|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 3, 2024 21:23:43 GMT
A game of two half's as they say.
The first half being the most interesting.
Joe O Connor was my man of the match I thought himself and Cillian Burke and Sean O Brien were excellent.
Dara Roche didn't do his chances any favours I'm afraid.
Killian Spillane had an off day aswell.
Tipp were very limited though.
Given the lads to come back I think we can be optimistic going into the league.
|
|
|
Post by john4 on Jan 3, 2024 21:42:47 GMT
Tipp were very poor as expected. They're worthy of Division 4 and they won't win it either.
Wouldn't read too much into tonight, Some bad misses in the 1st half from us in easy positions unfortunately.
Pitch looked in good condition considering the amount of recent rain.
|
|
mike70
Senior Member
Posts: 763
|
Post by mike70 on Jan 3, 2024 21:48:53 GMT
A workout against less than average Tipp team, but plenty minutes for everyone, same next Sunday, then on to a final against cork, be good lead in to the NFL, not fair to comment on anyone tonight, we will reserve any meaningful analysis till final.
|
|
|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 3, 2024 22:34:21 GMT
Decent crowd in the stand. Not much around the rest of the place by the look of it. Joe O Connor did well. Some great fielding. Kerry used 11 subs…yes 11. I was disappointed with Dara Roche and Killian Spillane. Stefan came on in second half and got on plenty of ball. He actually kicked some of them and also got a yellow for persistent fouling. I counted at least 3. Coffey started in goals. Seanie O Se was good when he came on and kicked 6 I think, but we butchered a few goal chances. Seanie nearly lobbed Comerford like he did to Beggan above in Inniskean. But do we really need to see him this early in the year. Burns was lively. Facile win but nothing to write home about. I agree about Seanie and a few others.We know what they are about and we know they will be on the team come championship.This competition should be about testing players that might make the panel Not the certainties.Its disappointing and counter productive to be playing our star players before the league.Did nt see game and thought Kerry radio might have had live commentary but no luck.Glad to hear Joe O Connor did well. To behonest I was a bit miffed as to why these regulars were coming on but Jack did say that they've another game on Sat and they want some football in all the players. There's a McGrath cup rule that if you are making substantial charges it must be done at HT as to not ruin the game. I know it's a meaningless game but it's you can only judge it on its merits. The headline will be that the newcomers did well and Joe O Connor has come back strong.
|
|
|
Post by thehermit on Jan 3, 2024 22:37:57 GMT
I’m an avid runner, not in the competitive sense, just for my own physical and mental health. So you can imagine how well the latter are holding up after the festive period and given that it feels like the Gods above have not blessed this part of the world with a single dry daylight hour since the day before Christmas Eve. I shudder to think what the weighing scales will read when I return home, but my expanded belly confidently signposts my fears. Therefore, I was determined that today would be the day when the running shoes would be donned come hell or the high water. Alas water proved as formidable a nemesis as it has since my last outing on 23 December. The moment I opened the front door another biblical shower assailed Stacks Mountain. I gave up for yet another day and pitied the men from both camps who were being asked to trudge onto the pitch this evening to begin the 2024 inter-county campaign. Surely even Noah never bore witness to such persistent precipitation. Despite all that there was no way I was going to be tempted to substitute a perch in Autin Stacks for the laptop by the fire. Its been a hell of a long purgatory for the followers of the Green and Gold. 159 days I was reliably informed. Everyone as dark as its predecessor after the bitter blow of that full-time whistle late last July. The club game is only an appetiser for the big day glory hunters like myself. I’ll make no apology for that. I was bloody gagging for county football!! To begin great credit has to go to the groundkeepers in Austin Stacks because that pitch has stood up well to one hell of a battering from the elements these past few weeks. As ever the main interest in the McGrath Cup is the new faces on the pitch and wondering if any showed some omen of greatness to come. We all know a bounce of the ball could have us with three more All Irelands the last five years. But also that the defects in our half forward line and midfield are possibly why we only have one. In particular I was fascinated to see how Cillian Burke and Dylan Geaney would fare as both have impressed me anytime I’ve seen them.
