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Post by Control on Aug 26, 2007 16:16:02 GMT
Please post all newspaper articles relating to the All Ireland final here. Only post articles on this thread, no comments. Include the link to the article and the journalist if possible. =========================================== A selections of articles are also listed on the following site - and updated daily:
kerry.gaa.ie/intercounty/2007/senfoot/final2007/news.htm ===========================================
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Post by mcuskerryfan on Aug 27, 2007 4:47:47 GMT
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Post by Owenabue on Aug 28, 2007 12:15:12 GMT
Ó Sé likely to be fit for showdown with Rebel rivals www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=GAA-qqqa=sport-qqqid=41047-qqqx=1.aspTuesday, 28 August 2007 By Tony Leen KERRY’S sweat over Darragh Ó Sé’s All-Ireland fitness should ease today. The midfielder is going for a scan on the hip flexor muscle injury sustained in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final which should clear him for a final tilt against old rivals Cork in three weeks. However, coach Pat O’Shea isn’t into presumption. “We’ll wait until we get the scan results back, but on the basis that Darragh was able to return to the fray in the closing stages on Sunday, we’re hopeful. We’ll know for certain later in the week,” he said. Cork coach Billy Morgan has already installed Kerry as favourites for the first Cork-Kerry All-Ireland football final. Morgan was in Croke Park on Sunday to run the rule over the All-Ireland champions, who reached a fourth consecutive final after a tough battle against Dublin. Morgan said: “I thought they had too much class for Dublin when it mattered. “Dublin came back towards the end, but Kerry never panicked and used all their experience when it mattered. “Many would have thought when Darragh Ó Sé went off injured that they would have been in trouble but it mattered little to them. “That performance and the fact that they are contesting their fourth final in a row entitles them to be favourites for the final, but Kerry are always favourites in big games.”
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Post by Owenabue on Aug 28, 2007 12:17:43 GMT
Final honour for old hand Pat? www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/final-honour-for-old-hand-pat-1067030.htmlMcEnaney, brother of Monaghan boss Seamus, has taken charge of four All-Ireland finals during his career and is likely to be a popular choice with both teams. He previously refereed the pair in the 1999 Munster final, which Cork won. The National Referees Committee Recruitment and Training Officer Pierce Freaney said it was weighing up its options before making a decision: "You could look at it in two ways. Do we go with the tried and trusted or back our judgement on one of the up and coming referees who hasn't done one before? That's the dilemma." The Referees Committee is expected to meet this afternoon. McEnaney refereed the 1996 All-Ireland final between Meath and Mayo and also took charge of the replay. Four years later, he was the man in the middle for another drawn encounter, when Kerry played Galway, and he also refereed the 2004 decider when Kerry comfortably defeated Mayo. Tributes pour in for Mulligan THE Gaelic Players Association (GPA) yesterday led the tributes to former Dublin footballer Thomas Mulligan whose sudden death has stunned the capital's GAA community. Mulligan, a member of the Round Towers club in Clondalkin, lined out for Dublin footballers in the 2003 championship. A GPA press conference scheduled for today was called off as a mark of respect. Meanwhile, ladies' football chief executive Helen O'Rourke has paid tribute to former Laois footballer Lulu Carroll who passed away at the weekend after a long illness. "Lulu was one of the most popular and well known figures in ladies football. She will be remembered as a great player and lovely person. She will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her," said O'Rourke. Winner of an All-Ireland medal with Laois in 2001, the Timahoe native also captured eight Leinster championship medals. Navan chosen for MFC semi-final THE All-Ireland MFC semi-final replay between Laois and Derry will take place this Saturday in Navan. Laois wing-back Zac Touhy scored a dramatic late goal to help earn Laois a replay, and the GAA announced yesterday that the replay will throw-in at 6pm this Saturday in Pairc Tailteann. No referee has been announced yet.
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Post by scoobydo on Aug 29, 2007 7:36:02 GMT
When is an advantage rule not an advantage? www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/when-is-an-advantage-rule-not-an-advantage-1067814.html Wednesday August 29 2007 SHANE Ryan has become the latest to discover that in GAA language, advantage means disadvantage. Nobody, including referee, John Bannon knows whether Ryan would have scored a goal when he was victim of a foul close to the Kerry goal last Sunday. Bannon had to make an instant judgment and awarded a free in, thereby guaranteeing a point for Dublin. Had he let play go on and Ryan's shot was blocked, he could not have then awarded a free, which meant Kerry would have totally escaped after committing a deliberately destructive foul. And that's where the anomaly comes in. Why, in the name of all that's fair, logical and easily applied, are referees not permitted to allow play to continue for a few seconds before making their decision? Burden That way, the fouled player gets a deserved advantage, unlike the 50-50 game of chance that currently applies and which places another unnecessary burden on the referee. Ironically, it's the second time this year that Kerry have benefited from the daft rule, as Cork had grounds for a penalty when Derek Kavanagh had his jersey tugged as he prepared to shoot late on in the Munster final. However, he was allowed the 'advantage' of taking his kick, which flew wide. It would be ironic if, having already got rubs of the advantage green en route, it came back to haunt Kerry in the final. But then that's the problem with a bad rule -- ultimately it benefits nobody. So why hasn't it been changed?
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Post by Admin on Aug 29, 2007 11:25:36 GMT
Can we keep this to ONLY copies or links to articles. Any issues raised within the articles should be discussed in new threads, or within existing threads.
ONLY the articles themselves will be alllowed here.
