaaddiction on Jul 8, 2014 10:30:32 GMT
Cork had the ref to thank for keeping them in this game. The black card was brought in for a reason and Corks full back got away with a cynical ankle tap in the first half to prevent a goal chance. From where I was the first disallowed goal should have been allowed as the player ran into the box after the ball came in. For the second disallowed goal the keeper overcarried the ball before bouncing into his own net. And for Corks penalty, well Robben would have been proud of that dive. I think Kerrys full back line looked a little bit suspect, Cork ran straight through a few times and nobody closed the centre. Midfield was won and Flaherty, O Se and Burns all beat their men consistently, you couldnt say the same about Spillane but he came up against a good marker yesterday. Lads we have to be realistic here and admit that Brian Suqrue was awful, to me at times he looked like he didnt no what he was at! Mark O Connor wasnt great and Tom was under pressure too at times! Dan Donoghue played very well I thought Cormac Coffey did well on Sean Donoghue it has to be said! Midfield was a total wipe out by Kerry impressed with Kearney! The forward were very good, Burns dictated everything. To be honest I can see Liam Carey taking that no11 jersey for when croke Park comes round! I think Matthew Flaherty has to kept at wing back played well when he came back the last day!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 23:49:45 GMT
Great post . Sugrue was poor wont keep his place Midfield and the Forwards were good . Carey will start and Bambury will start if fit . My team would be 1 Shane Ryan 2 Dan O'Donoghue 3 Brian Begley , 4 Tom O'Sullivan , 5 Matt Flaherty 6 Rob Wharton 7 Cormac Coffey , 8 Barry O'Sullivan , 9 Liam Kearney , 10 Tomas O'Se , 11 Liam Carey , 12 Miceal Burns , 13 Jordan Kiely , 14 Killian Spillane 15 Cathal Bambury . Brian Rayel , and Stephen O'Sullivan would be good subs and I would like to see Rob O'Se get a game also Conor Geaney is a good prospect . Sugrue and Mark O'Connor would subs to bring on . Sean Ryan is playing well for the Stacks seniors at wing back maybe they could give him a look . It looks like we will have a good team there next year too looking at some u17 players there . Eoin O'Sullivan , Gavin White , David Roche , John M.Foley , Jack Morgan , Jason Foley , Cian O'Murchu , Andrew Barry , Aidan O'Connor , Eoin O'Brien , Martin Gorman , Mark O'Connor , Billy Courtney , Stephen O'Sullivan , Conor Geaney , Daniel Cronin , Adam O'Dwyer , Jack Foley , Ciaran Spillane , Adam O'Shea , Dean Fitzgerald , Gearoid Savage , Ciaran O'Connor .
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Premier
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Post by Premier on Jul 9, 2014 8:51:25 GMT
I think the criticism of Sugrue is harsh, while it wasn't his greatest game, these are only young lads trying their best. He is experienced from his games last year and will bounce back from it
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Post by dashboard on Jul 9, 2014 9:21:47 GMT
I agree with premier to be singling out minors for criticism seems a bit unfair especially after a great win
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Post by dingle123 on Jul 9, 2014 9:46:41 GMT
Great post . Sugrue was poor wont keep his place Midfield and the Forwards were good . Carey will start and Bambury will start if fit . My team would be 1 Shane Ryan 2 Dan O'Donoghue 3 Brian Begley , 4 Tom O'Sullivan , 5 Matt Flaherty 6 Rob Wharton 7 Cormac Coffey , 8 Barry O'Sullivan , 9 Liam Kearney , 10 Tomas O'Se , 11 Liam Carey , 12 Miceal Burns , 13 Jordan Kiely , 14 Killian Spillane 15 Cathal Bambury . Brian Rayel , and Stephen O'Sullivan would be good subs and I would like to see Rob O'Se get a game also Conor Geaney is a good prospect . Sugrue and Mark O'Connor would subs to bring on . Sean Ryan is playing well for the Stacks seniors at wing back maybe they could give him a look . It looks like we will have a good team there next year too looking at some u17 players there . Eoin O'Sullivan , Gavin White , David Roche , John M.Foley , Jack Morgan , Jason Foley , Cian O'Murchu , Andrew Barry , Aidan O'Connor , Eoin O'Brien , Martin Gorman , Mark O'Connor , Billy Courtney , Stephen O'Sullivan , Conor Geaney , Daniel Cronin , Adam O'Dwyer , Jack Foley , Ciaran Spillane , Adam O'Shea , Dean Fitzgerald , Gearoid Savage , Ciaran O'Connor . Agree with the lads,I don't like seeing young footballers criticised like this he is a very talented footballer.Might have been under pressure the last day but he will bounce back.Would just like to know do u actually see many underage games in Kerry?
