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

[barrystea29]

Absolutely spot on, why can’t young Clifford score ? At least like he wants to, great young player and kicker for sure. Gooch was on his game at 20 ! Same as Rugby 🏉 the try scoring team should win. Dublin’s DEFENDER runs length of pitch ! Goal !
Kerry seem timid and lacking aggression in front of goal like a football soccer team trying to walk it in, looking for the kick opportunity what’s the craic with nobody hungry like the Woolf to thump it in the net. Is Clifton that good that they didn’t want you o shoot ?

[kerryborder]

I suppose you can make an argument for any issue.

I still believe giving Dublin a free run at their kickouts was a mistake. Psychologically it sends a message also. For good game managers ,and they are, it allowed them settle early and dictate the game which they did for the most part. When we had the numbers to go at them we showed we could compete. My point is we conceded primary possesion to them which we should not have done or at the very least vary the tactics and keep them guessing. They settled into their rhythm so easily and we were chasing for a lot of the game.

We have made huge strides this year on and off the pitch. We will learn from this and be back.

[MeathExile]

My wife bought me a season ticket last XMAS. That was the present that kept on giving right up to yesterday. It was a pleasure watching the players improve from the first day out vs Tyrone in Killarney, all the way to yesterday. This is a special bunch of players - great skills and a never-say-die attitude. Hopefully we can find one or 2 more to add to the mix over the next 5 months as we are very,very close. The little grains of sand that Paidi spoke about to tip the scales are out there somewhere - 2 unavailable in Australia that we know of, but perhaps there are 1 or 2 more so bhaile that are available for us now.

Cant wait for February.....

[kot]

I think just 2 things need to be said at the moment, i’ll save the critique for later. But a massive word of appreciation for the Kerry team this year. They gave us a great year and, if we are honest, they are ahead of where we expected. I look forward to seeing them contest for the biggest prizes in the ‘20s.

Secondly, congratulations and pure admiration for Dublin. Their ruthless efficiency is demoralising as an opponent but when you sit back and look at it objectively.... what can you say. I thought at half time they were rattled, but they just came out and swatted us aside.

I suppose it just means our new target is 6 in a row.

[taggert]

Huge congrats to Dublin. They are a serious squad of players and are worthy 5 in a row winners. That their starting 15 has changed so much from 2015 (in stark contrast to Kerry 78-82), it tells you all you need to know of the conveyor belt of talent in the capital, something the other 31 counties can only dream of.

Contesting league and 2 All Ireland finals in the one year will no doubt bring players and management on in spades.

A couple of quick obs. on yesterday -
1. Dublin have perfected strategic fouling (i.e. non black/red card fouling) with the foul on Morley a red card in the soccer code, but a mere tick yesterday. Coupled with Murchan's over carrying, there was a 5-point swing (factoring in the tap over free).
2. Kerry erred hugely with the long, hopeless, poorly flighted punts into Geaney that resulted in 2 or 3 subsequent points for Dublin. Recycling and retaining possession, even if the crowd dont like it, has been perfected by Dublin.
3. Kerry need to get their marksmen taking the shots that Moran and Barry mangled yesterday. Dublin wait and wait, until Mannion, Callaghan and Kilkenny are in the optimal position.
4. While no team can press Dublins kickout for an entire half, let alone an entire game, there is merit in considering doing so for periodic 5 minute spells. Felt we really erred on this score yesterday as Dublin were too comfortable for far too ling albeit in non threatening areas of the pitch.
5. Dublins use of screens and borderline 3rd man tackles (just stopping short by walking across or naking opponents check their runs) in creating the fraction of a second needed for their shooters to fire.

Combining these lessons, experiences and knowhow with another year of spuds, cabbage and S&C, Kerry will return wiser and meaner in 2020.

[yourholiness]

At half time my nerves were shattered. I think the goal was the turning and in fairness a lot of steps were taken but I think referees have a blind spot when players are running towards goal .

Of all the great Kerry players the one that surprised me was Jack Barry . I think he will have a huge influence on this tussle over the next number of years . As ever Kerry people around me were gracious to a fault . My genuine commiserations.

The sincere graciousness on this forum is humbling . This next decade will be so interesting.

[mossie]

Sept 15, 2019 20:19:16 GMT taggert said:

Huge congrats to Dublin. They are a serious squad of players and are worthy 5 in a row winners. That their starting 15 has changed so much from 2015 (in stark contrast to Kerry 78-82), it tells you all you need to know of the conveyor belt of talent in the capital, something the other 31 counties can only dream of.

Contesting league and 2 All Ireland finals in the one year will no doubt bring players and management on in spades.

A couple of quick obs. on yesterday -
1. Dublin have perfected strategic fouling (i.e. non black/red card fouling) with the foul on Morley a red card in the soccer code, but a mere tick yesterday. Coupled with Murchan's over carrying, there was a 5-point swing (factoring in the tap over free).
2. Kerry erred hugely with the long, hopeless, poorly flighted punts into Geaney that resulted in 2 or 3 subsequent points for Dublin. Recycling and retaining possession, even if the crowd dont like it, has been perfected by Dublin.
3. Kerry need to get their marksmen taking the shots that Moran and Barry mangled yesterday. Dublin wait and wait, until Mannion, Callaghan and Kilkenny are in the optimal position.
4. While no team can press Dublins kickout for an entire half, let alone an entire game, there is merit in considering doing so for periodic 5 minute spells. Felt we really erred on this score yesterday as Dublin were too comfortable for far too ling albeit in non threatening areas of the pitch.
5. Dublins use of screens and borderline 3rd man tackles (just stopping short by walking across or naking opponents check their runs) in creating the fraction of a second needed for their shooters to fire.

