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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 24, 2014 19:29:02 GMT
I am very disappointed with our comments on here, we are after witnessing a Kerry team 'in transformation' laying claim to Sam, against a Mayo team who 'are better' and 'played out of their skins'. I don;'t want to sound like a jerk but I think we should cut our boys a bit of slack. It is very easy to play well on a keyboard and I am as good as the best for constructive criticism, but the only negatives I can see are what nature delivered, E.g. Marc not his best day, v 14 men is a red herring anyway, Star played well and if Eamonn knew that he would be on sooner but hindsight is wonderful, foresight is more wonderful but who of us called it as it happened, none, although I wasn't far wide of the mark myself as I have faith in Eamonn, sure be Jazus he manages the team I love and support. Ah maybe we're all shell shocked!
Slán go foill a chairde ó An Contae Chiarraí ar fun an domhan, including Fenit in Rural Francaiz!
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Post by stevieq on Aug 24, 2014 19:59:09 GMT
Watched the match in an Irish bar in Teneriffe in 30deg heat. Nearly had a weakness at the end. Unfortunately made a fool of myself when JOD took the shot at the last minute. So sure I was it was going over I started celebrating prematurely, much to the amusement of the other patrons.
A lesser team would have folded during those last 5 mins. Really have a good feeling about this team going forward. Win or loose next week, they have exceeded my expectations for the year. Can't wait till next Saturday.
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seamo
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Posts: 2,016
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Post by seamo on Aug 24, 2014 20:23:26 GMT
I am very disappointed with our comments on here, we are after witnessing a Kerry team 'in transformation' laying claim to Sam, against a Mayo team who 'are better' and 'played out of their skins'. I don;'t want to sound like a jerk but I think we should cut our boys a bit of slack. It is very easy to play well on a keyboard and I am as good as the best for constructive criticism, but the only negatives I can see are what nature delivered, E.g. Marc not his best day, v 14 men is a red herring anyway, Star played well and if Eamonn knew that he would be on sooner but hindsight is wonderful, foresight is more wonderful but who of us called it as it happened, none, although I wasn't far wide of the mark myself as I have faith in Eamonn, sure be Jazus he manages the team I love and support. Ah maybe we're all shell shocked! Slán go foill a chairde ó An Contae Chiarraí ar fun an domhan, including Fenit in Rural Francaiz! Ah you were well wrong! Declan showed that he didn't start because he wasn't match sharp, and Brian clearly wasn't fit which put to bed your notion that they were dropped for better players. You also dismissed the notion that the half forward line needed to contribute more from play, without their scoring contributions we would have been in trouble long before the 2nd half onslaught. Than there was your notion that it was rubbish to suggest Darren wasn't fit enough to play, good call by "Boots". We have to be critical to make progress, we'll win no AI if we keep thinking the glass is always half-full. Marc will have to tighten up a hell of alot, at 34 Aidan O Mahoney is still looking to carry the ball into contact everyone and his dog knows the Mayo forwards are great at turning over possession and it cost us a point today! We didn't use the spare man well at all, actually for alot of the 2nd half it looked like Mayo had the extra man! Eamon will have to look at himself for that one. In relation to Star starting the next day...it's a possibilty only that Declan doesn't look fit and O Brien is possibly injured? Paul Geaney I thought destroyed Ger Gafferkey, but his finishing was truly woeful, which is unlike him.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Aug 24, 2014 20:33:25 GMT
What a crazy day in Croke Park. At half time we were well in control, a man up and 4 points to the good. We were in control around the middle, which was a pleasant surprise. I thought we would drive on and win it well.
However, Mayo went for it in a big way, they had nothing to lose and were brave and ferocious in their approach, a polar opposite of their first half template. Colm Boyle, Aidan O Shea, Cillian O Connor and Donie Vaughan played some outstanding stuff. They pulled 5 clear with 5 to go. Kerry, who backed off Mayo and literally invited them on for much of the second half, then pushed up on Mayo when the game was slipping away from us. The result? 1-2 in 5 minutes of football.
Declan and Bryan were a pale shadow of their real selves and didn't contribute as well as they normally do. Star, what a man, he really left his mark on Croke Park as he has done many times in the past, two sublime catches = 1-1. Kieran O Leary showed magairlí to slot over a pressure kick to equalise and BJK won a kick out he never should have. Great to see those lads make an impact on the game. It will do their confidence the world of good. David Moran had a great game and his passing and long range shooting were a pleasure to watch.
The sending off of Lee Keegan was nothing short of a joke. It happened just in front of us and we looked on in disbelief as Mr Coldrick flashed the red card.
After the game all the talk was of how brilliant Mayo were in that second half. Yes they were excellent, at times, however, I thought they were given a number of frees of the handy variety. Also, regardless of when and where the replay occurs, Mayo will still find it hard to put us away. I had a look at my programme after and according to my calculations we scored 1-15 from play and Mayo scored 0-10 from play. This wasn't mentioned by anyone when analysing the game afterwards.
A poster mentioned Kelly's kick outs, I was a bit disappointed with a few of them, right down on top of Aidan O Shea, when he had Enright & Crowley available.
