Championship 2012
7th August, 2012
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship – Quarter-Final - Report
Kingdom lights dimmed as Northern star shines in Croke Park.
Donegal 1-12 Kerry 1-10
(By Murt Murphy)
It was billed as the game of the weekend and this historic first championship meeting Kerry and Donegal was a fascinating contest, that produced classic encounter where two football worlds collided with a marked contrast in styles, and it also provided us with nerve tingling finish that almost saw Kerry snatch a draw. But it was not to be and Karl Lacey’s insurance point, saw Donegal advance and Kerry’s All-Ireland dreams for 2012, were extinguished on a wet Croke Park sod.
Let’s pay tribute to Donegal at the outset, and wish them well for the rest of Championship, because this is the Kerry way. They won this titanic battle albeit getting every break that was going, and despite all that, Kerry came within a kick of a ball of levelling the contest in injury time – not bad for a team that is supposed to be past it.
Realism and objectivity have been absent from much of the punditry on Sunday’s game, and it appears that losing a titanic battle in Croke Park is considered a failure as the birds of prey get ready to feed on the Kerry carcass.
But looking at the game and the Kerry team that actually finished this cracking contest, far from being the end, this writer would contend that it may only be another beginning.
True – the football landscape has changed – changed utterly and now the latter stages of the All-Ireland series appears more suited to ruby league type shapes – big strong muscular men, who hit hard and often and where defence is considered the best form of attack and cynicism is a buzz word. Only Cork, Kerry and probably Mayo still play the traditional way and the way forward may well be determined by who wins the All-Ireland – a win for Donegal will see the game continue to get more physical and defensive while a win for Cork or Mayo may encourage those who play the traditional way, to continue to entertain us.
So, Kerry’s future may well depend on the way the game is headed and we may have a tweak things a little in the future, if we are to beat the Donegal’s of the GAA world, but while Kerry lost on Sunday, Kerry football is far from being in a Doomsday scenario, as is being suggested in some quarters.
Facts are facts – Kerry minors are in the All-Ireland semi final, so are the Kerry Juniors, and our U-21’s were unlucky to lose to Cork in the Munster Final, that required extra time.
Kerry also finished the game on Sunday with younger players like Shane Enright, Brian McGuire, James O’Donoghue, Kieran O’Leary, Johnny Buckley and Paddy Curtin on the field, so they appear to be players who can and will make the transition.
Then, when you look at the senior players, though they may have a lot of mileage on the clock,every one of them, if they so wish, could play on for another year at least.
As for team boss Jack O’Connor, he still has another year to run and he may decide to serve another year and none of the players would have a problem with that.
So far from being a spent force, it can be argued that Kerry have still the nucleus of a strong squad and if the appetite is there, they can be a force over the next couple of seasons at least and many would contend that it is only when the likes of Colm Cooper, Kieran Donaghy, Marc Ó Sé and Declan O’Sullivan call it a day, then Kerry may enter a valley period, but the work being done at minor and U-21 level may soften the blow.
Kerry went down defiantly, and if the game had a couple of more minutes of injury time, who knows what might have happened. Injuries disrupted their resistance and what team could afford to lose the strong running Eoin Brosnan, or their marksman in chief, Bryan Sheehan. Remember that free kick on the forty five that Colm Cooper took short and that forty that James O’Donoghue took late on- both would have food and drink for Sheehan.
Donegal adopted a very defensive strategy with often up to fourteen behind the ball, and they double teamed Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper and also Darran O’Sullivan when he came on.
Donegal’s high-tempo, pressure game looked already to have put Kerry on the canvas but this current crop of Kerry players are warriors and refused to give up after Colm McFadden (scored 1-6 in total) – put Donegal six ahead, 1-11 to 0-8, in the 65th minute, the match looked as good as over.
What followed threatened to give this ending an almighty twist. Maybe Donegal were tiring- maybe they thought that Kerry had thrown in the towel, but they allowed Donnchadh Walsh’s a free run along the end line, and he flicked the ball across the goalmouth where Kieran Donaghy got a touch to direct the ball into the net.
Like the champions they are, Jack O’Connor’s side – needing a knockout – raised their game for one last surge and somehow found the energy and focus to knock two more points off the lead.
Colm Cooper looked to have kicked a free that had drifted wide but Kerry worked it back to Paul Galvin and he made no mistake, and then Colm Cooper played a cross field side line ball to Anthony Maher and one of Kerry’s brightest beacon’s on the day, floated over a beauty and suddenly Kerry fans began to believe that they were witnessing a miracle of sorts.
The tension in the ground could be measured in watts, as the impossible unbelievably took shape. A minute into injury-time, and Kerry substitute Patrick Curtin was given the chance to complete the Lazarus act, he couldn’t compose himself in the mayhem, snatched at the shot and watched it agonizingly drift wide.
There was still time for Kerry , but Donegal won the kick-out through Rory Kavanagh and, and Karl Lacey somehow managed to find the energy to drive forward, deep into Kerry territory and fire over the most crucial score of the day.
Donegal started well and Leo McLoone set up the opening point for McFadden who finished from distance.
Kerry responded well, holding possession until Cooper got within range and the Kerry skipper equalised. In fact during the first half Kerry had their defence well organised and didn’t allow Murphy and McFadden – nor the breaking runners – much freedom.
Kerry received the first of three crushing body blows of the first half in the seventh minute. McFadden’s line ball from the Cusack side dropped unassisted into the net with the loitering Michael Murphy distracting goalkeeper Brendan Kealy, for a freak goal of sorts.
Then a second blow occurred, when Kerry lost the strong running Eoin Brosnan in the 25th minute after picking up a leg injury and Brian McGuire was introduced.
Then crucially Bryan Sheehan suffered the same fate before half time and though he limped back for the second half, but he had to eventually succumb and Kerry had not alone lost a top midfielder but their free taker as well.
Kerry needed more attacking options. For all the superior possession in the second quarter Kerry couldn’t translate it into significant scoreboard gains. Neil and Eamonn McGee shadowed Cooper and Donaghy efficiently although the two combined in a terrific point from a Donegal turnover in first-half injury-time for the captain to start and finish a score.
Paul Galvin and Donnchadh Walsh worked hard but it was clear the forward threat was waning when Jack O’Connor took the drastic step of replacing Declan O’Sullivan in the 46th minute.
So Kerry should not be afraid to start afresh next season and build a team capable of reclaiming Sam, taking into account the Northern threat and beating them, with Kerry football built on sound foundations- the message should go out loud and clear- Kerry are not gone away – this is just a minor setback that had as much to do with injuries, bad luck and bad weather as much as any superior Donegal play. The margin of victory suggests that with a little tweaking here and there – Kerry need not fear this new Northern force.