Combining these lessons, experiences and knowhow with another year of spuds, cabbage and S&C, Kerry will return wiser and meaner in 2020.

I could not believe it that we blitzed the full forward line with high ball while Tommy Walsh was up in the stands!

Hard to be too critical of players and management as the effort was mammoth and genuine. Shane Ryan developing into a serious goalkeeper, just needs to pick out a few long range kick outs a la Cluxton. There was a few on Saturday night that were on but he didn't take on or spot

[southward]

Sept 15, 2019 20:19:16 GMT taggert said:

Huge congrats to Dublin. They are a serious squad of players and are worthy 5 in a row winners. That their starting 15 has changed so much from 2015 (in stark contrast to Kerry 78-82), it tells you all you need to know of the conveyor belt of talent in the capital, something the other 31 counties can only dream of.

Contesting league and 2 All Ireland finals in the one year will no doubt bring players and management on in spades.

A couple of quick obs. on yesterday -
1. Dublin have perfected strategic fouling (i.e. non black/red card fouling) with the foul on Morley a red card in the soccer code, but a mere tick yesterday. Coupled with Murchan's over carrying, there was a 5-point swing (factoring in the tap over free).
2. Kerry erred hugely with the long, hopeless, poorly flighted punts into Geaney that resulted in 2 or 3 subsequent points for Dublin. Recycling and retaining possession, even if the crowd dont like it, has been perfected by Dublin.
3. Kerry need to get their marksmen taking the shots that Moran and Barry mangled yesterday. Dublin wait and wait, until Mannion, Callaghan and Kilkenny are in the optimal position.
4. While no team can press Dublins kickout for an entire half, let alone an entire game, there is merit in considering doing so for periodic 5 minute spells. Felt we really erred on this score yesterday as Dublin were too comfortable for far too ling albeit in non threatening areas of the pitch.
5. Dublins use of screens and borderline 3rd man tackles (just stopping short by walking across or naking opponents check their runs) in creating the fraction of a second needed for their shooters to fire.

Combining these lessons, experiences and knowhow with another year of spuds, cabbage and S&C, Kerry will return wiser and meaner in 2020.

Agreed but in fairness Dublin are tearing the arse out if it and it's poison to watch. Just short of 3 minutes for one particular play yesterday, much of it at walking pace. As bad a spectacle as a Jim McGuinness blanket and I don't think it was just the Kerry supporters booing it yesterday.

[sullyschoice]

I bit the bullet a went for a pint in the club tonight. We had our four girls on the Dublin ladies squad bring the Brendan Martin Cup into the bar. Good auld atmosphere. I just couldn't bring myself to go there last night

[southward]

Sept 15, 2019 21:06:58 GMT sullyschoice said:

I bit the bullet a went for a pint in the club tonight. We had our four girls on the Dublin ladies squad bring the Brendan Martin Cup into the bar. Good auld atmosphere. I just couldn't bring myself to go there last night

Watched the first half of the ladies' match and just couldn't take any more. Even allowing for the conditions, it was dreadful stuff. Nine scores in total with the first one coming after 23 minutes. Nobody willing to shoot. If that's the cream of the ladies' game, the standard must be gone way back; I remember some cracking games years ago.

[thebluepanther]

Yesterdays final was the best atmosphere i've ever experienced at a football game . Both sets of suppporters contributed.
This Kerry team had given us the shock of our lives in the first game and last night every one from Dublin were in full voice because we knew we got a second chance and we were determined not to let it slip this time.
The first half exhibited Gaelic football at its finest. Dublin looked like they were going to pull away but Kerry came back with some excellent scores. Sean o Shea for me is Kerrys most Dangerous player and i think he be the driver of this Kerry team over the next few years. He has a winners streak about him.
Second half i think Dublin tired Kerry out ,the goal allowed us that small cushion and all we needed to do was tap over a few points to keep the distance. I think in this game unlike the first we got the match ups right. I actually thought Kerry at times tried a Donegal 2014 set up against us. Drawing everyone back and trying to attack with pace if they got a turnover.
But this wasn't Dublin 2014 and this is why we had periods of Dublin playing keep ball and being patient.
Overall over the two games both counties gave everything and Kerry this year for a young team without me trying to sound condesending has been a breath of fresh and have played some fantastic football , With the best kicker of a dead ball in their ranks .
As the promo says "What is it about Dublin and Kerry"
For me and Dubs around me there was a release of emotion i haven't seen since 2011 at the final whistle , we knew how good the opposition were and were delighted to get over the line.
I've enjoyed the banter on here over the year and look forward to chatting in the future.

[sullyschoice]

Sept 15, 2019 21:35:22 GMT southward said:

Sept 15, 2019 21:06:58 GMT sullyschoice said:

I bit the bullet a went for a pint in the club tonight. We had our four girls on the Dublin ladies squad bring the Brendan Martin Cup into the bar. Good auld atmosphere. I just couldn't bring myself to go there last night

Watched the first half of the ladies' match and just couldn't take any more. Even allowing for the conditions, it was dreadful stuff. Nine scores in total with the first one coming after 23 minutes. Nobody willing to shoot. If that's the cream of the ladies' game, the standard must be gone way back; I remember some cracking games years ago.

