All-Ireland Semi Final, Kerry v Mayo 2017

[kerryfanatic]

Interesting article in irish examiner by colm Cooper today....a lot of good points made!!!

[glengael]

Colm has a unique insight on the whole thing so I think that is what adds to the currency of what he is saying. As his first experience of loss outside of the bubble, it was always going to be interesting.

Plenty of views on here which have kept me reading over the past few days. Most of what I feel and think has already been said and more eloquently than I could say it to be honest.

[mayofan1]

Delighted Mayo man here but just wanted to acknowledge Kerry and say hard luck. In between our 1996 win over ye and Saturday's win, we have had to endure many defeats. That said, victory over Kerry will count for nothing if we don't beat Dublin.

Kerry will be back though. Alot of minor talent coming through.

[thebluepanther]

Very suprised at how Kerry played on Saturday. JOD being dropped and laying an extra defender, I feel straight away ye gave Mayo a boost. Basically saying you didn't trust your attacking options. You have big midfielders that caused us trouble in Tralee , but yet got your Goalie to kick it short against Mayo. Still if Crowley goal chance went in you were in the game. Ref I felt was hard on you and Darren o Sullivan black was a joke. As was Crowley second yellow , But because you were so defensive when you went down to 14 men there was no way back. Enright should have been taken of Moran. It didn't work first day so you change it( I felt for the guy).
Your intensity in both game against us this year was huge (but it was the league and I fear it gave some Kerry guys a false sense of where they were at, even EF.)
A feeling back in April was that you now had the tools to beat Dublin ( Moran, Morley, Crowley, Barry,Savage were getting the better of their opposite Dublin numbers, but Dublin were going at 70% training wise they were focused on August.
I definetly think Kerry are looking at Dublin too much and this ultimately cost them against Mayo

Mayo to be fair we excellent and deserved winners, bit it's only half the story. Kerry have enough players well able to beat Mayo. If the right game plan, aggression and focus was there.
At the end of first game against Mayo I wanted Sheehan to kick the winner, because I seen so much space all over the pitch I felt we would exploit it, if we got over Tyrone. I really thought the second game would bring you on. But the aggression unfortunetly for you wasn't there.
Still your future is bright and these minors coming through look good.

[kerrybhoy06]

I've thought long & hard about this as I didnt want to overreact in the anger that naturally follows a defeat like saturday- but Fitzmaurice has to go.

1) Tactically he was easily out smarted in both semi finals
2) He has failed to bring through any players this year when there is talent to come through
3) His selections have been baffling at times
4) The players look ill prepared physically, and
5) Most worryingly- a lot of players seemed resigned to that defeat on Saturday once Mayo got ahead.

[kerrygold]

When a team turns up like this in the last weekend in August the line has to hold up their hands and take responsibility. I've been to all Kerry's games this year and I'm more than happy Kerry have the players to win this semi final tie.

Whatever happens management wise the up coming NFL has to taken 100% seriously with a view to winning it and bedding in the young players.

[kerrybhoy06]

Aug 28, 2017 9:47:27 GMT kerrygold said:

When a team turns up like this in the last weekend in August the line has to hold up their hands and take responsibility. I've been to all Kerry's games this year and I'm more than happy Kerry have the players to win this semi final tie.

Whatever happens management wise the up coming NFL has to taken 100% seriously with a view to winning it and bedding in the young players.

But we did that in the league and then they werent trusted in the championship- we played half fit Maher, Donnacha & JOD instead of testing lads at the business end.

[greengold35]

Aug 28, 2017 9:33:35 GMT kerrybhoy06 said:

I've thought long & hard about this as I didnt want to overreact in the anger that naturally follows a defeat like saturday- but Fitzmaurice has to go.

1) Tactically he was easily out smarted in both semi finals
2) He has failed to bring through any players this year when there is talent to come through
3) His selections have been baffling at times
4) The players look ill prepared physically, and
5) Most worryingly- a lot of players seemed resigned to that defeat on Saturday once Mayo got ahead.