Well less than two minutes in and young Dylan had the net rattled while minding the other one Sean Coffey was called into action before the throw-in after Shane Murphy pulled a hamstring soloing the ball at the start of the warm up. After another couple of minutes a beautiful pass in found Geaney again whose shot was saved, and the rebound palmed in by Spillane. Five minutes of play in and realistically it was game over. Spillane did well on the frees, Evans was lively as was Burke but really Geaney was the shinning star in the front lines for the half. Midfield was acquitting itself well, O'Conor doing the simple things well while Barry Dan caught some some eye-catching high balls and roved forward as a scoring threat scoring a lovely point on the overlap towards the end of the half. Beaufort's Sean O'Brien made a few mistakes but redeemed himself with a couple of fine points from play. Burns did similar but overall the Kerry radar was unreliable in that first 35, many shots drifting wise. In mitigation the breeze, judging by the flags, was a lot stronger than it appeared up at the back of the stand. Another gripe, which I've seen happening too many times before, is the lack of anticipation from forwards for a shot hitting the upright and coming back into play. It would surely be an easy thing to designate one player in these situations to be on the alert for such an eventuality. At the back Coffey had little to do, bar one instance when the Tipp forward broke through but opted to put it over. Overall Nagle, Casey and Damian Burke minded the house well.
Soon into the second half the bench was sprung and by the end of the game a completely new team was on the field. Despite this Kerry began to motor much more efficiently and a well taken goal by Joe made the lead unassailable. The last 15 minutes saw Kerry's scoring accuracy improve markedly. Seanie began to run the show with the air of a man who felt he let himself down a bit by his own lofty standards last season and is determined from the start to rectify that situation in 2024. His only error bundling a ball into the Tipp goalie almost at first time when the net screamed out to be burst.
So that was it. I've stood among the ruins of Delphi and know the faith the ancient Greeks placed in their omens. A 19 point industrious win three days into the new year, a few new faces justifying another start and Seanie looking lean and mean. Roll on Saturday...
|
|
|
Post by kerry4sam88 on Jan 3, 2024 23:36:12 GMT
Thankfully nice to get back to watching Kerry intercounty football again in the flesh after that crushing day last July. As a previous poster said it's much too early to judge player's from tonight but from what I saw tonight young Bourke in the corner looked decent, Sean O' Brien came into the match the more it went on, great to see Joe O'Connor back fully fit and thriving around the middle, Keith Evans and Cillian Burke looked energetic and worked very hard while Burns looked very lively. Seanie the best of the second half subs and looked a threat in the full forward line, a place we may see him alot more in the coming months especially with Paudies best position on the 40. All in all bigger tests lie ahead but a decent run out and nice to see a few of the newer guys put their hand up for the coming months ahead.
|
|
|
Post by The16thMan on Jan 4, 2024 0:09:09 GMT
Routine enough win for Kerry, fellas are auditioning themselves for more game time in the league. Burke, Joe Connor & Sean O'Brien were the big gainers in that category in my opinion. Keith Evans, Joey Nagle & Damien Bourke also showed strongly. I do see the need to have experienced fellas get some game time in the McGrath Cup also, vital to help get minutes into the legs. 10-15 years ago that was the purpose of the league but now the league has to be taken seriously, McGrath Cup has to be used to get fellas up to speed. I think fellas like Seanie Shea, Gavin White, Jason Foley & others looked in much better shape than they did this time 12 months ago. This will make a big difference in my opinion, it felt like last year that Kerry were playing catch-up for the whole season, but nearly won an All Ireland doing so. I'd be more optimistic that Kerry can have a good league this season which can hopefully lead to a good Championship. I'm really looking forward to Kerry having a competitive National League whilst getting the chance to see some fellas like I've named above getting a chance.
|
|
|
Post by homerj on Jan 4, 2024 0:29:31 GMT
Just checked back there, we had 17 players unavailable this time last year for various reasons.
Its ~3 at the moment so we already are a few steps ahead this year. Hit the ground running and look to win every game should be the aim and make lads earn their place rather than give them game time for sake of it
|
|
|
Post by bishop on Jan 4, 2024 0:53:56 GMT
Seanie Shea looks trim, seems to have shed a lot of bulk. Looks to be moving very well even if it is only January.
Press on the gk was very good in 1st half, forced long ball that our middle 3rd gobbled up, albeit Tipp were poor in this sector.
Ó Brien at wing back looked assured, and very comfortable, Brien too
|
|
pillar
Senior Member
Posts: 509
|
Post by pillar on Jan 4, 2024 9:21:06 GMT
Seanie Shea looks trim, seems to have shed a lot of bulk. Looks to be moving very well even if it is only January. Press on the gk was very good in 1st half, forced long ball that our middle 3rd gobbled up, albeit Tipp were poor in this sector. Ó Brien at wing back looked assured, and very comfortable, Brien too A superb footballer I thought Seanie looked very fit and trim..maybe the gym programme didn't suit him but he looks a lot more athletic judging by last night.
|
|
|
Post by blacksheep21 on Jan 4, 2024 10:04:42 GMT
Rightly or wrongly, Jack is using the McGrath cup as preparation for the league which Kerry will want to be competitive in. He would like 4 or 5 players to emerge to push the starting 15 and be viable options from the bench. This would include more experience players such as Casey, Okunbor, o Connor, Roche also. We are talking evolution here not revolution.