Today's game was no modern classic. I was never so happy that I dropped the wife and girls off and then headed home to watch the Ashes

[kerryfanatic]

Sept 15, 2019 21:53:13 GMT thebluepanther said:

Yesterdays final was the best atmosphere i've ever experienced at a football game . Both sets of suppporters contributed.
This Kerry team had given us the shock of our lives in the first game and last night every one from Dublin were in full voice because we knew we got a second chance and we were determined not to let it slip this time.
The first half exhibited Gaelic football at its finest. Dublin looked like they were going to pull away but Kerry came back with some excellent scores. Sean o Shea for me is Kerrys most Dangerous player and i think he be the driver of this Kerry team over the next few years. He has a winners streak about him.
Second half i think Dublin tired Kerry out ,the goal allowed us that small cushion and all we needed to do was tap over a few points to keep the distance. I think in this game unlike the first we got the match ups right. I actually thought Kerry at times tried a Donegal 2014 set up against us. Drawing everyone back and trying to attack with pace if they got a turnover.
But this wasn't Dublin 2014 and this is why we had periods of Dublin playing keep ball and being patient.
Overall over the two games both counties gave everything and Kerry this year for a young team without me trying to sound condesending has been a breath of fresh and have played some fantastic football , With the best kicker of a dead ball in their ranks .
As the promo says "What is it about Dublin and Kerry"
For me and Dubs around me there was a release of emotion i haven't seen since 2011 at the final whistle , we knew how good the opposition were and were delighted to get over the line.
I've enjoyed the banter on here over the year and look forward to chatting in the future.

Congratulations to Dublin, undoubtedly they are a very strong team who look like they will be around for a while, Dublin and kerry matches are always exciting and it's great to have friendly banter..roll on 2020, I am v hopeful for kerry next year and believe they will have learnt alot from the games and finals they played in this year. Ciarraí abú 💚💛

[trevor73]

Truth




Ewan MacKenna: 'No end in sight to era of Dublin's All-Ireland dominance'

Across Saturday, and far away from the hysteria and history, 16 counties containing just shy of three million people were waiting to see what format would be introduced for them come 2020.
The GAA had whittled it down to a couple of two-tier proposals and were supposed to rule on it.

The move of course was in response to one-sided games, most of which were because of Dublin's quality, although it won't solve that.

After all, this summer, seven of their nine games were against would-be top-tier counties with an average winning margin of over 10 points across them. In essence it is like turning down the thermostat because the house has gone up in flames.

All in all this was the latest smokescreen thrown up by an association desperate to maintain this status quo and desperate to continue with their Manchester City-fication of a once wonderful game.

We get it.

We aren't supposed to talk about these things now as we're all supposed to pander and bask in Dublin's greatness with questions left outside the door.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys, more and more the GAA narrative has become about this being a people's team we all must worship and fawn over and accept they are genetically superior.


But no thanks, for when critiquing, emotion should not get in the way of logic; and, when analysing fairly, entertainment should not get in the way of the cold and the hard facts.

Indeed if anything, it was fitting that Kerry ran out of legs in the last quarter as Dublin kicked on with their much better conditioning as if pros against amateurs. So many refuse to accept the idea that a large chunk of this is a hollow purchase, yet that was telling.

Make no mistake, for this isn't the beginning of the end. It's merely the end of the beginning. Dublin haven't grown stale, all that has is the forced rhetoric that it'll eventually come to an end.

But when?

And why?

This isn't some organic cycle. It's a very unnatural machine in operation.

Right now Brian Fenton is among the best to ever play the sport, as Paul Flynn was right before him. Con O'Callaghan is unmarkable, as Bernard Brogan was for many years.

Jack McCaffrey even on an off-day prematurely ended by injury is a genius, as Diarmuid Connolly was when he was at the height of his powers a little while back. Like replaced by like. Brilliance with brilliance.

This conveyor belt shouldn't slow for that would be a massive indictment of a county with their resources but they need not worry. Fenton is merely 26, McCaffrey 25, O'Callaghan 23.

Already they are leaders with room to grow and in time they'll be joined by the leaders of the next generation. We're already seeing it via the likes of new kids on the block like Brian Howard and Eoin Murchan whose performance at the weekend was massive beyond his swashbuckling goal.

The most common propaganda pushed in order for this charade to go on that bit longer relates to underage disparity. For instance there are those Kerry minors who themselves won five in-a-row, but while many are turning into serious operators, that doesn't guarantee success at senior.

After all, only three of the Dublin side that played both the draw and the replay actually won at under-18, meanwhile arguably their finest minor side in 2011 couldn't go all the way.

It was then that Fenton didn't even make that panel. Fenton recalled: "I remember having a frank discussion with Dessie Farrell, one of my heroes, and he told me 'listen, this isn't going to happen for you'."

The correlation therefore isn't that strong. It's little wonder as so much can change, with under-20/21 for obvious reasons a far better, if still imperfect, barometer.

It's at that level that 10 of their starters in this latest win have also reached the top. Tellingly and troubling for the rest and the sport, it's there Dublin have won five of last six Leinsters as well as four All-Irelands this decade and might well have added a fifth having gone close this campaign.

Therefore already they've the best players at a crucial age, entering the best financed and best run senior set-up going. And there are those who think this will all suddenly stop? No chance.

Besides, they only need to add one or two pieces of magic per year to stay way out in front.

It's going to get worse. It may never, ever get better.

It's not solely their highly-funded work either, but the effect that work is having on others that is growing the gap.