Agree with all the above but especially No 2 - EF has ignored the talent coming through. One area in particular in the modern game that we needed to develop was midfield - we have 3 players who do the same job - we needed to look at somebody athletic, not necessarily a high fielder, who could complement the current incumbents - nothing was done about this. Andrew Barry was the Munster U-21 player of the year - he has pace, a good reader of the game - not even on the panel.
The County Board need to take back control from the Kerry bainisteoir - plan our fixtures with Kerry players available, restore the two week rule for inter county competitions - our much vaunted county league structure is being reduced to fulfilling fixtures and standards are dropping - this could account for the staleness amongst a lot of guys this summer - players need to play competitively with their clubs, not be cocooned in a vacuum - no county panellists have played on our county leagues this year, some will tog out next week end. Sean O'Shea was NOT allowed play in county U-21 final, Jason Foley & Brian O' Seanachain were not allowed play for Ballydonoghue in NK U-21 final due to an internal Kerry game - this was in February !!
Big changes are needed, time for county board to take control.

[kerrygold]

We won the league by default, there was wild bewilderment in Killarney when Kerry qualified for the final. Roscommon and Cavan spring mind on the road as poor Kerry displays.

[kerrybhoy06]

Aug 28, 2017 10:02:10 GMT kerrygold said:

We won the league by default, there was wild bewilderment in Killarney when Kerry qualified for the final. Roscommon and Cavan spring mind on the road as poor Kerry displays.

We beat Dublin in Croker- thats not default.

And those matches where we performed poorly were the teething stage for a lot of players- they need games and experience or else they'll never come through.

Some will make it and some wont but most have not been given enough (if any) championship exposure

[buck02]

Aug 28, 2017 9:33:35 GMT kerrybhoy06 said:

I've thought long & hard about this as I didnt want to overreact in the anger that naturally follows a defeat like saturday- but Fitzmaurice has to go.

1) Tactically he was easily out smarted in both semi finals
2) He has failed to bring through any players this year when there is talent to come through
3) His selections have been baffling at times
4) The players look ill prepared physically, and
5) Most worryingly- a lot of players seemed resigned to that defeat on Saturday once Mayo got ahead.

Who is Kerry's physical trainer? Is it Podge Corcoran? If so, other than working with the PCD team, what experience does he have?

It grated with me watching the match back to see Donie Buckley jumping around with the rest of the Mayo back-room team after the game. He should be with Kerry. But it seems as long as Jack O Connor has the influence he has, Donie wont be involved.

[kerrygold]

Aug 28, 2017 10:05:53 GMT kerrybhoy06 said:

Aug 28, 2017 10:02:10 GMT kerrygold said:

We won the league by default, there was wild bewilderment in Killarney when Kerry qualified for the final. Roscommon and Cavan spring mind on the road as poor Kerry displays.

We beat Dublin in Croker- thats not default.

And those matches where we performed poorly were the teething stage for a lot of players- they need games and experience or else they'll never come through.

Some will make it and some wont but most have not been given enough (if any) championship exposure

Cavan wasn't teething stage, more apathy, which needs to be removed from next years NFL. Did apathy play any role over the past two weekends?

[Mickmack]

Aug 28, 2017 9:20:04 GMT thebluepanther said:

Very suprised at how Kerry played on Saturday. JOD being dropped and laying an extra defender, I feel straight away ye gave Mayo a boost. Basically saying you didn't trust your attacking options. You have big midfielders that caused us trouble in Tralee , but yet got your Goalie to kick it short against Mayo. Still if Crowley goal chance went in you were in the game. Ref I felt was hard on you and Darren o Sullivan black was a joke. As was Crowley second yellow , But because you were so defensive when you went down to 14 men there was no way back. Enright should have been taken of Moran. It didn't work first day so you change it( I felt for the guy).
Your intensity in both game against us this year was huge (but it was the league and I fear it gave some Kerry guys a false sense of where they were at, even EF.)
A feeling back in April was that you now had the tools to beat Dublin ( Moran, Morley, Crowley, Barry,Savage were getting the better of their opposite Dublin numbers, but Dublin were going at 70% training wise they were focused on August.
I definetly think Kerry are looking at Dublin too much and this ultimately cost them against Mayo

Mayo to be fair we excellent and deserved winners, bit it's only half the story. Kerry have enough players well able to beat Mayo. If the right game plan, aggression and focus was there.
At the end of first game against Mayo I wanted Sheehan to kick the winner, because I seen so much space all over the pitch I felt we would exploit it, if we got over Tyrone. I really thought the second game would bring you on. But the aggression unfortunetly for you wasn't there.
Still your future is bright and these minors coming through look good.

