Allianz NFL 2022

[buck02]

James O Donoghue officially "retired" and Joe O Connor to be named captain.

[royalkerryfan]

Jan 25, 2022 12:08:28 GMT ciarraimick said:

We were indeed much better than Dublin in last years league game. We outscored them big time but Dubs will be different this year. If we stay injury free we should be better but only just. Dublin will be more dangerous this year imo.

I know Dublin will be smarting after last year. They will always be in the mix. Even when they weren't winning 95-11 They were contenders.
My point is they bench was their ultimate strength and that's not what it once was.
Their main men are generally in their 30s with the exception of a few in there late 20s.
I might look a right fool in a few months but I don't see them as the machine they were in 2019.

[onlykerry]

Good decision by James - he was very good for a few years but injuries blighted his efforts in more recent years. Injuries are a plague for any sportsman.

Poor decision by Stacks nominating an emerging player as county captain (in my opinion) - would be far better not loading this additional responsibility/pressure on him. Also a poor call with regard to the County - nonetheless I expect the leadership to come from other more established players even if they don't have the captains armband.

[brucewayne]

The last Munster final in the old Páirc Uí Chaoimh belonged to James O Donoghue where he kicked ten points and made it look like a natural thing to do.
The same summer he offered up a fascinating battle with Keith Higgins in Limerick at the infamous replay which had been secured in part by a gem of a goal from him also the day of the drawn game. He selflessly played a deep role in the final helping his team and the county to the honour of climbing the steps on the Hogan Stand.
Thanks for the memories James!

[Mickmack]

Jan 25, 2022 16:40:26 GMT onlykerry said:

Poor decision by Stacks nominating an emerging player as county captain (in my opinion) - would be far better not loading this additional responsibility/pressure on him. Also a poor call with regard to the County - nonetheless I expect the leadership to come from other more established players even if they don't have the captains armband.

One has only to think of Gavin White chasing Jack McCaffreys shadow in the 2019 drawn final.... trying to prepare for marking him was a big enough job withing the additional pressure of being captain.

[Mickmack]

Jan 25, 2022 14:27:01 GMT ciarraimick said:

Best of luck to James in his retirement. So unlucky with injuries but a top forward on his day.

JOD was a great player in his prime. It seems only yesterday that he was arriving onto the scene as a kid. His goal in the drawn 2014 semi final from KDs pass will live in the memory.

[Mickmack]

Jan 25, 2022 12:08:28 GMT ciarraimick said:

We were indeed much better than Dublin in last years league game. .

Not sure i agree!

[thehermit]

Its no surprise to hear James has rowed his boat ashore and though the retirement of any Kerry stalwart is always tinged with sadness I think there is an even more deeper feeling of regret among Kingdom supporters tonight - regret that the JOD of 2013-15 was never really seen again once those shoulders began to seriously trouble him.

Was just flicking through a few match programs and match reports and with each passing year he was less and less on the field. A sub for star in the 16 semi-final; starts the drawn 2017 semi-final but is benched for the replay; a non-scoring starter in the lackluster loss to Galway in 2018 then off the team for the final two Super 8s. And then in 2019 I think he only started in the Super 8s against Mayo.

On a cold pre-Covid night against Galway in Tralee some of us saw glimpses of the old JOD but he limped off the pitch again through some accursed injury and that really was that.

Its desperately disappointing sto remember how the last six years of his inter-county career ended, he was a player that should have burnt like midday in July across those summers. Alas.

But in his all too brief prime, what an outstanding talent, what a forward in the best tradition of Kerry firepower.

His performances in that special summer of 2014 were better than most of his contemporaries could amass in an entire career. And they will live long in the memory, as will the Legion man's great days in Green and Gold.

Thanks for everything JOD - esp the beautiful chaos of those Mayo games.

[Ballyfireside]

Jan 25, 2022 22:18:09 GMT thehermit said:

Its no surprise to hear James has rowed his boat ashore and though the retirement of any Kerry stalwart is always tinged with sadness I think there is an even more deeper feeling of regret among Kingdom supporters tonight - regret that the JOD of 2013-15 was never really seen again once those shoulders began to seriously trouble him.

Was just flicking through a few match programs and match reports and with each passing year he was less and less on the field. A sub for star in the 16 semi-final; starts the drawn 2017 semi-final but is benched for the replay; a non-scoring starter in the lackluster loss to Galway in 2018 then off the team for the final two Super 8s. And then in 2019 I think he only started in the Super 8s against Mayo.

On a cold pre-Covid night against Galway in Tralee some of us saw glimpses of the old JOD but he limped off the pitch again through some accursed injury and that really was that.

Its desperately disappointing sto remember how the last six years of his inter-county career ended, he was a player that should have burnt like midday in July across those summers. Alas.

But in his all too brief prime, what an outstanding talent, what a forward in the best tradition of Kerry firepower.

His performances in that special summer of 2014 were better than most of his contemporaries could amass in an entire career. And they will live long in the memory, as will the Legion man's great days in Green and Gold.