Remember “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
Match Stats
DONEGAL:
P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, P McGrath; F McGlynn, K Lacey (0-1), A Thompson; M McElhinney, R Kavanagh; P McBrearty, M McHugh, R Bradley; C McFadden (1-6, goal line-ball, two frees), M Murphy (0-3, two frees), L McLoone (0-1).
Subs: N Gallagher for McElhinney (half-time), D Walsh for Bradley (60 mins), C Toye (0-1) for McLoone (61 mins), D McLaughlin for McBrearty (71 mins).
Yellow cards: McLoone (25 mins), McElhinney (29 mins), Murphy (40 mins), N McGee (50 mins), Lacey (64 mins).
KERRY:
B Kealy; S Enright, A O’Mahony, M Ó Sé; T Ó Sé, Brosnan, K Young; A Maher (0-2), B Sheehan (0-1, free); P Galvin (0-1), Declan O’Sullivan (0-1), 12 D Walsh; J O’Donoghue (0-1), C Cooper (0-4, two frees), K Donaghy (1-0).
Subs:
B Maguire for Brosnan (25 mins), Darran O’Sullivan for Young (32 mins), J Buckley for Sheehan (46 mins), K O’Leary for Declan O’Sullivan (46 mins), P Curtin for O’Donoghue (57 mins).
Yellow cards: O’Donoghue (32 mins), Sheehan (39 mins), Enright (46 mins), Maguire (56 mins), O’Leary (65 mins).
Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo).
Att: 56,191
What the respective managers said – after match
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness was concerned with the way his side allowed Kerry back into the game in the closing stages of today's All-Ireland quarter-final, but he was ultimately happy with the performance of his players.
Donegal were six points clear with five minutes left but conceded 1-2 to the Kingdom and were in real danger in added time before Karl Lacey clinched their place in the last four with a crucial late score.
"Obviously we knew Kerry was going to come back at us very strong at some stage. They've won what they've won for a reason," McGuinness said.
"Their composure and their class came through in the very end. Up to that point we were very happy. I thought when we went five points, then six points up; we were in control of the game. At that stage I didn't think it was actually going to come from Kerry at that stage. I thought it wasn't going to come.
"Then the goal came and changed everything. A goal is a huge score in any game. When it came, all of a sudden it was six down to three. You could feel the apprehension right away once the ball hit the back of the net.
"(We won) a very important breaking ball in the middle of the park when we had lost two or three in a row, Karl Lacey came on with a great score and pushes us back to two and I think we were ok after that."
McGuinness said Kerry's late revival wasn't down to his players losing their concentration and switching off.
"I don't think they switched off. I would have to reflect on it. Probably, Colm had a chance to try turning the ball over right beside us. Kerry recycled it very quickly and got it down the far wing. We probably should have been more disciplined to get our shape quicker when that happened.
"They got the run on us and once they got the run on us, the ball was moving that quick, they were asking questions. Then the long ball in. Maybe there was a bit switching off, but it was a long game, a tough game, a physical game. It was a situation where it shouldn't have happened but we will have to take the lesson from it."
Meanwhile, Donegal forward Colm McFadden, who finished with 1-6, admitted that his early goal from a sideline ball was not intentional.
"I just put it into the back post to Michael Murphy and I think Michael went to flick it and his presence probably put the keeper off that bit. It was probably an awkward one for the keeper because he was waiting for it and was waiting for Murphy to flick it into the net and was a bit unfortunate.
"I got the scores, a couple of handy ones, I was at the end of them but I thought the defence was very good today. They really put their bodies on the line today, the defence and the midfield, the forwards as well."
Kerry manager Jack O’Connor felt his side’s challenge was undermined by injuries to key players as well as the concession of a soft goal from a Colm McFadden sideline ball.
However, O’Connor admitted that Donegal were the better side and refused to discuss his own future with the team or those of some of his older players.
“We were knocking on the door but I don’t want to take anything away from Donegal. They were extremely hungry and fought very hard but so did our fellas - right to the end,” he said.
“We got a few injuries today. I mean Brossie (Eoin Brosnan) also picked up an injury which was critical for us. Brossie has been a great driving force for us over the last number of years and obviously Bryan's (Sheehan) injury was a disappointment as well. Look, a few things went against us.
“The (goal from the) sideline was a big score in the context of the game, where scores were very hard to come by.
“What do we do? We take our beating and move on. We were trying to do our best just to freshen it up and I think the players that came on did great for us.
“They were very hungry, very fit and they had a lot of bodies back so they are hard enough to break down. We thought we were getting the grips of them late on.
“We would just like to have another minute or so injury time. I think there was two played. I think we could have done with another minute. Look, at the end of the day, you have to say that on the balance they were the better team.
“Any day you concede a goal from a sideline is a bad goal to give away. It gave them the confidence they needed and the break they needed to play the way they wanted to play.
“Hats off to them. They are a very good team and they are going to take on a very good Cork team in the semi-finals and that will be interesting.
“We fought very hard. We kept fighting, we just needed to draw level with them and we just couldn't get level. That would have been critical to test their metal a bit.
“They always managed to stay a point in front. I think there was a free in down in the corner that was played on that was a critical decision as well.”
All-Ireland Senior Football – Quarter-Final – Preview
O’Connor reckons Donegal will be a huge challenge for the Kingdom
(By Murt Murphy)
Kerry boss Jack O’Connor revealed post match on Saturday evening last, after he watched his side hammer Clare that he had a feeling, Kerry might get Donegal in the All-Ireland quarterfinal as the Kingdom make their annual summer pilgrimage to Croke Park for an incredible 12th quarterfinal in row ( 2001 to 2012)
O’Connor reckons Donegal will be a huge test for the Kingdom “They are naturally a serious team and there will be a great challenge for us this week trying to plan our strategy or them. They certainly have moved the goalposts or strategy with regard to Gaelic football in the last couple of years, so it is going to be a huge challenge for the management and players this week”.
O’Connor reckons that he and Eamon Fitzmaurice face a busy week in the video room “We will be looking at the DVD this week because I have not been watching them that closely. They have been very impressive to date in the matches that I have seen. They put Down away fairly handy in the Ulster final, so they will be very determined and they have their sights on more than an Ulster championship title this year. They have some outstanding footballers. Michael Murphy is probably the best full-forward in the game at the moment”.
O’Connor does not share the pundit’s lack of faith in the Kingdom player’s legs after their last two wins “They have a massive reservoir of fitness and strength built up so we will see how the older legs of some of our players hold up to that. A lot of people are saying tat when we get to Croke Park, it will expose our legs and so will have to see about that”.
