All Ireland SF Kerry V Dublin Reaction

[FootballFan]

What a performance by every player today. 1-15 + subs gave every ounce of energy, effort and all the class they have for the Kerry jersey. It was a pleasure to sit in the stands and witness the shear desire and will-to-win.

Pat O Shea deserves fierce praise as well for the way the team was set up. He has shown he can make the big decisions before and more importantly during a game, which is always the mark of a good coach.

Well done to all the Kerry people who traveled to the game. I hope the support continues, we need the same numbers for every game.

It has to be pointed out that this is 4 All Ireland Finals in a row for this Kerry team. And the 6th Final in 8 years. That is an awesome statistic. A level of consistancy that cannot be matched since 'the great' Kerry team.
I don't feel Kerry get the credit we deserve.

And on a Final note, I hope Croke Park take a serious look at the performance of the ref (John Bannon) yesterday. Shocking decisions against Kerry. I'll say no more as I won't let his performance over shaddow the warriors we had on the pitch.

[narrie]

Very happt with the win. I won't repeat all that's been said before, but agree with the previous posts re Reidy, Young, DOS, Star, Gooch, etc.

a great day and looking forward the clash with the auld enemy in HQ again. Same result as the last few games in Croker would go down nicely, but Billy Morgan wasn't smiling after the Minster final for nothing!

[kerrygold]

Congrats to the players and management yesterday,i thought that was fanstastic kerry performance and also that the kerry support were magnificant.

Declan was superb,he had a massive game and lead from the front like a great leader of men,his best game in a kerry jersey in my opinion,you feel that in time he too will go to become another great south kerry footballer for kerry in the mould and tradition of the two micko's,egan,jacko,lynch and maurice from the iveragh peninnsula in south west kerry.

He played a great captains role yesterday,maybe the captaincy issue in kerry isnt that flawed after all mickmack........,after all it has served us well over time.

[MrT]

Declan well worth MOM but was closely followed by Young and Gooch. 2 games in a row that Kerry have got goals from Young passes.

Dara on the Sunday Game said 13 of the 15 could have MOM, would love to know the 2 who he thought didn't deserve it.

Scanlon gets a lot of criticism, but fair play, when Daragh went off and Tommy came on, he knew he would have to be the attacking midfielder, woeful first shot but had the courage to go another time, woeful again, but learned and was involved in some crucial Kerry scores.

Sheehan justified his inclusion, great free taker, have said he is nearly worth his inclusion for free kicks alone.

Well done Kerry.

[kerrygold]

kerry scored 1-13 from play yesterday,thats a big performance.

[Jo90]

Congratulations to everyone of the Kerry panel. Ye did your county proud.
Incredible performance from Declan O'Sullivan in particular. I never realised how good his left foot was - I think it was 1-2 he scored with it yesterday. Very enjoyable game; 1-13 out of Kerry's total of 1-15 came from play which made for superb viewing and Sheehan's pointed free was another monster. Killian Young is a great wing-back. As well as doing a good job defending, that's the third game in a row where he's set up the only goal of the game, and each of them crucial goals. Surely a definite for the young player of the year award.

[ardfertnarrie]

Mother of Mercy, what a game, what a performance, what an atmosphere. I was emotionally shattered after the final whistle and felt like I had just played the bloody game.

On the Dubs supporters; while I despise the whistling that goes on for free kicks, I must say that I was impressed with the majority of Dubs I met yesterday. They were distraught but they wished us all the best and well done. And I thought it was fantastic to see the supporters on the Hill waiting and clapping until both teams left the pitch. Fantastic stuff.

On Bannon: a complete joke and I'll leave it at that. I was bemused to hear that Dara O C was defending him last night on the Sunday game. Whatever about the frees he gave to Dublin, whats more important is the ones he didn't give to Kerry and the amount of ridiculous yellow cards he dished out. I'll leave it at that.