With much excitement, Jack O'Connor took over in Kildare and in his first interview he noted that he'd have to get their top players actually committed.

In recent years that hasn't always been the case and, while some say that's a losing mentality, maybe it's a more intelligent use of their time. Are you not wiser in a rigged casino simply giving your chips to the croupier and saving the rest of your day, since you'll inevitably lose in a slow bleed anyway?

It's not just teams at that level either for even Kerry, who outside of Dublin are considered wealthy, are being forced into cutbacks having tried to keep pace. They'll never go fully away due to tradition but, for others, in the medium term, they lack the big days and the heroic names to inspire the next batch The game is being lost to them. They can't keep up.

Thus the GAA need Kerry badly, even if it's merely a sticking plaster on an amputated limb.

For so long the game was a vital part of their identity, but now they are vital far beyond their borders and provide the rouse that one good game a year should enthrall us all and maintain our custom.

The GAA want to point to an hour of a challenge to Dublin a season and say it's working, while the nation has to buy into the rehashed and flogged county-v-city, Micko-v-Heffo, Yerra-v-Howaya, Up-For-The-Match-style gombeenism.

It's not working though and while this version of the association justify so much from the Sky deal to Dublin's funding itself by pushing itself as a business, let's look at it through that lens.

What salvaged this year in terms of crowds and therefore cash were two match-ups.

Firstly, an All Ireland final replay, as that game will always sell out such is the modern nature of events. Secondly, Mayo still believed and thus brought the madness and the numbers. But with the latter now fading, what are we left with?

Leinster games half empty when not long ago there was difficulty in getting tickets? A pathetic 33,848 showing up for the other semi-final?

The GAA's attitude has been the market dictates but the next time you're on a plane that's 60 per cent empty in peak season, we'll show you an airline that's about to go bust.

Predictably there'll be all the lazy buzzwords such as bitterness and begrudgery, shunted in front of the truth that doesn't suit.

It'll also be noted that it's trying to take away from a special bunch of sportsmen when that truth and their quality can co-exist.

None of this is arguing against Stephen Cluxton's importance (quite literally his only mistake across Saturday was not thanking the GAA enough in his speech) Jonny Cooper's tigerishness, Michael Fitzsimons' stickiness, Ciarán Kilkenny's intelligence, or Dean Rock's steeliness. That's all true and is to be admired.

But no matter the quality that comes about as the effect, it cannot and must not mean we ignore the brutal cause.

The inevitable drive for five is finally over.

The fix for six, anyone?

[sullyschoice]

I must stay off Facebook etc. The Dubs on there are insufferable. It's going to be a long winter

[ataboy]

Sept 15, 2019 20:19:16 GMT taggert said:

Huge congrats to Dublin. They are a serious squad of players and are worthy 5 in a row winners. That their starting 15 has changed so much from 2015 (in stark contrast to Kerry 78-82), it tells you all you need to know of the conveyor belt of talent in the capital, something the other 31 counties can only dream of.

Contesting league and 2 All Ireland finals in the one year will no doubt bring players and management on in spades.

A couple of quick obs. on yesterday -
1. Dublin have perfected strategic fouling (i.e. non black/red card fouling) with the foul on Morley a red card in the soccer code, but a mere tick yesterday. Coupled with Murchan's over carrying, there was a 5-point swing (factoring in the tap over free).
2. Kerry erred hugely with the long, hopeless, poorly flighted punts into Geaney that resulted in 2 or 3 subsequent points for Dublin. Recycling and retaining possession, even if the crowd dont like it, has been perfected by Dublin.
3. Kerry need to get their marksmen taking the shots that Moran and Barry mangled yesterday. Dublin wait and wait, until Mannion, Callaghan and Kilkenny are in the optimal position.
4. While no team can press Dublins kickout for an entire half, let alone an entire game, there is merit in considering doing so for periodic 5 minute spells. Felt we really erred on this score yesterday as Dublin were too comfortable for far too ling albeit in non threatening areas of the pitch.
5. Dublins use of screens and borderline 3rd man tackles (just stopping short by walking across or naking opponents check their runs) in creating the fraction of a second needed for their shooters to fire.

Combining these lessons, experiences and knowhow with another year of spuds, cabbage and S&C, Kerry will return wiser and meaner in 2020.

Spot on. Excellent points.

2. You just can't keep giving the ball away to Dublin the way Kerry did in the first half with the long ball strategy. Dublin are masters at keeping possession, maybe it's the experience they have built up over the years. I think teams are also afraid to push up when Dublin are keeping possession as it may leave gaps in defence.

3. Yes, stark contrast in the second half. Just chasing the game there was a small sense of panic and not waiting to get the shooters in the right position.

5. Very cute on this Dublin are. Watch the goal again, Fenton blocked Adrian Spillane who was on Murchan, which gave him a few run through the middle. They also caught Sean O'Shea at one stage in the second half at the Canal end. Not enough for a foul but gave Mannion that bit of space for a handy point.