O’Connor is aware of how difficult Donegal will be to break down “It is going to be a massive battle and we are well aware of that. Donegal have pushed backed the frontiers regarding fitness and tackling, also getting in place a great defensive system. It will be a huge challenge for us to break that down”.
O’Connor says that he is not expecting a lot of open football on Sunday but Kerry will be trying hard “We are not expecting a pile of pretty football in Croke Park and we will be doing our best to keep it open as much as we can. In their semi-final game last year, they played Gaelic football like we have never seen it before. That is a massive challenge for us as coaches, management and players to try and break that down” explained the Kerry boss.
However in Donegal, Jim McGuinness has been handed the toughest draw of the lot and they have never encountered Kerry in the Championship before and they know that Kerry treat Croke Park like a second home.
Jim McGuinness' men may have to beat the All-Ireland champions of the last three years if they are to reclaim the Sam Maguire for the first time since 1992 -- starting with 2009 winners Kerry.
They could meet 2010 champions Cork in a semi-final, while reigning champions Dublin are tipped to come through their side of a draw to complete what would be the toughest possible route for Donegal.
They are used to difficult draws at this stage, having carved out a little piece of history for themselves when they retained the Ulster title despite being drawn in the preliminary round for the past two seasons.
But according to forward Leo McLoone, this Donegal team mature with each challenge they meet -- and overcome.
"Maybe last year we won an Ulster championship and everything was a bit nervous and everyone was a bit anxious," said McLoone.
"I think this year everybody settled down and enjoyed the occasion a bit more. We had time to think about it and supporters, players and everyone involved enjoyed the occasion, more so than last year.
"And our time out in Croke Park last year... that bit of experience. We are used to the surroundings and so on."
If they have matured as a team then they have also evolved tactically from their much-maligned performance in last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin.
Their Ulster decider win over Down underlined just how much they have progressed. They scored 2-15 from play and had 11 different scorers in their comprehensive defeat of the Mourne men.
"I think our fitness really showed in the second half," said McLoone. "We had the wind in the second half and it helped us lots as we could kick from further out. There was less energy being used working the ball up the field. Our fitness was maybe the main aspect."
McGuinness has a number of fitness concerns ahead of Sunday's clash. David Walsh appears to be the biggest doubt after being forced out of the Ulster final with a hamstring injury he carried into the game.
Neil Gallagher is not fully fit but will play some part, while Ryan Bradley and Karl Lacey sat out training over the weekend as a precautionary measure, though both are expected to feature in what is a first meeting between the sides in the championship.
Kerry have been installed as clear favourites (8/11) in their 12th successive All-Ireland quarter-final, while Donegal are 11/8 to repeat the heroics of this stage last year, when Kevin Cassidy kicked a booming winner in extra-time to beat Kildare and progress to the last four.
And McLoone admits his side have lost the element of surprise after their success at provincial level, which brings its own challenges.
"A lot of teams have been working on ways to stop our play and we were definitely underdogs (more often) last year," he said.
"Maybe teams are watching out for us that bit more after winning Ulster last year. This year we will be under that bit more pressure.
"Our main goal at the start of the year was to retain the Ulster Championship and we have done that. I suppose you always want more when you are winning and of course we want to win every game from now on but that won't be easy.
"Our focus will be each game at a time -- the quarter-final is our big game."
So Kerry goes into Sunday’s game with a settled team and Darran O’Sullivan waiting on the bench to come on. The Kingdom have rediscovered their Mojo in beating Tyrone in front of their adoring fans in Killarney and then enjoyed target practice last weekend against Clare up in Limerick.
Now they face a whole new ball game as Donegal play football like nobody that went before, they are ultra defensive and are so fit that they can counter attack with pace and purpose and sometimes their corner back is as dangerous as their corner forward.
Sunday will be fascinating tactically as you have a clash of styles- natural free flowing footballers on one side who like to win and attack at every opportunity and on the other side, you have a side that appear to have as its primary aim to shackle and stop their opponents from scoring and then when they have them under the cosh they attack with vengeance.
Verdict:
It is a very hard game to call because it could be a real classic or it could be a dull and boring war of attrition. Doubtless it will engender furious debate afterwards but this Kerry side have nothing to prove.
If Kerry can continue their recent good form and Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan can win midfield, then Colm Cooper and Kieran Donaghy can lead Kerry into another semi final. It may not be pretty – it may not be for the purists but Kerry are Kerry and they love Croke Park and this set of players and management team will give it their best shot and Kerry fans can ask for no more.
Kerry by 4 or 5 points is the call.
How they got here….
Kerry
Kerry 0-16 Tipperary 0-10 (Munster quarter-final)
Cork 0-17 Kerry 0-12 (Munster semi-final)
Kerry 2-10 Westmeath 1-12 (Qualifier Round 2)
Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6 (Qualifier Round 3)
Kerry 2-22 Clare 1-6 (Qualifier Round 4)
Average For: 1-16; Average Against: 1-9
Donegal
Donegal 1-16 Cavan 1-10 (Ulster preliminary round)
Donegal 2-13 Derry 0-9 (Ulster quarter-final)
Donegal 0-12 Tyrone 0-10 (Ulster semi-final)
Donegal 2-18 Down 0-13 (Ulster final)
Average For: 1-16; Average Against: 0-11
Previous Quarter-Final appearances
Kerry
2011: Kerry 1-20 Limerick 0-10
2010: Down 1-16 Kerry 1-10
2009: Kerry 1-24 Dublin 1-7
2008: Kerry 1-21 Galway 1-16
2007: Kerry 1-12 Monaghan 1-11
2006: Kerry 3-15 Armagh 1-13
2005: Kerry 2-15 Mayo 0-18
2004: Kerry 1-15 Dublin 1-8
2003: Kerry 1-21 Roscommon 3-10
2002: Kerry 2-17 Galway 1-12
2001: Kerry 2-12 Dublin 1-12 (replay)
2001: Kerry 1-14 Dublin 2-11 (draw)
Played 12, Won 10, Drew 1, Lost 1
Donegal
2011: Donegal 1-12 Kildare 0-14 (after extra-time)
2009: Cork 1-27 Donegal 2-10
2006: Cork 1-11 Donegal 1-10
2003: Donegal 0-14 Galway 0-11 (Replay)
2003: Donegal 0-14 Galway 1-11 (Draw)
2002: Dublin 1-14 Donegal 0-7 (Replay)
2002: Dublin 2-8 Donegal 0-14 (Draw)
Played 7, Won 2, Drew 2, Lost 3
The Kerry Senior team is unchanged for The All Ireland Quarter Final V Donegal in Croke Park on Sunday next the 5th August at 4pm:
1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin) 2. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht)
3. Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore), 4. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
5. Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) 6. Eoin Brosnan (Dr. Crokes) 7. Killian Young (Renard)
8. Anthony Maher (Duagh) 9. Bryan Sheehan (St. Mary’s) 10. Paul Galvin (Finuge)
11. Declan O’Sullivan (Piarsaigh Na Dromada) 12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane) 13. James O’Donoghue, (Killarney Legion)
