mandad
Senior Member
Posts: 448
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Post by mandad on Aug 20, 2014 10:14:06 GMT
While the management ruminate over the choices of the starting 15 on Sunday and we 'experts' are not shy in offering our advice. I would submit that David Moran and Mikey Geaney have earned their starting places. I would not start Anthony Maher. Both Maher and Donaghy have a greater wingspan than Sheehan and Moran but performances do not consistently meet expectations. I have been maligned in the past for suggesting and I repeat now, its a pity that Anthony has not been tried in some other central position. A much dipped tea bag on this and other fora is criticism of one half back in particular who in my opinion is a nice player but is not a good defender. I believe we have better options and maybe Peter Crowley should be given a second chance to show what's under the hood. Most games between the top teams are generally decided in the last quarter and sometimes smart use of the troops can be the difference. This is an area where we could have an advantage on Sunday – IMO.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Aug 20, 2014 10:20:24 GMT
When Gooch got injured there was a collective groan across the county. Not many people, including myself, gave us much chance of doing the business this year. Now I'm still very doubtful, but here we are, 70 minutes away from another AI Final.
There weren't too many people expecting us to beat Cork in the Pairc and we hammered them.
That's the only game that we saw a glimpse of the real Kerry. We have to keep the faith when we have little else to go on.
Mayo are favourites on Sunday. The pressure is on them, not us. Let's hope the shackles come off.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Aug 20, 2014 10:26:09 GMT
Moran is a better option to come off the bench than to start but that's just my own personal thought. I believe we have a better bench than Mayo also.
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Post by kerrygold on Aug 20, 2014 10:35:23 GMT
I think both Sheehan and Moran would need to be hoping off the ground in training to keep Maher out of the number 8 jersey for Sunday.
It has the makings of a great game of football, certainly one Kerry can win and certainly one the players will be going up to win.
There wont be much in it and as mandad has pointed out, shrewd use of the players will be critical to getting this game over the line.
The game is too tight/close to call it either way conclusively but represents a great opportunity for a new Kerry team to lay down a maker in the intercounty arena. A game that induces a tinge of excitement in the gut. A great way to be going up to Croke Park at the business end as a touch of autumn kicks in and evenings close in around us.
Puck and the Dome are finished with so its pre-winter samba time now in the Kerry psychic and footballing souls. A time countless generations of Kerry players have headed north to have a cut at the Holy Grail. The epic journeys have often been the ones when we just don't know how it might pan out and a team pulled off a heroic win.
The horse is stirring and getting restless in the front paddock in anticipation of the long trot up the M7!
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Post by buck02 on Aug 20, 2014 10:59:29 GMT
While the management ruminate over the choices of the starting 15 on Sunday and we 'experts' are not shy in offering our advice. I would submit that David Moran and Mikey Geaney have earned their starting places. I would not start Anthony Maher. Both Maher and Donaghy have a greater wingspan than Sheehan and Moran but performances do not consistently meet expectations. I have been maligned in the past for suggesting and I repeat now, its a pity that Anthony has not been tried in some other central position. A much dipped tea bag on this and other fora is criticism of one half back in particular who in my opinion is a nice player but is not a good defender. I believe we have better options and maybe Peter Crowley should be given a second chance to show what's under the hood. Most games between the top teams are generally decided in the last quarter and sometimes smart use of the troops can be the difference. This is an area where we could have an advantage on Sunday – IMO. So can I take it mandad that you are suggesting Moran for Maher, Mikey Geaney for Johnny Buckley (with Steven O Brien starting) and Crowley for Killian Young? IMO its very unlikely that Fitzy would drop Killian. I think the same backs as Cork and Galway will start. I also cant see them dropping Maher, even though all evidence to date in 2014 suggests it would be warranted. The forward selection I think is a big headache, it'll be very close between Mikey Geaney and Buckley - I think O'Brien has to start.
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keane
Fanatical Member
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Post by keane on Aug 20, 2014 11:07:01 GMT
I'd prefer to have O'Brien coming on than Geaney.
