Kerry v Derry, NFL Rd.1, Sat. 27/01/24, Tralee @ 5.30pm

[kerryblueboy]

Like the idea of Sullivan at 6 with O Brien and white at 5/7 our forwards are going to be weakened by the absence of the 2 Clifford’s and Paul but a forward line of Buckley Dylan geaney s o Brien Killian seanie and Moynihan offers a decent amount of quality

[homerj]

Surely Gavin White is next in line for #6 given the abseentees?

[shannonsider]

Jan 23, 2024 11:59:08 GMT horsebox77 said:

Jan 23, 2024 10:34:59 GMT shannonsider said:

White needs to be on the wing and freed up to attack. I’m not in favour of Murphy at 6 either. I’m just assuming they’ll free him up rather than have him man-marking anyone. It’s a potential weakness.
Graham could certainly play that role too but then do you play Murphy corner back? That doesn’t fit well either.



S

I totally agree shannonside, we are compensating other lines to get a balance right.

Okunbor and Breen are injured and Tadgh is unavailable.. for me neither Nagle nor Casey have done themselves any favours, Damian Bourke didn’t do anything wrong similar with Paudie O’Leary but in honesty one cannot consider weakened Tipp or Limerick as testers… Same with Heinrich… couldn’t fault but not really tested.

If one is considering Graham at six, then O'Beaglaoich to the corner has more balance with maybe Sean O'Brien on the wing for physicality and Gavin on the other wing... these two wing men are capable of attacking and breaking the line...

Depending on teh availability of Derry players, we might do well to get a result on Saturday night.

You're right actually - if we were to go with Graham at 6, I prefer the idea of O'Brien at wing back, even though both himself and Gavin would be no.7s which would slightly imbalance things and Begley while he has some experience corner back is far better on the wing driving forward and he's not a good man marker. Neither is Paul Murphy.
This brings to mind the All Ireland final last year when we ended up with a fullback line of Paul Murphy, Morley and Foley which was not a great situation. I often think management can overthink things and not keep horses for courses. I'm a firm believer that corner backs/full backs are a specialist breed and only 1 of the above 3 fall into that category in my eyes.

[shannonsider]

Jan 23, 2024 17:29:36 GMT homerj said:

Surely Gavin White is next in line for #6 given the abseentees?

Not to me. He's looked totally uncomfortable there any time it has been tried. As said already, Graham would be next choice. In fact he might even be a better choice than Murphy.

[onlykerry]

Jan 23, 2024 17:29:36 GMT homerj said:

Surely Gavin White is next in line for #6 given the abseentees?

That would make me very nervous - Gavin's strength is his speed and ability to punch holes going forward. Our #6 needs to be a strong defender who can read the game well and not allow easy access down the centre - these are not Gavin's strengths and therefore he needs to stay on the wing.

[Whosinmidfield]

Graham is our next best 6 after Morley and Breen I think as well. Morley hasn’t been injured, just came back to training a bit later. I think it’s worth going with him from the start even if he’s a bit behind on training.

[horsebox77]

Jan 23, 2024 18:39:36 GMT Whosinmidfield said:

Graham is our next best 6 after Morley and Breen I think as well. Morley hasn’t been injured, just came back to training a bit later. I think it’s worth going with him from the start even if he’s a bit behind on training.

Considering the absentees, might be the only viable option

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 23, 2024 20:46:32 GMT horsebox77 said:

Jan 23, 2024 18:39:36 GMT Whosinmidfield said:

Graham is our next best 6 after Morley and Breen I think as well. Morley hasn’t been injured, just came back to training a bit later. I think it’s worth going with him from the start even if he’s a bit behind on training.

Considering the absentees, might be the only viable option

I'd be amazed of Jack made that change.

Murphy will be at 6 IMO.

[horsebox77]

Ah it's debates like these, that I miss Kingdomboy's input, eh Hermit.. "Anthony Maher for center back"

[veteran]

Jan 23, 2024 21:25:41 GMT ciarraimick said:

I too would prefer Gavin on the wing where it suits his speed altho he does play cb for Crokes.A wild card would be Adrian Spillane who I think has the attributes of a good centre back.On our half forward line we need at least two of them to trouble the scoreboard regularly imo.