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pony
Senior Member
Posts: 385
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Post by pony on Aug 29, 2007 12:10:16 GMT
Great rivals, Cork and Kerry will turn the 2007 Bank of Ireland Football Championship Final into a private Munster affair when they meet in what will be a historic occasion in Croke Park on September 16. The counties have clashed dozens of times in the Munster championship and have also met three times in All-Ireland semi-finals (2002-2005-2006) but this the first time they have qualified for the final in the same year. Defending champions, Kerry stayed on course to retain their title with a 1-15 to 0-16 win over Dublin in the second semi-final last Sunday and are now in line to become the first team to win the two-in-a-row since 1990. Ironically, Cork were the last team to win the double and they are now in a position to thwart Kerry’s ambitions of achieving a similar ambition. Current Cork manager, Billy Morgan was also in charge of Cork when they won the two-in-a-row seventeen years ago. Incredibly, the final will be 7th championship meeting between the sides in three seasons. They met twice in 2005 with Kerry winning both the Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final. They clashed three times in 2006 when the Munster final finished level before Cork won the replay. However, Kerry gained revenge in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kerry also won this year’s Munster final by two points so the scene is set for a cracking final. Cork have maintained the trend of reaching the All-Ireland final, via the qualifiers, having re-launched their bid after losing to Kerry in the Munster final. Galway (2001), Kerry (2002 and 2006), Armagh (2003) and Tyrone (2005) all reached the final via the qualifiers with Galway (2001), Tyrone (2005) and Kerry (2006) winning the title. The only year (since the introduction of the qualifying system in 2001) that two provincial champions reached the final was in 2004 when Kerry and Mayo got through. Kerry will be appearing in the final for the fourth successive year and for the sixth season this decade while Cork are back in the final for the first time since 1999 and are seeking their first title since 1990. BANK OF IRELAND SFC 2007 RESULTS & FIXTURES LEINSTER May 13: First round: Longford 2-13 Westmeath 1-13, Pearse Park. May 20: First round: Louth 1-11 Wicklow 0-14; Meath 2-11 Kildare 1-8 (Both in Croke Park. May 27: Replay: Louth 1-9 Wicklow 0-12, Parnell Park. June 2: Quarter-final: Laois 0-14 v Longford 0-9, Tullamore. June 3: First round 2nd replay: Louth 2-18 Wicklow 0-11, Croke Park; Quarter-final: Dublin 1-11 Meath 0-14, Croke Park. June 10: Quarter-final: Offaly 2-19 Carlow 3-7, Portlaoise. June 17: Quarter-finals: Wexford 0-16 Louth 2-8, Croke Park: Replay: Dublin 0-16 Meath 0-12, Croke Park. June 24: Semi-final: Dublin 1-12 Offaly 0-10, Croke Park. July 1: Semi-final: Laois 1-13 Wexford 0-13, Croke Park. July 15: Final: Dublin 3-14 Laois 1-14, Croke Park. ULSTER May 13: Preliminary Round: Cavan 2-11 Down 3-8, Kingspan Breffni Park. May 20 (Replay): Down 0-15 Cavan 0-11, Newry. May 20: Quarter-final: Tyrone 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9, Clones. May 27: Quarter-final: Donegal 1-9 Armagh 1-8, Ballybofey June 3: Quarter-final: Antrim v Derry, Casement Park (postponed due to waterlogging) June 10: Quarter-finals: Monaghan 2-15 Down 1-15, Newry; Derry 1-13 Antrim 0-10, Casement Park. June 17: Semi-final: Tyrone 2-15 Donegal 1-7, Clones. June 24: Semi-final: Monaghan 0-14 Derry 1-9, Casement Park. July 15: Final: Tyrone 1-15 Monaghan 1-13, Clones. CONNACHT May 13: Quarter-final: Sligo 2-18 New York 1-3, Gaelic Park, New York. May 20: Quarter-final: Galway 2-10 Mayo 0-9, Pearse Stadium. May 27: Leitrim 1-12 London 2-5 Ruislip. June 17: Semi-final: Sligo 0-13 Roscommon 2-5, Dr.Hyde Park. June 24: Semi-final: Galway 0-17 Leitrim 1-10, Carrick-on-Shannon. July 8: Final: Sligo 1-10 Galway 0-12, Dr.Hyde Park. MUNSTER May 20: Quarter-finals: Waterford 1-6 Clare 0-7, Dungarvan; Cork 2-14 Limerick 0-7, Pairc Ui Chaoimh. June 3: Semi-finals: Kerry 2-15 Waterford 0-4, Dungarvan; Cork 2-18 Tipperary 0-10, Gaelic Grounds. July 1: Final: Kerry 1-15 Cork 1-13, Killarney. BANK OF IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS July 7 - Round 1: Louth 0-14 Limerick 0-13 Gaelic Grounds: Donegal 1-16 Leitrim 1-14, Carrick-on-Shannon (after extra-time); Mayo 1-19 Cavan 3-7, Castlebar; Meath 1-10 Down 0-8, Newry; Kildare 2-13 Roscommon 1-13, Dr, Hyde Park; Westmeath 0-18 Longford 0-9, Mullingar. July 8: Fermanagh 1-12 Wexford 1-8, Clones; Derry 0-10 Armagh 0-9, Clones. July 14: Round 2: Louth 1-16 Kildare 1-10, Newbridge; Derry 2-13 Mayo 1-6, Celtic Park; Donegal 1-13 Westmeath 1-8, Mullingar; Meath 0-11 Fermanagh 0-9, Navan. July 21: Round 3: Cork 0-16 Louth 0-14, Portlaoise; Meath 2-14 Galway 1-14, Portlaoise). July 28: Round 3: Monaghan 2-12 Donegal 1-7, Omagh; Derry 1-18 Laois 2-11, Kingspan Breffni Park. ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Aug 4: All-Ireland quarter-finals: Cork 1-11 Sligo 0-8; Meath 1-13 Tyrone 2-8(Both in Croke Park. Aug 11: All-Ireland quarter-final: Dublin 0-18 Derry 0-15, Croke Park. Aug 12: All-Ireland quarter-final: Kerry 1-12 Monaghan 1-11 Croke Park. Aug 19: All-Ireland semi-final: Cork 1-16 Meath 0-9, Croke Park. Aug 26: All-Ireland semi-final: Kerry 1-15 Dublin 0-16, Croke Park. Sept 16: All-Ireland final, Cork v Kerry, Croke Park (3.30pm)
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Post by FatTom on Aug 30, 2007 14:03:12 GMT
Master in Race Against Time - Today's Indo
CORK selector John Corcoran yesterday said the odds are lengthening on James Masters playing a part in the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry despite his return to training on Tuesday night.
The talismanic corner-forward sustained a fractured jaw in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Sligo, on August 4, and had to undergo an operation.
"Our medical advice is that it will be a four to six weeks recovery period for James, and it will be exactly six weeks between the Sligo game and the All-Ireland final," said Corcoran.
"So that makes things very tight and obviously James would have to do plenty of training before the match against Kerry, because a player couldn't go in an All-Ireland final without proper preparation."
On the plus side, all members of the panel involved in club action last weekend emerged unscathed.
"We have a lot of dual players and most of the panel would have been playing either football or hurling last weekend," said Corcoran.
Among those taking part was sub 'keeper Paddy O'Shea, who was unable to take his place on the bench for the semi-final clash against the Royals and was replaced by Boherbue's Kevin Murphy.
"Paddy picked up a leg injury in a club game, but he's okay again," explained Corcoran.
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Post by austinstacksabu on Aug 30, 2007 16:35:53 GMT
Dara Ó Cinnéide's Solo Run
After last Sunday's heroics in Croke Park, Kerry players have just over two weeks to prepare themselves for battle for what should be the last time this year.
There would be very little done in terms of training since last Sunday but the recovery process should be very near completion at this stage and you can rest assured that Pat O'Shea and his crew will have already pinpointed certain areas (and there were a few!) that require attention if the Cork challenge is to be addressed.
Even though it has often been said that semi-finals are more about results than performances, the most hardened cynics and doubters (and there are a few!) will agree that certain aspects of the Kerry play last Sunday were as convincing as what's been played this year or any other year in recent times.
The great fear from a Kerry viewpoint at this stage is that other Kerry teams of recent vintage (2002 & 2005) played some devastating football at the semi-final stage only to watch their final opposition bring home the bacon in late September.
The barrage of 'smart-alec' comments at the Dublin football team's expense flying around the place via text message has continued unabated since 5pm last Sunday.
These observations range from the insulting to amusing to downright hilarious and they are taken by most in the spirit in which they are meant. Had Kerry lost the All-Ireland semi-final, the fallout would have been just as severe but at times like these, a bit of perspective is surely called for.
The Dublin players are most likely to come in for some criticism after losing another All-Ireland semi-final having openly stated at the start of the season that reaching the All-Ireland final was the least expected of them as a group.
There is no great shame in losing an absorbing contest by the most slender of margins to a great team playing close to their optimum level, but the game played at this altitude can be as unforgiving as going without oxygen on the slopes of Everest.
It is very seldom a team manages to have at least 12 performers out of 15 playing near the best of their ability at the same time, but that is exactly what happened in Kerry's case against the Dubs.
The Kerry management team, who always face the most exacting of examinations, also performed close to optimum levels against Dublin and the challenge facing them over the coming weeks is one they will have relished since taking over the reins at the end of last year.
Familiarity can breed contempt and I have no doubt Pat O'Shea will be anxious to re-invent the wheel against a team like Cork, who know Kerry's strengths and weaknesses inside out.