[kot]

Sept 15, 2019 21:53:13 GMT thebluepanther said:

Yesterdays final was the best atmosphere i've ever experienced at a football game . Both sets of suppporters contributed.
This Kerry team had given us the shock of our lives in the first game and last night every one from Dublin were in full voice because we knew we got a second chance and we were determined not to let it slip this time.
The first half exhibited Gaelic football at its finest. Dublin looked like they were going to pull away but Kerry came back with some excellent scores. Sean o Shea for me is Kerrys most Dangerous player and i think he be the driver of this Kerry team over the next few years. He has a winners streak about him.
Second half i think Dublin tired Kerry out ,the goal allowed us that small cushion and all we needed to do was tap over a few points to keep the distance. I think in this game unlike the first we got the match ups right. I actually thought Kerry at times tried a Donegal 2014 set up against us. Drawing everyone back and trying to attack with pace if they got a turnover.
But this wasn't Dublin 2014 and this is why we had periods of Dublin playing keep ball and being patient.
Overall over the two games both counties gave everything and Kerry this year for a young team without me trying to sound condesending has been a breath of fresh and have played some fantastic football , With the best kicker of a dead ball in their ranks .
As the promo says "What is it about Dublin and Kerry"
For me and Dubs around me there was a release of emotion i haven't seen since 2011 at the final whistle , we knew how good the opposition were and were delighted to get over the line.
I've enjoyed the banter on here over the year and look forward to chatting in the future.

Congratulations. Well deserved! 👏🏻

[shortkickout]

Some going by Kerry no1 in February could have predicted that end to their season under peter “ yerra look” keane
Didn’t have to listen to brolly at any stage of the weekend too so that was great ,
I imagine Dublin will only get stronger with them titles under their belt again
For Kerry it will be Brutal hard picking themselves up after being so close . Mayo came very close every year for a few years and now looks like their goose is cooked completely with nothing to show .
Are we the new mayo ? Will a few years of this carryon without a title drive us nuts , and if we get sick of Peter in a hot minute like we did with eamon will we be calling for his head , will paul galvin and quirke or donnaghy have enough experience with senior management by then to slot in ? Like the newspapers we love them ex Kerry players around . I see where it’s all going already but for now wev no excuses to not be back in a final next year . None whatsoever

[colinsworth1]

Sept 15, 2019 22:31:10 GMT ataboy said:

Sept 15, 2019 20:19:16 GMT taggert said:

Huge congrats to Dublin. They are a serious squad of players and are worthy 5 in a row winners. That their starting 15 has changed so much from 2015 (in stark contrast to Kerry 78-82), it tells you all you need to know of the conveyor belt of talent in the capital, something the other 31 counties can only dream of.

Contesting league and 2 All Ireland finals in the one year will no doubt bring players and management on in spades.

A couple of quick obs. on yesterday -
1. Dublin have perfected strategic fouling (i.e. non black/red card fouling) with the foul on Morley a red card in the soccer code, but a mere tick yesterday. Coupled with Murchan's over carrying, there was a 5-point swing (factoring in the tap over free).
2. Kerry erred hugely with the long, hopeless, poorly flighted punts into Geaney that resulted in 2 or 3 subsequent points for Dublin. Recycling and retaining possession, even if the crowd dont like it, has been perfected by Dublin.
3. Kerry need to get their marksmen taking the shots that Moran and Barry mangled yesterday. Dublin wait and wait, until Mannion, Callaghan and Kilkenny are in the optimal position.
4. While no team can press Dublins kickout for an entire half, let alone an entire game, there is merit in considering doing so for periodic 5 minute spells. Felt we really erred on this score yesterday as Dublin were too comfortable for far too ling albeit in non threatening areas of the pitch.
5. Dublins use of screens and borderline 3rd man tackles (just stopping short by walking across or naking opponents check their runs) in creating the fraction of a second needed for their shooters to fire.

Combining these lessons, experiences and knowhow with another year of spuds, cabbage and S&C, Kerry will return wiser and meaner in 2020.

Spot on. Excellent points.

2. You just can't keep giving the ball away to Dublin the way Kerry did in the first half with the long ball strategy. Dublin are masters at keeping possession, maybe it's the experience they have built up over the years. I think teams are also afraid to push up when Dublin are keeping possession as it may leave gaps in defence.

3. Yes, stark contrast in the second half. Just chasing the game there was a small sense of panic and not waiting to get the shooters in the right position.

5. Very cute on this Dublin are. Watch the goal again, Fenton blocked Adrian Spillane who was on Murchan, which gave him a few run through the middle. They also caught Sean O'Shea at one stage in the second half at the Canal end. Not enough for a foul but gave Mannion that bit of space for a handy point.

The illegal screen yes Murchin was the benificiary of a screen/ block on Adrian Spillane for the goal it’s foul all day long but it’s rampant and if they can get away with it why wouldn’t they use it .

I agree too that our three sets of 4 press on first game had some downside but had serious upside too why did we dump the plan totally agree that we need to mix it up sure especially when the game was getting away on us
Last point on above post is I disagree strongly with Kerry having to look for the shooter like Dublin we don’t have to copy everything please
By our shooters you mean Clifford and Geaney comparable to mannion and
I Callaghan and Rock ?
Too easy to shut this down too narrow a scoring option I would say
The shots our “ non Shooters “ took were very very scoreable in fact if they didn’t shoot them it would have been anti-football
Jack Barry s shot was very straight forward left leg not far out
Killian Spillanes garryowen was a easy score normally
David sequence of misses were genuine shots not hard to score three or four
Cliffords far out shot that missed in second half was ill disciplined and he’s one of our shooters
Paul Geaneys non point at 66 min was poor game management
Tom o Sullivan’s miss was uncharacteristic for sure normally a tap over for him
Sherwood’s shot was slow the block was coming that one should have been recycled or faked and put back up .
The list goes on we may have been doing high ball drills , good tackling drills
Keep ball drills but I’m not seeing much evidence of shooting drills in training maybe it’s supposed to come “Naturally “ to Kerry players .
Remember # 2 Davy Byrne scored a good point and if Hed didn’t take the shot it would have been wrong the shot is on you have to take it whether your corner back or. Corner forward . Your a county player FFS your playing for Kerry you have to be able to score with both feet from 35 yards out
Your only going to get a few split seconds of a look and you have to be ready and able to pull the trigger .
Then again if you’d rather pass it around for 2 or three minutes and see if you can find one of your shooters that’s fine too if it works but it’s not the only wY

[colinsworth1]

Sept 16, 2019 1:29:18 GMT colinsworth1 said:

Sept 15, 2019 22:31:10 GMT ataboy said:

Spot on. Excellent points.