14. Colm Cooper (Dr. Crokes) 15. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) .
The Substitutes are as follows:
16. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion) 17. Brian Maguire (Listowel Emmet’s)
18. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) 19. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
20. Kieran O’Leary (Dr Crokes) 21. Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes)
22. Patrick Curtin (Moyvane) 23. Jonathan Lyne (Killarney Legion)
24. Seamus Scanlon (Currow) 25. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
26. Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes) 27. Michael Geaney (Daingean Uí Chúis)
Bainisteóir: Jack O'Connor (Piarsaigh Na Dromada)
Traenálaí: Alan O'Sullivan (Kerins O'Rahillys)
Roghnóirí: Ger O'Keeffe (Austin Stacks) Diarmuid Ó Murchú (Daingean Uí Chúis) and Eamon Fitzmaurice (Finuge)
Kerry V Donegal past meetings:
(Complied by Tim Slattery from Austin Stacks GAA Club Tralee)
Kerry and Donegal have never met in the All Ireland Championship.
Next Sunday’s game will the first Championship encounter between the counties.
Kerry has played Donegal 17 times in the Allianz League since 1965 and the results of those games are listed below.
Kerry Have won 11
Donegal won 6.
Kerry Team V Donegal: On the Trail of Sam Maguire
| Date | Kerry | Donegal | Venue |
| 11/4/1965 | Kerry 3-10
| Donegal 1-08
| Croke Park (semi final)
|
| 20/11/1988 | Kerry 0-11
| Donegal 1-10
| Tralee
|
| 19/11/1989 | Kerry 0-10
| Donegal 0-11
| Ballyshannon |
| 25/11/1990 | Kerry 0-12
| Donegal 1-12
| Ballyshannon
|
| 13/03/1994 | Kerry 0-11
| Donegal 0-09
| Tralee |
| 19/03/1995 | Kerry 0-14
| Donegal 0-10
| Ballyshannon |
| 02/04/1995 | Kerry 1-10
| Donegal 1-08
| Tuam (playoff)
|
| 26/11/1995 | Kerry 1-11
| Donegal 0-06
| Ballyshannon |
| 24/11/1996 | Kerry 2-09
| Donegal 2-07
| Tralee |
| 26/03/2000 | Kerry 2-16
| Donegal 0-14
| Ballyshannon |
| 04/02/2001 | Kerry 0-14
| Donegal 0-09
| Killarney |
| 09/03/2003 | Kerry 1-12
| Donegal 0-08
| Ballyshannon |
| 03/03/2005 | Kerry 1-09
| Donegal 1-10
| Ballybofey |
| 05/03/2007 | Kerry 0-13
| Donegal 1-15
| Letterkenny |
| 02/02/2008 | Kerry 1-07
| Donegal 1-08
| Ballybofey |
| 02/02/2008 | Kerry 2-13
| Donegal 0-11
| Tralee |
| 1/3/2012 | Kerry 2-16
| Donegal 1-08
| Killarney |
Kerry's Qualifiers Route Record
(Complied by Tim Slattery - Austin Stacks GAA Club)]
Played 10 - Won 10
30/06/2002 Round 2 Kerry 5-15 Wicklow 0-7 O’Moore Park Portlaoise
06/07/2002 Round 3 Kerry 2-15 Fermanagh 0-4 O Moore Park Portlaoise
27/07/2002 Round 4 Kerry 2-10 Kildare 1-5 Semple Stadium Thurles
29/07/2006 Round 4 Kerry 4-11 Longford 1-11 Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney
02/08/2008 Round 3 Kerry 1-13 Monaghan 0-13 Croke Park Dublin
11/07/2009 Round 2 Kerry 1-12 Longford 0-11 Pearse Park Longford
18/07/2009 Round 3 Kerry 0-14 Sligo 1-10 Austin Stack Park Tralee
25/07/2009 Round 4 Kerry 2-12 Antrim 1-10 O Connor Park Tullamore
15/07/2012 Round 2 Kerry 2-10 Westmeath 1-12 Cusack Park Mullingar
21/07/2012 Round 3 Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6 Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney
28/07/2012 Round 4 Kerry 2-22 Clare 1-6 Gaelic Grounds Limerick
2012 Squad-appearances & Scores to date:
(Complied by Tim Slattery – Austin Stacks)
| Player |
| C'ship
| C'ship | C'ship | League | League | League
|
Tomas O Se
|
| 82 | 3-32 | Cork 98
| 85 | 1-28 | Roscommon '99
|
Colm Cooper
|
| 70 | 19-240 | Limerick 02
| 50 | 11-137 | Laois '02
|
Marc O Se
|
| 68 | 0-10 | Limerick 02
| 67 | 1-07 | Antrim '02
|
Eoin Brosnan
|
| 64 | 15-47 | Tipperary 01
| 64 | 9-37 | Louth '01
|
Declan O Sullivan
|
| 58
| 7-73 | Tipperary 02
| 53 | 8-50 | Cork '03
|
Aidan O Mahony
|
| 52 | 0-11 | Clare 04
| 66
| 1-09 | Cork '04
|
Paul Galvin
|
| 49 | 1-43 | Limerick 03
| 51 | 2-37 | Leitrim '02
|
Darran O Sullivan
|
| 45
| 6-26 | Tyrone 05
| 44 | 4-40 | Mayo '06
|
Bryan O Sullivan
|
| 44
| 5-124 | Tipperary 05
| 44 | 6-162 | Offaly '05
|
Kieran Donaghy
|
| 40
| 8-27 | Cork 05
| 51 | 3-24 | Dublin '05
|
Seamus Scanlon
|
| 34
| 0-09 | Limerick 02
| 51
| 0-09 | Meath '02
|
Killian Young
|
| 34
| 0-03 | Tipperary 06
| 29
| 0-01 | Mayo '07
|
Donnchadh Walsh
|
| 26
| 2-10 | Cork 08
| 30
| 2-19 | Dublin '03
|
Brendan Kealy
|
| 16 | 0-00 | Tipperary 10
| 17
| 0-00
| Cork '10
|
Anthony Maher
|
| 15 | 0-04 | Tipperary 10
| 32
| 0-11 | Mayo '08
|
Kieran O Leary
|
| 14 | 0-09 | Galway 08
| 29
| 1-16 | Mayo '06
|
Barry John Keane
|
| 13 | 0-06 | Tipperary 10
| 12 | 0-16 | Dublin '10
|
James O Donoghue
|
| 8 | 1-12 | Cork 11
| 8 | 1-05 | Dublin '10
|
Shane Enright
|
| 7 | 0-00 | Tipperary 11
| 12 | 0-00 | Cork '11
|
Patrick Curtin
|
| 4
| 0-01
| Tipperary 12
| 8 | 1-10 | Dublin '12
|
Peter Crowley
|
| 3
| 0-00 | Tipperary 12
| 8
| 0-01 | Cork '11
|
Johnny Buckley
|
| 3 | 0-00 | Cork 12
| 3 | 0-01 | Laois '11
|
Brian McGuire
|
| 1 | 0-00 | Westmeath 12
| 10 | 0-01 | Galway '11
|
Jonathan Lyne
|
| 1
| 0-00 | Clare 2012
| 7 | 0-00 | Cork '11
|
Brian Kelly
|
| 0 | 0-00 | n/a | 1 | 0-00 | Mayo '12
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Michael Geaney
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| 0
| 0-00 | n/a | 1
| 0-00 | Down '12
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Fionn Fitzgerald
| 0 | 0-00
| n/a
| 0
| 0-00
| n/a |
Clare cruise for the Kingdom as records are broken
(By Murt Murphy)
Kerry 2-22 Clare 1-6
As the score line indicates, this was a very one sided affair, as a very disappointing Clare side were crushed by clinical Kerry who never had to hit the heights of the previous weeks win over Tyrone, and the 7,738 who were present at the Gaelic Grounds, were only awoken out of their slumber by the red card picked up by Paul Galvin in 49th minute.