You are correct in your assessment of Adrian as a potential CHB. Unfortunately Jack hasn’t an ounce of daring or inventiveness. That conservative attitude is likely to be our undoing again this year. On the other hand , perhaps he will go wild and make 2024 his year of innovation. We will get a hint of his approach with next Saturday’s selection.

[The16thMan]

Team to be announced Thursday @ 8pm

[fullback]

Team I would go for:

1. Shane Ryan

2. Graham O'Sullivan
3. Jason Foley
4. Dylan Casey

5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich
6. Paul Murphy
7. Gavin White

8. Joe O'Connor
9. Barry O'Sullivan

10. Ronan Buckley
11. Dylan Geaney
12. Cillian Burke

13. Killian Spillane
14. Seán O'Shea
15. Stephen O'Brien

16. Seán Coffey
17. Tom O'Sullivan
18. Micheál Burns
19. Diarmuid O'Connor
20. Seán O'Brien
21. Adrian Spillane
22. Conor Geaney
23. Dara Moynihan
24. Damien Bourke
25. Darragh Roche
26. Armin Heinrich

I know Casey hasn't particularly impressed so far this year but looking at the panel, there's a real shortage of depth in the full back line. The starters from the last couple of years are there, but an injury or suspension to any of them, particularly if it came in the latter stages of the championship, would be a real problem.

The only natural replacements are Casey, Bourke and Joey Nagle, all of which are untested at that level, the other option would be to move someone from the half back line, Ó Beaglaoich being the obvious choice, but he's much better suited further out the field IMO. Morley could go back there but that just creates another problem at 6.

Given that lack of depth, Casey and Bourke need to be given game time in the league to see whether they are up to it, much better to find out now than in Croke Park in the summer. Think this year will come a little too early for Nagle IMO, he probably needs a year with the panel before he's ready.

Tom Sull was back a bit later and with that in mind, IMO he should be held in reserve with Casey being given the opportunity.

As with the full back line, there's a lack of depth at 6 too for me. The only player on the panel other than Morley to have started a league or championship game there is Paul Murphy and I'd agree with others that he isn't best suited to that role, I think he can read the game well enough if he's freed up as the sweeper, but lacks the physicality to play in the centre. I don't expect Morley to be involved this week, certainly not from the start anyway if he wasn't ready for the bench against Cork, but I don't think this is the time to experiment there.

The obvious options to try there for me are Graham, Mike Breen and Stefan, but the latter two are injured and I wouldn't fancy going in with two inexperienced corner backs. Would like to see Graham tried there against Monaghan though, with Tom Sull back in at corner back with Casey or Bourke in the other corner.

Expecting Saturday to be a tight, physical game, particularly if the weather isn't great and with that in mind I'd start Barry Dan next to Joe O'Connor in midfield, think it will be the sort of game that will suit him, and go with two wing forwards with a physical presence in Buckley and Burke. Don't think Diarmuid O'Connor will be fit enough to start yet.

Dylan Geaney has been the best of the newer players in the McGrath Cup for me, closely followed by Joe O'Connor. I'd start O'Connor in the first few league games and if he keeps performing, leave him in there for the rest of the league. Dylan is a potential championship starter at corner forward IMO, he can clearly play inside as a scoring forward, but also drift further out as a playmaker.

I'd like to see him in a similar role to the one that Paudie has been in for the last few years, but spending more time closer to goal than Paudie normally does. If he plays well, that would allow the option to move Paudie to 11 on a permanent basis, with Seanie in the full forward line. Could have Seanie and Dylan rotating in and out of the full forward line as the second playmaker, but also making up a 3 man full forward line with David at times. If Jack can then find a couple of scoring wing forwards, preferably at least one of them also offering a significant physical presence, then we'd have a team capable of running up some big scores. Possibly a forward line somewhere along these lines, Buckley, Paudie, Burke, David, Seanie, Dylan Geaney.

[kerry4sam88]

It really is unfortunate for both Mike Breen and Stefan Okunbor to miss out on an opportunity to stake a claim for the number 6 jersey especially with Morley still absent. Really felt this was a big opportunity especially for Breen to hold onto the centre back geansaí, with his strength height and athleticism a huge benefactor.