I think it was one of Marc's poorest games in the kerry jersey that he has worn with such distinction. Peter Crowley really had a rush of blood to the head for the penalty. One piece of impetuosity nearly cost us the game.
I thought David Coldrick was pathetic, he got a lot of calls wrong, not good enough from an alleged top referee.
We live to fight another day, we are still in the championship, we will bring it to them again the next day. Looking forward to it in a big way.
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Post by Attacking Wing Back on Aug 24, 2014 21:12:37 GMT
Just home. Got out of jail today. Sideline have serious questions to answer about use of free man. Lack of pressure on Mayo kick outs with 14 was scandalous. Long kick outs by Kelly when we had a spare man is pure lunacy. Will post more tomorrow.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 21:28:22 GMT
We are Lucky to be still in it . Terrible Second Half performance and some players totally faded out of the Game . When you are 5 points up and a man up a good team will put this game away and Kerry almost ended up losing it . Donaghy saved us for sure when he came on . Marc O'Se has slowed down a lot and age has caught up with him like last year against Dublin he is not the player he once was . It should be his last year . As so often in the past we were caught with runners coming thru the Middle of the field again and we lack serious pace around midfield and in the backs . I cant understand why Aidan O'Shea was so free and allowed to run forward at his leisure in the second half how can you let that happen . The line was poor today and they did not make changes quickly enough . If Mayo run at us like that in replay we will be beaten . We could have won it at the end but we didn't deserve it . Midfield disappeared in the second half and we won no loose ball . There is no excuse for that . We have to start Donaghy and we have to put a man on Aidan O'Shea or we will be beaten .
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Joxer
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Post by Joxer on Aug 24, 2014 21:38:06 GMT
I am very disappointed with our comments on here, we are after witnessing a Kerry team 'in transformation' laying claim to Sam, against a Mayo team who 'are better' and 'played out of their skins'. I don;'t want to sound like a jerk but I think we should cut our boys a bit of slack. It is very easy to play well on a keyboard and I am as good as the best for constructive criticism, but the only negatives I can see are what nature delivered, E.g. Marc not his best day, v 14 men is a red herring anyway, Star played well and if Eamonn knew that he would be on sooner but hindsight is wonderful, foresight is more wonderful but who of us called it as it happened, none, although I wasn't far wide of the mark myself as I have faith in Eamonn, sure be Jazus he manages the team I love and support. Ah maybe we're all shell shocked! Slán go foill a chairde ó An Contae Chiarraí ar fun an domhan, including Fenit in Rural Francaiz! I'd agree very much K...as you say, a Kerry team in transition laying serious claim to a place at the top table. Tremendous finish with great heart and never say die attitude . We'll have learned a great deal from today...I think tactically we'll have a slightly different approach the next day...a game incidentally I believe deserves to be played in Croke Park. I can't see why that can't happen on Sept 6th. An All-Ireland semi final in Limerick in order to accomodate some Mickey Mouse American football game? Really?....reschedule the replay for sept 6th in Croke Park and everyone is happy, including the yanks....
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 24, 2014 21:57:31 GMT
It wasnt 15 v 14 for a long part of the game today. It was 15 v 15 as Coldrick brought Mayo into it after half time with a succession of handy frees. Then when Mayo looked home and hosed Coldrick denies them a succession of frees in one passage of play when they were just a point up.
When Keegan got sent off I turned to my companions and said we are f....now..... its such a GAA thing for refs to do.......... balance things up especially after watching the reaction of the panel at half time.
The fight in Kerry from 66 minutes on was so uplifting. Crowleys turn and point. Pauls Geaneys peach of a diagonal ball for Donaghys free. Morans diagonal ball for the ball that led to the goal. Fionnn setting up the equalizer.
Lots of poor stuff too of course..... losing the ball in possession.... I think 3 points in a row came from that. Enright run out of position for Mayos goal chance in the first half, Buckleys free attempt.... etc etc but Eamonn is rewiring the house with the power on.
Why was O'BRIEN taken off? Seemed a mad thing to do unless he was injured.
You would have to be proud of the Kerry players today.
A word for MAYO.... simply heroic. I hope this group go all the way.... next year
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Post by Tadhgeen on Aug 24, 2014 22:06:08 GMT
Donnacha was outstanding today as was Moran and O'Donoghue. Disappointing aspect for me was the inability toske effective use of the extra man. Long kickouts when we had extra man on wings - criminal. Also Mayo allowed short kick outs.
M Geaney was ignored by Mayo in first half and was barely marked. Felt we could have exploited this more.
Ref inconsistent and without the benefit of watching again on TV am sure there were a number of double hops unpunished as well as over carrying of ball and charging.
Mayo have a good blend now with experience skill strength tactical awareness and a good dollop of cynicism fouling persistently high up the field ( without reprimand from a poor and inconsistent Coldrick).
Highlight of game for me Moram point in first half.
All of our half back line scored which is pleasing but we need repairs in full back line.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 24, 2014 22:07:12 GMT
so.... just in case Dublin and Donegal draw next sunday they must keep Croker free on the 6th Sept for a replay..... so Mayo and Kerry must do it all again in 6 days.
