Kerry v Dublin All-Ireland Final 1/9/2019

[onlykerry]

Time to start praising Dublin and reassuring them - sur they have home advantage (as usual), a ref Kerry object to, the greatest team of all time, five in a row tee shirts and merchandise, Michael D their number 1 fan, RTE changing the name of "UP FOR THE MATCH" to "UP FOR THE CORONATION"...... just turn up and swat away the Kerry youngsters and claim their righful crowns.

I love it - All hail Dublin

What could possibly go wrong 😂😂😂 😂😂😂

[Mickmack]

By Peter McNamara
Sports Correspondent

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Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 06:05 PM
Kerry will need to be much more economical in attack if they are to truly challenge Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC final.

One particular statistic that may have grabbed Peter Keane’s eye on Sunday night was that Kerry converted just 12 out of 23 scoring opportunities in open play against Tyrone.

On the plus side, Keane and his management team will have been encouraged by the fact their players engineered 23 scoring chances in-play against a side as structured as Tyrone.


Yet, were Kerry to create the same number of opportunities in open play during the final they would probably need to convert at least 20 of them to give themselves a genuine chance of dethroning Jim Gavin’s outfit.

Of course, it is unlikely Dublin will allow Kerry to create 23 scoring chances anyway, but the fact remains the Kingdom will require greater efficiency in front of Stephen Cluxton’s goal on September 1.

At present, it seems as if Stephen O’Brien could miss the final due to picking up a black card last Sunday in the closing quarter.

Kerry, of course, will be doing everything in their power between now and the decider to ensure O’Brien is available to Keane.

O’Brien has performed immeasurably well for Kerry this summer and has always been a player of immense talent. His preference for direct running will be needed in spades against Dublin. He has been Kerry’s most proficient operator so far in the championship and were he to miss out, it would be extremely difficult to envisage Keane’s charges turning Dublin over.


In fact, even if O’Brien is cleared to play, his presence may not be enough to derail Dublin’s bid for five-in-a-row.

Nevertheless, how brilliant was O’Brien in the creation and execution of Kerry’s match-defining major against Tyrone?

Paul Geaney’s craft was evident in the way he released O’Brien, but the wing-forward’s finish was as clever as it was essential.

Another man that made a significant contribution to Kerry’s second-half cause in their clash with the northerners was Tommy Walsh.

How can Kerry trouble Dublin in All-Ireland final?

Given there is a perceived weakness aerially in Dublin’s full-back line, would Keane and co be tempted to start the experienced powerhouse?

After all, would it really be a day for holding the trump cards back? If they are to compete with Dublin, Keane’s unit will need to throw absolutely everything they have at Gavin’s troops from the get-go to see where that takes them.

Even if Walsh was held in reserve, he represents a wonderful option for Keane.


His link-up play was a key feature of Kerry’s display when it really mattered in the second half and Walsh would give Dublin’s defensive sector a headache.

Keane may decide to keep Walsh on the bench at the start of the final but throwing caution to the wind might yield a brighter outlook for them.

Kerry’s attitude after half-time was superb last Sunday, as was illustrated afterwards by Mickey Harte.

“(Kerry) came out with a different attitude in the second half — that they were up for the challenge, up for the fight. As the game went on, that became very apparent,” Harte mused. “And I suppose when it got close, a point-for-point game, a goal was going to be major for any team and that’s the way it turned out. I just think that half time is a dangerous place — if you are going well, you don’t want half-time at all.

“We were going well up to half-time and that’s a time-out to be able to make adjustments with settled minds — that was half time at a bad time.

“This is a dangerous deal because the team behind is going to come out more energised about changing the script. It can be hard to get your team to… you try to talk the right language to get your team to win the second half.”

If Kerry bring that second-half drive to the opening quarter of the finale, Keane’s men will at least give themselves a foothold into the match.

However, if they are as flustered in the first-half on September 1 as they were against Tyrone, no interval mood swing will alter their destiny for the better because Dublin will be out the gate by then.


If O’Brien has been Kerry’s most accomplished performer this summer, Con O’Callaghan is equally effective for Dublin, albeit operating in a different role.