Based on what we have seen in recent weeks, Kerry's strength is their ability to dig in when things are going against them and to keep possession even when the heat is put on them.
Some of Kerry's scores late in the game against Dublin best exemplified this trait but there is a general acknowledgement in Kerry that the Dublin backline is more easily penetrated than Cork's. Statistics will back up this perception.
One of Kerry's weaknesses is the concession of possession from kick-outs. Dublin, with their manic intensity around the breaking ball and their clever use of their own kick-outs, cleaned Kerry out around the middle third last Sunday. The work-rate of the Kerry forwards and the man-marking by the Kerry defence masked this deficiency but Cork won't cough up hard won possession as easily.
Another worry for Kerry supporters is the fact that their team went an entire 20 minutes in the first half without a score. If this happened the Dublin team they would be accused (as they have for the last three seasons) of having periods of down-time that may ultimately cost them big matches.
Kerry went 22 minutes without scoring from play against Monaghan as well and this trend may come against them at some stage.
Referee John Bannon has come in for a fair share of criticism for his handling of last Sunday's match and there are many people in Kerry who feel that I was too kind to him on The Sunday Game. My gut reaction having watched the game live in Croke Park was that Bannon had a stinker.
The frees awarded statistics would seem to back up an anti-Kerry bias but after watching the game in it's entirety a number of times since, there is no doubt in my mind that John Bannon got a very high percentage of his instant judgement calls spot-on in a technical sense.
First half free-kicks awarded against Declan O'Sullivan (for over-carrying), Eoin Brosnan (still not sure what for) and Paul Galvin (for having powerful fore-arms!) were undoubtedly harsh, but the issue remains a conflict between entering the spirit of the game and applying the rules as they exist to the letter of the law.
Unfortunately from a refereeing perspective, varying interpretations of the rules can be the difference between the winning and losing of big games but in reality, Kerry people can't complain given the fact that Shane Ryan found out to his cost the difference between advantage and disadvantage when bearing down on the Kerry goal late in the game.
Lady Luck has rode shotgun with this Kerry team all year. For all experienced teams, she is an essential travelling companion!
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pony
Senior Member
Posts: 385
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Post by pony on Aug 30, 2007 17:08:41 GMT
O Se gives Kingdom a lift 30 August 2007
Kerry’s bid to win back-to-back All-Ireland SFC titles has been given a boost with news that ace midfielder Darragh O Se has been cleared to play in the upcoming decider against Cork.
The inspirational midfielder suffered a hip flexor muscle injury in last weekend’s semi-final win over Dublin and there were fears that he would be in a battle to be fit for next month’s final.
However after having a scan, doctors have told him that he only had a slight muscle strain and would be able to resume training within days.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 31, 2007 20:33:58 GMT
This was written two months ago..........
Winning back to back titles would cement Kerry's place as the best of the modern teams, but history is against them lifting Sam in September Sunday July 01 2007
THE word in Kerry is that the players are feeling good and flying fit and ready to face down Cork in Killarney today.
The bigger question for them, as it is for the defending champions every year, is whether or not they'll still be flying in September.
Because, in the history of the Gaelic football championship, it has never been as hard to hold on to the title as it has been for most of the last two decades. The current streak of 17 years without a back-to-back winner is the longest by far in 120 years of competition.
The longest stretch before that was the ten years between 1951 - when Mayo completed their two-in-a-row - and 1961 when Down completed theirs. Prior to that it was the eight years between Kerry's fourth-in-a-row in 1932 and Kerry's three-in-a-row in '39, '40 and '41.
Dublin were the first team to successfully defend their title, in 1892, and since then there have been multiple two-in-a-row champions. But since Cork last did it in 1990 the competition has become a graveyard for the title-holders.
If there was a comfort zone in which the defending champions could impose their aura and experience the following season, that comfort zone has vanished. What was once something of a cartel among the traditional counties has become a fierce meritocracy, with new winners muscling in on the roll of honour and other previously moribund powers emerging from long doldrums to reclaim the Sam Maguire.
A communal wave of ambition, an accelerated climate of professionalism, has swept through the GAA, in clubs as well as counties, and spawned this new egalitarianism. The championship marketplace has never been as crowded with genuine contenders; the champions-elect are having to play more games than ever to get there; it has never been harder to escape the pack and win the All-Ireland. And if it has never been harder to win one-in-a-row it follows that it has never been harder to win two.
Where once the best team in Ireland could take that confidence with them and use it the next year with a good chance of repeating the feat, it now seems that the moment they lift the cup in September is the moment their chances start to dwindle for the following season.
But the one constant presence in this time of flux has been Kerry - the eternal brand leaders. When the famous magical era of abundance finally shut down in 1986, it took them a traumatising 11 years to get back on top. But since 1997 they have won four of the ten All-Irelands.
When Meath humiliated the then champions in 2001, and Armagh shocked them in 2002 and Tyrone bewildered them in 2003, the county was suddenly dealing with a crisis of confidence: they were, it was argued, out of touch and behind the times. The game had moved on, Ulster had changed the way you needed to prepare and, even worse, the way you needed to play.
But people with longer memories would have known that this had all been said before. In Weeshie Fogarty's admirable new book on Dr Eamonn O'Sullivan - one of the Godfathers of Kerry football - he quotes Owen McCrohan, Kerry's venerable chronicler of the great tradition. "After Down won the 1960 All-Ireland (beating Kerry by eight points in the final)," says McCrohan, "their midfielder Joe Lennon wrote in The Sunday Press that Kerry football was 'ten years out of date'. Maybe it was, but Kerry teams always came back . . . Kerry football has survived the evolution of the years."
If it has never been harder to win one-in-a-row it follows that it has never been harder to win two
And naturally they came roaring back in 2004 too, winning with a combination of high-precision style and athletic power that was irresistible in the final. And they had shown plenty of that style and power in every summer since their previous title in 2000. Some of the football they played over those five seasons was some of the finest ever produced by any team.
If any squad of players had the sheer level of footballing class, physical resilience and mental strength to put two back-to-back, it was - and still is - surely this one. But one year later, having got back to the 2005 final, they were edged out by Tyrone in a breathtaking game.
So they came back last year and swept to the county's 34th senior All-Ireland title. And now, this summer, they are attempting to go where no team has gone for 17 years.
They have two survivors from the '97 side in Darragh Ó Sé and Mike Frank Russell. They have an additional three from 2000: Tom O'Sullivan, Tomás Ó Sé and Tommy Griffin. When they won in 2004 virtually all of the current players had been incorporated into the team. Most of them now have at least two All-Ireland medals.
Some heavy-duty talents have slipped into retirement along the way: Maurice Fitzgerald, Declan O'Keeffe, Liam Hassett, William Kirby and Dara Ó Cinnéide. Three pillars of the team have packed it in since last year's triumph: Mike McCarthy, Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Séamus Moynihan. The management team led by Jack O'Connor also stepped down after reaching three finals in three years, winning two.
O'Connor has witnessed first-hand the vulnerability that comes with being champions. One of the principal difficulties is trying to stay fresh and utterly focused. And for this reason he reckons that the new manager Pat O'Shea might have a better chance of helping them hold on to the title. "I think - and I'm not being clever here - but I actually think the change of management will help Kerry this year because it's almost as if the players are starting out having to prove themselves again. Whereas when you win an All-Ireland you get close to a bunch of lads and it's very hard then to be as ruthless as maybe you should be."