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Post by kerrygold on Aug 20, 2014 11:20:07 GMT
Hard to see much change from the 15 below. The only problem is that all the midfield players would start with no fresh legs to come in, apart from kieran. This will probably influence the selection between Buckley/Geaney/O'Brien on that wing and the decision making. Sheehan has to start if fit. In defense it is unlikely either Moran or Dillion would run Aidan into the ground over 55-60 minutes. Kerry will probably go for experience to maximise returns from the first 60 minutes of the game and keep it it in the melting pot from 10 minutes out from the final whistle.
Kelly,
Marc, Aidan, Shane,
Paul, Killian, Fionn,
Anthony, David,
Donacha, Sheehan, Johnny,
Paul, Declan, James.
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mandad
Senior Member
Posts: 448
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Post by mandad on Aug 20, 2014 11:41:50 GMT
Buck02. I think you are under-estimating Eamon Fitzmaurice. He strikes me as being his own man who in another life could have been a serious poker player. It's a four man selection team and they must see what the weaknesses are. We'll know better Thur. night!
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 20, 2014 11:48:47 GMT
I know this may be the wrong thing to say but that never stopped us on here, anyway I am only quoting; wan of our own just told me, if jokingly that 'the only wans travelling Sunday are those who think it will be their last opportunity'. On the basis of what John Maughan is sayinfg in The Irish Times I'd be hangin' on to my few bob. Ah sure why have one day out when you can have two!
Good luck to Fitzie and the lads, of course we'll be there.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 20, 2014 11:50:42 GMT
I know this may be the wrong thing to say but that never stopped us on here, anyway I am only quoting; wan of our own just told me, if jokingly that 'the only wans travelling Sunday are those who think it will be their last opportunity'. On the basis of what John Maughan is saying in The Irish Times I'd be hangin' on to my few bob as he typically talks things his way but then slips when substantiating it. E.g. History will be irrelevant but when did they lose fear of our extrava-geansaí? Who is the psychiatrist? Ah sure why have one day out when you can have two!
Good luck to Fitzie and the lads, of course we'll be there.
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Post by buck02 on Aug 20, 2014 11:53:43 GMT
I think Croke Park and Mayo's defence (and the attention they are likely to pay to James Donoghue and Geaney) makes this an ideal game for O Brien.
I expect Mayo to test the injuries/niggles James Donoghue and Bryan Sheehan are carrying into the game.
The backs will go man to man - Marc will probably pick up Moran, Enright on O Connor. The other 4 forwards are more difficult to match up, Fionn maybe on Aidan O Shea, Murphy on Doherty, Killian on McLoughlin and Mahony on Dillon? I cant say I've watched Mayos forwards close up enough to know their main weaknesses and strengths.
Think they'll go for Maher and Sheehan midfield.
Donnacha and Johnny/Mikey Geaney will drop in behind the half back line when not in possession. Declan a bit further forward. O Brien then outside James Donoghue and Paul Geaney?
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Post by haryegsnbaken on Aug 20, 2014 12:21:06 GMT
You know what 'Scaul....At this stage I don't think that James Horan believes they can either.
I think the way the whole year has gone and the paths taken to the final , any of the 4 teams are capable but some aren't able to take that chance.
It gets curiouser and curiouser.
Intriguing last 4 to say the least.
I think its as much mental as physical at this stage.
In that vein then the 2 first names on the 1 to 7 list would have to be Aidan and Marc.
Aidan will give us 40/50 mins of experience as will Marc. If things aren't panning out then the young guns will have to carry the can with Crowley and Griffin coming in.
I always feel if Enright has a good game then we play OK. He is a real Tom O Sullivan type of guy.
Kelly
6 Backs : Marc.. Murphy.. Enright.. Aidan ..Fionn ..Young MF Maher/Sheehan 6 Forwards. Geaney x 2.. Donncadh... Declan ..James... O Brien
5 Subs(If we are under the cosh) Donaghy, Crowley, Griffin. Lyne(BJK),, Darren (In no particular order)
Subs similar to Galway game if we are in control.