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Post by A.N. Other on Jul 9, 2014 9:53:59 GMT
I agree with Sugrue but the full back line as a whole and their backs up against the wall. He is experienced and will have better days again. Can't see Jack taking Tomas out of the full forward line, he is lethal in there. You will get a goal if not two from him there nearly every game. I think Carey has really staked a claim for a starting position. Flaherty moving back to number 5 might accomidate him. Flaherty and Coffey at wing backs could cause teams awful problems raiding forward. There is 3 and a half weeks of training to go so fellas have plenty of time to impress and Jack doesnt look afraid to make changes. Alot of players weren't at their best on Sunday and the Ref was dubious enough and we still managed to win by 4 points in the end, this team showed some strong character on Sunday.
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Post by gaaaddiction on Jul 9, 2014 23:09:21 GMT
Great post . Sugrue was poor wont keep his place Midfield and the Forwards were good . Carey will start and Bambury will start if fit . My team would be 1 Shane Ryan 2 Dan O'Donoghue 3 Brian Begley , 4 Tom O'Sullivan , 5 Matt Flaherty 6 Rob Wharton 7 Cormac Coffey , 8 Barry O'Sullivan , 9 Liam Kearney , 10 Tomas O'Se , 11 Liam Carey , 12 Miceal Burns , 13 Jordan Kiely , 14 Killian Spillane 15 Cathal Bambury . Brian Rayel , and Stephen O'Sullivan would be good subs and I would like to see Rob O'Se get a game also Conor Geaney is a good prospect . Sugrue and Mark O'Connor would subs to bring on . Sean Ryan is playing well for the Stacks seniors at wing back maybe they could give him a look . It looks like we will have a good team there next year too looking at some u17 players there . Eoin O'Sullivan , Gavin White , David Roche , John M.Foley , Jack Morgan , Jason Foley , Cian O'Murchu , Andrew Barry , Aidan O'Connor , Eoin O'Brien , Martin Gorman , Mark O'Connor , Billy Courtney , Stephen O'Sullivan , Conor Geaney , Daniel Cronin , Adam O'Dwyer , Jack Foley , Ciaran Spillane , Adam O'Shea , Dean Fitzgerald , Gearoid Savage , Ciaran O'Connor . Man u seriously need to get out watching more underage games. Half them are 16 and some wont even get a look. Anyways dont u think it might be best if we worry about this years team first
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Jo90
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Post by Jo90 on Jul 10, 2014 20:20:05 GMT
Dublin 6-13 Offaly 0-6 Kildare 3-11 Laois 0-5
Regardless of whether Kerry are facing Kildare or Dublin it'll be a very tough task. Both sides are the size of u21s. Still I reckon Kerry are up to the challenge.