He looks every inch the Footballer of the Year in-waiting or, at least, close to certain to being shortlisted for the award provided he has even a relatively decent showing in the decider.

Cathal McShane tormented Jason Foley so the latter will hardly be tasked with shackling O’Callaghan in the final.

Maybe Tadhg Morley will be detailed to mark O’Callaghan. Yet, would Morley be more suited to a sweeper role for the Kingdom?

In fact, is there a case to be made that Keane implements a defensive party which includes two sweepers, each one situated, mainly, at the mid-points of the full-back-wing-backs and corner-backs-centre-back axes?

To some, pitching two sweepers might seem extreme, but the circumstances might require two.

Additionally, it might free up space in front of Kerry’s full-forward line allowing Paul Geaney and David Clifford to potentially flourish, provided Keane’s team can break at speed when earning turnovers – interestingly, Kerry had 18 turnovers to Tyrone’s 13.

Still, no matter what Kerry attempt tactically, it is unlikely to ruffle the champions.

[Kingdomson]

Aug 15, 2019 7:33:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Dublin are a brilliant team. No obvious weaknesses.

Mayo's semi final game was their 7th in 8 weeks. The only break was a two week one before the Donegal game so Mayo were as wrecked facing Dublin as they were coming to Killarney. More so perhaps. Mayo game with Donegal was a massive effort while Dublin second string played Tyrone.

Mayo did well in the first half v Dublin but we do not know whether Dublin were holding back. The half time break came at the wrong time for Mayo.

Kerry will be a young, fresh opponent and hopefully this business about the ref will not effect their performance.

At some point Dublin will try to turn the screw and I am confident that Shane Ryan will keep his head unlike Rob Hennelly when he kicked a succession of poor kickouts which Fenton etc gobbled up. Kerrys last score v Tyrone by contrast was from a well worked Kerry kickout when the pressure was really on.


I am hoping that PK will come up with some defensive plan to put bodies around the D to stop goals. That is crucial.


Mannion seems to be the only Dublin player allowed to attempt for points from anywhere as he is so good. Everyone else must be in near the D to ensure the point is taken. Can this necklace of handpassing around the D by Dublin be disrupted. For 80 minutes?

There is so much for Kerry to get right with a young team against such a formidable experienced opponent.


Dublin may well be 10 points a better team than everyone. We dont know yet. Kerry and Dublin both beat a tired Mayo side. There is no yardstick to see how good Dublin are just now. There hasnt been since the 2017 final.

Mickmack, that's a great summing up really on the state of play. One senses Dublin would really like to not just beat Kerry but trounce Kerry in this All Ireland final and it would be some bookend, coming 10 years on from the 'startled earwigs'. Dublin would love to nip any future threat to their current preeminence of the game and will believe that handing out this young Kerry team a good hammering in this final could have a massive psychological impact going forward. Make no mistake, Dublin will seek to leave a calling card for all challengers and kill all hope. Most teams are now terrified of Dublin but Kerry are not and nor should they be.

On and off the field, Dublin seemed to really relish handing out a hammering to Mayo and I hope at the very least we avoid such humiliation. Kerry need to come out of this game with not just hope for the future but to reaffirm the idea that we are indeed the coming team going into the next decade.

[Deleted]

If Kerry try to play two sweepers or go over defensive they will be slaughtered

Teams have been doing this to Dublin since 2014 with no success

Also it is important we put up a score and stay true to our own game

While it may sound silly, Losing a game 3-18 to 1-16 is I believe better than losing a game 1-15 to 0-10.

We need to at least pose an attacking threat

[homerj]

if any of ye here are or know the person organising this supposed protest about Gough, can we get that f*cking thing deleted off facebook as its embarassing at this stage.

while we are entitled to complain about it and its not right, the decision is made and we get on with it and no point even bringing it up anymore. county board have said they are happy and thats enough for me- we move on.

but this nonsense of a protest is just making us a laughing stock now - part of me thinks about 5 people will be there but its still newsworthy

[watchdebreakswillye]