Thanks for everything JOD - esp the beautiful chaos of those Mayo games.

I wonder if the increasing S&C of defenders shorten the careers of lighter forwards?

James was, in a word, magic.

Practicing on his own kicking the ball up in the air and then, with his eyes closed, trying to catch it.

What is even more amazing is that he probably defaulted to doing this, can't imagine anyone advising him to do it!

And no, I'm not making it up - check it out!

And another feat was his role as a tour guide, wouldn't even take an AI final day off, insisted on guiding Neil McGgee around Croker for the day. You can take the man out of Killarney, etc! Interesting that Neil went along for the ride, I would have thought he had been around the houses previously, maybe he felt JO'D could take him to parts he hadn't been, and right he was!

[kerryexile]

James was a special talent. He didn't sprint past defenders, he exploded past them. By the time they realised what happened it was too late. He was unmarkable in 2014 and very selflessly accepted a completely different role in the final to disrupt the most rehearsed defence in the country. I remember when James was breaking on the scene and not many people knew of him, Des Cahill played one of those very brief radio interviews with him and afterwards Des remarked that when doing the interview he was very struck by the self confidence of such a young player. James always played with complete conviction. I hope we see him for many more years at club level.

[royalkerryfan]

James has replaced Andy Moran on the football pod with Paddy Andrews on Off The Ball.
He was speaking today about his injuries and I was honestly shocked as was the other lads to the extent of what he had to do to try and get back.
One particular operation required inserting bone into his shoulder socket to try and keep it in place.
Such a shame because he was a diamond of a footballer.
2014 was his year, He really won us that all ireland. Thanks James a pleasure watching you.

[Annascaultilidie]

Injuries absolutely robbed us of the joy of watching JOD.

Cruel on us; it must have been very challenging altogether for the player.

The Hermit puts it all very well.

[glengael]

Farewell to James , always a joy to watch in his all too short prime. The goals in the Gaelic grounds come to mind.
I hope he is spared for some time so that Legion can benefit from his expertise.

I believe that if his career had been granted the longevity of the other Killarney forward, he would now be spoken about in the same breath.

[Mickmack]

Jan 26, 2022 9:16:21 GMT glengael said:

Farewell to James , always a joy to watch in his all too short prime. The goals in the Gaelic grounds come to mind.
I hope he is spared for some time so that Legion can benefit from his expertise.

I believe that if his career had been granted the longevity of the other Killarney forward, he would now be spoken about in the same breath.

[thehermit]

Guys I know we haven't played in Newbridge all that often over the years and last time in 2014 I got a lift, driving this time so wondering if anyone whose been there before could advise where would be best to aim for as regards parking spots around the town. I assume they'll be a decent crowd at it so I plan to be there around 12:30.

[Mickmack]

Jan 26, 2022 12:19:48 GMT thehermit said:

Guys I know we haven't played in Newbridge all that often over the years and last time in 2014 I got a lift, driving this time so wondering if anyone whose been there before could advise where would be best to aim for as regards parking spots around the town. I assume they'll be a decent crowd at it so I plan to be there around 12:30.

Suggest to the other half that she spend the afternoon in Kildare Village and you can be dropped off and collected in Newbridge.

[tpo]

Whitewater shopping Center is 200 meters away, plenty parking. Its was free if you had a match program in previous years

[thehermit]

Jan 26, 2022 12:24:27 GMT Mickmack said:

Jan 26, 2022 12:19:48 GMT thehermit said:

Guys I know we haven't played in Newbridge all that often over the years and last time in 2014 I got a lift, driving this time so wondering if anyone whose been there before could advise where would be best to aim for as regards parking spots around the town. I assume they'll be a decent crowd at it so I plan to be there around 12:30.

Suggest to the other half that she spend the afternoon in Kildare Village and you can be dropped off and collected in Newbridge.

Well A) she can't drive and B) she'd rather go watch the game than shopping in fairness to her!

[thehermit]

Jan 26, 2022 13:39:30 GMT tpo said:

Whitewater shopping Center is 200 meters away, plenty parking. Its was free if you had a match program in previous years

Cheers for that!

[givehimaball]

For any not travelling the Kerry game looks like it will be broadcast live on the TG4 Sport YouTube channel and broadcast deferred on TG4 at 5:35pm

www.youtube.com/c/SportTG4/videos

[kerrybhoy06]

Team announcement Friday night I presume?

[playitfair]

Jan 25, 2022 22:18:09 GMT thehermit said:

Its no surprise to hear James has rowed his boat ashore and though the retirement of any Kerry stalwart is always tinged with sadness I think there is an even more deeper feeling of regret among Kingdom supporters tonight - regret that the JOD of 2013-15 was never really seen again once those shoulders began to seriously trouble him.

Was just flicking through a few match programs and match reports and with each passing year he was less and less on the field. A sub for star in the 16 semi-final; starts the drawn 2017 semi-final but is benched for the replay; a non-scoring starter in the lackluster loss to Galway in 2018 then off the team for the final two Super 8s. And then in 2019 I think he only started in the Super 8s against Mayo.