2. You just can't keep giving the ball away to Dublin the way Kerry did in the first half with the long ball strategy. Dublin are masters at keeping possession, maybe it's the experience they have built up over the years. I think teams are also afraid to push up when Dublin are keeping possession as it may leave gaps in defence.

3. Yes, stark contrast in the second half. Just chasing the game there was a small sense of panic and not waiting to get the shooters in the right position.

5. Very cute on this Dublin are. Watch the goal again, Fenton blocked Adrian Spillane who was on Murchan, which gave him a few run through the middle. They also caught Sean O'Shea at one stage in the second half at the Canal end. Not enough for a foul but gave Mannion that bit of space for a handy point.

The illegal screen yes Murchin was the benificiary of a screen/ block on Adrian Spillane for the goal it’s foul all day long but it’s rampant and if they can get away with it why wouldn’t they use it .

I agree too that our three sets of 4 press on first game had some downside but had serious upside too why did we dump the plan totally agree that we need to mix it up sure especially when the game was getting away on us
Last point on above post is I disagree strongly with Kerry having to look for the shooter like Dublin we don’t have to copy everything please
By our shooters you mean Clifford and Geaney comparable to mannion and
I Callaghan and Rock ?
Too easy to shut this down too narrow a scoring option I would say
The shots our “ non Shooters “ took were very very scoreable in fact if they didn’t shoot them it would have been anti-football
Jack Barry s shot was very straight forward left leg not far out
Killian Spillanes garryowen was a easy score normally
David sequence of misses were genuine shots not hard to score three or four
Cliffords far out shot that missed in second half was ill disciplined and he’s one of our shooters
Paul Geaneys non point at 66 min was poor game management
Tom o Sullivan’s miss was uncharacteristic for sure normally a tap over for him
Sherwood’s shot was slow the block was coming that one should have been recycled or faked and put back up .
The list goes on we may have been doing high ball drills , good tackling drills
Keep ball drills but I’m not seeing much evidence of shooting drills in training maybe it’s supposed to come “Naturally “ to Kerry players .
Remember # 2 Davy Byrne scored a good point and if Hed didn’t take the shot it would have been wrong the shot is on you have to take it whether your corner back or. Corner forward . Your a county player FFS your playing for Kerry you have to be able to score with both feet from 35 yards out
Your only going to get a few split seconds of a look and you have to be ready and able to pull the trigger .
Then again if you’d rather pass it around for 2 or three minutes and see if you can find one of your shooters that’s fine too if it works but it’s not the only wY

[colinsworth1]

Sept 16, 2019 2:21:27 GMT colinsworth1 said:

Sept 16, 2019 1:29:18 GMT colinsworth1 said:

The illegal screen yes Murchin was the benificiary of a screen/ block on Adrian Spillane for the goal it’s foul all day long but it’s rampant and if they can get away with it why wouldn’t they use it .

I agree too that our three sets of 4 press on first game had some downside but had serious upside too why did we dump the plan totally agree that we need to mix it up sure especially when the game was getting away on us
Last point on above post is I disagree strongly with Kerry having to look for the shooter like Dublin we don’t have to copy everything please
By our shooters you mean Clifford and Geaney and o Shea comparable to Mannion and
O Callaghan and Rock ?
Too easy to shut this down too narrow a scoring option I would say
The shots our “ non Shooters “ took were very very scoreable in fact if they didn’t shoot them it would have been anti-football They were good shot selections make no mistake about it.
Diarmaid O Connor  has a lot of time on that shot no pressure it was the correct option to shoot.
Jack Barry s shot was very straight forward left leg not far out
Killian Spillanes garryowen was an easy score normally
David Morans  sequence of misses were genuine shots not hard to score three or four
Cliffords far out shot that missed in second half was ill disciplined and he’s one of our shooters
Paul Geaneys non point at 66 min was poor game management gave the ball away and we got a yellow card
Tom o Sullivan’s miss was uncharacteristic for sure normally a tap over for him
Sherwood’s shot was slow the block was coming that one should have been recycled or faked and put back up .
i do consider that  a missed point opportunity 
The point that could have been a goal by Paul Geaney 
The SOB shot that needed one pop pass 
The list goes on we may have been doing high ball drills , good tackling drills
Keep ball drills but I’m not seeing much evidence of shooting drills in training maybe it’s supposed to come “Naturally “ to Kerry players . Dublin work on their scoring and their ball skill s  evidently we dont empahsize this in training to the same extent.
Their Wing Back Eoin Murchin scored a good goal that argueably changed the game hes not a designated "shooter"
hes a defender .
Remember Dublins Corner back  Davy Byrne scored a good point and if Hed didn’t take the shot it would have been wrong , When the shot is on you have to take it, whether your corner back or Corner forward . Your a county player FFS your playing for Kerry you have to be able to score with both feet from 35 yards out and like Murchin you have to be able to score a goal too when the opportunity arises .
Your only going to get a few split seconds of a look and you have to be ready and able to pull the trigger .
Then again if you’d rather pass it around for 2 or three minutes and see if you can find one of your shooters that’s fine too if it works but it’s not the only way

In game one we game Jack Mc Caffery the freedom of Croke park on Saturday we gave the same freedom to Kilkenny I know he extremely strong extremely fit and hard to manage but we never laid a glove on him . He’s doesn’t have o Callaghan’s speed and he doesn’t go for goal ,making him less of a risk if you commit to tacking him in close .