It's 15 men v 15 men. Thereafter, it's replacement v replacement. Evens.
Most of this Kerry team are going for a first All-Ireland senior medal. That's a huge motivation. The Dublin team is going for an historic five-in-a row. That's a huge motivation for them. Evens.
Dublin is steeped in success and their confidence is sky high, having played with their opponents over many years now. A lot of our Kerry team have had their fair share of success too at minor level and that includes Peter Keane. They have that winning mentality about them, allied to a proud history of green and gold success down through the many years. Evens.
Kerry has upped the ante when it needed to and that has led this bunch to within a hares breath of winning Sam in 2019.
Both teams are putting the final touches to their preparations right now. Minds and bodies are being worked on by the backroom teams to ensure that their plans are executed to the T on September 1st. Every player will want to do well in the cauldron that awaits. Some will excel with man of the match performances. Some will sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the team by performing specific roles, which will prohibit the use of their full range of skills. Some, but not many, will find the going tough, and will have to leave the arena, to be replaced by a teammate. One or two might get a rush of blood to the head and see a black or red card flashing in front of them. I hope that doesn't happen and that all players, from either side, walk from the field at the end, fully intact and without injury. After all, it's an amateur game and all these guys are only doing it for the love of it and to represent their county.
I see where the Dublin team is heading to Clare to the Trump Resort in Doonbeg for a few days, as part of their preparation. Lovely part of the world. I hope they get plenty of fresh air into their lungs there because they'll need it when they meet our proud men, who have been reared in a very special and proud place known to all as The Kingdom. Ciarraí Abú.

[greengold35]

Aug 15, 2019 7:33:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Dublin are a brilliant team. No obvious weaknesses.

Mayo's semi final game was their 7th in 8 weeks. The only break was a two week one before the Donegal game so Mayo were as wrecked facing Dublin as they were coming to Killarney. More so perhaps. Mayo game with Donegal was a massive effort while Dublin second string played Tyrone.

Mayo did well in the first half v Dublin but we do not know whether Dublin were holding back. The half time break came at the wrong time for Mayo.

Kerry will be a young, fresh opponent and hopefully this business about the ref will not effect their performance.

At some point Dublin will try to turn the screw and I am confident that Shane Ryan will keep his head unlike Rob Hennelly when he kicked a succession of poor kickouts which Fenton etc gobbled up. Kerrys last score v Tyrone by contrast was from a well worked Kerry kickout when the pressure was really on.


I am hoping that PK will come up with some defensive plan to put bodies around the D to stop goals. That is crucial.


Mannion seems to be the only Dublin player allowed to attempt for points from anywhere as he is so good. Everyone else must be in near the D to ensure the point is taken. Can this necklace of handpassing around the D by Dublin be disrupted. For 80 minutes?

There is so much for Kerry to get right with a young team against such a formidable experienced opponent.


Dublin may well be 10 points a better team than everyone. We dont know yet. Kerry and Dublin both beat a tired Mayo side. There is no yardstick to see how good Dublin are just now. There hasnt been since the 2017 final.

Excellent summation - problem (?) for Dublin is the lack of a real test and how they would cope if they were on the back foot for a period of time ; all teams try to visualize differing scenarios but encountering difficulties in real time requires a different mindset.
If Dublin are to be really tested it’s in how they deal with our forwards - Mayo did not present that case ever nor did Tyrone last year - Geaney, Clifford, O’Brien, O’Shea, Walsh, Spillane - they will need all their defenders to be able to cope individually and collectively with these guys - nobody can carry passengers on All Ireland final day. We will need goals too & they could be the key to unlocking them - I know we got early goals in ‘13 & lost but we are a different team to then; Dublin have all the big game experience etc but if we gain early momentum anything is possible - our youth is a big asset as we will hold no fear - equally the likes of David & Tommy may be in last chance saloon and will give their all.

[Deleted]

Aug 15, 2019 12:19:52 GMT homerj said:

if any of ye here are or know the person organising this supposed protest about Gough, can we get that f*cking thing deleted off facebook as its embarassing at this stage.

while we are entitled to complain about it and its not right, the decision is made and we get on with it and no point even bringing it up anymore. county board have said they are happy and thats enough for me- we move on.

but this nonsense of a protest is just making us a laughing stock now - part of me thinks about 5 people will be there but its still newsworthy

Murt Murphy is taking care of this person on Twitter
The guy sounds unhinged

[sullyschoice]

Aug 15, 2019 4:01:10 GMT @kingdomexile said:

Aug 14, 2019 23:15:11 GMT sullyschoice said:

You have been contributing quite a bit to this thread. Haven't heard you say too much about the hurling. Maybe you could start your own thread about it.