I see Stefan more of a midfielder than a centre back think he could offer a lot in that position the lad is a pure athlete as we all know if only he could stay fit.

While I know alot are in favour of switching Paul from number 6 I can't see Jack doing it. Think he's going to go along the lines of
1. S Ryan
2. G. O'Sullivan
3. J. Foley
4. T. O'Sullivan
5. B. O'Beaglaíoch
6. P. Murphy
7. G. White
8. J. O'Connor
9. S. O'brien
10. A. Spillane
11. D. Geaney
12. C. Burke
13. K. Spillane
14. S. O' Shea (c)
15. M. Burns

[kerrymenontour]

Well lads just joined today, I’ve been following Kerry as much as possible regarding work etc, will be there on Saturday, with a few banners. We’ll get ASP a bit more colourful and back Jack and the team early on. Depending on what end of the ground it is due to weather. Incase your wondering, ik the fella with the big “Kerrymen on tour” flag 😆💚💛

[horsebox77]

Jan 23, 2024 23:06:17 GMT kerry4sam88 said:

It really is unfortunate for both Mike Breen and Stefan Okunbor to miss out on an opportunity to stake a claim for the number 6 jersey especially with Morley still absent. Really felt this was a big opportunity especially for Breen to hold onto the centre back geansaí, with his strength height and athleticism a huge benefactor.

I see Stefan more of a midfielder than a centre back think he could offer a lot in that position the lad is a pure athlete as we all know if only he could stay fit.

While I know alot are in favour of switching Paul from number 6 I can't see Jack doing it. Think he's going to go along the lines of
1. S Ryan
2. G. O'Sullivan
3. J. Foley
4. T. O'Sullivan
5. B. O'Beaglaíoch
6. P. Murphy
7. G. White
8. J. O'Connor
9. S. O'brien
10. A. Spillane
11. D. Geaney
12. C. Burke
13. K. Spillane
14. S. O' Shea (c)
15. M. Burns

That is the starting XV I expect as well.

[thehermit]

Something that was announced before Christmas but that I had forgotten about it. The GAA are doing both 7 match and 4 match packages in football and hurling for the League. You can pick, for example, any 4-7 games in D1 of one code not just your own county's games. Works out at just over €14 a match for 7 game package and just over €16 for the 4 game one. That's opposed to €20 a pop for a one match ticket.

am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/fbmatchpack

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 23, 2024 23:06:17 GMT kerry4sam88 said:

It really is unfortunate for both Mike Breen and Stefan Okunbor to miss out on an opportunity to stake a claim for the number 6 jersey especially with Morley still absent. Really felt this was a big opportunity especially for Breen to hold onto the centre back geansaí, with his strength height and athleticism a huge benefactor.

I see Stefan more of a midfielder than a centre back think he could offer a lot in that position the lad is a pure athlete as we all know if only he could stay fit.

While I know alot are in favour of switching Paul from number 6 I can't see Jack doing it. Think he's going to go along the lines of
1. S Ryan
2. G. O'Sullivan
3. J. Foley
4. T. O'Sullivan
5. B. O'Beaglaíoch
6. P. Murphy
7. G. White
8. J. O'Connor
9. S. O'brien
10. A. Spillane
11. D. Geaney
12. C. Burke
13. K. Spillane
14. S. O' Shea (c)
15. M. Burns

Burns is not a starter for me.

I admire his work rate and his commitment but a corner forward he is not.

We want killers in our FF line.

[tpo]

I expect Barry Dan to start midfield

[westgaa]

I'd go with 3 of the younger lads at least, be a great test and experience for them, throw Burke,Geaney and O'Brien in.

[jackiel]

Hadn't realised the ref for Sat is Joe Mc Quillan. I know it shouldn't matter but I can't stand the man.

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 24, 2024 15:06:42 GMT jackiel said:

Hadn't realised the ref for Sat is Joe Mc Quillan. I know it shouldn't matter but I can't stand the man.

Wouldn't be a fan of Dublin Joe myself.

The Derry lads are not impressed at all..