The panel last night was highly experienced and I suspect some of these are pushing to play also as being rested carries its own risks and opens the door for someone else.
The team named against Derry will be a strong one and will have at most only 2 or 3 actual new comers. The rest will be guys who are already established or who have played in the past but not quite nailed down a spot yet for whatever reason.
Based on the panel last night, it could be something like the following
Murphy, Casey, Foley, Murphy, Breen, White, Graham, Joe o Connor, Barry Dan, Adrian Spillane, Cillian Burke, Moynihan, Seanie, Killian, Roche.
That still leaves a fairly experienced bench
|
|
|
Post by homerj on Jan 4, 2024 10:05:15 GMT
if i am right, the team were still on holiday or only coming back, this time last year? this will explain the majority of any differences seen, we are probably 3-4 weeks ahead of this time last year but the big one for me is player availability.
panel was #42 last year so from the list of about 38 we named, theres still 3 or 4 more lads not included/named so far
|
|
|
Post by homerj on Jan 4, 2024 10:07:52 GMT
Potential starting 15 V Derry?
Ryan (though is he injured??)
Graham Jason Casey
Gavin Breen O Brien
Joe Barry
Moynihan Seanie Burke
David Roche Paidi
|
|
Fado
Senior Member
Posts: 317
|
Post by Fado on Jan 4, 2024 10:38:23 GMT
In the past, Micheál Burns has been used a lot as a defensive half forward.It was refreshing to see him playing in an inside attacking role last night.
|
|
|
Post by veteran on Jan 4, 2024 11:23:55 GMT
A fairly tame affair, reaching farcical proportions with the influx of eleven subs at halftime. Still, an exercise with some merit.
Sean Coffey has always impressed me in club games and I was delighted to see him get a chance. Not tested but looked secure in what he had to do.
I am not sure which of our backs was picking up Sean O’Connor but he struggled throughout that first half.
Sean O’Brien has a tremendous leap. Because of that does his future lie at wingback or midfield?
Both Joseph OConnor and Barry Dan can be well satisfied with their efforts in the first half. Gratifying to see Joseph move so freely.
The forwards were inclined to tie themselves up in knots in the first half. Movements too intricate in confined spaces, albeit there was some slick foot passing at times. Michael Burns was very industrious in his new corner position. I felt Cillian Burke and Keith Evans were honest and hard working in that opening half.
I suppose the biggest disappointment was Darragh Roche. He looked unusually cumbersome and hesitant. I do hope he gets a full game against Limerick.
|
|
|
Post by Lolly Valance on Jan 4, 2024 15:22:02 GMT
I think you have to play some strong players or at least lads with some experience in the central positions especially in defence. It's fine to say what have we learned about Seanie but, Kerry most likely are doing a lot of endurance work etc and Jack and co see these games as a way for Seanie to play a bit of ball. You don't want a complete team going in to the first round of the league with no games played and then trying to drop in new fellas to see how they go.
Regardless of such I think some plyers like the Cliffords should be given the league off apart from the last week or two if needed. While they can still train away etc it would cut out the travelling involved with theaway games and give them a proper break.
On the other hand the likes of Stefan and Joe O'Connor (provided he is managed) need all the time they can get on a football pitch.
|
|
|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 4, 2024 15:34:32 GMT
I think you have to play some strong players or at least lads with some experience in the central positions especially in defence. It's fine to say what have we learned about Seanie but, Kerry most likely are doing a lot of endurance work etc and Jack and co see these games as a way for Seanie to play a bit of ball. You don't want a complete team going in to the first round of the league with no games played and then trying to drop in new fellas to see how they go. Regardless of such I think some plyers like the Cliffords should be given the league off apart from the last week or two if needed. While they can still train away etc it would cut out the travelling involved with theaway games and give them a proper break. On the other hand the likes of Stefan and Joe O'Connor (provided he is managed) need all the time they can get on a football pitch. I think the Clifford's will be back for the Derry game. The season is so short now that they'll want to be involved.
|
|
horsebox77
Fanatical Member
Our trees & mountains are silent ghosts, they hold wisdom and knowledge mankind has long forgotten.
Posts: 2,029
|
Post by horsebox77 on Jan 4, 2024 15:34:39 GMT
Ah yesterday was what it was, a glorified training session but still, regardless, a game is worth four sessions. Lot of positives, as most have already alluded to in the above. Very surprised to see Graham, Foley, Stephen and Seanie and White etc lining out so early in January, it has a shade of 2022. We hit the pitch early in 2022 and played a very strong side early doors, last year we shipped five goals this very week last year against Cork, and maybe unknowns to us all, this a mini preview to our defensive frailties.