Looks like you are a little upset that I pulled you up on your great conspiracy theory about Michael D. Poor thing 😂😂😂

Why don’t you contact Gemma o Doherty and arrange your protest 😛😛😛

You actually missed the point being made as a result. The point about the hurling relates to the wider media not the Kerry GAA forum

I never mentioned anything about a protest and I think you post where you pulled me up may have been deleted. Mentioning Gemma O Doherty is only making a * of yourself. Your smiley faces are reminiscent of a certain other clown who used to post here

[Deleted]

Cheer up😜

[ballhopper34]

Where are the goals going to come from? We've played 6 championship games and in 5 of them we have exactly one goal per game. The sixth game was the two goal effort in Navan.

For those of us who recall the 5-11 versus Dublin in 1978, the five goals was the most scored by Kerry that year. But the other three championship games that year yielded 4, 3 and 3 goals respectively.

So there is no evidence that Kerry can score goals, therefore we depend on kicking 1-23 or so and keeping Dublin to one goal or less.

A very tall order, but something/someone/some plan might be holding back until September 1.

[Hicser]

Great comments by Tim Murphy in the Examiner, well done to Tim, nothing more to be said on Referee,

[onlykerry]

Aug 15, 2019 14:52:38 GMT ballhopper34 said:

Where are the goals going to come from? We've played 6 championship games and in 5 of them we have exactly one goal per game. The sixth game was the two goal effort in Navan.

For those of us who recall the 5-11 versus Dublin in 1978, the five goals was the most scored by Kerry that year. But the other three championship games that year yielded 4, 3 and 3 goals respectively.

So there is no evidence that Kerry can score goals, therefore we depend on kicking 1-23 or so and keeping Dublin to one goal or less.

A very tall order, but something/someone/some plan might be holding back until September 1.

Goals were more common then as you could hand pass the ball to the net

[Ballyfireside]

Aug 15, 2019 8:33:24 GMT onlykerry said:

Time to start praising Dublin and reassuring them - sur they have home advantage (as usual), a ref Kerry object to, the greatest team of all time, five in a row tee shirts and merchandise, Michael D their number 1 fan, RTE changing the name of "UP FOR THE MATCH" to "UP FOR THE CORONATION"...... just turn up and swat away the Kerry youngsters and claim their righful crowns.

I love it - All hail Dublin

What could possibly go wrong 😂😂😂 😂😂😂

Even I don't know, but I am sure something might!

[ballhopper34]

Aug 15, 2019 15:45:46 GMT onlykerry said:

Aug 15, 2019 14:52:38 GMT ballhopper34 said:

Where are the goals going to come from? We've played 6 championship games and in 5 of them we have exactly one goal per game. The sixth game was the two goal effort in Navan.

For those of us who recall the 5-11 versus Dublin in 1978, the five goals was the most scored by Kerry that year. But the other three championship games that year yielded 4, 3 and 3 goals respectively.

So there is no evidence that Kerry can score goals, therefore we depend on kicking 1-23 or so and keeping Dublin to one goal or less.

A very tall order, but something/someone/some plan might be holding back until September 1.

Goals were more common then as you could hand pass the ball to the net

Dublin have scored 5 goals twice in this year's championship.

Cork have 3,3,4,2,2 and 3 goals in their 6 games.


Kerry's best is 2 on one occasion...we are way behind. Hopefully something is being done to address this glaring underperformance.

[stuckintipp]

Aug 15, 2019 16:57:33 GMT ballhopper34 said:

Aug 15, 2019 15:45:46 GMT onlykerry said:

Goals were more common then as you could hand pass the ball to the net

Dublin have scored 5 goals twice in this year's championship.

Cork have 3,3,4,2,2 and 3 goals in their 6 games.