The danger is complacency: a slackening of the will, by even a minute margin, is enough to get you found out. "And a new management basically gets rid of that kind of complacency."
In 2005 they gave it, he believes, "as good a shot as anyone has over the last 16, 17 years." But they came up short against a Tyrone team that had to take the hardest route arguably in the history of the game to win that All-Ireland.
To win it in this era, he says, you have to be possessed by a sort of fanaticism, "a madness, almost" - and it is extremely difficult for amateur athletes to sustain that sort of appetite having had it satiated the previous year.
Dara Ó Cinnéide vividly remembers the scene after the final whistle in 2005. The Tyrone fans jumped over the wire and swarmed in their thousands on to the field. "Just absolute mayhem. And I remember saying to myself, how could we match that sort of manic aggression? How could we? You know you have your own different reasons for wanting to do back-to-back: to be as good a player as you can be, to be as good a team as you can be, to seal your place in history - whatever." But you need even more than that. "You need a reason, you need a big 'Why?'"
The psychological ecosystem in any dressing room is always a delicate organism which any manager will tell you requires constant vigilance. It is all the more difficult to get it right in a dressing room full of strong-willed, highly-strung players. But when you have a pure emotion to feed off - like a sense of hurt or revenge or sheer desperation - it can be relatively easy to produce the solidarity needed. In 2004, after three years of shattering setbacks, the Kerry players were powered by some sort of emotional rocket fuel. There was going to be no stopping them that year.
But in 2005, as in '98 and 2001, Ó Cinnéide and his team mates were dealing with a different landscape and the right psychic state eluded them. It is, he says, very difficult to get it right for the title defence - no matter how hard you try.
"I think it took an exceptional team to beat us in 2005. We were really up for it, everything was right - we thought. Players were really tuned in, the lifestyles were different, you had a lot of maturity in the team, you had a lot of fellas who were living really frugal lifestyles at that stage - I think we all were really. We did everything right until the day of the final. Everything right in fact until half three of the day of the final, until the game itself started evolving."
And it is only with hindsight that the clarity arrives and you realise everything in the collective psyche wasn't quite right. And that the pressure that came with trying to achieve the two-in-a-row distorted the mindset, almost without them even knowing. Looking back now, he can see the errors of omission or commission.
"We overindulged I think in the sports psychology in 2005. We were very, very mindful that it was back-to-back and that that's what was at stake: you know, trying to put a stamp of greatness on it. We were too aware of our place (in history) and how we were going to become the first team since Cork (to do it) and possibly indulged in it too much."
And in doing so, they overlooked the prime source of motivation that was staring them in the face. Their opponents Tyrone had famously - or infamously - swarmed and smothered them'We didn't allow enough for pure freedom, pure anger - to let that loose on them'
into submission in 2003. The team with the freewheeling firepower up front managed to score just six points that day.
"We never let that hurt seep through and maybe we should have. We were kind of too methodical and didn't allow enough for just pure freedom, pure anger - to let that loose on them."
And last summer, by contrast, the Kerry players found exactly the cause they were looking for when their own fans booed them in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as they lost the Munster final replay to Cork.
"That's when Kerry are at their best," says Ó Cinnéide. "They need to be insulted, they need to be abused, they need to be kicked up the arse." It was brutal medicine but it forged in the players, says O'Connor, a "ferocious togetherness". In his new book Keys to the Kingdom, O'Connor documents the positive effect it had ultimately on the players. "There's something about being put against the wall to face the firing squad," he writes, "that's liberating."
If they are beaten by Cork today perhaps the supporters will do their bit for the cause again by hurling fresh loads of abuse as they leave the field. Otherwise they are potentially facing the familiar emotional void that comes with being champions. So what to do? Where to find a cause this year?
"I think with an experienced team," says Eamonn Fitzmaurice, "each fella will find his own personal angle." A private duel with some player who has got the better of him in the past, another player who will want to atone for an indifferent season - personal goals feeding into the collective effort.
Fitzmaurice believes they can do it - with the important proviso that key players stay injury-free and that a few lucky breaks go their way. "But if you could put two All-Irelands back to back in the current climate you'd be a very special team."
Maybe even a great team. "They have been a great team," says O'Connor. "I think they're pretty much approaching that anyway. And winning back-to-back would give them that stamp of approval as the best of the modern teams. It would put an end to all doubt."
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 3, 2007 19:57:40 GMT
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pony
Senior Member
Posts: 385
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Post by pony on Sept 4, 2007 18:04:59 GMT
All-Ireland referees named 04 September 2007
The GAA has confirmed that the Bank of Ireland All Ireland Football final between Cork and Kerry on September 16th will be refereed by David Coldrick of Meath.
Currently a member of the Blackhall Gaels club, he won minor and U21 football championship medals with Kilcloon - Moynalty in Meath and has had a busy year which included refereeing the Mayo v Galway Allianz football league semi-final, the Ulster Senior Championship final and the All Ireland Quarter final between Kerry and Monaghan. Last year he took charge of his first AIB All Ireland Club final and also refereed the Kerry v Armagh All Ireland quarter final. Mr Coldrick’s team of match officials on the day were also confirmed. Marty Duffy (Sligo) will be the stand-by referee (and linesman), Maurice Deegan of Laois will act as linesman and the sideline official will by Donegal’s Robert O Donnell.
The minor final between Derry and Galway will be refereed by Longford’s Derek Fahy. An intermediate county medallist in 1998 with the Ballymahon club, he made his debut as an inter-county referee in 2005. His past appointments have included a Bank of Ireland Munster senior championship quarter final and the meeting of Cavan and Down in this year’s Ulster Championship. He will be joined by Brian Tyrell of Tipperary (stand by referee), Kerry’s Pat Sheehy (linesman) and sideline official Brian O Shea (Dublin).
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 5, 2007 9:05:57 GMT
www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=GAA-qqqa=sport-qqqid=41735-qqqx=1.aspRebels to delay decision on injured star Masters Wednesday, 05 September 2007 By Tony Leen CORK will delay a final decision on the availability of leading scorer James Masters for the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry until next week. The Rebel’s management will await a final surgeon’s report on the broken jaw Masters suffered in the quarter-final win against Sligo before making a decision on his availability. Cork selector John Corcoran said last night: “We honestly don’t know what the story is with James at this stage. We’re awaiting a surgeon’s report and it will be next week when we’re picking the team before we can make a final decision on whether James is available.”