Johnny Buckley or David Moran arent on your starting line up and your not even bringing them on as subs? Do you know something we dont? OOPs a bit of a faux pas there alright. Christ we are stronger from the bench than I thought. Moran a definite but am not so sure of Johnny B.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 12:43:58 GMT
I think Croke Park and Mayo's defence (and the attention they are likely to pay to James Donoghue and Geaney) makes this an ideal game for O Brien. I expect Mayo to test the injuries/niggles James Donoghue and Bryan Sheehan are carrying into the game. The backs will go man to man - Marc will probably pick up Moran, Enright on O Connor. The other 4 forwards are more difficult to match up, Fionn maybe on Aidan O Shea, Murphy on Doherty, Killian on McLoughlin and Mahony on Dillon? I cant say I've watched Mayos forwards close up enough to know their main weaknesses and strengths. Think they'll go for Maher and Sheehan midfield. Donnacha and Johnny/Mikey Geaney will drop in behind the half back line when not in possession. Declan a bit further forward. O Brien then outside James Donoghue and Paul Geaney? I don't think this will be a game to go man on man. I expect Kerry to deploy a defence much more based on defending a certain area of the pitch. If they man mark the Mayo forwards that will give them the room to go roaming all around the pitch dragging their marker with them. I expect the 6 backs to more or less the same as in the quarter final but with Declan performing a sweeper role and a similar style of defence as in the quarter final. The Kerry half back line is made for movement forwards and the fullback line is tough as nails. If you out Fionn on Aidan O'Shea for the full game it will be massacre as Aidan is about twice the weight and will just use that to his advantage. I would think it is more likely that every time Mayo run at Kerry that tougher cookies like Enright and O'Mahony take him on whereas speedy backs like Murphy and Fionn will deal with the Mayo speed merchants. Defence seems to be much more going towards defending an area than defending against a player. Basically a large semi circle that forwards are need to be kept out of and if they do get into the D they will need to be crowded so they have no room to play. Not really a blanket defence but more of a zonal defence.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 12:44:28 GMT
Johnny Buckley or David Moran arent on your starting line up and your not even bringing them on as subs? Do you know something we dont? OOPs a bit of a faux pas there alright. Christ we are stronger from the bench than I thought. Moran a definite but am not so sure of Johnny B. Isn't it 6/7 subs anyway with the black card rule?
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 12:51:36 GMT
Okay my attempt then:
Kelly
6 Backs : MOS (always the first name on the page for me) Murphy Enright Aidan Fionn Young (though Declan to be named in the forwards I expect him to roam around the middle third) (Crowley, Griffin and Lyne the options there if Lyne is fit) MF Maher Sheehan with Moran to come in as a definite sub 6 Forwards. P Geaney Buckley Donnchadh Declan JOD O'Brien (again if fit) I expect Darren, Lyne and BJK to make appearances. M. Geaney and Kieran O'Leary wouldn't be starters but both bring something extra. If the game gets rough I would think Casey is an option as Donnchadh is a bit too nice for that type of game. Donaghy I'm still not sure of. He doesn't seem to click as well with the youngers players and no longer have velcro hands. If he can prove me wrong and has proven Eamon wrong in training I'd be happy to see him come on as there are few players with more hunger and more energy than him.