Kerry's best is 2 on one occasion...we are way behind. Hopefully something is being done to address this glaring underperformance.

Interesting about Cork, but their championship record is two wins v Div 4 Limerick and Div 3 Laois and 4 defeats....... I’d prefer to be in our position and I can guarantee they would too

[southward]

Aug 15, 2019 8:33:24 GMT onlykerry said:

Time to start praising Dublin and reassuring them - sur they have home advantage (as usual), a ref Kerry object to, the greatest team of all time, five in a row tee shirts and merchandise, Michael D their number 1 fan, RTE changing the name of "UP FOR THE MATCH" to "UP FOR THE CORONATION"...... just turn up and swat away the Kerry youngsters and claim their righful crowns.

I love it - All hail Dublin

What could possibly go wrong 😂😂😂 😂😂😂

If they could just bring out a song now as well...

Come on Dublin City Ramblers; you can do it!

[dc84]

Aug 15, 2019 18:16:47 GMT stuckintipp said:

Aug 15, 2019 16:57:33 GMT ballhopper34 said:

Dublin have scored 5 goals twice in this year's championship.

Cork have 3,3,4,2,2 and 3 goals in their 6 games.


Kerry's best is 2 on one occasion...we are way behind. Hopefully something is being done to address this glaring underperformance.

Interesting about Cork, but their championship record is two wins v Div 4 Limerick and Div 3 Laois and 4 defeats....... I’d prefer to be in our position and I can guarantee they would too

Also we played a well drilled team in clare this year no one scores too many goals vs them if we had played limerick or Waterford it would have been different. At the same time we dont make enough opportunities are we too conservative?
Which is understandable given our defence isn't super solid should we leave Tom Sullivan Murphy white and o beaglaoich loose and say just attack attack attack ?

[Deleted]

[ballhopper34]

Aug 15, 2019 19:34:25 GMT dc84 said:

Aug 15, 2019 18:16:47 GMT stuckintipp said:

Interesting about Cork, but their championship record is two wins v Div 4 Limerick and Div 3 Laois and 4 defeats....... I’d prefer to be in our position and I can guarantee they would too

Also we played a well drilled team in clare this year no one scores too many goals vs them if we had played limerick or Waterford it would have been different. At the same time we dont make enough opportunities are we too conservative?
Which is understandable given our defence isn't super solid should we leave Tom Sullivan Murphy white and o beaglaoich loose and say just attack attack attack ?

I can't recall us hitting a post or crossbar in a shot for goal - and I don't recall any wonder saves from opposition goalkeepers either. There were a few shots that went close but wide - Paul Geaney had one good effort on Sunday, but we seem to be happy to take the point when it becomes available.

Too conservative is the best summary I suppose - or the lack of the ability to kill teams off with a bit of ruthlessness that seems absent at this time.

Goals and improving the defenders will take us to the next level.

[stuckintipp]

Stephen OBrien Cleared to play In final

[Deleted]

Great for it to be resolved so quickly and we can put it and that other nonsense to one side now

[ballhopper34]

It appears we have a good, efficient board to be able to process this appeal so quickly and remove a potential headache that might have run into next week.

Probably had the case prepared last week in case Stephen or Gavin got a third black against Tyrone. Impressive.

[Annascaultilidie]

Great stuff. Happy Days.

[john4]

Delighted for Stephen O'Brien. This is great news, expected but none the less it's out of the way now anyway.

[ciarrai4sam]

Aug 15, 2019 12:19:52 GMT homerj said:

if any of ye here are or know the person organising this supposed protest about Gough, can we get that f*cking thing deleted off facebook as its embarassing at this stage.

while we are entitled to complain about it and its not right, the decision is made and we get on with it and no point even bringing it up anymore. county board have said they are happy and thats enough for me- we move on.

but this nonsense of a protest is just making us a laughing stock now - part of me thinks about 5 people will be there but its still newsworthy

Totally agree there is too much whinging and whining from Kerry supporters about the ref, the ref is there to do a job he is professional I really don't think any ref goes out and chooses to actually side with a team before he throws the ball up in the air... it's just being silly and ridiculous and brings Kerry down, just Stop and let the 15v15 go at it

[ciarrai4sam]

Aug 15, 2019 20:14:19 GMT stuckintipp said:

Stephen OBrien Cleared to play In final

Well done County board to be on top so quickly, great news, now plot the downfall.