However, by the time Galvin had picked up two yellows in the space of four minutes, Kerry was 1-18 to 0-3 clear and it mattered little. The good news is that Galvin will be available next Sunday against Donegal but on Saturday evening it was all too easy for the Kingdom.
In a game where Kerry had ten different scorers, and all six starting forwards scored, this was in sharp contrast to Clare, whose six starting attackers failed to register a score from play and only for midfielder Ger Quinlan’s two points from play in the opening twenty minute and 1-1 from substitute David Russell in the 59th and 60th minutes, then the defeat could have been far worse.
The game saw two Kerry players reach personal milestones that will see them entering the Kerry Hall Of Fame down the road one feels, Tomas O’Se made his 82nd Championship appearance, breaking brother Darragh’s record, and Colm Cooper surpassed Mikey Sheehy all time Championship scoring record of 29 goals and 205 points, with Coopers 1-4, bringing his own tally to 19-240 to surpass that 25-year landmark.
In fact the Kerry inside line of James O’Donoghue, Cooper and Kieran Donaghy scored 2-10 between them and 2-18 of Kerry’s total came from play, which will send out a warning to those who believe that Kerry are past tense.
Clare thanks to the efforts of Garry Brennan and Ger Quinlan at midfield managed to stay with Kerry for the opening twenty minutes, as they trailed only 0-4 to 0-3 but once Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan got to grips, with their opponents, Kerry upped it a notch and added eight points without reply before half time, from Cooper, Walsh, Sheehan, Maher, and two each from O’Donoghue and Maher to lead 0-12 to 0-3 at the interval.
Any chances of a Clare revival were dashed, as the Kingdom added 1-6 without reply in the opening 10 minutes of the second period, and it was now turning into a rout. Colm Cooper set up James O’Donoghue for the Kerry goal in the 41st minute after a move that started at the back and despite the loss of Galvin and a goal and a point from Clare substitute David Russell, Kerry finished the stronger as Jack O’Connor emptied the bench and another goal from Cooper and two points from substitute Kieran O’Leary, saw Kerry post a huge total, and incredibly not alone have Kerry not lost a qualifier but they will heading to Croke Park for the 13th summer in a row.
Afterwards Kerry boss Jack O’Connor said that he expected a bigger challenge from Clare “We are delighted to get back to Croke Park. It was pleasing to get a good score because the likes of Donaghy got three good scores and that is good for the confidence. I suppose Clare will be disappointed and to be honest I thought that they would make it a bigger fight. Our fellows were very determined this evening and were trying to keep the momentum from last week going. I think that they did that very professionally”.
O’Connor felt that it was tough game for Kerry to play, after the highs of the win over Tyrone “Mentally, this evening’s game was a hard one to prepare for and that is why I m happy that the player were very professional about it because there was a huge high last weekend against Tyrone. I was a bit worried that lads would be on a bit of a downer. We are in a good place at the moment and the lads want to keep it going. What has got us here is hard work, discipline and living the life”.
On the clash with Donegal next weekend –O’Connor revealed that he had inkling that it might happen during the week ““Funny enough, I had a sneaking feeling that we would get Donegal for some reason. I said it a week ago that we would get them and I don’t know why. It will be a great challenge for us and McGuinness has a fantastic system going there with them. They are definitely improving from last year and they were only a kick of a ball from getting to a final last year”
Kerry:
B Kealy; M O Se ( 0-1) , A O'Mahony, S Enright; T O Se, E Brosnan, K Young; A Maher (0-1) , B Sheehan (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1’45) ; P Galvin (0-1) , Declan O'Sullivan( 0-2) , D Walsh( 0-1) ; J O'Donoghue( 1-3) , C Cooper ( 1-4) , K Donaghy( 0-3) . Subs: Darran O'Sullivan for D Walsh (46) K O'Leary (0-2) for Declan O'Sullivan (46), J Buckley for A Maher (52), J Lyne for K Young (58), BJ Keane for J O'Donoghue (52).
Clare:
J Hayes; K Harnett, B Duggan, L Healy; E Coughlan, G Kelly, J Hayes; G Brennan, G Quinlan ( 0-2) ; S Brennan, S McGrath, A Clohessy; R Donnelly, D Tubridy ( 0-3 frees) , M O'Shea. Subs: G Kelly for S McGrath (33), N Browne for M O Se (h/t), D Russell (1-1) for A Clohessy (50), C Talty for G Kelly (51).