You wanted Sheehan to kick the winner. I wanted him to miss (first time ever) as Kerry would have sleep walked under the blue train.

Had Kerry won the replay with a high octane performance by 12 players then they might have been ready for Dublin.


Mayo produced that so I am glad they are in the final.

Dublin were under cooked in the league final.

Mayo had not gotten the credit for the level of performance against Dublin in 2015 and 2016 by a lot of Kerry fans.

[handyminor]

I'd like to echo what others have said. Eamon Fitzmaurice's time is up.
1. Tactically poor
2. Has not brought young players through
3. Weak management team
4. Doing fierce damage to club game(the real strength of Kerry football)
I am sure EF is a nice guy. However I doubt if the chairman has the laithroidi to do the needful.I can't understand why he hasn't fallen on his sword.

[upkerry23]

I was extremely disappointed with our fans this season. We were totally outnumbered by Mayo on both days, especially on Saturday. Mayo took advantage of this and created a very hostile environment. Which gave Mayo and major boost.Very hard on the player's I believe this was a major factor in the result.

[glengael]

I would question it being a 'major' factor. Dublin have had huge support in Croke Park for years and their fans are instrumental in creating an atmosphere there. Yet it's only since 2011 that they have won anything of significance.

[kerrybhoy06]

Aug 28, 2017 11:08:14 GMT upkerry23 said:

I was extremely disappointed with our fans this season. We were totally outnumbered by Mayo on both days, especially on Saturday. Mayo took advantage of this and created a very hostile environment. Which gave Mayo and major boost.Very hard on the player's I believe this was a major factor in the result.

There werent any fans marking Andy Moran the last day- away with your nonsense

[upkerry23]

Okay major might be over exaggerating sorry. I just felt Mayo fans gave there team a big boost. Really had the 16th man

[jackiel]

I think at this point the Kerry lads know that they don't get the same support as other counties, success makes for complacency. Mayo supporters are in a class of their own in fairness though.

[buck02]

Aug 28, 2017 11:16:15 GMT kerrybhoy06 said:

Aug 28, 2017 11:08:14 GMT upkerry23 said:

I was extremely disappointed with our fans this season. We were totally outnumbered by Mayo on both days, especially on Saturday. Mayo took advantage of this and created a very hostile environment. Which gave Mayo and major boost.Very hard on the player's I believe this was a major factor in the result.

There werent any fans marking Andy Moran the last day- away with your nonsense

A few of them might have done a better job!

[Jigz84]

My disappointment has turned to anger. Eamonn Fitzmaurice's decisions over the last 3 years have been unfathomable. I don't believe Hassett or Sheehy contribute or at least their opinions are shot down similar to Diarmuid Murphy. He has shown little trust in his players. Compare that to Jim Gavin. It was a mistake to give him another 2 years last year and he should do the right thing for himself and Kerry football.

The utter panic and headless chicken stuff that went on in the second half was an embarrassment, something that spread from the line and Hassett's antics. There was no patience shown. No leadership. Fellas going for goal when a simple point was on.

David Moran should have demanded the ball from Kelly in the first half. At one stage he was in acres of space in front of the D but turned his back on the ball. Lyne is not inter-county standard. Griffin is too good to not be on the field. He brings power and physicality and should've been out around the middle somewhere. I've said this before but his treatment has been dire under Fitzmaurice. He's always the fall guy.

There was no shape up front not helped by an invisible half-forward line. Buckley flatters to deceive. Is he really good enough for the big games in Croke Park? Enright and Young roasted ... again. No change made.

We're going nowhere without pace. Why would any of the up & coming talent want to play for the current regime? Best keeper in the county sitting on his backside in the Hogan. I could go on and on but I'm only venting. Very disappointing end to the year.

Good luck to Mayo.

[kerryexile]

Firstly I hope there are no changes or official statements until after the AIF. Anything that might include discussion on David Clifford playing senior next year might be a distraction to him. That would be unfair to the whole minor squad.