Tis all about Dublin. The rest of the counties are just supporting acts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 22:08:06 GMT
Do we have a confirmation that the game is in Limerick next Saturday or what's the story anyone??
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 24, 2014 22:15:36 GMT
I am very disappointed with our comments on here, we are after witnessing a Kerry team 'in transformation' laying claim to Sam, against a Mayo team who 'are better' and 'played out of their skins'. I don;'t want to sound like a jerk but I think we should cut our boys a bit of slack. It is very easy to play well on a keyboard and I am as good as the best for constructive criticism, but the only negatives I can see are what nature delivered, E.g. Marc not his best day, v 14 men is a red herring anyway, Star played well and if Eamonn knew that he would be on sooner but hindsight is wonderful, foresight is more wonderful but who of us called it as it happened, none, although I wasn't far wide of the mark myself as I have faith in Eamonn, sure be Jazus he manages the team I love and support. Ah maybe we're all shell shocked! Slán go foill a chairde ó An Contae Chiarraí ar fun an domhan, including Fenit in Rural Francaiz! Ah you were well wrong! Declan showed that he didn't start because he wasn't match sharp, and Brian clearly wasn't fit which put to bed your notion that they were dropped for better players. You also dismissed the notion that the half forward line needed to contribute more from play, without their scoring contributions we would have been in trouble long before the 2nd half onslaught. Than there was your notion that it was rubbish to suggest Darren wasn't fit enough to play, good call by "Boots". We have to be critical to make progress, we'll win no AI if we keep thinking the glass is always half-full. Marc will have to tighten up a hell of alot, at 34 Aidan O Mahoney is still looking to carry the ball into contact everyone and his dog knows the Mayo forwards are great at turning over possession and it cost us a point today! We didn't use the spare man well at all, actually for alot of the 2nd half it looked like Mayo had the extra man! Eamon will have to look at himself for that one. In relation to Star starting the next day...it's a possibilty only that Declan doesn't look fit and O Brien is possibly injured? Paul Geaney I thought destroyed Ger Gafferkey, but his finishing was truly woeful, which is unlike him. Declan didn't play well but was deemed fit enough to put on the field and any player can have an off day, and just because he didn't dominate as Declan can doesn't mean he was not worth having on. Brian was hardly on long enough to rate him. Star fielded well but he is not as fat as before either. That theyw ere drppped for younger fitter lads is stating the obvious and Eamonn is using experience to finish our games and when the pace is slower it suits these veterans. I don't recall saying HF line didn't need to score, every one needs to score more so it wouldn't make sense. As with any drawn game both teams made errors and both will err the next day, if make different ones. Either could just as easily have have won/lost. Glass is not half full/empty, three quarters to 90% full I'd say. I think we will win Sam and I can tell you that Donegal are tonight realising that the AI final isn't necessarily next Sunday and as Dublin are too.
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Post by southward on Aug 24, 2014 22:16:24 GMT
so.... just in case Dublin and Donegal draw next sunday they must keep Croker free on the 6th Sept for a replay..... so Mayo and Kerry must do it all again in 6 days. Tis all about Dublin. The rest of the counties are just supporting acts. Couldn't believe that the GAA actually came out and said that. But it says it all really
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Aug 24, 2014 22:24:14 GMT
@rtegaa: The #GAA have confirmed the Kerry v Mayo All-Ireland semi-final replay will take place at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 30 August (5pm)
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fitz
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Red sky at night get off my land
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Post by fitz on Aug 24, 2014 22:41:34 GMT
What a crazy day in Croke Park. At half time we were well in control, a man up and 4 points to the good. We were in control around the middle, which was a pleasant surprise. I thought we would drive on and win it well. However, Mayo went for it in a big way, they had nothing to lose and were brave and ferocious in their approach, a polar opposite of their first half template. Colm Boyle, Aidan O Shea, Cillian O Connor and Donie Vaughan played some outstanding stuff. They pulled 5 clear with 5 to go. Kerry, who backed off Mayo and literally invited them on for much of the second half, then pushed up on Mayo when the game was slipping away from us. The result? 1-2 in 5 minutes of football. Declan and Bryan were a pale shadow of their real selves and didn't contribute as well as they normally do. Star, what a man, he really left his mark on Croke Park as he has done many times in the past, two sublime catches = 1-1. Kieran O Leary showed magairlí to slot over a pressure kick to equalise and BJK won a kick out he never should have. Great to see those lads make an impact on the game. It will do their confidence the world of good. David Moran had a great game and his passing and long range shooting were a pleasure to watch. The sending off of Lee Keegan was nothing short of a joke. It happened just in front of us and we looked on in disbelief as Mr Coldrick flashed the red card. After the game all the talk was of how brilliant Mayo were in that second half. Yes they were excellent, at times, however, I thought they were given a number of frees of the handy variety. Also, regardless of when and where the replay occurs, Mayo will still find it hard to put us away. I had a look at my programme after and according to my calculations we scored 1-15 from play and Mayo scored 0-10 from play. This wasn't mentioned by anyone when analysing the game afterwards. A poster mentioned Kelly's kick outs, I was a bit disappointed