[kerry4sam88]

Jan 24, 2024 12:20:29 GMT royalkerryfan said:

Jan 23, 2024 23:06:17 GMT kerry4sam88 said:

It really is unfortunate for both Mike Breen and Stefan Okunbor to miss out on an opportunity to stake a claim for the number 6 jersey especially with Morley still absent. Really felt this was a big opportunity especially for Breen to hold onto the centre back geansaí, with his strength height and athleticism a huge benefactor.

I see Stefan more of a midfielder than a centre back think he could offer a lot in that position the lad is a pure athlete as we all know if only he could stay fit.

While I know alot are in favour of switching Paul from number 6 I can't see Jack doing it. Think he's going to go along the lines of
1. S Ryan
2. G. O'Sullivan
3. J. Foley
4. T. O'Sullivan
5. B. O'Beaglaíoch
6. P. Murphy
7. G. White
8. J. O'Connor
9. S. O'brien
10. A. Spillane
11. D. Geaney
12. C. Burke
13. K. Spillane
14. S. O' Shea (c)
15. M. Burns

Burns is not a starter for me.

I admire his work rate and his commitment but a corner forward he is not.

We want killers in our FF line.

I agree we do need killers in the FF line but based on the last 3 games Jack seems to favour one of Burns or Moynihan in that position and Burns to me seems more of a scoring threat. Personally I wouldn't be picking either of them I think they've had chances to stake a claim which unfortunately neither really have grasped but one cannot underestimate their workrate and energy they give to the team. Ideally we need one of Paul Geaney, Dara Roche, Tony Brosnan and Conor Geaney to really take hold of the 15 jersey between now and the start of the championship to take the pressure off David and possibly Seanie to a lesser extent.

[edgeofthesquare]

Jan 24, 2024 22:03:37 GMT kerry4sam88 said:

Jan 24, 2024 12:20:29 GMT royalkerryfan said:

Burns is not a starter for me.

I admire his work rate and his commitment but a corner forward he is not.

We want killers in our FF line.

Ideally we need one of Paul Geaney, Dara Roche, Tony Brosnan and Conor Geaney to really take hold of the 15 jersey between now and the start of the championship to take the pressure off David and possibly Seanie to a lesser extent.

Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney are better options than all of those bar possibly Paul Geaney.

At least Moynihan playing at his best is good enough to be a starter, the same cannot be said for Burns. Burns’ current form is better though. Stephen O’Brien could play that roving corner forward role too although he didn’t look to be near his sharpest in the McGrath Cup.

[chicago09]

Yeah not a big fan of Burns or Moynihan think Burns is better but Dara is the darling of the managers even Peter couldn’t wait to start him. Was disappointed with Roche the few chances he got this year but would still give him a few more runs and that’s it He is a good freetaker but so with the mark still in might be to his advantage. As for the backs I would still give Casey a chance at corner as he hasn’t had a good run put together but the number 6 is the main one for me don’t know if Murphy is the answer or graham either. I also think Joe O’Connor should be given a good run at midfield . He could be the big difference this year as he really hasn’t played much inter county yet still young and a bit raw yet.

[royalkerryfan]

Interestingly both the Kerry gaa pod and James O Donoghue on the OTBAM pod are calling out Killian Spillane as being a player to watch this year.

James said if Seanie stays at 14, D Clifford at 13 and Paidi at 11 opposition teams will struggle to mark Killian on top of those three.

Interesting take.

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 25, 2024 13:47:49 GMT ciarraimick said:

Jan 25, 2024 12:46:50 GMT royalkerryfan said:

Interestingly both the Kerry gaa pod and James O Donoghue on the OTBAM pod are calling out Killian Spillane as being a player to watch this year.

James said if Seanie stays at 14, D Clifford at 13 and Paidi at 11 opposition teams will struggle to mark Killian on top of those three.

Interesting take.

The problem there is that I cant see our management team going with a traditional ff line.To get the best out pf Killian he has to stay in the FF line and with David there too.Then does Seanie roam out and if yes we back to usual role for Seanie who often spends a few mins in ff while then going back out to CF.For us to have the 3boys inside our half forward line has to be very strong.

I was thinking about that and last year you had Paidi in the FF line and coming out the field leaving 2 inside.

The problem was the HF was not strong enough.

If we have Paidi at 11 with 2 big wing forwards Cillian Burke being one we will have a better balanced HF line and a more potent FF line.