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Post by skybluezone on Aug 20, 2014 12:55:02 GMT
I'd have to disagree with a lot of this. If Kerry (this particular team) had superior class, relative to Mayo, they wouldn't need intervention from the sideline to apply said class. They would just go out and win it. My belief is that Kerry will need Fitzie to be well tuned in to what's happening on the pitch in order to make the necessary interventions to help Kerry prevail. What are these strategic differences you speak of? Kerry have the best tradition in terms of producing top class footballers, that's why they have the most All Irelands. But it's a bit arrogant to be stating that it's just a maintenance job since the days of O'Dwyer. And its been 2009 since the last AI, so the maintenance policy may well need an upgrade, something more than maintenance perhaps??? I sort of agree on Donnacha Walsh, a much underrated footballer who puts the team first, and all teams need a couple of these lads in order to become a real team. Killian Young I have my doubts about, and he's been the subject of much criticism on this site. In fact he was lambasted after the 2011 final for fumbling around and being guilty of the general lateral handpassing malaise. I think you'll just about get over the line on Sunday, I think Fitzie's influence will be the difference, but it will take more than saying "we are Kerry" to do so. You say you don't agree with me and then you go and agree with me like I can't imagine, Eg 'I think you'll just about get over the line on Sunday, I think Fitzie's influence will be the difference'. Of course I didn't mean that everything was 'a maintenance job' but some things we take for granted that others don't have were initiated by Micko. I can't say what the specific strategic differences will be on the day and that we both agree will win it for us, and I didn't state it was 'just because we are Kerry', I did say it's not the jersey so much as what's inside it. Ah yes we're at odds on Killian but how come he holds down his place? And yes, every team has a sideline team to organise the class and coordinate it and prevent errors, make correctional adjustments, etc, etc. I highlighted 3 points, and they were the ones I disagreed with, well 2 and a half of them. Donnacha Walsh is a good team player who has his usefulness, but is no superstar. That was the bit I kind of agreed on. Disagreed on the mysterious strategic differences, mainly because you haven't said what they are. And disagreed on the fact that Kerry were superior in class to Mayo. My point was if you had superior class you wouldn't need Eamon Fitz to play a blinder on the line, you would win it anyway. You said Fitzie would apply your superior class from the sideline, which is a contradiction if you ask me.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
You say you don't agree with me and then you go and agree with me like I can't imagine, Eg 'I think you'll just about get over the line on Sunday, I think Fitzie's influence will be the difference'. Of course I didn't mean that everything was 'a maintenance job' but some things we take for granted that others don't have were initiated by Micko. I can't say what the specific strategic differences will be on the day and that we both agree will win it for us, and I didn't state it was 'just because we are Kerry', I did say it's not the jersey so much as what's inside it. Ah yes we're at odds on Killian but how come he holds down his place? And yes, every team has a sideline team to organise the class and coordinate it and prevent errors, make correctional adjustments, etc, etc. I highlighted 3 points, and they were the ones I disagreed with, well 2 and a half of them. Donnacha Walsh is a good team player who has his usefulness, but is no superstar. That was the bit I kind of agreed on. Disagreed on the mysterious strategic differences, mainly because you haven't said what they are. And disagreed on the fact that Kerry were superior in class to Mayo. My point was if you had superior class you wouldn't need Eamon Fitz to play a blinder on the line, you would win it anyway. You said Fitzie would apply your superior class from the sideline, which is a contradiction if you ask me. I woud disagree on Donnchadh. He is no superstar but you won't find a harder working man in football. He does not get a huge number of scores but he wins a lot of ball and you'll see 3 defenders around him most of the game indicating other counties have noticed that he created space for the Kerry super stars. Donnchadh wins a lot of dirty and breaking ball and seems to have perfected the art of kick passing to the player in space. I too have my doubts about him but he is a lot better than people give him credit for.
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fitz
Fanatical Member
Red sky at night get off my land
Posts: 1,719
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Post by fitz on Aug 20, 2014 13:09:03 GMT
A fit Stephen O'Brien starts, he exactly the template of player no defender wants to mark, hard working, strong, good carrier, speedy,brave, takes his man on, a link man also and can score. Johnny or Mikey to step aside
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Post by athletics on Aug 20, 2014 13:40:28 GMT
I doubt Bryan will be playing on Sunday. He will be a big loss. Who will take the frees?