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
Stats Box
Kerry 1st Half
Goals 0
Points 12
Wides 2
Frees awarded 11
‘45’s 1
Yellow Cards 0
Red Cards 0
2nd Half Total
Goals 2
Points 10
Wides 6
Frees awarded 9
‘45’s 0
Yellow Cards 1
Red Cards 1
Total
Goals 2
Points 22
Wides 8
Frees awarded 20
‘45’s 1
Yellow Cards 1
Red Cards 1
Clare 1st Half
Goals 0
Points 3
Wides 5
Frees awarded 12
‘45’s 0
Yellow Cards 1
Red Cards 0
2nd Half
Goals 1
Points 3
Wides 4
Frees awarded 11
‘45’s 1
Yellow Cards 3
Red Cards 0
Total
Goals 1
Points 6
Wides 9
Frees awarded 23
‘45’s 1
Yellow Cards 4
Red Cards 0
By Sylvester Hennessy,
(Kerry’s Eye GAA correspondent)
Two of the GAA’s top individual records are set to be broken this weekend as both Tomás O’Sé and Colm Cooper stand on the threshold of reaching two personal milestones. When Tomás O’Sé runs out onto the pitch in Limerick on Saturday evening he will make his 82nd Championship appearance for Kerry surpassing his brother Darragh’s total of 81. This total of 82 is of course the greatest in the history of the game. While it has been rightly pointed out that the modern day players play more games due to the ‘Back Door’ system the record of many Kerry players in the modern era is truly remarkable. Kerry have been in every All Ireland Quarterfinal of the past 11 years, they have also been in 10 of the last 11 semi-finals and 8 of the last 11 finals and have yet to be beaten in the Qualifiers. A truly remarkable record and one that is unlikely to be repeated in years to come. Of the current Top 10 in Kerry’s all time Championship appearance list Tomás O’Sé, Colm Cooper, Marc O’Sé, Eoin Brosnan and Declan O’Sullivan are all still going strong. The three O’Sé brothers from Ventry, Tomás, Darragh and Marc hold three of the top five places in the list. An incredible legacy from a truly remarkable family!
Top 10 Kerry Players with the most Senior Championship Appearances
1. Darragh O’Sé/Tomás O’Sé 81
3. Tom O’Sullivan 76
4. Colm Cooper 69
5. Marc O’Sé 67
6. Dan O’Keefe 66
7. Eoin Brosnan 63
7. Seamus Moynihan 61
9. Dick Fitzgerald 58
10. Mike McCarthy/Declan O’Sullivan 57
Gooch Nears the Summit
Colm Cooper lies just 3 points short of breaking Mikey Sheehy’s 25 year all time championship scoring record. In the week’s that in it this is just another timely reminder of the Killarney genius’ already assured legendary status in the game. Mikey Sheehy scored 29-205 (292) in 49 games establishing a record which has held firm for a quarter of a century. Cooper with a tally of 18-236 (290) is now within touching distance of that tally. The Kerry Captain should join his fellow flame haired modern day icon Henry Shefflin, who heads the all time hurling Championship top scorers list. Colm topped the championship scoring charts in 2011 with a total of 2-27 from 6 championship games and he averaged 6 points a game in 2010 when he finished with a tally of 1-27 even though Kerry’s championship campaign was prematurely ended by a defeat to Down in the All Ireland Quarterfinal. While his own personal target will surely be to lift the Sam Maguire in September this potential personal milestone deserves recognition. It is a case of not if but when and hopefully the record will be broken on Saturday evening.
Sheehy’s record is without question extremely impressive. He amassed his total of 29-205 from just 49 championship games averaging 6 points per game. It looks like his tally of 29 championship goals will remain a record for some time to come thus guaranteeing his status as one of the greatest players the game has ever produced. Sheehy was selected on both the ‘Team of the Century’ and the ‘Team of the Millennium’ and the biggest compliment that could be paid to both of Kerry’s legendary number 13’s is that if you took Colm Cooper’s left foot and Mikey Sheehy’s right you would have the ultimate forward! Mikey Sheehy is also on record as stating that Colm Cooper is the greatest forward that he has ever seen in the game.
Of the remaining members of the 2012 Kerry panel Bryan Sheehan is next in line in the scoring charts. The 26 year old has scored 4-120 placing him 8th in the all time Kerry scoring list. The all time Kerry Top 10 is as follows Mikey Sheehy, Colm Cooper, Maurice Fitzgerald, Dara O’Cinnéide, Pat Spillane, Mike Frank Russell, Mick O’Dwyer, Bryan Sheehan, Mick O’Connell, and Eoin Liston.
Colm Cooper’s Championship Scoring Stats
2002 - 3-15 (9)
2003 - 0-11 (4)
2004 - 1-22 (7)
2005 - 4-23 (6)
2006 - 2-17 (8)
2007 - 2-18 (5)
2008 - 2-25 (7)
2009 - 1-34 (8)
2010 - 1-27 (5)
2011 - 2-27 (6)
2012 – 0-17 (2)
Total 18-236 (290)
** In brackets games played
All Time Championship Football Top Scorer’s List
1 Mikey Sheehy (Kerry) 29-205 (292)
2 Colm Cooper (Kerry) 18-236 (290)
3 Paddy Bradley (Derry) 17-202 (253)
4 Maurice Fitzgerald (Kerry) 12-205 (241)
5 Oisín McConville (Armagh) 16-192 (240)
** In brackets is the overall scoring total
Kerry Unchanged for Clare
Kerry have named an unchanged side for the Round 4 Qualifier against Clare in The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Saturday at 7 p.m. The team is as follows:
Brendan Kealy, Marc Ó Sé, Aidan O’Mahony, Shane Enright, Tomás Ó Sé, Eoin Brosnan, Killian Young, Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan, Paul Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan, Donnacha Walsh, James O’Donoghue, Colm Cooper, Kieran Donaghy.
Darran O’Sullivan is named among the substitutes.
The All Ireland Series
Round Four (Draw)
28.07.2012 (Sat)
Each of the four teams defeated in the Provincial Finals shall play against one of the four Winners of Round 3. Venues determined by the CCCC.
Clare v Kerry Gaelic Grounds 7pm
Meath v Laois O’Connor Pk 3:30
Down v Tipperary Cusack Pk 4:00pm
Sligo v Kildare Dr Hyde Pk 6:30
All Ireland Quarter-Finals (Draw)
04/05/06.08.2011 (Sat/Sun/Mon)
Each of the four Provincial Champions shall play one of the four Winners from Round 4, subject to the respective Provincial Champions not meeting the defeated Finalists from their own Province in this Round.
Cork v
Dublin v
Donegal v
Mayo v
All Ireland Semi Final
26.08.2012 (Sun)
#Mumha v #Uladh
All Ireland Semi Final
02.09.2012 (Sun)
#Connacht v #Laighean
# The Provincial Champions or the team that defeats them.
All Ireland Final
23.09.2012 (Sun) - (07.10.2012 Replay)
Semi-Final Winner v Semi-Final Winner
Fitzgerald Stadium Saturday July 21st 2012
Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6
Surprisingly, given their respective performances in the Round 2 qualifiers, as the week wore on, most pundits were tipping Kerry to beat their northern rivals making the point that there had to be one last hurrah on the Kingdom. Dara Ó Cinnéide captured the mood of the home supporters in a pre match article in The Examiner; “Such is the respect that Tyrone’s success has demanded of Kerry football that a win this evening would be cherished like few others. It is the final frontier for many Kerry players who’ve achieved so much in their own careers. I expect that respect to manifest itself in a huge crowd this evening. And, despite their recent form, the uncertainty and the doubt, I expect Kerry to win” he wrote.