[Mickmack]

Kieran Shannon
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 12:00 AM
It takes a special team to make a team like Mayo look so old, spent, lost.

Yet that's what they did, once the ref threw that ball back up.


Their veteran midfielder set the tone from the start.

Up front, their young tyro left even Lee Keegan, the outstanding back of his generation, chasing shadows.

Next to him, their reigning All Star inside forward kicking one wonder point after another over with his trusted left foot, torched a brilliant man marker like Brendan Harrison for five points.

The Mayo kickout was in disarray, their goalkeeper frazzled, by the press employed.

In just 12 devastating minutes of football, they had absolutely blitzed Mayo, transforming what was once a close game into a double-digit lead.


By the time Andy Moran was introduced, the game was already long over. In the end James Horan’s team were fortunate to lose by just 10 points, as unfortunate as they were to have had only a week to turn around from the high of beating one of their westerly neighbours in a real backs-to-the-wall affair in a provincial ground to face the well-rested aristocrats in their own backyard.



And that is why Kerry are in the All-Ireland final — and have a chance to win it.

Remember Killarney only a month ago today? Fitzgerald Stadium packed, just like Croke Park last weekend?

David Moran laying down a marker and the law to Aidan O’Shea, just as Michael Dara Macauley established how last Saturday’s second half was going to be when tomahawking that throw in towards Dean Rock?

Sean O’Shea’s dancing feet leaving Keegan as flat-footed as he was encountering Con O’Callaghan’s?

David Clifford evading Brendan Harrison’s hold and fingertips to swing over point and point with that precious left peg just like Paul Mannion last weekend?

David Clarke with his kicking tee in hand as overwhelmed as Rob Hennelly was facing the blue tsunami?


David Moran plucking down his kickouts like Brian Fenton fetched Hennelly’s?

How Kerry went from just 07-04 up on Mayo after 19 minutes to 14-04 after 31?

True, Mayo were flat from having played Galway in Limerick the previous weekend, just like they were leggy last Saturday from the effort exerted to overcome Donegal in Castlebar, but it still took a remarkable effort and team to make the weeks and years so evidently catch up on Mayo.


Take it so that however many boots the Kerry goalkeeper orders from Gerard Murphy’s sports store in Castleisland, he and Kerry will keep the ball kicked out to Dublin, and a whole lot better than Mayo did when besieged by both finalists this past month.

For sure there was something awe and fear-inducing about Dublin’s power surge after half-time. Having spent the week researching how Dublin have developed their coaches and players for a piece in last Saturday’s paper and then watching them lay waste to the other top side of the decade, it brought to mind some of the utterances of Tim Robbins’ character in Spielberg’s War of the Worlds as the extra-terrestrials’ towering war machines scorch the earth.

“They’ve been planning this for a million years,” Harlan Ogilvy tells Tom Cruise’s Ray Ferrier. “We’re beat to *. Think about it. They defeated the greatest power in the world in a couple of days. Walked right over us. And these are the only the first. They’ll keep coming.

This is not a war any more than there’s a war between men and maggots. This is an extermination.


And yet on the same day as Ciaran Archer is announced as the U20 player of the year, ready to come on stream and replace a departee like Bernard Brogan, we cling to and even believe in a line from another character played by Robbins, one Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.”

Contrary to what Cleese claimed, it doesn’t kill you. It keeps you alive. And so it is with the rest of football. It can get busy living or get busy dying.

And in Kerry at least it has a team who isn’t going to just roll over. All year they’ve been busy living and for a good bit longer than that they’ve been making plans of their own for future domination.

It was evident in that dismantling of all things Mayo, kickouts and everything else, last month. Not only did it take exceptional players to pull it off — Clifford, O’Shea, Geaney, Stephen O’Brien in the prime of his career — but it took astute coaching and plotting.

As more than one current and former Mayo player noted, it had Donie Buckley’s fingermarks all over it, armed as he was with so much knowledge of the tendencies and weaknesses of a team he coached for six years.

