Championship

Kerry begin their road to Croke Park as they face Tipperary

May 11th, 2010
by Weeshie Fogarty

Jack o Connor will lead his men to famed Semple Stadium in Thurles next Sunday with a fair amount of anxiety and trepidation. Despite the fact that Kerry will be hot favorites to advance in the championship with a comfortable win he knows full well that it certainly wont be any stroll in the park for the All Ireland champions. And then on the other hand we might well see Kerry gain an easy victory as has occurred in many of their meetings since that famous day for Tipperary away back in 1928. Yes indeed unbelievably that was the last time Tipperary beat the Kingdom in a senior championship match. It finished that day in Tipperary Town, 1-7 to 2-3 and a star studded Kerry side had lost the opportunity to claim possession of a brand new trophy which was being awarded to the winners that year. Kildare went on to become the first holders of the new Sam Maguire Cup. Even now peering back through the mists of time this defeat must be considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of the entire championship. Kerry had lost the 1927 final to Kildare and then a stunned county saw a star studded Kerry squad gather themselves and go on in 1929-30-31-32 to claim All Ireland honors. It was a golden era in the county's history. And that team defeated by the Tipp men in 1928 included some of the most famous names the game has ever known. Joe Barrett, Paul Russell, Bob Stack, Con Brosnan, John Joe Sheehy, John Joe Landers and Eamon Fitzgerald. The latter would go on and represent his county in the Olympics games in 1932. So what happened Kerry that day in Tipperary Town? We can only speculate. Probally over confidence was the biggest factor or did the man in the middle with the three W's contribute to that shock defeat with some controversial decisions. Willie Walsh of Waterford was the referee.  

So what type of a game can we expect next Sunday? One thing is for certain and that is both counties will be well up for the occasion and neither will take the other for granted in any way what so ever. John Evans has been doing great work for Tipperary since he took up the post of football supremo there three years ago. While they will be disappointed at being relegated from their division following a great year the previous season there has only been one date on the Laune Rangers man mind all year and that is next Sunday. We all saw how he had his charges wired to the moon for their under 21 win in Tralee over Kerry where they were deserved winners and his charges will be of the very same mind set for this latest senior clash.  To put it in a nut shell he has nothing what so ever to lose and everything to gain so his men will come at Kerry from the word go. On the other hand however the reigning All Ireland champions are well used to this type of challenge and will match their opponents for effort, commitment and will to win.

The first championship outing of the season is always fraught with danger for the fancied side. I have never in my years following the Kingdom seen so many players retiring or simply opting out for a specific period as has happened since last years win. The squad while still very strong has without doubt been weakened in relation to options open to the selectors. . All big close championship matches in both hurling and football in to day's world are nearly all decided by the interdiction of substitutes at crucial stages. Unlike previous decads now its the squad, the whole squad, and nothing but the squad which decides who wins and who loses. And it is here that our neighbors Cork appears to be far better prepared than Kerry. Just look at some of the substitutions implemented by the Kerry management last year. In the semi-final against Meath. Tommy Walsh, Aidan o Mahoney and Paul o Connor came into the fray. In the final against Cork, David Moran, Aidan o Mahoney, Michael Quirke and Donnacha Walsh and Kieran Donaghy were introduced. So now all has changed, some of the above mentioned are gone while the others will start on the first fifteen. The bench is not as strong experience wise.

Of course we have some very promising new talent coming through. Brendan Kealy has had a great league, while David o Callaghan, Alan o Sullivan, Adrian o Connell, Podgue o Connor, James o Donoghue, Barry John Keane, Barry John Walsh and Garry o Driscoll have all made a number of appearance in the recent  league. However you simply can not re-place the experienced men who have gone over night. You can't put an old head on young shoulders, time will only contribute to this. So with Thomas o Se struggling with an injury, as is David Moran, Aidan o Shea, Daniel Bohane and Tommy Griffin options are limited. Then you have Colm Cooper still awaiting playing clearance from his eye specialist, an injury that will take time to overcome more mentally than physically and the situation has changed greatly since the All Ireland  win last September. Padraig Reidy, Mark o Se, Killian Young and Tom o Sullivan will form the back bone of defense.  Seamus Scanlon and Michael Quirke will I feel be the mid field partnership with Anthony Maher available to come in also to that vital area. Then with Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Darren o Sullivan and Declan o Sullivan as good as ever and Brian Sheehan and Kieran o Leary mad to stake a place we must fully expect to see our winning run over Tipp stretching back to 1928 continue. However while injuries and loss of players is going to be a huge problem to over come I feel that the biggest responsibility of all as the boys set out to attempt to win their sixth title since 2000 will be on their exemplary trainers Alan o Sullivan and Pat Flanagan. Freshness is the key word here. We still have the best players in the country. That is indisputable. If the freshness and lightness of limbs is still there by the few men on the road since the beginning of the last decade then the team will match anyone in the country. We wish them well as they set out on another fascinating voyage which hopefully will see that exemplary young man from St Mary's Caherceiveen, Brian Sheehan lift the Sam Maguire Cup on the steps of the Hogan stand next September. No man or no club. would deserve the honor more.

Fogra: If you want to hear a magnificent inspiring sports story then listen in to my programme Terrace Talk next Monday on Radio Kerry 6=8 pm. Last week I had the privilege of meeting up and interviewing an amazing young athlete from Kenya's Rift Valley. Vivian Cheruiyot is just five foot in height and as light as a feather. Born with seven other children in a mud hut in Kenya she ran to school each day in her bare feet. She now holds world and Kenyan records at 5000 and 3000 meters together with Gold and Silver world medals and is the favorite to win gold in the forth coming London Olympics. She flew into Limerick last week for treatment at Gerald Hartman renowned sports injury clinic and my friend Castleisland man Ger Keane who is Hartman's right hand man introduced me to Vivian as she passed through Kerry. She is affectionately known as "Kadago". Swahili for young one. A wonderful uplifting interview.



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