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Post by kerry1968 on Jul 13, 2014 23:23:49 GMT
One man been forgotten is Templenoe man Patrick Clifford have seen him playing In big games recently in senior championship against crokes he was Kenmare districts star man scoring a point and setting up a goal from corner back. Templenoe are doing some stuff with them lads back there..herd he struggles with injury. Going to watch Kenmare district vs East Kerry Tuesday night should be a cracker
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Post by gaaaddiction on Jul 14, 2014 20:07:34 GMT
One man been forgotten is Templenoe man Patrick Clifford have seen him playing In big games recently in senior championship against crokes he was Kenmare districts star man scoring a point and setting up a goal from corner back. Templenoe are doing some stuff with them lads back there..herd he struggles with injury. Going to watch Kenmare district vs East Kerry Tuesday night should be a cracker Ya good footballer serious athlete. Ya I also plan on making that game expecting a big crowd at it! Be intresting to see how East Kerry will match up with the 2 danger men up front! A chance to check out this John mark Foley have heard alot about him lately!
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Post by Mickmack on Jul 17, 2014 17:46:33 GMT
I am trying to recall the year in the 90s when Kerry had a great minor team and were 5 points up against cork only to concede two late goals. Darragh and Dara might have been on it. It must be 20 years ago now. Awful sickener anyway and no back door either. It could have been a semi final in 1993 as Cork beat Tipp in the munster final and went on to win the all Ireland in 1993
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Post by greengold35 on Jul 17, 2014 20:03:41 GMT
I am trying to recall the year in the 90s when Kerry had a great minor team and were 5 points up against cork only to concede two late goals. Darragh and Dara might have been on it. It must be 20 years ago now. Awful sickener anyway and no back door either. It could have been a semi final in 1993 as Cork beat Tipp in the munster final and went on to win the all Ireland in 1993 Yea, 1993 was the year- Killian Burns full back, Darragh & Dara played too- think Sean O'Mahony played as did Brian Murphy in goal- Alan O'Regan did the damage in the last few minutes for Cork- awful game to lose with a decent side.
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Post by sidelined on Jul 17, 2014 20:47:41 GMT
I am trying to recall the year in the 90s when Kerry had a great minor team and were 5 points up against cork only to concede two late goals. Darragh and Dara might have been on it. It must be 20 years ago now. Awful sickener anyway and no back door either. It could have been a semi final in 1993 as Cork beat Tipp in the munster final and went on to win the all Ireland in 1993 Yea, 1993 was the year- Killian Burns full back, Darragh & Dara played too- think Sean O'Mahony played as did Brian Murphy in goal- Alan O'Regan did the damage in the last few minutes for Cork- awful game to lose with a decent side. did it not happen as well in 92 in cork and again the following year in tralee both 1st round games. made up for it with a couple of u 21. how many of those minors went on to win senior all irelands ? brian clarke i think was full forward as well
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Post by sidelined on Jul 17, 2014 20:50:06 GMT
One man been forgotten is Templenoe man Patrick Clifford have seen him playing In big games recently in senior championship against crokes he was Kenmare districts star man scoring a point and setting up a goal from corner back. Templenoe are doing some stuff with them lads back there..herd he struggles with injury. Going to watch Kenmare district vs East Kerry Tuesday night should be a cracker see other minor thread for a couple of reports, both were very impressed by him
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Post by Ballyfireside on Jul 18, 2014 0:46:18 GMT
Like a few others on here I live outside The Kingdom, in body only of course, and it is good for the heart to see the funnel is full. Hard to ignore that most are South of Tralee though; is soccer an elephant in the room?
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Jul 18, 2014 7:06:11 GMT
Like a few others on here I live outside The Kingdom, in body only of course, and it is good for the heart to see the funnel is full. Hard to ignore that most are South of Tralee though; is soccer an elephant in the room? Plenty of soccer south of Tralee.
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Post by Mickmack on Jul 20, 2014 13:41:13 GMT
Kerry will play Kildare in the Minor Quarter Final. Kildare have lost the Leinster Final to Dublin 3-16 to 1-12.
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Post by sidelined on Jul 20, 2014 22:10:55 GMT
if its mayo v cork and kerry v who ever in senior 1/4 finals, which minor team if any will form triple header mayos or kerrys. cork minors v dublin will surely be on before dublins senior 1/4 to get dubs in early
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