That opening Super 8s game though won’t be the only match in this championship that his time with Mayo will prove to have been invaluable in scouting and preparing for an opponent. If there’s one team he knows nearly as well as Kerry and Mayo at this stage, it’s Dublin from going up against them so often.

Think of all the video sessions he’s sat in and facilitated over the decade, looking at ways to curb and hurt the Dubs. If you throw in the 2011 championship when he was part of Jack O’Connor’s coaching staff, this will be his sixth All-Ireland final coaching a team against Dublin.


Though he still awaits his first win over them, the most Dublin won any of those previous five encounters by was a single point. In 2016, they required a replay to scrape over the line.

And that year Mayo’s form going into the final was considerably more erratic and underwhelming than Kerry’s this year; we tend to forget in light of Mayo’s subsequent resistance that people were as braced for a one-sided affair as they expect one on September 1. But it didn’t happen. A proud group of players and a wily brains trust that included Buckley didn’t allow it.

Kerry and Buckley won’t allow it this time either. For sure the core of their team isn’t as hardened and experienced as the Mayo teams he coached into September. They don’t have as many proven and capable one-on-one defenders to shut down a Brogan, Kilkenny, or Mannion as a Harrison, Keegan, and Barrett have at various times at their peak.

But it’s not like this Kerry side are all schoolboys or choirboys. Nine of their outfield players that finished against Tyrone have already won either a senior All-Ireland or a national league.

Virtually all the rest have won minor All-Irelands.

And Peter Keane has surrounded himself with far more experienced selectors on the line than James Horan could call on last Saturday.


Keane oversaw three of those minor All-Ireland triumphs, accompanied by James Foley and Tommy Griffin, who has also served as a coach to All-Ireland-winning Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne teams as well as being a five-time All-Ireland-winning player.

Maurice Fitzgerald has coached St Mary’s to an All-Ireland intermediate title as well as being the one link to the Éamonn Fitzmaurice regime in which he was a selector for two years. Faced by something like Dublin threw at their opponents after half-time last Saturday, you can expect Kerry’s reaction on the line and thus on the field to be more swift and less startled than what Mayo offered.

There’s something for everyone to ponder in that. If Kerry look primed to be the new Mayo — as in Dublin’s main rivals for the next decade — then Mayo as currently constituted look like being the new Tyrone: A respectable and consistent top-five force without ever breaking back into that top-two status which they enjoyed for most of a decade.

Horan has outsmarted some fine coaching staffs this year and done a masterful job of integrating new players with his veterans and will carefully ensure the inevitable bout of retirements won’t become like a deluge like which Cork experienced in the autumn of 2013, effectively submerging them for the rest of the decade.

But now he’s back at the highest level and encountered once again at close quarters Dublin’s towering killing machines, he’ll have likely spotted that where once Mayo and Dublin were equals in the S&C stakes, a not-inconsiderable gap has opened, and he could do with a bit more nous and experience alongside him.

All that though is for later. Right now we have this final. September 2019 might prove to be a lot like September 2009, where a dominant Kilkenny team met an emerging Tipperary side who rattled them in a classic but weren’t quite yet ready to take them down.

Con and Clifford could be going at it for the next 10 years like Callanan and TJ, owning a decade like Bird and Magic did the ’80s. At worst, though we’ll have a duopoly. There will be no monopoly or extermination.

[pillar]

Aug 15, 2019 15:24:22 GMT Hicser said:

Great comments by Tim Murphy in the Examiner, well done to Tim, nothing more to be said on Referee,

Great job diffusing an unnecessary furore which shouldn't have been given legs in the first place.And SOB rightly clearly to play.No more unnecessary negative energy now,roll on September 1.

[mossie]

2 things frighten me in particular

Okay we bt Dublin by a point in the league but they way Dublin opened us with such ease for 2 goals frightened me, that was a winter match in Tralee, this will be in Croke Park at the business end with Dublin in full swing.

Also, Dublin's power surge after HT v Mayo, they have the capacity to do that and have done it so often and teams seem so powerless to stop it plus such damage gets done in such a short period of time, you hardly have time to react to stop it