Regardless, last night was a good run out, some players grabbed the chance, notably, Bourke at corner back, Bourke éile at wing forward and more so Sean O;’Brien who I thought was outstanding. It was also great to see Joe O’Conner return and play such a prominent role, both defensively, attacking and winning primary ball. I was disappointed in certain players, I thought Dylan Geaney, Roche and Killian just laboured and went through the motions. Was very impressed at the physique of Seanie, like ye said, he looked slimmer than twelve months ago, I actually think we may see more of him inside, he looked sharp and eager.
It will be interesting to see will Jack make as many changes next Saturday, the volume of subs made a bit of a mockery of the contest, it was more akin to a pre-season club challenge of three 20 minute “halves” but still it was productive.
Another good showing by both Bourkes, Joe and Sean O;’Brien against Limerick would do wonders for the evolution of our panel. It’s all aces in this regard. Was really impressed with O’Brien, he adds a nice bit of physique to the line in an area that was often exposed by oppositions kickouts.
|
|
|
Post by homerj on Jan 4, 2024 15:58:55 GMT
just for those not happy some of bigger names played - think it would be complete waste of time to put in all new lads and expect them to thrive in a B team. it has backfired before.
we only need 4 or 5 onto the match day panel and at business end of year, they will be playing beside the big names so why not start now as you mean to go on and give them a proper chance to develop.
think its being done the right way.
|
|
|
Post by homerj on Jan 4, 2024 16:14:55 GMT
why does it make no sense? whats the point in playing lads out of position, in a weakened team?
and do you not see, why the management are doing what they are doing? giving lads a chance to thrive, in a semi decent line up. season is up and running and we have Derry in a few weeks time. lads need a proper pre season also.
|
|
|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 4, 2024 16:34:05 GMT
why does it make no sense? whats the point in playing lads out of position, in a weakened team? and do you not see, why the management are doing what they are doing? giving lads a chance to thrive, in a semi decent line up. season is up and running and we have Derry in a few weeks time. lads need a proper pre season also. Initially I didn't want to see the likes of seanie playing but Sean O Sullivan made a good point on commentary in that they'd only be playing challenge games on awful pitches eitherway. There's only 2 competitions of note, The league and the All Ireland series. Munster is a waste of time. We also have to win our home games and with Derry coming to town these lads need some games.
|
|
|
Post by greenandgold on Jan 4, 2024 17:06:08 GMT
Previously, I would have been in favour of giving established players the league off but looking back at some of our early games in league last year- i think we struggled because there was too many ‘new’ players - not enough of the core group. I though the mix last night worked when you considered what Jack said was his goal for mcgrath cup i.e find a couple new players and get game time n the legs of as many players as possible ( i am of course paraphrasing what he said!). V strange to see the amount of subs but on reflection Im glad to see us used the game for what we need. The condensed season is different from what we know and the ‘best’ thing to do is still nit clear I think unless you have a very strong panel . Great to be back at a Kerry game though and to see some promise from a few new names but jazus did I allow myself get excited to see SoS on full forward line and imagine what might be 😀
|
|
|
Post by john4 on Jan 4, 2024 17:17:59 GMT
why does it make no sense? whats the point in playing lads out of position, in a weakened team? and do you not see, why the management are doing what they are doing? giving lads a chance to thrive, in a semi decent line up. season is up and running and we have Derry in a few weeks time. lads need a proper pre season also. Initially I didn't want to see the likes of seanie playing but Sean O Sullivan made a good point on commentary in that they'd only be playing challenge games on awful pitches eitherway. There's only 2 competitions of note, The league and the All Ireland series. Munster is a waste of time. We also have to win our home games and with Derry coming to town these lads need some games. If there was only 2 competitions it'd be great, but the top lads are playing 4 serious competitions, the last one only finished 6/7 weeks ago. I'd be for not worrying about the league, don't even think about the McGrath cup! I think players want the All Ireland first, county championship and club championship next and Sigerson for those involved.
|
|
|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 4, 2024 19:29:35 GMT
Initially I didn't want to see the likes of seanie playing but Sean O Sullivan made a good point on commentary in that they'd only be playing challenge games on awful pitches eitherway. There's only 2 competitions of note, The league and the All Ireland series. Munster is a waste of time. We also have to win our home games and with Derry coming to town these lads need some games. If there was only 2 competitions it'd be great, but the top lads are playing 4 serious competitions, the last one only finished 6/7 weeks ago. I'd be for not worrying about the league, don't even think about the McGrath cup! I think players want the All Ireland first, county championship and club championship next and Sigerson for those involved. I don't disagree with you but the intercounty season is now short and there's only 2 national titles you can win. I'd have scrapped all preseason competitions but they'd only be playing challenge matches eitherway. Jack was very clear last year that the league was not a priority but I think it may be different this year. We need a good league with Munster being so bad.