On the "nasty stuff": Well our lads are well able to mix it and we were lucky yesterday that Galvin didn't get the line. You can judge the temperament of the game by the reaction of both sets of players afterward. Very sporting. It was a tough, physical battle, the way all Dub/Kerry games should be. (Also Donaghy was lucky not to get the line after he pulled Ryan down)

On the performance: What can I say. Awesome, fantastic, words don't do it justice. While Kerry didn't play their best for many parts of the game, they were never going to in a game that had the intensity of yesterday's. You could smell the tension in the air. It was electric. Man of the Match: obviously Declan had to get it for his scores and he deserves it, but so many players performed yesterday. The full back line was marvelous. Marc O'S is simply the best defender in the 32 counties at the moment and both Tom O'Sull and Padraig Reidy in particular proved their critics wrong. Killian Young was his usual self, coolness personified. Tomas O'Sé... well that man is made of serious stuff and his point was typical of him. Possibly the score of the day. O'Mahony was excellent.

Seamus Scanlon also gave a very good performance, despite his wayward kicking in the first half. He goes through an amount of ball and he caught some great ball yesterday. Tommy Griffin was out of his skin when he came on and he kept Ryan very busy which was crucial because Ryan was Dublin's best player yesterday. Can he feel aggrieved for being taken off? Well to be fair it did look like he was falling behind the pace a bit toward the end.

I don't want to write too much or ye'll get bored. All of the forwards produced yesterday, with Declan, Star and the Gooch coming up trumps. Galvin was made for yesterdays game and kicked 2 fantastic scores. Pity he got booked so early for a silly reaction. The much maligned Brosnan played well yesterday and kicked 2 good scores. Sheehan looked like he was well off the pace for much of the 1st half but he really came on in the 2nd. He's huge free kick was unbelievable and his score from play. Star was immense and won an amount of ball. Great stuff. More of the same for the langers.

Darren & Sean did very well when they came on and Sean's fisted score was incredible.

Well done to Pat and lads, great stuff.

My final word goes to the genius that is Colm "The Gooch" Cooper. My God that man is a legend. His intelligence knows no bounds and his skill is a sight to behold. His little solo run at the end really must have been sickening for the dubs. A true great.



Deep breath.

[ardfertnarrie]

On another point: was it just me or did it seem that the ball moved a lot quicker into the forwards after Darragh came off. It just seems that some of the lads automatically look for Darragh in the middle rather than looking for a forward.

I could be way off, but just an observation.

[Owenabue]

From the Times today:

Achilles heel in the double helix
Tom Humphries at Croke Park
Where to start with this thundering fireball of a game? Perhaps at the end. Kerry won. Dublin lost. For the fourth year in succession Kerry play in the All-Ireland final. For the 12th year in succession Dublin don't. Cruel world? Not really.
The final will be a neighbourly skirmish between Kerry and Cork. If it matches the intensity of yesterday's semi-final there will be no requests for refunds.
In the meanwhile Dublin have to come to terms with their burgeoning reputation as a side who lose great matches. Football's fall guys. Thirty years to the week after a Dublin side beat Kerry in the greatest game in memory that is a hard pill to swallow.
History. Perhaps all history really suggests is that yesterday's outcome was cruelly inevitable. Maybe Kerry players are always suckled at the breast of some happy golden era or other while Dublin footballers, for all their surface strut, are reared with the fear of annihilation haunting them. These tight games in Croke Park offer no runners-up prizes or medals for gallantry. Dublin keep losing them. Kerry generally win them.
Yesterday Kerry were verb; Dublin were adjective. Kerry did; Dublin described.
The teams came onto the field and in their warm-up Dublin were as stylised and self-consciously elaborate as kabuki theatre. Kerry just looked brimming with energy and when they burst into a three-point lead it was clear the more optimistic assessments of Dublin's chances had been wishful thinking.
Kerry's two-point win was hewn out of a searing hunger they have no right to have and the pickpocket's coolness which is their birthright. When the world seemed to be against them, when the tide was blue and rising, Kerry's pulse rate scarcely changed. Hauled back to within a point having led by six midway through the second half, they took stock of the electrified stadium, the oppressive noise, the sheer, coltish energy of their opponents - and they just kept the ball. Pass after pass after pass necklaced together until Declan O'Sullivan bought a yard of grass and launched the ball from there over the Dublin crossbar. That killed the game.
Wow! This All-Ireland semi-final was a devastating demonstration of the powers of nature over those of nurture, the irresistibility of genius in the face of manufactured efficiency. Dublin's schooling over the past few years has been hard and comprehensive. Their flaws have been machined out. Some things are unalterable though. Some things are just in the DNA.
Dublin don't close the deal.
"Three years came down to half an hour's football," said Alan Brogan ruefully. "We gave it everything we had. If we got level we might have deserved a draw for the fightback."
This was a game Dublin had to win. It was a game they could have won. For a start, Kerry are not unbeatable; Meath, Armagh, Tyrone and Cork have all demonstrated that over the past few years against more experienced Kerry teams. Secondly, semi-finals are for winning, nothing else. Kerry have won the last four they played in. Dublin have lost the last three. Some things are in the DNA. Dublin had to win. They couldn't.
The differences between the sides could be expressed in the two-point margin or could be viewed better through the performances of key personnel. Kerry couldn't find Kieran Donaghy after a blistering start and Colm Cooper had a subdued first half. But both stepped up to the plate when needed.
Dublin's full-forward line never made that adjustment. Mark Vaughan had a poor game on the rookie corner back Pádraig Reidy, Conal Keaney was submerged by Tom O'Sullivan and Marc Ó Sé may have conceded three points to Alan Brogan but the Dublin star's influence went no further.
Or maybe the contribution of Declan O'Sullivan, moved inside from the wing to mark or be marked by Bryan Cullen, Dublin's vaunted centre back, conveys the difference.
O'Sullivan's incessant running and intelligent promptings bought him 1-4, his goal coming early in the second half. Cullen's duties in following O'Sullivan brought him forward often enough to score two points but a five-point difference is something any forward would settle for over his marker.
Or maybe it was on the sidelines. Kerry as advertised had the stronger bench and every substitution seemed to make them stronger. Darragh Ó Sé having to go off after 20 minutes with an injured hip might have been calamitous for morale, but Séamus Scanlon managed to keep Ciarán Whelan quiet until the final stages and Tommy Griffin came in and did well. The springing of two forwards from the bench late in the game and the return of Darragh Ó Sé with minutes left all had positive influences. Dublin's substitutions were more baffling than inspirational.
Or perhaps the differences is best illustrated by a bizarre sequence in the 67th minute when for no apparent reason Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton advanced more than 35 yards from his goal with ball in hand eschewing several opportunities to pass the thing. When he eventually found his reason and got rid of the ball he delivered it to the chest of Kieran Donaghy.
With Dublin's goal gaping wide Donaghy must have been tempted to continue the colourful sequence with a hoofed lob and the sort of goal which would have an eternal life of TV reruns. Instead he coolly picked out a pass and Kerry punished the indiscretion with a clinical point. At the other end Dublin missed a gaping goal chance and had a simple point attempt come back of the post. Small things which in aggregate ended their season.
Kerry roll on remorseless and splendid.
"We had the will to go out in the second half and take the game to Dublin," said their manager Pat O'Shea "When it came to the knockout stages against Monaghan the last day we knew every 35 minutes could be the last 35 minutes. We had certain goals this year. One was to go back to the All-Ireland final. We have got there."
Certain goals coolly realised. It's a DNA thing.

[kerryman]

Its all been said in this thread already. However, I'm glad to say that I'm eating humble pie regarding Eoin Brosnan this morning. He more than justified holding his place, and I think Pat O'Shea has earned huge credit this morning.

I've never been so nervous going into a match, and I've rarely been so happy coming out of one. The players were outstanding across the board - including the subs.

Highlight of the game, possibly Bryan's free from 55yds out.

Despite being outnumbered, I was delighted with the Kerry fans though, they really gave it everything, and I doubt any Kerry person left there yesterday without a hoarse throat (mine was gone 10 minutes into the match).

Keep it rolling lads. The big one is just around the corner.

Cíarraí Abú.

[Owenabue]

Also from the Times:
'It's a devastated dressingroom'
Gavin Cummiskey at Croke Park

We'll start with the vanquished. This was supposed to be Dublin's year. All the indications pointed to a team nearing full potential. Many of the players have been on board since Tommy Lyons's first season in 2002. All the old failings seemed ironed out.

The only thing that could stop them was themselves. Or a better Kerry team.