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 20, 2014 13:49:45 GMT
I highlighted 3 points, and they were the ones I disagreed with, well 2 and a half of them. Donnacha Walsh is a good team player who has his usefulness, but is no superstar. That was the bit I kind of agreed on. Disagreed on the mysterious strategic differences, mainly because you haven't said what they are. And disagreed on the fact that Kerry were superior in class to Mayo. My point was if you had superior class you wouldn't need Eamon Fitz to play a blinder on the line, you would win it anyway. You said Fitzie would apply your superior class from the sideline, which is a contradiction if you ask me. I woud disagree on Donnchadh. He is no superstar but you won't find a harder working man in football. He does not get a huge number of scores but he wins a lot of ball and you'll see 3 defenders around him most of the game indicating other counties have noticed that he created space for the Kerry super stars. Donnchadh wins a lot of dirty and breaking ball and seems to have perfected the art of kick passing to the player in space. I too have my doubts about him but he is a lot better than people give him credit for. There are players like that down the generations who spectators discounted yet those in the know stood by and needless to say we now know who was proven right. Donnacha is a work horse as coincidentally was 'Horse' Kennelly and who fellas that envied him said wouldn't make it 'in a month of Sundays', and sure he only ended up with a handful of Celtic Crosses.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Aug 20, 2014 14:17:27 GMT
I doubt Bryan will be playing on Sunday. He will be a big loss. Who will take the frees? Why? According to reports he will be fit.
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seamo
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Posts: 2,016
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Post by seamo on Aug 20, 2014 14:23:26 GMT
Some people here should just refrain from using the word "superstar", they clearly have no understanding of the word. When in doubt, say nothing lads!
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 14:53:31 GMT
I doubt Bryan will be playing on Sunday. He will be a big loss. Who will take the frees? The latest word is that he has been training with the team so I suppose he is good to go.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 15:09:06 GMT
I woud disagree on Donnchadh. He is no superstar but you won't find a harder working man in football. He does not get a huge number of scores but he wins a lot of ball and you'll see 3 defenders around him most of the game indicating other counties have noticed that he created space for the Kerry super stars. Donnchadh wins a lot of dirty and breaking ball and seems to have perfected the art of kick passing to the player in space. I too have my doubts about him but he is a lot better than people give him credit for. There are players like that down the generations who spectators discounted yet those in the know stood by and needless to say we now know who was proven right. Donnacha is a work horse as coincidentally was 'Horse' Kennelly and who fellas that envied him said wouldn't make it 'in a month of Sundays', and sure he only ended up with a handful of Celtic Crosses. Nail head hit. You can't have a team full of liberos (to use a soccer term) but you also need the work horses. Donnchadh and O'Brien are instrumental at play making. Paul Galvin was the ultimate example of this: a player that created so much room for the forwards they had almost free reign. Look at the 2004 and 2006 finals and look at Galvin. Or look at 2009 and look at Donnchadh coming in for Kennelly. He might be Kerry's most underrated player at the moment though the experts will tell you otherwise. Which brings me to the other Walshes: what's the deal with Barry John and Tommy Walsh? Am I right in saying that Tommy's contract will end this year? And do any of his club mates know if he has plans to return home? He has made a nice home for himself down under by now and I heard he has a girlfriend there as well (though that is hearsay) so I doubt he will come home anytime soon. If he does we are truly spoiled for forwards next year with Gooch expected to be back as well. Moran and Maher are improving every year so will be a good pairing for years to come. What we need is a fullback and a CHB. Marc won't go on much longer either. Sherwood seems to have fallen out of favour but he doesn't do too badly for Firies. Any other gifted backs that will make the step up soon? Looking at the U21 and minor teams there are some very good prospects there. Are there any plans by the county board to develop a few more defenders as the conveyor belt seems to turn out a surplus of forwards currently?
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Post by austinstacksabu on Aug 20, 2014 15:17:38 GMT
Christ the cobwebs on my account are terrible. Are you there FatTom?!
Mother Nature's ability to take over your life (aka, a child) is frightening. Anyway, good to be back momentarily. Plus seeing as I now work in sport - dangerous to have an opinion these days!