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 5, 2007 9:08:39 GMT
www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=GAA-qqqa=sport-qqqid=41734-qqqx=1.aspO’Sullivan: Rebels are a bigger threat than ever before Wednesday, 05 September 2007 By Brendan O’Brien THREE times in the last five seasons, Kerry have extinguished Cork’s All-Ireland hopes in Croke Park but Kingdom captain Declan O’Sullivan believes his Munster neighbours have finally found their feet at Headquarters. Every one of those three victories was achieved comfortably by the champions but the margins have been dwindling since the 15-point mauling in 2002. Two years ago, there was still 13 points separating the parties but that dwindled to half a dozen last season. Yet, it is to another, more recent, fixture that O’Sullivan turns to in making his case for the Rebels, namely the 10-point victory over a heavily fancied Meath side three weekends ago. “It’s like the development for any team,” said the Dromid Pearses man. “Cork made the breakthrough in Munster but it took them a while to adjust to Croke Park, the whole occasion, the whole weekend of it. “They have been improving a lot over the last few years and their performance against Meath was the key for them. It was a good 70-minute performance and will do a lot for their confidence. I don’t think they will have any worries going in against Kerry after that.” These two counties have been butting heads like few others over the course of the association’s history but victory on Sunday week will guarantee bragging rights that will grate with the loser for a decade. More than any All-Ireland final both have played, this is a “must not lose” fixture but the nature of the opposition won’t deflect from the task at hand, according to O’Sullivan, who has been in superb form as the season draws to an end. “They are going along nicely. This is the important week now. We have a three-week break going into the final. The first week was about recovery mainly, this week is about getting a bit of work done, concentrating on some of our weaknesses. Next week will be about winding down. “It’s something we’re used to now, playing Cork. But it is a bit of a new scenario playing them in an All-Ireland final. We need to concentrate on our own game more than anything. Being involved in the last few finals, we realise that it is all about our own frame of mind, our own bodies.” They have, he asserts, much to work on. Though they regained their Munster title and saw off the considerable challenges of both Monaghan and Dublin since, it is obvious that Kerry feel they have more to offer. “We have a lot of things to work on. The main aspect of our game so far this year is that we haven’t played for 70 or 75 minutes. After seeing Cork play Meath in the semi-final, they put in a very impressive performance for the whole game, they are obviously very strong and very fit. That is a big concern for us and something we are trying to work on.” Perhaps the most obvious example of that came against Dublin when, at six points up, Kerry seemed to drift for a period which allowed the Leinster champions back into the game. O’Sullivan agreed: “Maybe we had a few chances when we were six points up to extend it a bit more but Dublin got a hold around the middle of the field. Dublin had been in very good form all year so they were bound to get their time. They won five or six kick-outs in a row, which is a concern for us. It was important for us to get the ball after that and get a few scores.” They may not be moving at full throttle but Kerry have shown an impressive ability to eke out results. Cork and Dublin were beaten by just two points while they only had the bare minimum to spare against Seamus McEnaney’s side. It is that quarter-final, more than the two games against their more illustrious opponents, which leaves them 70 minutes from a first All-Ireland back-to-back since Cork achieved the feat in 1990. “The Monaghan game was really the game that stood to us, especially after the six-week break. That was a big test for us because we didn’t know where we were at. It was like starting all over again. We didn’t play well that day but we stuck together and dug out a result. That was the key game.”
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Post by undercovereustace on Sept 5, 2007 19:14:00 GMT
A few years ago a poet acquaintance who has since died, Donal Buckley (Domnhall na Greine), gave me a few of his published collections of poetry, and in one of them he had taken part in a sort of poetic competition with a friend of his, Kerry poet, Sean McCarthy, in which they wrote descriptions of each other and their fellow county-men. Two of the verses of Sean McCarthy’s poem deal with the Munster Football Final in Killarney and I append them here for your amusement;
Still and all the Corkman strives to shake the Blarney dust He’ll tote his little football down, plus a raging hungry thirst; He yearns to play with grown-up men, in his gansey of pucey-red, God bless his little cotton socks, sure he might have stayed in bed.
You’ll hear him in Killarney’s pubs as he drowns his team’s defeat. A crooked nose like a hurley-stick, as he drinks the Paddy neat: He’ll sing De Banks and The Shandon Bells in a voice to shame a crow, But keep your eyes pealed out the night, so he’ll pay before he’ll go.
Maybe the last verse is a warning to Kerrymen not to be too cocksure:
The light is fast declining now and ‘tis time to boil the tay. Some floury dip and a bacon strip to end this frosty day. ‘Tis peaceful in this Kerry glen and I can write no more. Oh God on high who rules the sky, there’s a Corkman at the door.
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BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
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Post by BIGMAC on Sept 6, 2007 8:34:12 GMT
Morgan's media snub hits the headlines Tools Print Email Search Search Go Thursday September 06 2007
BILLY Morgan's relationship with the media is at a new low in advance of the All-Ireland final after he missed a press night organised by the Cork County Board.
These have been the norm over the past decade, and while they tend to be unsatisfactory they have become the by-product of a greatly expanded media and a growing reluctance by counties to grant access to their players for interview. Some finalists offer a limited number of players for interview on press night -- as was the case with Cork -- but it's very unusual for the manager to bypass it. At least, it was until this year, when Morgan stayed away from the session at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday. Selector John Corcoran stepped in to represent the management in Morgan's absence.
Five players -- Alan Quirke, Graham Canty, Derek Kavanagh Ger Spillane and Owen Sexton -- turned up to represent the squad.
Kerry, in contrast, have promised that the majority of the panel will be available to meet the press in Killarney tomorrow night. Morgan's decision to ignore the press comes just a few weeks after he was involved in an incident where he took a tape recorder from a journalist at a post-match interview in Croke Park. At a time when the GAA continues to stress the importance of marketing and promotion, it hardly helps the cause when an All-Ireland final manager decides that he has no responsibility to meet the press.
Nor can Cork's sponsors O2 be happy with such a negative image being portrayed to the national media.
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Post by Admin on Sept 6, 2007 9:29:19 GMT
Player stats for the year are now available at: kerry.gaa.ie/intercounty/2007/senfoot/final2007/stats.htmSome points: Kerry have played 11 games so far - 4 C'ship & 7 National League. 32 players have represented the Senior footballers this year. 4 players - Diarmuid Murphy, Marc Ó Sé, Aidan O'Mahony and Tom O'Sullivan - have started all 11 games, and these 4 also played every minute, never being substituted. Darragh Ó Sé and Tomás Ó Sé started 10 games, missing one league game each. 13 players have started in all 4 C'ship games (Diarmuid, Marc, Tom, Padraig, Tomás, Aidan, Killian, Darragh, Paul, Eoin, Declan, Kieran, Colm) while another 2 players have played in all 4 games (Darren O'Sullivan & Sean O'Sullivan) Kerry have scored 8 goals over the 11 games - 2 each for Colm Cooper, MF Russell, Declan O'Sullivan and Eoin Brosnan. Top Scorers for the entire year are: Bryan Sheehan (0-28), MF Russell (2-19), Declan Quill (0-24), Colm Cooper (0-24) Top Scorers for the Championship are: Colm Cooper (0-16), Eoin Brosnan (2-6), Declan O'Sullivan (2-6) Full stats: kerry.gaa.ie/intercounty/2007/senfoot/final2007/stats.htm
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Post by luxrebel on Sept 7, 2007 6:04:22 GMT
Something about Croke Park on All-Ireland final day seems to play tricks with medical opinion. The Cork forward James Masters is the latest player to undergo a near-miraculous recovery with the biggest game of the year in mind; the broken jaw he suffered just over a month ago has healed beyond all expectations.
Masters sustained the injury late in Cork's quarter-final win over Sligo on August 4th. It looked like season over for the championship's highest scorer, but now he is confident of making the final against Kerry on Sunday week, whether starting or among the substitutes.
Last Sunday, the Kilkenny goalkeeper PJ Ryan defied a similarly cautious prognosis when starting in the hurling final win over Limerick four weeks after breaking an arm.
Masters, like Ryan, has been in a race against time, starting with surgery the week after the Sligo game, when metal wrapping and a steel plate were inserted.
"I met the surgeon again on Wednesday morning," he explained yesterday, "and was told it was coming on well. Any kind of break in the jaw is usually six to eight weeks' recovery, and I'm just about four weeks now since the operation. But it's healing very well.
"The plan is to have my first contact football on Saturday, and whether or not it will hold up there is another story. But I certainly haven't given up.
"The big thing at this stage is fitness. The lads have been training away for the last four weeks, constantly, and that's a lot to miss. And ultimately it's up to Billy Morgan if he wants to play me then or not.