"Disappointment wouldn't come near how we are feeling in the dressingroom right now," said Dublin manager Paul Caffrey. "It's heart broken, it's a devastated dressingroom now at the minute, and it's going to take a while to get over this defeat.

"They have been great ambassadors for Dublin football this year and they put everything into it and I thought they left everything out on the pitch there today.

"We as a management team would be ferociously proud of how they handled themselves.

"It's up to the journalists now to analyse and break it down whatever way they want. Our good wishes are with Kerry now. They have proved themselves as magnificent champions. They are back in another All-Ireland final and they are trying to achieve something which hasn't been done in 17 years.

"You have all sorts of notions on the sideline but they don't come into it. Our players are very well drilled. They hung in there, even when the game went against us at the start of both halves and just fell a little bit short at the end.

"Kerry were better at the end."

In defeat, and considering his three-year term has concluded, Caffrey was always going to be asked about his future as Dublin manager. The response was typical considering his inbuilt dislike of all things media.

"I'm going back to DCU for a shower now."

And he abruptly departed.

"Cop yourself on," said Dublin selector Dave Billings to nobody in particular. The siege mentality continued in defeat.

"A huge loss for us," said Alan Brogan. "I won't tell any lies, we've been building up to this for a few years now. We thought this was the day. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out like that. When we go back we'll have another look at it and hopefully come back bigger and stronger."

Despite the failure to reach an All-Ireland final, Brogan supported the current management for another term.

"He is a fantastic manager. I don't think his job is finished until he delivers that All-Ireland and hopefully he will. I'm sure the county board will extend his contract. I, for one, and I'm sure all the players want him to stick around."

Down the hall, Kerry opened their dressingroom door and invited everyone in (they also do this in defeat).

"We were confident with the group of players that we had," said manager Pat O'Shea. "A lot of other fellas performed heroically out there today and covered themselves in glory."

Darragh Ó Sé went missing for the middle part of the game due to a hip injury that was temporarily cleared up with an injection. A unique final awaits. History in the making?

"I don't know about that. We'll enjoy tonight and then we'll see. Sure Cork are Cork. Steady up now . . ."

[inforthebreaks]

nice one owenabue. we all owe you €2 at this stage...

I have to give some credit to the Dublin backs. Sheehan hit one placed ball, from about 60 yards. Cooper took one free from close range. That means the Dublin backs fouled Kerry just once inside their own 45 in a kickable positiion. That is fantastic discipline.

1-13 from play is a great return from Kerry in a game of that intensity

[Owenabue]

IFTB, I will take it in the form of two Hogan Stand tickets for myself and Owenabue junior.

[fleskabu]

while kerry's defence was brilliant in covering and tacking , it was strange Dublin did now try to pump more high ball into their full forward line.

[seamus]

Boys became men -Reidy, Young, Sheehan, Darren, Seamus
Men became legends - Marc, Tomas, Declan, Star
Gooch is a Genius

Q.E.D

[Owenabue]

fleskabu said:

while kerry's defence was brilliant in covering and tacking , it was strange Dublin did now try to pump more high ball into their full forward line.

They didn't cos they weren't able to. They spent too much time on the build up and not enough time just running at ye.

[peig]

Well I got the Tribune and the coffee, and I skipped the croissant. Headed to the station in Galway where a tidy pool of Arnotts-clad Dubs were there before me. A flash of a green and gold Milford's jersey lifted my spirits - but just a bit, mind. At the ticket desk I was informed that there would be a thirty minute delay - not too bad, says I; we'll go outside, sip on the coffee and suck on a cig. Walking along the platform, I scanned the carriages and was delightfully surprised to see the Kingdom colours in abundance. 'Kerry Group' emblazoned on a yellow chest came into view and the empty seat across from its wearer beckoned me forward. I settled myself, itching to read 'THAT' piece in aforementioned newspaper. But, wanting to save the imminent amusement til last, I started to peruse Sean Moran's piece in the previous day's 'Irish Times'. Not too bad; not too great either. Enter a Dub and his young son. A Kerry fan passes by and the Dub exclaims aloud that she mustn't be too confident. A quizzical look by the Kerry fan is followed by a quick snipe from the Dub: "Sure yiz always wai' for da final ta go up!" The cailín álainn smiles - CKH written all over her face. I exchange a knowing look and a wry grin with my yellow-chested traveller - we both understand each other.