However, Daragh summed it up perfectly in his article.
I can't put my finger on why other than I expect our game plan to depend heavily on Donnacha's mileage and undermining Mayo's ability for their half backline to be the launch pad for most of their attacks.
Anyway, any word on how Declan is?
Kerry by two.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Aug 20, 2014 15:26:45 GMT
Mother Nature's ability to take over your life (aka, a child) is frightening. Although one is flying on the Twitter.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 15:30:34 GMT
Christ the cobwebs on my account are terrible. Are you there FatTom?! Mother Nature's ability to take over your life (aka, a child) is frightening. Anyway, good to be back momentarily. Plus seeing as I now work in sport - dangerous to have an opinion these days! However, Daragh summed it up perfectly in his article. I can't put my finger on why other than I expect our game plan to depend heavily on Donnacha's mileage and undermining Mayo's ability for their half backline to be the launch pad for most of their attacks. Anyway, any word on how Declan is? Kerry by two. Latest I heard is that his knees are still troubling him a bit but that he is training. I suspect the mileage and the years of wear and tear are taking their toll. He has lost a bit of speed but has gained more valuable experience and seems to know his strengths and limitations a lot better now. He still tackles constantly though and puts his body on the line every game. You would almost want to protect him against himself. I expect he will play a more central role again on Sunday. He adds a lot of experience to the middle third and adds a lot more attack options from their part of the field. He still shows up in front of goal a lot though. I expect Kerry to go with a 2 man full forward line again though of Geaney and James.
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Post by beantownfan on Aug 20, 2014 16:06:35 GMT
Here goes.. Kelly, Murphy, MOS, Enright, Fionn Fitz, AOM, Crowley, Maher, Sheehan, Donnacha, Buckley, Stephen O'Brien, James O, Declan, Paul Geaney.... Declan to play very deep like he did against Cork. I think it is unlikely Young will be dropped, but I'd like to see Crowley in for sheer physicality.. Any time I need an example of a 'big hit' this gets an airing: balls.ie/gaa/gifs-huge-peter-crowley-shoulder-on-colm-cavanagh/As mentioned above, I think Stephen O'Brien has to start if fit.. Against Cork, virtually every time he got on the ball he took on his man. He has a great ability of taking the ball into the tackle and emerging the other side with it or earning a free. I also think Paul Geaney has been underrated in many areas of the media.. After the Galway game the post match analysis dismissed him pretty quickly but from what I could see on the telly he was also double marked much of the time when the ball went into him, and he came through with what I thought was a fine performance. Mayo are hard to judge, I watched them in the Connaught final and against Roscommon... They were not overly impressive in either game. Galway were incredibly wasteful in the Connaught final, as bad as they were against us for the first 15 minutes, they had spells as bad as that several times in that game. I think Mayo will need to up the ante significantly if they are to beat Kerry, unfortunately I did not see them play Cork, but I take it they were lucky to survive that encounter! I'd be happy with Kerry by 1, though maybe the ticker wouldn't appreciate it! :-)
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Aug 20, 2014 16:23:21 GMT
Here goes.. Kelly, Murphy, MOS, Enright, Fionn Fitz, AOM, Crowley, Maher, Sheehan, Donnacha, Buckley, Stephen O'Brien, James O, Declan, Paul Geaney.... Declan to play very deep like he did against Cork. I think it is unlikely Young will be dropped, but I'd like to see Crowley in for sheer physicality.. Any time I need an example of a 'big hit' this gets an airing: balls.ie/gaa/gifs-huge-peter-crowley-shoulder-on-colm-cavanagh/As mentioned above, I think Stephen O'Brien has to start if fit.. Against Cork, virtually every time he got on the ball he took on his man. He has a great ability of taking the ball into the tackle and emerging the other side with it or earning a free. I also think Paul Geaney has been underrated in many areas of the media.. After the Galway game the post match analysis dismissed him pretty quickly but from what I could see on the telly he was also double marked much of the time when the ball went into him, and he came through with what I thought was a fine performance. Mayo are hard to judge, I watched them in the Connaught final and against Roscommon... They