It was very evident from early on that this was a different Kerry side than what we had seen all year and from the word go they were up for this match; hardly surprising given the history between these two sides. Declan O’Sullivan, who was outstanding throughout, gave Kerry the best possible start with a tremendous point off his left and dominating in most quarters Kerry were well worth their 8 points to 4 interval lead, a lead that should have been greater with Tyrone striking back for two late points to narrow the gap.
Kerry stormed 5 clear twice after the restart but received a blow in the 44th minute when Joe McMahon’s shot was well blocked by Brendan Kealy before rebounding off a player into the net. Just two points in it now, but Kerry were not to be denied this time and from the kickout, Sheehan fielded superbly before getting in behind the Tyrone defence to finish a fine move by setting up Kieran Donaghy for a peach of a goal. From there to the end it was all Kerry as they outscored their rival by 6 points to 1with Cooper outstanding in his distribution and space making.
There were 17 yellow cards issued by Referee David Coldrick of Meath and Brian McGuigan, just on the field, got a straight red in the 52nd minute for an elbow into the back of Declan O’Sullivan. Dara Ó Cinnéide, writing in The Examiner saw it as follows; “ From a very early stage, it became apparent that, devoid of some of their best players, Tyrone’s Plan A was disruption and damage limitation. As Kerry started to get into the groove in the first half, the amount of stoppages and whimsical diversions became annoying. But with exaggeration of injury, head high tackling and an undercurrent of cynicism on both sides, it was an impossible game to referee”.
The outpouring of emotion after the game by both players and supporters was a sight to behold and it was a particularly historic occasion for Tomás Ó Sé who equalled his brother Darragh’s record of 81 Championship appearances for the Kingdom. There was an excellent shirt sleeved crowd of almost 25,000 present in Fitzgerald Stadium. It was also a nice touch by the large group of Kerry supporters who cheered the Tyrone team and management onto their team bus after the game, a gesture very much appreciated by the visitors.
So Clare are now in Kerry’s sights and they clash in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening with a 7 p.m. throw in. The prize for the winners there is a Quarter final tie on the August Bank holiday weekend.
Team and Scorers: Brendan Kealy, Marc Ó Sé, Aidan O’Mahony, Shane Enright, Tomás Ó Sé, Eoin Brosnan, Killian Young, Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan (0-3 frees), Paul Galvin (0-1), Declan O’Sullivan (0-3), Donnacha Walsh, James O’Donoghue (0-2), Colm Cooper(0-5 1 Fr), Kieran Donaghy (1-1). Subs: Darran O’Sullivan for Donnacha Walshe, Peter Crowley for Shane Enright, Kieran O’Leary for Declan O’Sullivan, Paddy Curtin (0-1) for James O’Donoghue.
A day to savour in the sun as Kerry outsmart Tyrone
(By Murt Murphy)
Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6
“What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose”
Kerry boss Jack O’Connor may well have uttered Andre Agassi’s famous words in the dressingroom before his troops ran out to battle with deadly foes Tyrone in the cauldron like bowl, that was the Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday, because the Kingdom, once again sprung into life along the scenic route, and oh how the Kerry fans in massive crowd of 24,370, lapped up under the scorching sun.
Simply put, there was no hiding place for this Kerry team on Saturday, because another defeat to their perceived nemesis Tyrone, following on two All-Ireland Final defeats and one semi final, would not only have seen Kerry exit the Championship at the earliest date since July 17th (1999), but it would have led to recriminations and calls for retirements from within the county.
Kerry went for the jugular metaphorically from the throw in, with both Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan dominating the midfield exchanges throughout, but it was the space their attack (up to Saturday impotent in the Championship), were creating and the quality of some of their movement and scores, that laid down the early marker, that Kerry had hit form once again, just when many of the pundits were writing their obituaries.
However, while it’s the Kingdom midfield and attack that will receive all the plaudits, spare a thought for their outstanding defence, who shackled a much vaunted Tyrone attack, standing toe to toe and not flinching an inch, led by record equalling Tomas O’Se making his 81st Championship appearance.
Tyrone scoring chances were as rare as coins tumbling from a spendthrifts purse, as the experienced Marc O’Se taught the precocious Darren McCurry ( he started instead of captain Stephen O’Neill) that he is still a mere cygnet, Aidan O’Mahony ground Owen Mulligan into submission, while Shane Enright justified his recall by going toe to toe with Martin Penrose.
Eoin Brosnan was like the proverbial Hoover as he cleaned up everything that loose around the back, Killian Young proved his detractors wrong with a stellar display at wing back and what can one write about Tomas Ó Sé that has not been written already. He was awesome again, and his darting raids down the right gave Kerry the impetus they needed but this is par for the course for Tomas, in cricketing terms 81 not out but unlikely to reach the century.
A statistic that sums up how good the Kerry defence was, is that the starting six Tyrone forwards, only managed a single point from play, and came from Darran McCurry in the 34th minute!
Sheehan put Declan O’Sullivan into space for the Kingdom’s opening score of the game in the 2nd minute. The midfielder subsequently added two points from frees in favourable positions, both of which were won by James O’Donoghue. Indeed while the Tyrone defence with Peter Harte playing as an extra defender, were so preoccupied with Donaghy and Cooper, it allowed O’Donoghue to drive forward in possession, and draw fouls which Sheehan punished. O’Donoghue kicked a fine point in the 25th minute to leave Kerry leading 0-5 to 0-2, but there was underlying current of petulance bordering on intimation, which kept David Goldrick busy flashing yellow cards.
Then came a run of three Kerry points in nine minutes, all of which saw Kerry seek out the open man, Declan O’Sullivan, Paul Galvin and Colm Cooper, all able to shoot points with ease. Meanwhile Tyrone’s approach of trying to pass their way through the Kerry cover was proving futile. Kerry forced Harte’s charges to go back and recycle the ball repeatedly and this led to a Tyrone scoring drought of 21 minutes.
Tyrone did rally briefly in first half injury time, with points from McCurry and Penrose (free) but the visitors were fortunate to only retire four adrift 0-8 to 0-4 as Kerry had been profligate in front of goal, hitting the post twice and kicking a couple bad wides.
Sheehan and Declan O’Sullivan kicked early points with Aidan Cassidy replying with Tyrone’s best point ( could have been a goal) and then Tyrone were handled a lifeline in the 42nd minute with a bizarre goal, scored by Conor Gormley’s knee, after a Joe McMahon cross.