Athenry - my fingers are itching as I open the Trib. Foggy Weather. Or Liam Hayes to everyone else. Having heard the 'expert' on the radio on Friday, I know what to expect. As I focus on the newsprint I have to remind myself why I read his 'column' - for pure and utter amusement. This is the second or third time Foggy has stated that what he saw during the Monaghan game was the lowest Kerry football had sunk in twenty years.

Dear Foggy,

I would like to cast your memory back to the state of football affairs in the Kingdom between 1987-1995/'96. Not to mention the small matter of your native Meath v Kerry in 2001.

Yours with great amusement,
Peig

Heuston Station is speckled with green and gold. The phone rings:
- "Where r ooo?"
- "Eh, I've just come off the train now."
- "Sound, sound. We're down in dha hotel, hi."
- "Right, right."

The Eastern European taxi driver asks me if I'm going to the game today. After my positive reply, he innocently asks if I'm from Dublin. I set the matter straight. A fleeting gaze in the rear-view mirror, he enquires as to whether I speak Irish. My heart does a summersault and I inform him that indeed I do. Raji, the Romanian, is shouting "Ciarraí Abú" in a perfect Corca Dhuibhne accent as we pull up outside O'Shea's Hotel.

Familiar faces one after another. A large contingent from the proudest parish in Ireland is having the craic. The parish: Lios Póil; the natives: a legendary law onto themselves. Another legendary lawman enters, a blueshirt, quietly enquiring if everyone has been sorted for tickets. Ah, you can’t beat the Kerry guard in Baile Átha Cliath.

Banter and beer; reassurance and fear. Talk of pending duels, most notably Darragh versus Whelo and his brother, Marc, versus his college-mate, Alan Brogan.

"Get the last of the colours! Two youuuuuuurooooooow each!" Finally, we're bedecked and the way is paved. Passing the Hill 16 pub on the way to Gill’s and the Dubs are out in force. “Go ‘way hoame, yiz culchies!” I smile both inwardly and outwardly. My confidence growing. The CKH-ness is taking affect again.

Gill’s corner is like a carnival – or a cattle mart – whatever way you want to look at it. A few of my mates are downing bottles of Kopperberg pear cider. As long as things don’t go pear-shaped, I find myself thinking. A smattering of Sky-Blues start a sing-song with a rendition of “Dublin in the Rare Oul Times”.

- “N’fheadair an ndéanfaimid an bheart?”
- “Ba cheart go ndéanfaimid é. Ach beidh crústáil ceart ann.”

Turnstiles. Ticket stubs. Ticker going a mile a minute.

“Official programmes! Get your official Prooooogrammes!”

Lower Hogan. Section 333. And I enter the stadium. The hairs stand on the back of my neck and I’m once again in awe at the sight of this hallowed turf and the atmosphere that is Croke Park. A temple. Blessed are we among supporters who are lucky enough to have a ticket. I try to concentrate on the second half of the minor game but it’s impossible. My mind wanders. Will Gooch play deeper? How will Darragh perform? I hope Sheehan has a humdinger of a day. The Hill starts to fill up and drone. The minors live to fight it out another day.

And the Dubs sprint onto the field. The wave of support from the flowing tide on the Hill is deafening.

“A cháirde, cuirigí fáilte roimh churraithe na h-Éireann agus curraithe na Mumhan. Foireann Ciarraí!”

I tingle at the burst of green and gold onto the pitch. I stand. I roar. The elderly couple sitting next to me are surprisingly vocal also. A quick flick through the programme to see if everything is in order. Faces to numbers and names among the Dublin subs warming up near the Hill. I spot number 25. Ah, Mr. Cosgrove. ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’. I belt it out. Kerry and proud. Tears coming to my eyes. And this time around, I break with my usual tradition and FINISH singing the song. Turning to my pal I tell her that Bannon is a b*stard and not to be surprised of he goes against us. Darragh shakes hands with Whelo. Bannon throws the O’Neill’s in…GAME ON!