[Annascaultilidie]

Thoughts go out to those on here working with Dublin colleagues today.

[gaelicden]

Sept 16, 2019 6:37:18 GMT Annascaultilidie said:

Thoughts go out to those on here working with Dublin colleagues today.

... And those studying with Dublin classmates 🙏

[Mickmack]

Most Dubs are grand.

As regards the soccer heads that follow Man United and Liverpool just mention that the GAA are turning Dublin into Man City. They get that😄

[kerryexile]

A disappointing finish to the year. When Peter took over, deep down we knew we knew it would take more than 1 year but when the results started coming in the league and testing various players with some success in the championship, I for one dared to dream. Ultimately 1 year was not enough. It must be said that management and players gave the last ounce they had and over about 160 minutes against Dublin, the destination of the cup was unknown for about 150.

There are a few comments that could be made about the game but there is no point, 2019 is now history.

Looking forward, we need a full set of forwards all supporting each other. With 3 or 4 main scorers it is too easy for the opposition to close them down. A midfielder lining out at corner forward but playing midfield or a wing back playing wing forward deprives the other forwards of a proper support system.

We also need about 3 commanding defenders. We have hardworking sticky defenders but we need a few that have won the mental battle before the ball is thrown in. The players I am talking about are unlikely to come from the development squads but are likely to be playing with small clubs and almost individually carrying their club through competitions. These players can flourish with better players around them in their divisional teams. Selectors should be keeping a close eye on the county championship and all games for that matter.

Its about 137 days to the 1st of February so until then week ends will consist of battening down the hatches, a bottle of Jameson and Mickmack's videos.

[homerj]

i doubt we will lose anybody off current team for next year.

which players are likely to step up and join the squad?

dublin may lose a few surely?

[Sons of Pitches]

Sept 16, 2019 7:56:57 GMT homerj said:

i doubt we will lose anybody off current team for next year.

which players are likely to step up and join the squad?

dublin may lose a few surely?

I don't see anyone off Dublin's starting 15 stepping away.

Maybe a few from the subs but they didn't come on in Saturday's game.

Looking at their U20 team this year they've a good few upcoming players who should slot in for any of the subs who retire.

[taggert]

Dublin are likely to lose 3 or 4 squad players who are borderline in the 26.
They have a raft of players outside tge 26 waiting to pounce for a place. They wont be weakened whatsoever. Its why the hunger has been maintained, Gavin has been systematically phasing out less important cogs in the wheel and bringing in hungry young colts to replace them and add to the mix. Its the process as he calls it himself.
They will be more or less the same 15 so the question will be if tgey have the desire and hunger at semi/final stage. They are favourites for 2020.

[Mickmack]

Sport







Mick Fitzsimons: 'a once in a generation talent'
Updated / Monday, 16 Sep 2019 09:23
op
By Aidan O'Rourke
Former Armagh footballer, All Star and 2002 All-Ireland winner and current GAA Performance Manager with Queen's University

Sometimes, when looking for explanations, the detailed analysis of sport during and after games can be overly complicated. Sometimes, the separating factors are quite simple and so it was for Saturday's epic contest over 80 minutes. Stating the obvious is sometimes unavoidable.

In an opening half where both teams capitalised on their own tactical advantages and momentum highs, the teams could barely be separated and certainly not on the scoreboard.


The Sunday Game
✔
@thesundaygame
Sean Cavanagh believes the first half was one of the greatest halves of football ever played #DUBvKER

Embedded video
195
10:25 PM - Sep 14, 2019



Over the first pulsating thirty eight minutes of play, both Kerry and Dublin had 100% retention from their kick outs, 22 possessions and 10 points apiece. That translated into identical rates of productivity (scores generated from every 10 possessions) of 4.55. Just about every other key performance marker was within a percentage point or two when the teams headed back under the Hogan Stand for a breather.

Kerry's numerical advantage

In the second half, Kerry retained 100% of their kick outs (superior to Dublin’s 86%), mounted 18 attacks (the same as Dublin) and created 16 shots (one more than Dublin). Those are basic numbers that would normally imply at least parity in the flow of the game.

The key stat, to no-one’s surprise, is the one that measures finishing. Those chances yielded a return of five points in the second half – representing an efficiency of only 32%.

To put that malfunction in the final third in context, Kerry’s efficiency across the "Super Eights" and semi-final averaged 73%. Even during the first half of the drawn game, when it is accepted that they wasted an unusually high number of scoring chances, they still produced a return of 47% in front of the posts.

The game was lost for Kerry in those numbers. At face value, if you take only five from sixteen shooting opportunities in a half of football then the result is inevitable.

The follow up question has then to be if it can it be a coincidence that a potentially lethal Kerry attack happens to produce its two weakest shooting performances of the season against Dublin?