"It's been hard, not being able to train with the team the way I'd like to. I can do certain things, and even last week was doing 70 or 80 per cent of the training.
"I still have a metal bar wrapping the jaw together, and I've a plate in there as well. And the plate will be kept in for final, if I do make it."
As Masters confirms, the injury occurred innocuously: "I just remember Michael Cussen had the ball and I was going around the outside. I saw a gap inside, checked in, and just got an elbow into the face. My mouth kept filling up with blood, and I couldn't get rid of it. I thought it was just a tooth gone first, but the jaw had actually cracked in half.
"I played on for a bit, but then when I tried to take a free I definitely felt a bit dizzy.
"For the first two or three weeks it was very sore, and I was limited to semi-solid food. I could do very little. No running; just some cycling - but that was hardly sufficient. It's only the last week and a half that I've been able to do anything significant. So it's been getting a lot better over the last week, and after every session you do become more confident in it. The big thing is contact. I still haven't done that yet."
With his scoring tally at 3-27 to date, Masters is clearly a player worth waiting for, though as he admits himself, Daniel Goulding did a fine job when stepping into his boots against Meath.
"Yeah, the lads gave a great performance in the semi-final, and that's the most important thing. And if I am fit I can't complain whether I'm a sub or not. Of course I want my place back, and I'll be trying very hard over the next week to do that. But getting the All-Ireland medal at the end of the day is what it's all about.
"It's just been frustrating for me, obviously. I hadn't missed an intercounty game in two or three years . . . Even missing the Meath game was a big disappointment."
With Cork's old rivals in wait on Sunday week, Masters has added motivation to return.
"Yeah, we've either beaten them or run them close in Munster. It has been different in Croke Park, but I think this team is a lot more mature, and certainly the Croke Park factor has gone out the window since the Meath game. Kerry will go in as favourites. We just have to prove ourselves now."
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Post by Admin on Sept 7, 2007 12:01:05 GMT
Can we keep this to ONLY copies or links to articles. Any issues raised within the articles should be discussed in new threads, or within existing threads. ONLY the articles themselves will be alllowed here. =========================================== A selection of articles will also be listed here and updated regularly: kerry.gaa.ie/intercounty/2007/senfoot/final2007/news.htm===========================================
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Post by Kingdomson on Sept 8, 2007 18:55:19 GMT
www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2007/0906/davidsheehan.htmlMorgan Looks to Add to Rebel Legacy at Croker By David Sheehan When, in a few months time, the media look back on the sporting year that was 2007, the opening of Croke Park to so-called 'foreign' games and the occasions which followed will surely rank high among the most memorable moments. In the context of these occasions, several Cork men put their names in the history books with their achievements. Youghal native and Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan led his side into the Six Nations when France became the first international rugby side to take the field in the historic venue. O'Sullivan's fellow Corkman Ronan O'Gara became the first Irish player to score a try at the ground and indeed got all his side's points that day, though a late Vincent Clerc try stole victory from under our noses - as we all well remember. Crushing though the defeat to France was, a loss to England in the shadow of Hill 16 would have been almost impossible to swallow, given the historical emotions attached to that game. Thankfully, Ireland produced their best performance of the championship and annihilated the (surely soon-to-be former) world champions in a performance packed full of passion, power and pride. This is the least we expect from Irish sides, even back in the bad old days, but the control and skill displayed that day was something which would have made O'Sullivan, O'Gara and every Cork and Irishman immensely proud. It's an occasion that will live long in the memory. The heroics of the rugby side against England, and the incredible atmosphere that surrounded that game, left the Irish soccer team with an impossible act to follow as they took on Wales in a Euro 2008 qualifier on a sunny Saturday afternoon in March. Though the atmosphere and entertainment on offer was inferior to the rugby, the common theme was another Corkonian grabbing the headlines. In a game controlled in the main by the home side, Cobh local Stephen Ireland grabbed the only goal as Stephen Staunton's side earned a reasonably comfortable, and much needed, 1-0 win. Ireland showed all the coolness under pressure of his rugby counterpart O'Gara as he rounded Welsh goalkeeper Danny Coyne and slotted home from an acute angle. While O'Gara has been established for many years in his code and is expected to figure heavily in the scoring, Ireland is a relative newcomer to international football who was barely heard of two years ago by anyone other than fervent fans, having only made his Manchester City debut in September 2005. If he never kicks another ball, he is already guaranteed his place in the history books. Though disappointment was ultimately their lot, both Justin and Gerald McCarthy played their part in some epic Croker occasions as Waterford snatched a draw against Cork in the hurling quarter-final before the Deise men edged the replay. The first game in particular was one of the finest witnessed in many a season. Justin's Waterford came up just short against a fired-up Limerick in the semi-final, with three games in three weeks possibly proving their undoing. Nevertheless, Cork and her sons were again central to yet more dramatic events in the capital. So what odds now on Billy Morgan bringing down the curtain on a special year for Cork men in Croke Park by landing the Sam Maguire, and in the process creating a little history of his own by becoming the first manager to win the Sam Maguire in three different decades? With successes in 1989 and 1990 to his name as well as defeats in '87, '88 and '93, Morgan will not be wanting for experience when it comes to patrolling the line on Sunday week. In terms of character, the Nemo clubman couldn't be further removed from his fellow county man, the usually unflappable O'Sullivan - for one it is hard to imagine Eddie shoving a tape recorder down his pants in a fit of pique - but Morgan's passion for the game and meticulous attention to detail is certainly something he has in common with the Youghal coach. Should Cork end the 17 year All-Ireland drought against Kerry on 16 September, it would round off a remarkable year for a county whose sons have had a major say in some extraordinary occasions at Croke Park, some of which we thought would never be seen.
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Post by Admin on Sept 8, 2007 19:59:27 GMT
Please always post the source of the article (website/newspaper name etc) the direct URL, and writer if available. Thanks
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 9, 2007 8:58:21 GMT
www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-star-lynch-to-miss-final-1074458.htmlIndependent.ie 9th September 2007 Cork star Lynch to miss final The Cork panel split into A v B teams at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday and Lynch (30) picked up the serious injury during the game. The news comes as a huge blow to the Rebels. It's expected that John Miskella will now come into the side at wing-back, with James Masters reclaiming his place in attack. Masters played a full part in yesterday's trial after breaking his jaw against Sligo some weeks ago. Meanwhile, Dublin forward Peadar Carton has been cleared to play in today's All-Ireland U-21 hurling final against Galway in Croke Park at 2pm. Following a lengthy meeting of the Disputes Resolution Committee (DRA) yesterday, it emerged that Carton was clear to play. The Dublin star was originally handed the suspension for his part in an incident which left Tipperary defender Paul Curran with a broken jaw in a senior hurling qualifier. He successfully appealed that ban but because of concerns regarding its validity by the Central Appeals Committee, Central Council decided to refer it to the DRA. Yesterday's ruling is a massive embarrassment for the GAA. Essentially it's the first time ever that Central Council has taken a decision made by one of its own committees to the DRA. Speculation has already mounted that the future of the CAC is in doubt.