Three points up and I’m happy. But Dublin come back. A few scraps here and there. Bannon is busy with the yellow cards. I’m convinced Paul Galvin is going to see the line prematurely. Then Darragh kicks a high ball and goes down. The replay on the big screen tells us all that he’s in trouble. Angst-ridden Kerry faces are silent. And the Hill adds fuel to our fire of surmounting worries. The Ard a’Bhóthar man gets up and resumes. But not for long. He’s gesturing to the bench. That’s it. Finito. My head goes down and I miss his dig on the Dublin back. Uncertainty. But my eyes are on Bannon. Then Darragh is taken off. My head goes down again. That’s it. Finito.
But how wrong I was. Tommy Griffin is playing a blinder. The stalwart from Dingle-Dangle is running straight at this Dublin defence. It looks like we can play without Darragh. Half time and we take to the tunnel a point behind. A dose of nicotine calls. Banter and analysis is exchanged. My phone is hopping with texts from Dublin and Cork folk. I’m too beleaguered and nervous to answer most of them. I still feel that Kerry could suffer in the second half without the character and presence of Darragh Ó Sé in the middle of the field. If I was a betting woman now, my money would be on Dublin. Oh, ye of little faith…

Kerry takes to the field pretty early. And something unusual happens. Five or six footballs on the field and the players are having a kick about near the hill. The curtain is raised on Act II of this nail-biter. Then it happens. Gooch seems to fumble the ball but passes it off to Killian Young. Young’s follow up finds Declan O’Sullivan inside. Turns. Shoots. Scores. “GWAN THE KINGDOM!!!” We’re demented and delirious! The elderly man standing next to me grabs me and hugs me. I see his wife isn’t too impressed, though. Ara, she’ll get over it. “That’s the stuff!” The spark that was needed in this electric atmosphere. And the Kingdom goes ahead and notches up another three points. Among them, a free from the turf from about sixty yards out. Sheehan, as composed as you like, puts the leather arrow straight between the posts. The Hill goes silent. And I am in sheer awe of the St. Mary’s man. Maurice Fitz, eat your heart out. Darragh is jogging up and down the sideline. Quizzical looks register on the faces of surrounding Kerry fans. “Substitution on the Kerry team…” A roar goes up when the An Ghaeltacht man takes to the field. Initially, it looks like Séamus Scanlon is making way. But there are a few surprised murmurs when Tommy Griffin is the man confirmed. This could be worrying yet. My heart sinks when Whelo beats Darragh to win the next two kick outs. And then Darragh kicks away a silly ball. The Dubs creep back into the game. 1-12 to 0-13. The tension is unbearable and the masses on the Hill are like hounds on the scent of a fox. Bannon gives four minutes injury time. “Didn’t I tell you he was a b*stard?” I remark to my pal. And then he penalises Marc Ó Sé for throwing a tantrum. A punter behind suggests that Bannon wouldn’t see a foul in a henhouse. A point between the teams. Cluxton comes out deep like that Columbian soccer goalie from the early nineties. But he gives away the ball. Declan O’Sullivan bags another point. What a hero! After Whelo brings Darren O’Sullivan down in a high, dirty challenge, the game is over. John Bannon blows the whistle and the pig’s bladder is kicked into the stand. “YES!” Roars of triumph. Clenched fists of victory. The elderly man grabs me and hugs me again. This time around, his wife smiles at me. Bring on the rebels.

On the 6.45 train back to Galway, I spot the Dublin fan and his young son who were sitting across the way from me that morning. They’re studying soccer cards and father is quizzing son on how many appearances a certain player has made for Chelsea. Enough said. Foggy Weather comes to mind.

Dear Foggy,

Here’s hoping that you continue to pen some witty articles. My belly aches from mirth and laughter.
Yours, with even greater amusement,

Peig.

Smiles and banter are exchanged among the Kerry-clad fans heading west. CKH-ness is alive and well. I’m proud to be a Kerry woman this evening...

[Joxer]

Brilliant Peig ...just brilliant

[noreenos]

Brilliant Stuff Peig!

[branch]

Great post there Peig!

[macker]

Sheehan's free from 60 yards didnt even move from the middle of the posts. Class.

[Piggy]

sheahan really showed what he's made of yesterday.talent to burn.

[macker]

Hopefully people will move away from the "hes only on for the frees" mentality.