with a few of them, right down on top of Aidan O Shea, when he had Enright & Crowley available. I think it was one of Marc's poorest games in the kerry jersey that he has worn with such distinction. Peter Crowley really had a rush of blood to the head for the penalty. One piece of impetuosity nearly cost us the game. I thought David Coldrick was pathetic, he got a lot of calls wrong, not good enough from an alleged top referee. We live to fight another day, we are still in the championship, we will bring it to them again the next day. Looking forward to it in a big way. Fine, fine post Mist. The sending off was correct, but it's a very harsh rule. He's not that type of player, Keegan, just frustrated. Kerry then tacked on two points and with Keegan a massive player for Mayo, I would find it hard to believe that some of the Kerry players had not thought the job was all but done. As Horan said of Dublin in last 20 minutes of 12 semi, 'they got a run on us', well that's what happened today in second half. Mayo showed great spirit and kicked some gems to tie it up twice before the penalty but... let's analyze a multitude of fcuk ups, created by pressure but still very preventable... 1) Two key turnovers. We intercept, Maher into contact, spills. Dillon points a bomb. 2) From kick out, Aidan, who I thought was very solid, but, seemed oblivious to the tackling forward, coughed up, O'Connor nails it. 2 scores in a minute. Damaging. 3) It pains to say it but Marc had a torrid afternoon, from turning over one in the first couple of mins for Mayo's first point to mistiming numerous challenges, one where both he and Fionn dived in on Moran, both on their arse. In general not in control of his man at any time. I reckon 4 to 5 points leak direct/indirectly. This marking in front pre delivery in of a ball when the targeted players I moving all over the place is bawlix, and I can't be convinced otherwise. Marc was at sea a few times. Look the man is a god but we have to call it as it is 4) Kickouts - Kelly was beyond slow. Repeatedly kicking long into a breaking ball Mayo frenzy. Fionn and Paul with only Dillon between at all times. This is something that was clearly not clear to Kelly that he kept operating like this whilst we kept hemorrhaging, that he should fcuking try something else. Made fine save from Freeman and a sweet arm tag on O'Connor that saved a certain goal. 4) To me it didn't look like Fionn was tearing his larynx when free for short kickouts, so if a player is not demanding positively well the keeper isn't going to have the confidence to give it. 5) The biscuit: In the name of god why did we let them have short kickouts given all their damage came from direct running was stupefying. 6) We clearly didn't know how to use the extra man and I think this is the criticism of the line. 7)Peter's penalty when Marc was in from of the keeper and Vaughan. 8) Bryan's lazy intercept hand pass was really annoying from a fresh player. Coldrick gave us fcuk all when we choke tackled but gave Mayo many, many turnover frees,really unbalanced, they definitely had the best of the whistle. With all that we're still alive. Star saved the game, gave us field position in on their goals when we were running out of ideas. Peter got a great score to start the comeback. Moran was brilliant. James was excellent off scraps. Must be said Higgins was very good too, pushed him out and sideways a lot. Mikey did well worked very hard. Paul Geaney excellent in the air, scoring boots needed lace tying. I thought Anthony was only average, better than v Galway but need more. This one hand slapping the ball down is nonsense. Johnny Buck worked like fcuk, some great tackling, bad free, mind fcuked. Donnacha solid but faded in second half. Overall the defence was very good on first half, exposed in second cos the mids and half forwards did not help effectively. Two great contributions from Kieran and Barry John. Stephen O must have got injured, a very harsh substitution otherwise. Should have goaled in first play.He did run off swiftly enough though. Declan not being fit is a stretch, he survived over 50 minutes today, looked fine at final whistle,he just never seemed to hold any specific position, sure his knees are troubling but they were doing fine against Cork. He's not 100% but he just didn't play well today. Darran must be carrying, but must close enough. Sheehan did not make much impact. Fionn ok, Murphy quieter than usual. Overall I think there is a lot of improvement for us to make and Mayo lost a bit more gas also today. We have Donaghy as a real option, a mighty sight claiming that first catch, a number of players can improve. All to play for...
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Post by haryegsnbaken on Aug 24, 2014 22:50:11 GMT
We are Lucky to be still in it . Terrible Second Half performance and some players totally faded out of the Game . When you are 5 points up and a man up a good team will put this game away and Kerry almost ended up losing it . Donaghy saved us for sure when he came on . Marc O'Se has slowed down a lot and age has caught up with him like last year against Dublin he is not the player he once was . It should be his last year . As so often in the past we were caught with runners coming thru the Middle of the field again and we lack serious pace around midfield and in the backs . I cant understand why Aidan O'Shea was so free and allowed to run forward at his leisure in the second half how can you let that happen . The line was poor today and they did not make changes quickly enough . If Mayo run at us like that in replay we will be beaten . We could have won it at the end but we didn't deserve it . Midfield disappeared in the second half and we won no loose ball . There is no excuse for that . We have to start Donaghy and we have to put a man on Aidan O'Shea or we will be beaten . I thought J B ran the line well today. from the 40. Is he a No 6?? in the making.
He wont kick a point under pressure but he will certainly stop a few kicks from same.
He can field defensively and also track his man without fouling???
I never thought I would find a place for him in Croker but he definitely reminds me of a Mike Mac in the making.
Thoughts anyone??