Attacking balance

Dublin's attacking prowess has by now been roundly recognised for its potency. If they catch an opponent out of position or in any way vulnerable with space in defence, the speed and accuracy with which they can move the ball is devastating. They have athleticism through their middle third that sets them apart as the best counter attacking team in the country.

Less well recognised is their more methodical attacking patterns. When opponents have bodies back and space is at a premium, their pre-planned positioning and movement engineers shooting opportunities through the centre better than anyone.

Once the signal comes, Kilkenny or Fenton will demand possession as they hold it beyond an opponent’s tackling perimeter and those ahead of the ball move wide and high inside. The playmakers will hold the ball until O’Callaghan or Mannion can get out in front coming from goal to present for a popped ball they can build off.


Con O'Callaghan
Con O’Callaghan’s point immediately after Murchan’s goal early in the second half was maybe the most important example from Saturday evening but it is a well used strategy that Paul Murphy’s positioning should have been more effective in limiting.

From an attacking perspective, Dublin struck the balance between kicking and running the ball much better than the Kingdom. Particularly in the first half, Kerry used the long early ball onto the square too often. Once Dublin realised the danger their half backs and the covering Cooper adjusted their positioning to be first to the breaks off those deliveries and their opponents weren’t able to win a single one of those second balls.

Ironically, when Tommy Walsh came on in the second half his movement removed the long ball as an option. Each time Kerry crossed half way, Walsh would inevitably make a run wide and collect a ball in front and going away from goal – the sort of service any one of their other forwards would be better suited to creating off.

The Key to the Kingdom


Saturday's replay demonstrated everything that is great about Gaelic football played at the very peak of physical and mental capacity. The first half was at times a blur of movement as both teams went toe to toe around the middle and some of the country’s finest attacking talent demonstrated their quality.

As the pace dropped after half time, Dublin were the team most able to impose their will without the ball. The champions were consistently excellent in the tackle. They were aggressive enough to pressurise the ball carrier but controlled and physically strong enough to not be beaten. They stay in the way while tackling exceptionally well and a forward has to work extremely hard to get a clear shot off.

Two of Kerry’s points early in the second half were prime examples. First Paul Geaney and then Sean O’Shea produced high quality points – one from a tight angle and another from distance. Very few players might have squeezed those shots over given the intense pressure they were both under from Davy Byrne and Brian Howard respectively.

The Dublin defence were able to produce that level of defiance throughout the game and as the clock ticked on and bodies tired, the Kerry attack wilted and those shooting gaps disappeared.

Imperious Fitzsimons


Michael Fitzsimons and Adrian Spillane have their eye on the ball
Standing head and shoulders above everyone in leading Dublin's resistance is Mick Fitzsimons – the most complete defender in the game at the moment and, for me, the footballer of the year.

Fitzsimons’ quality was never as clear as in a vital passage of play in the 48th minute. Kerry has closed the gap to two points and turned the ball over for a counter attack. Racing from centre forward across to the right wing, Sean O’Shea collected a pinpoint outlet pass as he spun John Small and exploded past him towards goal.

Luckily for Dublin, the mercurial Fitzsimons had sat in the cover position and, sensing the danger a marauding Sean O’Shea posed, left home early to meet the threat. This is an impossible task. Meeting a playmaker and finisher of O’Shea’s quality in space as he drives at you while you go the other way is a recipe for disaster.


The Sunday Game
✔
@thesundaygame
Was 2019 a good year for football? And will the unprecedented run of Dublin success continue into the next decade? #DUBvKER

Embedded video
22
8:25 PM - Sep 14, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See The Sunday Game's other Tweets
Fitzsimons’ footwork and changes of direction are not only scarily quick but also instinctively perfect to close off space and take options away from an attacker. O’Shea, who may be the best possible man to create something from that position tries to get into shooting range but Fitzsimons closes the space and will block if the shot comes.

As O’Shea turns back onto his left, Fitzsimons is quicker and squeezes contact and pressure on him. After trying to wriggle left and right to find some passing space and finding not even a yard, O’Shea swings a left foot at something vague and possession is Dublin’s again.

That 15 seconds may have been the most pivotal in the psychology of the game. Dublin would keep the ball for fully three minutes in a clinical example of control under pressure before Paul Mannion splits the posts to squeeze the gap out to three points. The score was important but the message from Fitzsimons even more so.

The Mastery of Mick



There is no doubting the quality of both finalists in attack – the range of score taking lays that out clearly. However, Dublin’s win and the five in a row was ultimately delivered by the quality of their individual and collective defending.

In a clear response to the ease with which Kerry created chances in the drawn game, Jim Gavin made decisive structural and personnel changes. Johnny Cooper moved from man marking duties to operate as a much needed cover player, dropping off Adrian Spillane. In the absence of Cian O’Sullivan, Cooper was their best option having played the role well in Healy Park during the Super Eights.

Playing without cover was baffling and almost cost Dublin their title in the drawn game. They were never going to repeat that mistake.

All of the Dublin players have an innate hunger to work without the ball and coupled with their efficiency in the tackle they are a difficult proposition – even for an attack as potent as Kerry’s.

Every era produces its own emblematic players and the list usually starts – at the farthest – at wing back then through high fielders, play makers and mercurial finishers. Appreciation for the value of high quality defenders – out and out defenders – is more difficult to find.

For his mastery of marking, positioning, sense of danger and the tackle, Mick Fitzsimons is a once in a generation talent. It may have gone largely unseen but without their talisman at the back both battles with Kerry could have had very different results.

[Mickmack]

So Kerry got possession from 100% of their own kickouts. Dublin didnt