I think the big learning from last year is that we cannot rely on 1 man to carry the scoring responsibility.

[chicago09]

Player to watch don’t know what that means it’s going on five years since he scored that goal in drawn final hasn’t done much since. It would be nice if they all could play in there in the full forward line but that’s not how things work anymore even Geaney did a lot of covering back in the last few years. He is one of our dangerous forwards and I would rather him close to goal too. We have to find at least two forwards a couple of backs and a midfielder in the league but Jack is stubborn and he likes his tried and trusted and I don’t think there anything wrong with going down to division 2 anyway.

[shannonsider]

Jan 25, 2024 15:49:18 GMT chicago09 said:

Player to watch don’t know what that means it’s going on five years since he scored that goal in drawn final hasn’t done much since. It would be nice if they all could play in there in the full forward line but that’s not how things work anymore even Geaney did a lot of covering back in the last few years. He is one of our dangerous forwards and I would rather him close to goal too. We have to find at least two forwards a couple of backs and a midfielder in the league but Jack is stubborn and he likes his tried and trusted and I don’t think there anything wrong with going down to division 2 anyway.

Well Killian scored 0-4 from play against Cork in the disastrous game in 2020 so not accurate to say he’s done nothing since 2019. I think he has been very inconsistent you mean which is true. He should have kicked on to be a regular starter and hasn’t. Injury curtailed him last season and he wasn’t long back for the final actually.

He’s still in his 20s, should be fresh barring injuries so I think he’d be a major asset. His work rate needs to improve a bit possibly. Scoring or skills is not his problem. As others said above, the days of 3 out and out inside forwards is gone so you need to have guys with the work ethic, fitness and mobility to be in your own half back like one minute and inside the attacking 45 the next.

If we are going to use Seánie inside a lot and I hope we do, then Paudie will be 11 roaming as he does. 10 and 12 will be working all over the middle third as they need to do. So 1 at least of inside line will be needed a bit further from goal to be a link to inside line. Seánie can do this, can Killian Spillane? Ideally you’d love to think he would. Paul Geaney and possibly Cillian Burke are other options.

A forward line named like so for example:
10.Adrian Spillane
11.Paudie
12.Cillian Burke
13.Killian Spillane
14.David Clifford
15.Seánie would possibly be in a rough shape of

10 11

13 12

14 15
If that makes sense.

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 25, 2024 16:53:08 GMT shannonsider said:

Jan 25, 2024 15:49:18 GMT chicago09 said:

Player to watch don’t know what that means it’s going on five years since he scored that goal in drawn final hasn’t done much since. It would be nice if they all could play in there in the full forward line but that’s not how things work anymore even Geaney did a lot of covering back in the last few years. He is one of our dangerous forwards and I would rather him close to goal too. We have to find at least two forwards a couple of backs and a midfielder in the league but Jack is stubborn and he likes his tried and trusted and I don’t think there anything wrong with going down to division 2 anyway.

Well Killian scored 0-4 from play against Cork in the disastrous game in 2020 so not accurate to say he’s done nothing since 2019. I think he has been very inconsistent you mean which is true. He should have kicked on to be a regular starter and hasn’t. Injury curtailed him last season and he wasn’t long back for the final actually.

He’s still in his 20s, should be fresh barring injuries so I think he’d be a major asset. His work rate needs to improve a bit possibly. Scoring or skills is not his problem. As others said above, the days of 3 out and out inside forwards is gone so you need to have guys with the work ethic, fitness and mobility to be in your own half back like one minute and inside the attacking 45 the next.

If we are going to use Seánie inside a lot and I hope we do, then Paudie will be 11 roaming as he does. 10 and 12 will be working all over the middle third as they need to do. So 1 at least of inside line will be needed a bit further from goal to be a link to inside line. Seánie can do this, can Killian Spillane? Ideally you’d love to think he would. Paul Geaney and possibly Cillian Burke are other options.

A forward line named like so for example:
10.Adrian Spillane
11.Paudie
12.Cillian Burke
13.Killian Spillane
14.David Clifford
15.Seánie would possibly be in a rough shape of

10 11

13 12

14 15
If that makes sense.

Saved me the time and put it better than I could.

Exactly as you said.

[royalkerryfan]

Team announcement tomorrow at 8pm.