were not overly impressive in either game. Galway were incredibly wasteful in the Connaught final, as bad as they were against us for the first 15 minutes, they had spells as bad as that several times in that game. I think Mayo will need to up the ante significantly if they are to beat Kerry, unfortunately I did not see them play Cork, but I take it they were lucky to survive that encounter! I'd be happy with Kerry by 1, though maybe the ticker wouldn't appreciate it! :-) Mayo have yet to reached the heights of previous years so they might be trying to peak at the right time or maybe they have just lots a bit of hunger. Frustration must be a factor to them and if they game is tight doubts might creep in. On the other hand Kerry's confidence must be skyrocketing currently. After a tough start we obliterated Cork and won handily against Galway. It is also mostly a young group of players with a lot of hunger and expectation. Psychology is a major factor in sports these days and in that regard Kerry's spirits must be very high. O'Brien is a major factor. A key ball carrier and almost impossible to stop. A lot has been written about Mayo's physicality but opposed to that you have Kerry's low center of gravity. It is as hard to tackle a speeding player with great acceleration and a low center of gravity as it is to tackle a big physical player. In the case of black cards a lighter player is even at an advantage as it looks more convincing when he goes done. O'Brien, as beantownfan pointed out, manages to carry the ball into traffic and come away with it or win a free. Mayo would have to choose between stopping him and conceding a free, a yellow or a black card or let him go and risk him creating a goal chance for the other forwards or himself. The art of carrying the ball into traffic draws in defenders to stop this and thus creates space for other forwards. Geaney is one of the players who is great with that space. He shows up in space constantly and is a great ball winner. Like O'Brien he attracts a lot of attention from defenders meaning that other forwards find more space. All Kerry players seem to have perfected the art of kick passing which is how the game should be played and the Kerry shtyle is still very obvious.
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Post by greengold35 on Aug 20, 2014 16:34:53 GMT
There are players like that down the generations who spectators discounted yet those in the know stood by and needless to say we now know who was proven right. Donnacha is a work horse as coincidentally was 'Horse' Kennelly and who fellas that envied him said wouldn't make it 'in a month of Sundays', and sure he only ended up with a handful of Celtic Crosses. Nail head hit. You can't have a team full of liberos (to use a soccer term) but you also need the work horses. Donnchadh and O'Brien are instrumental at play making. Paul Galvin was the ultimate example of this: a player that created so much room for the forwards they had almost free reign. Look at the 2004 and 2006 finals and look at Galvin. Or look at 2009 and look at Donnchadh coming in for Kennelly. He might be Kerry's most underrated player at the moment though the experts will tell you otherwise. Which brings me to the other Walshes: what's the deal with Barry John and Tommy Walsh? Am I right in saying that Tommy's contract will end this year? And do any of his club mates know if he has plans to return home? He has made a nice home for himself down under by now and I heard he has a girlfriend there as well (though that is hearsay) so I doubt he will come home anytime soon. If he does we are truly spoiled for forwards next year with Gooch expected to be back as well. Moran and Maher are improving every year so will be a good pairing for years to come. What we need is a fullback and a CHB. Marc won't go on much longer either. Sherwood seems to have fallen out of favour but he doesn't do too badly for Firies. Any other gifted backs that will make the step up soon? Looking at the U21 and minor teams there are some very good prospects there. Are there any plans by the county board to develop a few more defenders as the conveyor belt seems to turn out a surplus of forwards currently? Barry John is in San Francisco ans will by all accounts be staying there for a while; Tommy's contract expires this month and is awaiting developments- could be on his way home but a lot will depend on the Swans last few games in terms of injuries etc. My "dark horse" defender would be Ronan Murphy of Beaufort- still U-21 next year, he has been playing well for Mid Kerry in county championship- could make a centre back given his physique & speed.
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