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Post by donegalman on Aug 24, 2014 22:52:17 GMT
so.... just in case Dublin and Donegal draw next sunday they must keep Croker free on the 6th Sept for a replay..... so Mayo and Kerry must do it all again in 6 days. Tis all about Dublin. The rest of the counties are just supporting acts. Strongly disagree. I think that it is to a teams advantage to be shot of a replay long before the all ireland final. 2 weeks to get ready for a game like that would be a disadvantage imo. I have got to say I really enjoyed a cracking game today. mightily impressed by the bottle of both teams, as Kerry came back in a serious way when the chips were down. It reminded me a lot of the finish to the donegal game 2 years ago, when the goal at the crucial time brought u right back into it. Had mayo lost today, it would have finished them as a team. I would like to see kerry in a final, but cant see beyond the hunger and experience of mayo today. they played like madmen in the second half, and they are going to be very hard to stop. But they may just have peaked emotionally today. We will see. Good luck.
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Post by haryegsnbaken on Aug 24, 2014 23:00:05 GMT
@rtegaa: The #GAA have confirmed the Kerry v Mayo All-Ireland semi-final replay will take place at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 30 August (5pm)
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Post by onlykerry on Aug 24, 2014 23:07:28 GMT
Games should be played to a conclusion on the day. They announced the minors would play extra time if game ended in a draw - same should have applied to the senior fixture. Mc Coldrick was terribly inconsistent and did a poor job with the game - we are guaranteed a different ref?
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Post by greengold35 on Aug 25, 2014 0:24:09 GMT
Thought Coldrick screwed us all day and glad that I am not the only one who saw it this way- we were denied plenty of frees particularly for fouls on Donncha & Paul Geaney; at 0-13 to 0-12 Donncha was fouled in front of goal yet play was waved on, point at the other end to level it- these are the small margins in sport. Hopefully we will learn from today and progress to the final- we can still have a big say in where Sam rests for the next 12 months. Surely replay cannot be in Limerick? No disrespect to Limerick but game deserves to be in Croke Park- no other venue should be considered!
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Post by givehimaball on Aug 25, 2014 6:02:34 GMT
Well we're still alive.
Draws are always tough - we were 5 points up at one stage, we came back from 5 points down.
I have massive respect and belief in the sideline but there is a lot to be questioned.
Bringing on Declan for Stephen - really think this was the wrong call looking back on it ; Stephen was clearly causing a lot of problems for the Mayo defence.
With Declan and Bryan the worry for me is that management replicated the mistake of the Clare game - using players that aren't fully fit [Declan and Bryan were the 1st 2 subs made] - Compare the impact of these 2 subs to the impact of the other 4 subs [Kieran, BJK, Donaghy and Killian] When you consider how long both Declan and Bryan were on the pitch compared to the other 4 subs, you have to wonder at the subs strategy.
The strategy with the extra man was a complete fiasco - but it wasnt helped by our lack of big-game experience in the squad - it would be very interesting to know our many times each of the Kerry lads have actually played in Croker, especially when you look back at the underage history of
Like others the ref did us no favours - the common failing of the GAA ref, trying to "even" things out in the interests of "fairness" You look at the fact that 1-5 of Mayo's score came from deadballs compared to Kerry's 2 points from deadballs and think back to some of the frees Mayo got for what looked like pretty much identical tackling to what the Mayo backs were allowed away with.
What was hugely heartening for me was that this performance was driven by the new generation for the most part. Bar Donnacha's immense efforts and Donaghy's eye-catching cameo, a ton of the work was done by lads who were either in their 1st or 2nd All-Ireland semi-final.
Our accuracy in kicking points was very impressive.
Overall I'd be very hopeful the next day. I think this game will bring our lads on a huge bit and I think we will see an improved "sideline" performance.
An early stat from Dont Foul
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Post by wayupnorth on Aug 25, 2014 7:00:05 GMT
Whatever about the analysis and the negativity (and plenty of reasons for some of the latter, it must be said) remember that our "transition" team of crocks and novices ground out a draw with the vastly more experienced and almost universally fancied All Ireland finalists of the last two years. And either side could have won, so a draw was probably the fairest result as both teams were evenly matched over the 70 plus minutes. For once the gods of football smiled on us, balancing all the other recent games where we could or should have drawn.
Mayo deserve great credit for fighting back in the second half and it was obvious to all how each score became a powerful motivating factor for the next. But for all that they couldn't put us away and I believe that Lazarus act will stand to us mightily in the replay.
On the way back, I had the misfortune to listen to "Second Craptains" on RTE where you would swear that Mayo had won the match - someone had to tweet in to remind them that another team was involved. All Mayo have to do apparently is turn up next Saturday in Limerick to be bestowed with their 3rd in a row. I also heard Brolly on rewind castigating Mayo for not being an Ulster team!
On the Limerick issue, I think James Horan (great manager) did himself and his team no favours by whinging about it. I think we would all prefer it in Croker and the lack of foresight of the GAA in pencilling in that American Football match in the business end of the Championship is staggering. The aforementioned Second Craptains agreed that this would give Kerry home advantage???!!! No doubt something that will get an airing if we manage to "steal" a victory next Saturday. But we have to get on with it and play what's in front of us anywhere we can.