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 10, 2007 9:02:39 GMT
www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=42150-qqqx=1.aspMasters cleared to play in final but Lynch forced out Monday, 10 September 2007 By Colm O’Connor JAMES MASTERS has been cleared for a sensational comeback in the All-Ireland SFC final after coming through a weekend training session unscathed. His availability, and the unfortunate loss of defender Anthony Lynch, who broke a bone in his hand in the same trial game, makes it virtually certain the Nemo Rangers sharpshooter will line out against Kerry on Sunday. Masters broke his jaw in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Sligo last month and has recovered sufficiently to be in the frame for inclusion in the final. That’s the positive news for coach Billy Morgan, who must now plan without one of his most experienced warriors, Lynch, for the clash with the reigning champions. The Naomh Aban man, one of only three players still left in the Cork squad from their last final appearance in 1999, suffered a broken bone in training on Saturday morning. He was immediately ruled out, even though some reports yesterday claimed he could still be available for Cork. Cork team doctor Con Murphy last night confirmed the worst. “Anthony definitely has no chance of being fit for the final. “He broke the second metacarpal in his left hand which is a bone in the back of the hand, behind a knuckle. The incident occurred in a tackle. It was a freak accident and we feared the worst straight away. Those fears were confirmed in an x-ray afterwards. He will be out for four to six weeks.” He added: “It is an absolute shame. Anthony has worked incredibly hard, he was playing really well. It is very, very tough on him.” The versatile John Miskella of Ballincollig looks set to beat off the challenge of Eoin Sexton and Eoin Cadogan and replace Lynch at wing back, where he played in the All-Ireland qualifier series against Louth. That switch would accommodate the return of Masters in attack, either at wing or his customary corner-forward. Cork are likely to name their team tomorrow night, while Kerry are due to announce their final 15 on Wednesday.
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Post by Admin on Sept 10, 2007 9:20:48 GMT
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 10, 2007 9:27:01 GMT
www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dominant-kerry-could-match-former-greats-1074738.htmlIndependent.ie 10th Septmeber 2007 Dominant Kerry could match former greats So much so for the sweep of northern dominance that threatened, in the earlier part of this decade, to sack the country's greatest stronghold and bring it to its knees. With three All-Ireland titles already from the first decade of the millennium a fourth in six days time would, incredibly, bring Kerry level with the county's haul from one of its most celebrated periods -- the heady days of the 1970s. Even more pointed is the current side's amazing run of consistency since the turn of the decade. The advent of quarter-finals and qualifiers hasn't prevented Kerry reaching seven consecutive All-Ireland semi-finals by reaching a fourth successive final this year they become the first county to do so since Billy Morgan's Cork between 1987 and 1990. In a more competitive era with a far greater breath of potential All-Ireland winners Kerry in the 2000s may yet register as one of their most successful ever periods. Barren The 1990s remains Kerry's most barren period, with the 1997 All-Ireland final providing their only success. The 1980s was, of course, Kerry's most dominant period of Gaelic football with five of the first seven titles returning to the Kingdom. The four in a row team from 1929 to 1932 laid the foundation for a very successful 1930s when the 1980s haul of five All-Irelands was matched. Surprisingly the 1960s only yielded two All-Ireland titles (1962 and '69), as the dominant Down and Galway teams emerged to loosen their grip on Sam Maguire. The roll of honour is not something that Pat O'Shea or his players will be concerning themselves with this week. The Kerry management's call in replacing Bryan Sheehan with Mike Frank Russell for the All-Ireland semi-final appeared justified with Sheehan's booming free from almost 55 metres just after half-time one of the most deflating and challenging moments of Dublin's tough afternoon. Before each of their last two All-Ireland finals Jack O'Connor sprung surprises with his team selection that both came off. In 2004 Johnny Crowley was thrust into the action against Mayo to become the focus of an aerial bombardment that closed the deal early that day. Two years later Eoin Brosnan made way for Declan O'Sullivan in a move that looked controversial, but ultimately was justified too as O'Sullivan struck with an early goal and had Mayo reshaping their defence as James Nallen was hauled off after only 11 minutes. O'Shea doesn't look like he'll have any rabbits to pull from the hat this week. Darragh O Se has recovered from the hip injury that troubled him so much during the semi-final win over Dublin and will be partnered by Seamus Scanlon once again. Ignominy Brosnan's form held up well in the semi-final and he'll hardly face the ignominy of losing his places in successive years even is Sean O'Sullivan is challenging hard. The Kerry team have stuck with tradition by spending the weekend in the Brehon Hotel in Killarney and will confirm their team tomorrow night.
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pony
Senior Member
Posts: 385
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Post by pony on Sept 11, 2007 3:01:28 GMT
www.hoganstand.com/Kerry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=83145Head to Head: O’Leary v Galvin 10 September 2007 After their high-profile altercation in the Munster final, many supporters are eagerly looking forward to this potentially explosive duel. While both are superb footballers, they are also fierce competitors and their aggressive playing style has often spilled over and attracted the unwanted attention of GAA disciplinary chiefs. O’Leary was handed a one-month ban after he was caught by television cameras lashing out at Galvin in July’s Munster final. His participation in the All-Ireland final was also in some doubt following an incident with Meath’s Graham Geraghty in the semi-final until he was eventually cleared to play. Galvin is equally as well known for his robust style as for his unquestionable football ability. He was sent off in Kerry’s All-Ireland quarter-final win over Armagh last year following an altercation with Orchard County water carrier John Toal, and seems to thrive in the physical exchanges. O’Leary has been a regular at wing back for Cork for a number of years, but like so many of his team-mates, is only now getting the credit he deserves. The forester has put the tiny Cill na Matra club on the map with a series of full-blooded and outstanding displays which have been central to Cork’s return to the All-Ireland final after an eight-year lapse. After missing the All-Ireland quarter-final against Sligo, O’Leary marked his return to the side against Meath with an immense display from the right half back position. Not only did he blot out the considerable threat of Graham Geraghty, he also drove forward on a number of occasions and inspired those around him. Was it any wonder that he received a huge embrace from his delighted manager Billy Morgan following his substitution in the final minute? Galvin is to Kerry what Brian Dooher is to Tyrone. His incredible engine allows him to cover every blade of grass and he is equally adept at mopping up possession in his own full back line as slotting over points at the opposite end. After Kerry’s traumatic defeat to Tyrone in 2003, he was one of the first men Jack O’Connor turned to in his attempt to ’toughen up’ the Kingdom. The Fingue clubman, who also hurls with Lixnaw, played a big part in Kerry’s 2004 and 2006 All-Ireland successes and was also an All-Star recipient in both years. In fact, he holds the distinction of being the GAA’s 1,000th All-Star after he was named in the right half forward position in 2004. Like fellow half forward Declan O’Sullivan, Galvin spent the early part of this year in Australia and has undoubtedly benefited from his break away from football. He taught in Cork before this year and knows the Cork football scene inside out, having starred at wing back for UCC during his college days. His battle with O’Leary is akin to Patrick Vieira versus Roy Keane and could determine where the Sam Maguire will be spending the next 12 months.
