Championship

A Comprehensive victory over Limerick - Mayo await in the All Ireland Semifinal

August 2nd, 2011
by Weeshie Fogarty

Last Sundays outing in Croke Park resulted as expected in a comprehensive thirteen point victory for Kerry over a gallant Limerick side.  While Jack o Conor will be happy to be back in the All ireland semi final following last years defeat by Down in the quarter final both he and his side line generals will burn a lot of mid night oil as they re-visit this fairly lethargic display. I mentioned here last week that contrary to some opinions this was a good draw for Kerry. And so it proved to be because I now believe if they had met one of the remaining stronger contenders for the championship we might well have suffered defeat.  This run out while being one sided will have helped to bring the players up as they say "another degree" to championship standard and indeed revealed that with the exception of the o Se brothers, Darren o Sullivan, Declan o Sulivan, Kilian Young and Brendan Keeley and the outstanding Brian Sheehan there will have to be a marked improvement in all other areas if the All ireland is to be reclaimed. 

The four week lay of was very evident during long periods of the game as we saw a series of hand and foot passes going astray especially in the first half.  While things did improve as we entered the final twenty minutes or so and Kerry finished very strong the effects of that long lay off was very apparent. In old fashioned terms the team was rusty and needs a lot of oiling before the clash with Mayo when we will again hopefully see the free flowing, magnificent football displayed against Cork in the first half of the Munster final.  And of course in fairness to the player's human nature being what it is its very difficult to motivate yourself to that required very high degree of competiveness needed when you know in your heart and mind that victory was a near certainty.

Thomas o Se and Paul Galvin will be happy with their return and both men will be in much better shape for the Mayo game. It's a huge plus to have Brian Sheehan really finding his feet at the vital sector of inter county mid field. I have never seen the St Mary's man looking so slim, trim and brimful of energy and he capped a fine display with some superb traditional high Kerry fielding around the middle. Anthony Maher also did very well and both men will I expect line out together against the O Shea brothers for the Mayo game.

Limerick had their best spell following the re start. Stephen Kelly fired over two expellant points ,Ger Collins also raised the white flag to cut the deficit to four but Kerry were capable at all times of upping a gear. It was as if Limerick had pinched the Kingdom, woke them up and reminded them of where they were. Thomas o Se's two points one a punched effort was thrilling to watch. His surging defence splitting runs up field is one of the great sights in modern football and to copper fasten this one must appreciate the fact that the Gaeltaght man has now scored the phenomenal total of 3-30 from defence. This is unparalleled in the history of the game. What a player. Thomas has now made 75 championship appearances for his beloved county and is now just six behind Dara.

And of course the big talking point which in many ways overshadowed everything else was Darren o Sullivan's brilliantly taken goal in the 23rd minute. And it all resulted from a miss placed fisted pass by Brian Sheehan.  It appeared to be a harmless enough ball bobbing into the Limerick square. Then Darren darted in and with a deft flick of his right heel had the ball nestling in the back of the Limerick net before the defenders could even blink. My abiding memory is seeing Limericks excellent goalkeeper Brian Scanlon standing motionless, hands clasped behind his head in utter bewilderment as if saying to himself, "how in the world did he do that"?.  He did it because he is highly skilful footballer, has played soccer in London as a youth, has beautiful balance and awareness and most importantly of all is playing the best football of his life. I have seen all Kerrys league and championship games since the season began and Darren has been the best, most consistent Kerry player overall. It was a moment that will live long in the memory.  His fitness is vital to the Kerry cause.

Just for the record a few other classic Kerry goals that has stood the test of time in my sporting collection. Pat Spillane's goal against Tyrone in the 1986 final when he threw himself full length to punch the ball to the net. D. J. Crowley's stunning goal against Meath in the 1970 All Ireland final when he soloed from mid field with his left leg and rattled the net with a stunning right footed rocket. And what about Mickey Sheehy's  brilliant goal in the 1987 Munster final in Cork when he linked up with Mike McAuliffe to literally squeeze the ball past a posse of Cork defenders. To this very day I still can't figure out how one of the best Kerry forward's I have ever seen found room to score and draw the game.  And finally one more that will always remain etched in the memory.  August 14th 1955. Kerry trail Cavan by a goal in the All ireland semi final in Croke Park. The referee is looking at his watch, Johnny Culloty gets possession under Hill 16, sell dummies all over the place, centers a high ball to a crowded goal mouth and there is Tadghie Lyne timing his jump to utter perfection, beats the entire Cavan defence to the ball and with a beautiful flick of his right fist has the ball is nestling in the back of the net. Kerry win the re-play and beat Dublin in the most historic of all finals. Golden goals, golden moments in time.

Now we face Mayo. They have conceded just two points to Galway, one to Cork and one to Roscommon in the second half of all those games. They are hungry, fresh, highly skillful footballers and will push Kerry to the very limits. The one abiding question now is, will or can Kerry improve sufficiently to ward off the Western challenge. A huge improvement id necessary if the final is to be reached.



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