A very short time to go for the next episode and the team needs all our support. We should be proud of them for what they achieved yesterday.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 7:31:36 GMT
All this criticism of the ref being biased towards Mayo is a bit unfair I feel. Three of the biggest decisions of the game went in Kerrys favor:
1. The sending off of Keegan for a petulant kick at fresh air. 2. The penalty that should have been given to Mayo in the first half. 3. The decision not to black/red card Crowley for penalty, who of course played a huge hand in Kerrys fight back.
We are also very lucky that refs aren't strict with the 4 steps rule as every time JOD is in possession he takes well in excess of 4 steps. Declan got away with it all his career and now James is doing the same.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 25, 2014 7:33:44 GMT
JOHN O'KEEFFE
Considering Kerry’s dominance in the first half and how poorly Mayo performed, this was a great escape for the Connacht champions. However, they might struggle to see it that way this morning.
Particularly in midfield, Mayo struggled as Anthony Maher and David Moran took initial control. But Aidan O’Shea grew into the game, producing a magnificent performance that eclipsed everyone. And that compliment grows when you consider Moran refused to wilt, even if Maher faded late on.
O’Shea stood up as a leader in the second half. His ability to hold up the ball and put team-mates into space makes him the fundamental cog in this team. What Mayo certainly proved is they have the stomach for the fight. That shone through yesterday.
Still, tactically, they were exposed. Mayo are at their best when they run at their opponents, when the likes of Colm Boyle, Donal Vaughan, the O’Shea brothers and Kevin McLoughlin cut loose.
Their trademark pass off the shoulder to put a player bursting into space hurt Kerry the most. It got them the penalty. It so nearly won them the game.
But they struggled at the start. Not Keith Higgins though, who did as well as any man could when man-marking James O’Donoghue. The fault for the goal wasn’t on Higgins as much as it was on the Mayo management leaving Ger Cafferkey alone with Kieran Donaghy.
Big plays Cafferkey struggled all day and the arrival of Donaghy earned Kerry the draw when he made two big plays in the air. Vaughan might have matched up better with him. Cafferkey had no chance against Donaghy’s basketball hands.
There was a naivety to Mayo’s approach and again they failed to close out a game.
There is the counter argument that Mayo were down to 14 men and had lost their talisman Lee Keegan but they will be punished once again if Cafferkey and Donaghy are left together in the replay.
The red card was justified. Keegan was all wrong to use the boot. He has only himself to blame. That should never happen. Discipline is key in this environment.
They looked a beaten team at half-time but something must have happened underneath the Hogan Stand because the resilient response was magnificent. It shows the journey they have been on together for so many years now. There is sheer character coursing through the team.
Take Andy Moran. The management, to their credit, knew the lift he would generate when introduced on 48 minutes.
The bottom line though was Kerry’s refusal to be beaten. There was a clear intent to die with their boots on. But sending Donaghy inside was the last throw of the dice by Éamonn Fitzmaurice. It paid off.
Donaghy’s performance was even more special considering his lack of game time.
Leaving him out of the team next Saturday will be difficult but I would hold him off again. The value of his arrival cancels out Moran’s impact down the other end. Also, quick ball into space still seems like the best way of breaking through Mayo’s defence.
At least Fitzmaurice knows Donaghy is still a valuable weapon for Kerry.
In contrast, the lack of mobility of both Declan O’Sullivan and Bryan Sheehan was obvious. They weren’t fit. I can’t see either man starting the replay – even factoring in the lack of experience in this Kerry’s starting 15.
New plans But brand new plans need to be drawn up. The tighter pitch in Limerick will guarantee that. Mayo’s physical conditioning is more advanced than Kerry’s. That should assist in their recovery.
That’s offset by Keegan’s removal from the equation. In the meantime Richie Feeney might be the solution there but Keegan’s value to Mayo is immense.
Kerry didn’t make enough use of the numerical advantage. Mayo ran themselves into the ground to mask the problem with Colm Boyle being the best example of this.
Whoever gets through the replay will have an advantage over the winners from Dublin and Donegal. This game will be of more use than any number of training sessions ahead of the All-Ireland final.
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MALACHY CLERKIN
Whatever way we all saw this championship unfolding, it’s fair to say that none of us imagined we’d be heading for Limerick on the last weekend in August. Yet that’s how it is, after a game that rocked and rolled all afternoon before sending us home shouting for one more tune. Kerry and Mayo will plug in and mic up again next Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds, a replay pregnant with intrigue after the sides ended level on 1-16 apiece yesterday.
The compromise venue isn’t one that anybody is especially pleased with but seeing as the big hall is booked for an American college football game, the GAA didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Mayo were particularly lukewarm about the prospect of turning out at a venue where none of their players has ever played a senior match.
James Horan let it be known afterwards that they would be trying to get the game put back to Saturday week.
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“I’m working with the county board at the moment and that would be our preferred option,” he said afterwards. “If that works, great; if that doesn’t work, great.
“It’s not ideal playing the game in Limerick and I’m pretty surprised that it’s the case. We’ll go and check it out during the week and we’ll be ready wherever it’s played.