This reduced the deficit to two, but the Kingdom’s response was rapid and deadly- Sheehan soared high at midfield, he found Declan O’Sullivan, who fed the Gooch, and he threaded the ball through to inrushing Sheehan, who spotting Donaghy at the back post and his fisted cross was finished to the net, by a relieved “Star” who had not scored in the Championship this year.
A quick point by O’Donoghue and Cooper, and it was game over as Kerry stretched 1-12 to 1-6 clear.
The game now turned ugly and before the final whistle, referee David Goldrick had issued 17 yellow cards and one red.
Tyrone did not register a score over the final 23 minutes, while Kerry added six in the same period and there was no doubting but the best team won on the day. Kerry will play Clare next weekend and will be unbackable now that Donaghy, Cooper, Declan O’Sullivan and man of the match are Paul Galvin appear to clicked into gear.
Tyrone will be disappointed at their earliest exit from the Championship since 2006 but they are a team in transition.
Man of the match – Paul Galvin
Kerry:
B Kealy, M O Se, A O’Mahony, S Enright, T O Se, E Brosnan, K Young, A Maher, B Sheehan 0-3 frees, P Galvin 0-1 , D O’Sullivan 0-3 , D Walsh, J O’Donoghue 0-2 , C Cooper 0-5 ( 0-1 free), K Donaghy 1-1 .
Subs: Darran O’Sullivan for Walsh ( 49) , P Crowley for Enright ( 65) , K O’Leary for O’Donoghue (66), P Curtin 0-1 for Declan O’Sullivan ( 66) , B Maguire for Young ( 67)
Tyrone:
P McConnell, A McCrory, C Clarke 0-1 , D Carlin, R McNamee, C Gormley 1-0 ,
Sean O’Neill 0-1, J McMahon, C Cavanagh 0-1 , Mattie Donnelly, M Donnelly, P Harte,
M Penrose 0-1 free, O Mulligan, D McCurry 0-1 .
Subs: R McMenamin for Carlin ( 11) , D McCaul for McNamee( 25) , A Cassidy 0-1 for Mattie Donnelly( 34) , Stephen O’Neill for Penrose ( 46) , B McGuigan for McCurry ( 56)
Referee; David Goldrick (Meath)
Tactical analysis
(courtesy of Emmet Ryan and Murt Murphy )
Jack got it spot on
Jack O’Connor has experimented plenty with Kieran Donaghy, going all the way back to last year’s All-Ireland Final. Having adopted an increasingly defensive role this season, the Austin Stacks man has finally been switched back to a more conventional front-line assignment. Having rarely left the 21 in the first 20 minutes, Donaghy ventured further out as the half wore on but never looked likely to drop deep. Despite looking far more comfortable in such a high role, Donaghy’s lack of playing time up front meant he needed time to make an impact. There were promising signs in the first half, with one shot off the post and the big man also put Cooper through on goal only for his effort to also hit the upright.
Once he got going, Donaghy proved a key part of the attack. Given his relative lack of acceleration, it makes more sense for Donaghy to be more of a creator than a finisher and he had a hand in three points. Both of Donaghy’s scores played to his strengths, with the big man’s physique allowing him to be in position to finish from close range.
The verdict
Tyrone made two big calls in this game and neither worked as Kerry’s defence held firm. Neither their short-passing game nor the swashbuckling second-half switch worked in their favour and Kerry always held the edge in attack. A brief flurry in the second half was followed by a 24 minute scoreless run (27 including stoppage time) to finish the game.
Psychologically this performance will stand to Kerry’s attack but O’Connor will be well aware of the wealth of chances left on the field on Saturday but Jack and the management team, got everything spot on.
Impressive as a 10-point margin of victory was, particularly given it was Kerry’s first championship win over Tyrone since 1986, and maybe the Kingdom should have put this game to bed earlier. Their next opponent, Clare, present the ideal opportunity for Kerry to hone their finishing. Traditional as Donaghy’s new assignment may be, this is a Kerry attack in transition, with James O’Donoghue coming in but with the likes of Paul Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan and Colm Cooper back to near their best and Darran O’Sullivan, to spring from the bench, Kerry will be short odds to beat Clare and reach the Holy Grail of Croke Park for an incredible 13th year in a row ( 2000 to 2012).
Reaction:
Tyrone boss Harte praises Kerry while Jack is happy to advance
It was apparent on the terraces, in the stand, on the pitch with the Kerry players celebrating wildly at the final whistle, that this Kerry win over Tyrone, was something special and something to be savoured.
To Mickey Harte’s credit, he was gracious in defeat “I did not think that there was a gulf between Tyrone and Kerry before the game or at times during the game. I suppose with the breeze to their back in the first half, Kerry should have been more ahead at half time. The fact that they weren’t, meant that they had given us a lifeline. We had the breeze behind us in the second half and we did not believe that game was lost by any means. We thought that we were in a good position and as the game developed in the second half we needed a goal and we got it. But we didn’t defend it, Kerry struck back straight away and in many ways that was the losing of the game. But it’s maybe the mark of what a good team they are, when they were under pressure they responded with a goal themselves. That was a real tonic for Kerry as it was if we had not got that goal at all. Once we were down to fourteen, and when you are playing a team as good as Kerry and you are struggling, it became a damaged limitation exercise for us after that ” remarked the long serving Tyrone boss.
Meanwhile Kerry boss Jack O’Connor was delighted that Kerry had finally displayed some form. “We are delighted because I suppose a weak ago, we were dead and buried but we got up out of the grave again. We felt ourselves that we were not as bad as people had made us out to be. We were six points down against a fired up Westmeath team last week ten minutes into second half and yet we fought back to win and we felt we did not get the credit for that. It was a prefect dress rehearsal for today’s game”
O’Connor felt beating Tyrone was a bigger deal for the fans than the players “Look you could see what it meant to our fans, the roar and the excitement afterwards but the players and management are looking at it as just another win that helps us along the way and we have another important game next weekend. We cannot afford to celebrate tonight.”
“Fellas really put their bodies on the line," he said, "and that's what we had to do. Tyrone is a running team, they like to get numbers back and work it out and it was critical we slowed their momentum coming out of defence."
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifiers Round 3: Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6 Kerry eased through to Round 4 of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifiers after a 10-point defeat of Tyrone in Killarney on Saturday evening.
It was Kerry’s first Championship win over Tyrone since the 1986 All-Ireland final, and surely one of their most impressive in living memory.
Jack O’Connor's side laid the platform with a scoring burst in the first half, which yielded five unanswered points, and then crucially fired a 46th minute goal from the excellent Kieran Donaghy, just after Tyrone had threatene