On a cold pre-Covid night against Galway in Tralee some of us saw glimpses of the old JOD but he limped off the pitch again through some accursed injury and that really was that.

Its desperately disappointing sto remember how the last six years of his inter-county career ended, he was a player that should have burnt like midday in July across those summers. Alas.

But in his all too brief prime, what an outstanding talent, what a forward in the best tradition of Kerry firepower.

His performances in that special summer of 2014 were better than most of his contemporaries could amass in an entire career. And they will live long in the memory, as will the Legion man's great days in Green and Gold.

Thanks for everything JOD - esp the beautiful chaos of those Mayo games.

I remember a league game in Newbridge in 2014 when he was on fire. At half time I walked down to the other half of the field to watch him. I turned around after 5 minutes and there were about 10 other (all kildare supporters) people that had done the same thing. He was electric.

[kingdomkerry]

Jan 26, 2022 16:52:26 GMT givehimaball said:

For any not travelling the Kerry game looks like it will be broadcast live on the TG4 Sport YouTube channel and broadcast deferred on TG4 at 5:35pm

www.youtube.com/c/SportTG4/videos

Thanks for that

[ruralgaa]

Jan 26, 2022 12:24:27 GMT Mickmack said:

Jan 26, 2022 12:19:48 GMT thehermit said:

Guys I know we haven't played in Newbridge all that often over the years and last time in 2014 I got a lift, driving this time so wondering if anyone whose been there before could advise where would be best to aim for as regards parking spots around the town. I assume they'll be a decent crowd at it so I plan to be there around 12:30.

Suggest to the other half that she spend the afternoon in Kildare Village and you can be dropped off and collected in Newbridge.

Same!

[Mickmack]

HU, 27 JAN, 2022 - 06:00
PAUL KEANE

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell has confirmed he will cut back his O'Byrne Cup winning panel for Saturday's Allianz League opener against Armagh.

Farrell handed game time to 40 different players throughout the Dubs' four-game campaign, Castleknock's Robert Shaw the latest debutant in last weekend's final defeat of Laois.

With established stars Jonny Cooper, Evan Comerford, Michael Fitzsimons, Con O'Callaghan, Dean Rock and Robbie McDaid yet to feature in 2022, Farrell could end up using close to 50 players in January alone.

The 2020 All-Ireland winning manager said he expects to begin the league with a trimmed down panel of around 38, meaning a chunk of his O'Byrne Cup winners will be released.

"I'd imagine the figure will be around 36-38 players," said Farrell who finally handed a senior debut to Ciaran Archer, a prolific scorer at U20 level in 2019 and 2020, against Longford this month. "He got injured that day unfortunately, he missed out on his Sigerson game then so we're just monitoring how Ciaran's injury is coming on."

Defender Lee Gannon, an All-Ireland U20 finalist in 2020 like Archer, played in all four of Dublin's O'Byrne Cup games, starting three and contributing 0-3 and looks certain to be retained.

Ballymun's Cameron McCormack, who started against Laois and Louth, has emerged as a midfield option while Ross McGarry, another former U-20 attacker, kicked 0-5 in the pre-season competition.

"I'd imagine that anyone who is going to be in the mix has been identified at this stage," said Farrell, who will come up against former Na Fianna playing colleague Kieran McGeeney on Saturday evening.

"Armagh were very impressive last season, probably unlucky not to go further in the Championship. They'll be relishing the opportunity to play in Division 1. They're well set up, well organised, very fit, physical and have a good style of football about them."

A Dublin captain has yet to be announced with Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton sharing the duties in the O'Byrne Cup. Cooper and James McCarthy captained Dublin in 2021.

[Mickmack]

soundcloud.com/throw-in-independentie/football-league-preview-kerrys-hunger-questions-about-dublin-and-the-battle-lines-being-drawn?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fthrow-in-independentie%252Ffootball-league-preview-kerrys-hunger-questions-about-dublin-and-the-battle-lines-being-drawn

[buck02]

When is the team being announced?

[seaniebo]

A very enjoyable encounter there at HQ. The result sets it up very nicely now for next weekend in Tralee. You'd be expecting the Dubs to bring a bit of a back lash. Armagh have unearthed some exceptionally tidy, confident footballers, not a bit shy of putting leather on the ball and splitting the posts from all sorts of angles. Great to see that type of football on display.

Dublin look robotic to be honest. I suppose one could say they've been robotic in their 'sticking to the process' the last decade but they don't seem to have the end product these days now. Early days of course.

[john4]

Delighted that Dublin lost, not out of any any bitterness but because if there was any belief about whether Dublin would be playing their cards close next Saturday night that will be blown away. They will be 100% out for a response and a result. No shadow boxing.
If we win next Saturday Dublin will have lost their last 3 matches in league and championship. That hasn't happened in a while.

[royalkerryfan]

I said this earlier on this thread.

All is not well in that Dublin camp.

Have you ever seen Fenton as bad ?

No doubt they'll be a reaction next week but that aura is gone.