“It’s bizarre that this is an All-Ireland semi-final and it can’t be played in Croke Park. If you just have a think about that, it’s bizarre. This is where every player wants to play. If we can get it to Saturday week, brilliant. We’d be up for that.”
Their chances looked somewhere between remote and non-existent last night, as the GAA moved to shut down any prospect of the game being moved. “We have invested heavily in the Gaelic Grounds and we are happy to take the All Ireland series outside Croke Park,” said a GAA spokesman.
It might rumble on for a day but it shouldn’t. Better to turn our eyes to a replay that will have go some to live up this. Mayo lost it and won it and drew it, Kerry did the same but just in a slightly different order. You could make an equal case for congratulating and commiserating with them both.
More tepid Mayo have rarely been more tepid and wan than they were in the first half; they have never been better than they were in the second. Despite going in at the break 0-9 to 0-5 behind and a man down after Lee Keegan’s red card, they pulled a performance from the depths of themselves to lead by five with 65 minutes on the clock.
Let nobody question their stomach ever again.
They had heroes everywhere. Cillian O’Connor wiped the memory of a dire first half from his hard drive to lead the revival. Aidan O’Shea was like a chess grandmaster, playing five different games at once and advancing in them all. Andy Moran came off the bench and won ball,
And yet Kerry found a way to stay breathing. After a first half of clinical expertise in which they kicked nine of 13 scoring chances (as opposed to Mayo’s five from 12), they got overrun in the third quarter. When Cillian O’Connor leathered a penalty into the roof of Brian Kelly’s net on 58 minutes, it was the first time Kerry were behind since the fourth minute. O’Connor doubled down, tacking on the next two points and Kerry’s legs were jelly.
But if the big question going in was their lack of experience, Kerry’s answer bore the look of men who see this thing as their birthright. They certainly weren’t lacking in heroes themselves. Johnny Buckley had his best day in the jersey, particularly in that opening period when Kerry picked Mayo apart with a horologist’s precision.
David Moran landed two bombs in the first half and found his feet again come the endgame. James O’Donoghue didn’t have his most stellar afternoon but still ended up with 1-3 – given his level this summer, it probably represents Keith Higgins breaking even on him.
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Old-fashioned way
With five minutes to go, Andy Moran kicked Mayo into a 1-16 to 0-14 lead. Bryan Sheehan clipped a free but Kerry needed a goal. They sourced one the old-fashioned way – David Moran found room on the right touchline to arc a high ball in to the edge of the square, Kieran Donaghy made the catch and dished off to O’Donoghue. Bang. One-point game.
All was frenzy now. Another score for Mayo would have done it but when they managed to create a chance down at the Hill end, they got the wrong man on the ball.
Corner-back Tom Cunniffe, whose day had been spent as a sweeper standing sentry in front of O’Donoghue and Higgins, popped up in the end of a move 25 metres out. But once he got there, he had the look of a man struggling for translation in a language he wasn’t used to speaking. He sent his shot across goal.
Within a minute, Kieran O’Leary had drawn Kerry level. O’Donoghue could have won it but his shot dropped wide off the post. Sheehan could too but a late, long free dropped short.
“It was exhilarating to watch, to be honest,” said Horan afterwards. “We had players who just weren’t going to lose.”
Both sides had.
Roll on next Saturday.kicked points and shook defiant fists.
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IAN ORIORDAN
So after the perfectly street legal high that sport is – often more powerful than any drug – came the suddenly dull prospect of bringing it all back down to Limerick.
It probably didn’t help that James Horan had been mainlining adrenaline for much of the previous hour, but when the Mayo manager found himself talking about an All-Ireland semi-final replay, after the chilling realisation that victory can be a fleeting thing, and so too can defeat, he very calmly and justifiably went cold.
Playing Kerry again in Croke Park on a championship Sunday is one thing: playing them again at the Gaelic Grounds on a Saturday evening isn’t quite as exciting a ride. There is a difference too between being relieved and living again, and what Horan was at least certain of is that Mayo will greet Kerry the next day with the same relentless verve they unleashed here.
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“From what we displayed in the second half here, I can have nothing but huge pride for our group of players today,” said Horan.
“And I’m delighted with that. Five points down against Kerry, at the start of the second half, and a man down, then to dominate the second half like we did is brilliant.
“And we showed we can rough and tumble it, and in the second half, really drove on, and played the game that we’re always trying to look to play, an attacking based game with high tempo and a huge skill set. When we do that we’re a dangerous team.
“The first half we were a little bit tentative. When you’re not playing the game that you can play, you can be thinking about it too much, and get caught out. That seemed to happen to us a little in the first half.”
Yet when Mayo charged on Kerry in the second half, each player giving vein-popping commitment, even Horan had to admit it was exhilarating: “It’s certainly up there with the best we’ve played. Probably as good as any team has played. Fellas just stood up. And it was exhilarating to watch, to be honest. We had guys who weren’t just going to lose.
“It was what we talked about doing in the second half. It’s pretty much always calm in our dressing room at half-time. And I couldn’t really be any prouder of the display, particularly in the second half.
“Then I thought we had it lost, with Bryan Sheehan lining up there at the end. But I think we probably should have won it. And we could have lost it. So I think overall we’ll take what we got, and look forward.
