Championship

Colm Cooper's late late free denies Cork

June 8th, 2010
by Weeshie Fogarty

It's seldom we see one player make such a dramatic impact on a match when introduced as a substituted. However that was the scene that unfolded at a packed Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday when Jack o Connor sprung Paul Galvin from the bench with 18 minutes remaining. His appearance sparked off an atmosphere we seldom experience. Roars of approval form the green and gold bedecked Kerry fans and a chorus of boos from the red and white followers. You either love or hate Paul Galvin and following last Sundays draw the Kerry followers will love him even more. His appearance seemed to have a massive unsettling effect on the entire Cork team and they completely lost their concentration as the Finuge man began to handle more ball in the remaining minutes that some of his team mates had handled during the previous hour. This is bourn out when we saw Cork scoring just one point during those remaining 18 min. It was not only Galvin's appearance that sparked the come back however as Anthony Maher, Barry John Keane and David Moran also contributed greatly as Kerry dragged themselves level. Maher's point from out on the wing was a superb effort while Barry John Kean's point was taken with great composure. His ability to run into open spaces and make himself available to take the pass is one of his stronger points.

Those closing minutes were nail biting and made up for what was a disappointing game over all. Colm o Neill's massive score from far out had edged Cork in front entering injury time and when Colm Cooper earned a dubious free under what we call the St Finan's corner it was obvious that his kick would determine the final result. It was a very difficult angle and with the weight of every Kerry follower resting on his slight shoulders Gooch split the posts showing a coolness and composer that only the truly great sports men possess. The financial wind fall to the Munster Council accruing that that one kick of a ball will be massive. Cork will be kicking themselves to have once again failed to put Kerry away. They dominated around the central area with Alan o Connor, Pearse o Neill and in particular Aidan Walsh winning a huge amount of breaks and then we saw wing back Paudie Kissane kick three massive points from the wing back position. No doubt but he will be one marked man in the re-play. On the other hand Kerry's half back Thoimas o Se's contribution to the Kerry cause was once again massive. What a footballer. Making his 71st championship appearance his dashing runs and two inspirational points will forever remain etched in the memory. In my pinion he is the best half back I have ever seen playing Gaelic football and his scoring record from his position deep in his own half has never and probably will never again be seen.

Kerry made a lot a basic errors too numerous to describe and the big worry for next Sunday will be centre field where Cork dominated in the air and on the breaking ball until Galvin came on. Granted Micheal Quirk got a bad knock which affected his vision and Seamus Scanlon will definitely improve for the re-play. Mobility and work rate around the middle is a big problem. It must be a huge worry to the mentors to have seen both Cork midfielders all on their own mid way through the second half as both o Connor and Walsh had point blank shots at goal and not a Kerry jersey in sight. Brendan Kealy will be disappointed at giving away the point when blown for delaying. However lets not forget he is still learning his trade and his point blank save from Alan o Connor and seconds later he was back up to cut down the space as Aidan Walsh shot for goal were match saving plays.

To salvage a draw when our three big men Declan o Sullivan, Colm Cooper and Kieran Donaghy were restricted to two points from play between them was a mighty effort. We have been singing the praises of Brian Sheehan here for the last two weeks and the St Mary's man once again led like a true captain. His kicking over all and ball winning was first class. The pendulum has now swung in favour of Cork. Connor Counihan will be happy to have a championship game under their belt. He will have a better idea of his best starting fifteen. Home venue will mean a lot. Paul Galvin will probably start for Kerry and the selectors will have to decide re what is best for mid field. Anthony Maher might deserve a start. Mark o Se had a torrid afternoon from Paul Kerrigan and he appeared to be yielding to that shoulder injury. As always if's and buts' surrounding the two counties. Everything following last Sundays display points to a Cork victory however this Kerry side has indomitable spirit and will to win. After all these years nothing surprises me any more when the Kingdom and the Rebels lock horns. Its like Greek meeting Greek.



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