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pony
Senior Member
Posts: 385
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Post by pony on Sept 11, 2007 3:10:49 GMT
www.hoganstand.com/Kerry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=83141PETER CANAVAN column 10 September 2007 Kerry are my choice - The football showpiece of the year has thrown up a unique pairing. The 2007 all Munster All-Ireland final promises to be an action packed occasion and not one for the faint hearted. There are obvious parallels between this game and the All Ireland final of 2003 when Tyrone and Armagh clashed. Back then the pressure on both sets of players was enormous. As if there isn’t mounting tension in preparing for the final, then the thought of losing such a game to your most deadly rivals exacerbates the situation even more. In 2003 it was impossible for the players to try and ignore the hype and excitement that is generated by competing in the first ever All Ulster decider. With both sets of supporters not only living so close but working and socialising together, it all added up to a fantastic atmosphere in the days prior to the final. For the supporters, they would go to any lengths to get one over their closest of neighbours. One had to outdo the other even if this meant painting cars, tractors even sheep in the county colours. The sheep may not be safe around Cork or Kerry either as the tension begins to rise. The fact that Kerry are competing in another All-Ireland final is not such a big thing in the Kingdom. The fact that they could lose and hand over the Sam Maguire to Cork is! No matter when Cork play Kerry there is always something at stake – Cork and Kerry don’t to ’friendlies’. Once again Kerry will be hot favourites. They have already defeated Cork and their performance against Dublin was both skillful and composed. Many pundits don’t give Cork a chance citing that fact that the only teams they beat this year were sub-standard. Neither Louth, Sligo nor Meath played in Division 1 of the league this year. I don’t concur with this train of thought and expect the final to be decided in the closing minutes. I do believe that man for man Kerry possess the more skilful team but if any team is well placed to take advantage of Kerry’s weaknesses then it is Cork. The tactical battle along the line will go along way towards deciding the outcome. Pat O’ Shea has proven himself to be no slouch when it comes to this department. He has made big calls this year that have paid off. His players have responded well to him and appear to have full confidence in him. Pat is taking this Kerry team to a final for the first time – the same cannot be said of his opposite number. Billy Morgan is a wily old campaigner and will take huge satisfaction if the Rebels overcome Kerry and take Sam back to its birthplace. The performance of his emerging side this year has been patchy. During the NFL I described them as the Jekyll and Hyde performers. When they were good they were awesome but when they struggled they were awful. A number of the Tyrone players have said that without a doubt Cork were the best team they played against in the league this year. Their problem back then was maintaining a high standard. As we approach the end of the season, consistency still appears to be a problem for them. They have had a number of off colour days against Kerry in Croker before – they can’t let that happen this time. To get the better of Kerry Cork will need to raise their game to a new level. The defence is probably the strongest aspect of the Cork team. There is a toughness and ruggedness about them, meaning that if opposing forwards get a score from play then they will have surely earned it. In terms of the six Kerry forwards likely to start, Cork will be confident of having man markers for each of them. This may be the case for 5 of the 6 but I’m not convinced they have someone to take care of the Gooch. If Cooper gets space and any decent supply of ball then he is virtually unstoppable. The dilemma facing Cork is whether to keep a defender or midfielder sitting back in a holding role to cover the space in front of the Gooch. By doing this Cork could be asking for trouble and inviting Kerry on to them. It’s okay marking space but Kerry, more so than any other county, possess an array of players that can kick long distance points. With Cooper being the complete team player he will be cute enough to occupy a couple of defenders and leave the space for the others to exploit. I expect ultimately that this will be the difference between the sides at the finish Kerry will just have the edge when it comes to finishing power in comparison to the Cork forward unit. In terms of honesty and hard work the Cork front six will be exemplary but if Donnacha O’Connor is well marshalled - with Marc O Se on your tail this is likely - I can’t see where the majority of their scores will come from. Kevin Mc Mahon has been their most consistent forward this year and has really impressed me. Cork will need him to continue in this vein of form. Back in the Munster final it was he who led the Cork revival against Kerry. He will need to go at them from the start this time. Apart from the uniqueness of this final there are other similarities between this final and that of 2003. Like Tyrone back then, Cork will go in as underdogs. They too will be keen to prevent their bitter rivals from claiming back to back titles. In the 2003 final, the championships top scorer was doubtful through injury and was used sparingly. This year’s top scorer – James Masters is also struggling with injury and he too will be expected to make an appearance at some stage. I can’t see the similarities stretch any further. As with Limerick most neutrals would like to see the underdogs come out on top. The championship can be cruel and holds no place for sentiment – the Kingdom to win, but only just.
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 11, 2007 9:45:15 GMT
www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=GAA-qqqa=sport-qqqid=42206-qqqx=1.aspFinal unlikely to be over physical, insist All-Ireland skippers Tuesday, 11 September 2007 By Jim O’Sullivan THE public perception may be different but the Cork and Kerry captains believe Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC championship showdown is unlikely to turn into a bruising encounter. Cork skipper Derek Kavanagh “can’t see it being an overly-aggressive game,” while Declan O’Sullivan, captaining Kerry for the third time in a final, echoes that view, believing that the prime motivation for both sets of players will be to play football and do themselves justice. Both travelled to Dublin yesterday for a media conference at the Baggott Street headquarters of Bank of Ireland. Each addressed the issue of Anthony Lynch’s unfortunate injury in the weekend trial, with Kavanagh saying that it was devastating for the Naomh Abán star and O’Sullivan agreeing that it was “very disappointing” for the player. Kavanagh believes referee Dave Coldrick will “stamp his authority straight away”. He added: “I imagine it will be a fairly cautious game for the first 20 minutes or so and I think it might open up then. At that stage I think most of the tension will be vented off.” While acknowledging the fact that the teams know each other so well, O’Sullivan argues that form “goes out the window” any time they meet. “It’s very hard to predict results because of the rivalry and the tradition that’s there. It’s a one-off game, an All-Ireland final. Likewise, in relation to any individual clashes, he doesn’t feel that any player will want to go into the game with the sort of attitude of “targeting players or being over-aggressive”. Kavanagh wasn’t about to second- guess Billy Morgan regarding the selection of James Masters who played in a trial game on Saturday as he recovers from a broken jaw. “He might have lost a bit of sharpness being out of action, but it’s an option,’’ he stated. The two captains agreed that the level of intensity in training in recent times had been stepped up, with players battling for selection. “The week before the team is announced fellows are trying to stake their claim. A kind of an ‘A v B’ game is going to be fairly intense,’’ said Kavanagh. O’Sullivan agreed: “I think you’re going to have to train as you mean to play. You have to welcome this intensity. If you can perform in these sorts of situations, you should have no fears going into a game. It’s great for team spirit and keeping fellows on their toes.’’ Twelve months ago, he was very unsure about getting his place back for the final, but, his approach then was no different than it has been this year. “For an All-Ireland final you still try and prepare as best as possible whether you’re playing or not. You always try to be positive. When you get your chance, be it from the start or coming on, you always want to make a positive contribution.’’ And, with the change of management came a change of attitude in terms of players being required to prove themselves all over again, he pointed out. “The fact that he came with a new management team swept the boards clean. From that point of view it’s been very beneficial. Pat is coming into a situation where he cannot rely on last year’s success. He has no loyalty to the players who won it last year. It has been good for him and good for the players.’’ Kavanagh points out that the build-up has been different to what it would be for a hurling final — and that this is entirely to the players’ satisfaction. “There’s not a lot of talk about the final. I’m working outside the city, but from what I can see it’s pretty low-key and I just hope it stays that way. We have always come second to the hurlers as regards a support base. The fact that we are in the final, I was afraid it might take on a life of its own and people would start crawling out of the woodwork. I don’t think it has happened and I’m glad it’s that way to be honest! “There’s never much of a hullabaloo about us. It’s a hurling county, as simple as that. That’s the way we have prepared for all our games. It doesn’t bother us and it won’t bother us now.’’ Declan O’Sullivan, who insists that nobody in the camp has been talking about ‘two in a row,’ says that while the players are very conscious of the great football tradition in the Kingdom, they have to ‘detach themselves’ from it. “You can’t be focusing on the past or what might happen. You have to concentrate on your own performance,’’ he said.
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Post by Owenabue on Sept 11, 2007 10:52:14 GMT
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