“The goal at the end was a killer. I don’t know what was left, there was a couple of minutes left and we had a shot I think just after that, a good shooting chance that we missed that could have won it for us.”
What is certain too is that Mayo intend on contesting the red card shown to Lee Keegan, just before half time, for an attempted kick on Johnny Buckley: Horan had already reviewed the video replay, and was adamant his player was harshly sent off.
“The way I look at it, he [Keegan] was being held on to. It was like a shrug to shake him off more than a kicking action I would say. I’m not blaming the referee. You can see how it would be seen. But to me, if we’re getting straight red cards for that, the game is going down. And we will be contesting it. Absolutely.”
• • •There was talk too of contesting the venue and date for the semi-final replay, in Limerick next Saturday evening, and unlikely as that is, Horan wasn’t about to let his feelings on that go.
“I think it’s bizarre, and 5pm, playing in Limerick doesn’t make any sense to me but we will play wherever. Once we are on a football field we are on a football field but it doesn’t make any sense.
“Croke Park is where every player wants to play, so if we can get it for Saturday week that would be brilliant.
“But look, the atmosphere in the dressing room is absolutely hugely positive, and we’re looking forward to next weekend already, just getting our prep right on, and what we need to do.”
One thing that won’t change is the need to shackle James O’Donoghue –- although Horan felt his team did all they could here, even when O’Donoghue snuck in for Kerry’s late goal.
“Yeah, but if you look at one of those balls there was two of us on [David Moran], when he kicked in that ball, so it shouldn’t have gone in, that’s where we should have cut it out there, right on the sideline. It was just a hopeful ball in. We should have been able to block that one out.
“And I think Keith Higgins’s performance in the second-half was excellent. Yeah James got in for a goal, but the tackle and strength he showed, I think he won that battle.”
Battle resumes next Saturday then.
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dart
Senior Member
Posts: 277
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Post by dart on Aug 25, 2014 7:34:28 GMT
The Mayo manager is a big whinger! Giving out always, trying to get Keegans red overturned now, trying to move the game back and change the venue! Pity we didn't put him out of his misery today.
Up Kerry.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Aug 25, 2014 7:37:03 GMT
Can anyone answer why Michael Geaney was replaced? I thought he was having a very solid game. And was O'Brien injured? Because unless he was it was a very strange substitution. Marc was well beaten yesterday and made a few silly mistakes including giving away a needless free with a blatant push in the back. This may sound like sacrilege but he should have been replaced by someone with a bit more pace. Marc is a legend and maybe I'm being harsh for singling him out, but he was clearly caught for pace.
Now that's the negative out of the way.
There wasn't too many Kerry people who believed we had any chance with 5 to go yesterday. We were dead and buried but how joyous was it to see how our young and not so young players stood up to be counted. I really believe that this will stand to us the next day. Mayo, with some second half assistance from the ref, threw everything at us but still couldn't shake us. Will that sow more seeds if doubt?
We played well yesterday for large parts of the game but when we were poor we were very poor. Dublin would have eaten us alive so perhaps a draw is no harm if we really want to win Sam. If we can put a full 70 minutes together I think we will beat Mayo. The sideline will have to up its game too.
Keep the faith!
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Post by southward on Aug 25, 2014 8:02:13 GMT
I'd have put the house on JOD's effort at the end going over. Damn !! Thought Brian was going to steal it at the end too.
The narrative in the coming week will likely be Kerry being given a "home" tie in Limerick. It's not exactly a stroll from Cahirciveen. Actually there's not much difference in distance from Castlebar and large parts of Kerry. It's more the rationale for the venue that should rankle. If the Dublin/Donegal game had been on, and drawn, yesterday, does anyone think the replay would be anywhere other than Croke Park.
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Post by fortyyards on Aug 25, 2014 8:20:24 GMT
What a match, what a finish, what a battle, congratulations to both teams for serving up a cracker. I'm sure that both managers will look back at this game and wonder why they didn't carry the prize but also realise that they could easily have lost it all in the closing minutes of a magnificant game. Both sides will have reasons for optimism going into the replay and will look forward to having another crack at it on Saturday.
It's easy to pick holes in Kerry's second half performance having the advantage of an extra man and five points up etc but Mayo are an experienced side and when they got going carried huge momentum with them, their hunger for the battle was mighty impressive. Kerry showed great resilience in the face of that Mayo onslaught and showed a never say die attituade that will stand them in good stead. I wonder if it was Dublin & Donegal drawing the semi-final yesterday would the GAA be moving the replay out of Croke Park...
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Post by fortyyards on Aug 25, 2014 8:27:22 GMT
Just some information for punters on next Saturday's replay in Limerick. With 52,000 attending yesterday's match there will be some clamour for tickets this week, I would recommend the open stand or terracing as the view for the Mackey stand at the Gaelic Grounds is not great
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Post by fenit67 on Aug 25, 2014 8:32:48 GMT
Ardfertnarrie the substitution of Michael Geaney was a very strange decision. He seemed uninjured and was replaced by Brian Sheehan who is not fully fit; puzzling. Does anybody know if Stephen O'Brien was replaced because of injury?
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