The question is being asked why players are not progressing. There may be a simple reason. Take Sean O’Shea. He was not allowed play club U21 earlier this summer. He is not allowed play county league games. He has not played for Kerry. So the only football he has played all summer has been training games behind closed doors. This limits their opportunities to develop. The county U21 games may be exceptions. The same applies to all the other minors.

When a county player goes back to his club, in most cases he is their best player. He is expected to show leadership, often mark the best player in the opposition etc etc. This would be great experience for a 19 or 20 year old.

[gaelicden]

go to the 25th minute of the video, what Jack O'Connor said is very interesting. If he had adopted defensive tactics, he wouldn't hear the end of it. Similar to last Saturday by Fitzmaurice, people aren't happy about tactics used (especially since we lost)

[Deleted]

Jack was talking through his h*ole when he said that. We are remarkably forgiving when we win.

[gaelicden]

Aug 28, 2017 14:59:28 GMT @kingdomexile said:

Jack was talking through his h*ole when he said that. We are remarkably forgiving when we win.

But apart from '14, how many other teams have we beat using blanket defence?

[ardfertnarrie]

We adapted in 2014 for Donegal, but the players knew their roles and knew what was expected of them.

They looked clueless on Saturday and that is down to the sideline. End of.

[champer]

Aug 28, 2017 11:33:20 GMT buck02 said:

Aug 28, 2017 11:16:15 GMT kerrybhoy06 said:

There werent any fans marking Andy Moran the last day- away with your nonsense

A few of them might have done a better job!

Marc OSe was marking him in his sleep 10 years ago. He must have been horrified looking on from the Hogan Stand.
A decent forward make look like a superstar in my view.
Cant see him getting any change out of Cian O'Sullivan or Philly.

[kerryscoob]

Management have a lot to answer for but let's be fair and Gooch mentioned it in his column - leadership, Geaney took no *e, Maher when he came on, Murphy did all he could to drive them on. Who else ?
We lacked leaders on the pitch, at no stage was there ever a defining moment where the hairs stood on the back of your neck and you thought we have a chance they are not going down without a fight. We came from 8 down to 4 through Mayo's incompetence to close out a game that was over by the 40 min.
Yes EF made *e of a mediocre team, Gough made *e of a potential good game, but many of Kerry's players went missing, is Buckley a man you want in the trenches when you have to get down and dirty?
Was it they were not able to, physically they were way off the pace, yes the team looked very sharp back in April, but looking at the evidence of early league games we sure weren't jumping out of out skins and peaking too soon. If so the break between league and championship would allow players to recover and develop further.
Many of the squad players we currently have are just squad players and will never start a championship game
Take BJK bit time player good for 10/15 mins not good enough to start, is that good enough?. He's taking up a squad place for younger talent, reminds me of a Peter o'Leary once the game opens up he'll do a job, is that good enough? We have enough of these players, and to be fair we need a selection of these but how many?
Squad I feel is poorer than when EF took over!

[gamechanger10]

Kerrys coop,
I think you are being harsh, Kerry set up yesterday to dull the Mayo full forward line and in doing so we ended up taking the sharpness of our own. Mayo are a good team but management simply spent too many hours with a slide rule and pencil in hand before this encounter. We have problems in defence but we have a serious threat in our full forward line, we took one third of that threat out and we took our best link player was sent to the trenches and told not to move. We played in a very disjointed manner as a result and despite this with a pinch of luck we would have scored two goals. Add to this the two sendings off of Darren which was simply rediculous and Crowley who were serious options in a stuttering attack,,, despite a poor performance we could have staggered over the line and learned many valuable lessons before the final

Mayo are a fine team and I actually think they will give the Dubs a right bellyful and in that thought how far off are we. We over thought last Saturday's game and seriuysly damaged our attacking threat, it's sport after all and where would we be without Monday morning quarterbacks ??

[Whosinmidfield]

Aug 28, 2017 15:06:23 GMT ardfertnarrie said:

We adapted in 2014 for Donegal, but the players knew their roles and knew what was expected of them.

They looked clueless on Saturday and that is down to the sideline. End of.

I agree but the EF should be wise enough now that you can't just a teach a new way of playing in 6 days. To get it right takes many games and trainings. Especially a system or style that is alien to our traditional style and strengths.