[JOAN]

What can I say peig..... Class post just class...

[kerrygold]

great post, peig well done.

the game is on again tonight at 10.25pm ON SETANTA TV.

dara o cinneade said on the sunday game last night that kerry people need to get away from the mindset that we have lost mike mac,seamus and eamonn in defence and move on,he is proberly right too,we proberly also need to start trusting the young guns on the team and panel,reidy,young,sheehan,darren etc.

i was delighted for young and reidy yesterday,to defend in front of a full dublin hill 16 takes a lot of guts.

[ardfertnarrie]

Great Shtuff Peig. I laughed out loud.

[JOAN]

lads Killian young was great yesterday. I metioned him last year to keep an eye on him that he is hte next big name in Kerry football. I could watch him play all day He set up that goal for declan and his work rate in the backs was tireless. Reidy also was very good. I was glad he started. Sheehans free was a sight to behold. After watching the game I now understand why MFR was not on. Hope he will be back for the Cork game though. Good to see sean and darren in. Sean sullivan was on fire when he go in and what a point from him.. Any well done to all and bring on the rebels

[kerrygold]

seamus said:

Boys became men -Reidy, Young, Sheehan, Darren, Seamus
Men became legends - Marc, Tomas, Declan, Star
Gooch is a Genius

Q.E.D

well put seamus,the team now stands on the cresp of greatness in kerry folklore,they have drank well from the well in the last few weeks which will stand to them in the final.

when all the back slapping is finished tomorrow it will be time to once again to focus the minds and make sure the auld enemy dont ambush us in the final,time to be putting the shop back in order soon.

billy will have cork wired for this one,question is,will billys obsession/or whatever it is,with the green and gold jersey have cork rasor sharp for this one or will his desire to beat the kingdom in his swansong blunt their swords and leave them unfocused and blinded by his burning desire?

its perfectly pitched,billy to ride off into the sunset having masterminded a cork ambush of kerry on all-ireland final day in croker,pure bliss for billy and a death to the pain of 40 years of dispair against kerry on occassion,or kerry to reached out and claim greatness as they stand on the edge, fronted by a snarling cork 15 driven on by billy,will they fall over the edge or will they(kerry) come out fighting like tigers and grab that greatness.

a fancinating battle looms,something to focus the minds, the time to focus the minds looms large ahead.Kerry have dranken well from the well in the last few weeks.

[misteallaigh abú]

Just watched video of match there and Brosnan made a bigger contribution than i thought, left the game yesterday thinking that he had a poor game but he won breaks and set up a couple of scores too, especially in 1st half.Video also confirmed Mr Bannon's inept refereeing.For eg 18th min 50/50 ball between Brosnan and Cullen, throw in? NO free to Dublin, Vaughan point. 31st min Bernard Brogan throws himself to ground, ref reacts to crowds urges-FREE-Vaughan point. 37th min clear foul by Cullen on Declan free to Dublin???2nd half Griffin pulled back by Ryan, let go. Brosnan perfect disposession of Ryan, free to Dublin, Marc ó Sé's challenge at the end probably was a free though! As usual the issue was fudged on the Sunday game, the lads "looked at the video", obviously not the same one most of the rest of us watched!
Have to say that the Dublin fans were gracious in defeat and the Dublin team probably deserve a better return for their efforts over the last 4 years.
A massive thank you to all those guys on the Kerry panel, you have given us so many great and memorable days since the '96 Munster final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.That late Killian Burns score that day sparked us back to the big time again, ok we got caught by Mayo in the semi final that year but look at what those guys have done for Kerry since. LIAM HAYES YOU ARE TALKING THROUGH YOUR RATHER LARGE MEATH H..E!

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This Kerry team will have to be compared with the Great four in a row and Three ain a row teams of the past. Fantastic Four consecutive All Ireland finals. I watched greatness in motion yest from The Hill yest. Man of the match Dec O 'Sulliv, delighted after last yrs criticism. The Gooch, Star, and Marc o' Se outstanding. Also delighted for our rookies Reidy in particular was very tight on Vaughton. And Killian Young definitely shoe in for young player of the yr.

THANX BOYS FROM kerry FAN IN THE HILL!