|
|
|
Post by royalkerryfan on Jan 4, 2024 19:31:29 GMT
If there was only 2 competitions it'd be great, but the top lads are playing 4 serious competitions, the last one only finished 6/7 weeks ago. I'd be for not worrying about the league, don't even think about the McGrath cup! I think players want the All Ireland first, county championship and club championship next and Sigerson for those involved. I don't disagree with you but the intercounty season is now short and there's only 2 national titles you can win. I'd have scrapped all preseason competitions but they'd only be playing challenge matches eitherway. Jack was very clear last year that the league was not a priority but I think it may be different this year. We need a good league with Munster being so bad. A 7 week break isint bad either I expect the lads are chomping at the but to get back.
|
|
Aodhan
Senior Member
Posts: 794
|
Post by Aodhan on Jan 4, 2024 20:34:28 GMT
Mick, was this a misprint? “.However i dont see the point in playing our certain starters playing in the Mcgrath cup unless they are being tried in new positions like Seanie at midfield or centre back”.
Seanie shouldn’t be let anywhere near those two positions. His best position is full forward with a license to move occasionally to the half forward line as he has a mighty boot. He hasn’t played well over the last couple of years save for a few special moments. The new lean hungry Seanie we witnessed last night is an exciting prospect, possibly the biggest takeaway from last night’s games and there were quite a few.
We have the best center forward in Ireland in Paudi, so play him there. Build the forward line around the two Clfffords and Seanie in their best positions. There are shoots of a very hungry Kerry team emerging this year similar to ‘22. Even though we could have won last year’s AI the year always seemed a struggle from the outset.
|
|
|
Post by edgeofthesquare on Jan 4, 2024 20:53:31 GMT
Seanie at midfield is a no go. He is already nearly doing too much donkey work at 11. I’d look at him full forward as well although now that he’s lost some of the muscle that was slowing him down he should be able to play well at 11 as well. I see Seanie getting back to his 2018 and 19 levels at least this year if not even better, it’ll be a huge game changer for us and our hopes of Sam.
|
|
|
Post by thehermit on Jan 5, 2024 11:14:11 GMT
Seanie and David in at full forward and playing to their potential is enough to drag us over any line for sure. The other corner position is up for grabs, Geaney, Killian, Brosnan, Roche - so that's exciting.
What we need from the next 3 months is:
1) To find two serious midfield options for Diarmuid and Joe O'Connor (assuming that's the centre field partnership Jack is banking on). Then again Diarmuid might be trailed in the half forward line too at some stage. 2) Adding a proper scoring threat around Paudie in the half forward line. I think last year underlined that we can't simply have players in there who are workhorses but pose no danger of raising flags. A couple of fellas that can run, tackle and score are what's needed hence why I hope Burke and Geaney might give us such an option.
We have an excellent keeper, in my opinion the best out there. Our defence is solid. Improve midfield and start getting a few more scores from the half forwards and we'll be hard bate.
Anyone heading up to Limerick? What's the parking situation like in Rathkeale??
|
|
horsebox77
Fanatical Member
Our trees & mountains are silent ghosts, they hold wisdom and knowledge mankind has long forgotten.
Posts: 2,029
|
Post by horsebox77 on Jan 5, 2024 11:39:19 GMT
Hard to tell if there will be wholesale changes, or a similar line out tomorrow night, personally, would like to see more of Breen, Joe ‘Connor and the two wing men from Mid-Kerry, Sean O’Brien and Killian Bourke. Being honest, I was a bit disappointed in Roche, Geaney and Killian Spillane. I think in particular Roche and Spillane need to grasp their chances, there may not be many more. I didn’t see much of Buckley the last day, the half appeared to by-pass him.
Might even suggest Spillane and Joe O’Connor pair up in the middle. but like most have alluded to, a good inning by the above mentioned would do wonders for the lads themselves and guarantee another competitive game pre-league.
Hermit - Anyone heading up to Limerick? What's the parking situation like in Rathkeale??
Parking is fine, if I recall, the last time I was there, it was baltic, I left there rattling and craving the hot toddy.
|
|
|
Post by thehermit on Jan 5, 2024 11:56:01 GMT
Thanks Horse, I'll probably head up to it alright.
|
|