Championship

Kerry reach their 7th All Ireland Final in 8 years

August 23rd, 2011
by Weeshie Fogarty

The result was as expected, but the margin was greater than predicted. This magnificent Kerry squad of players backed up by some of the shrewdest selectors the county has seen has now qualified for their 7th All ireland final in eight years. Read that line again, I even feel like writing that same line a second time because I certainly in my life time will never again experience an achievement such as this. The sheer dedication, that insatiable thirst for victory and that ravenous hunger for continued success, the drive for perfection over such a long period of years is for me the most amazing characteristic of this exemplary group of Kerrymen.  Of course the men of the past were in their own generation equally dedicated in their time and lets not forget the past plays such a huge part in every Kerry footballers career.

The wonderful Kerryman GAA scribe the late Paddy Foley was in many ways referring to the men of the present Kerry team when he penned the following lines at the conclusion of his superb publication in 1945, "Kerry's Football Story".  "What form will they take, these future chapters in out football story?  The material may be supplied by generations of young Kerry footballers yet unborn. In events of the past they will find grounds for inspiration, ample stimulus to follow in the footsteps of the men who have gone before". It was as if P. F. was capable of looking down a tunnel through the mists of time and visualizing the greatness, skill, style and unbelievable will to win this group of Kerrymen continue to display year after year.  Their biggest test of all awaits. How often have we written that very same line in the past ten years?
It was the perfect way to prepare for the final. Scoring 1-20, winning by nine points and having the luxury to bring on five subs is a goods day's work in any mans language. However it was not the vintage flowing performance laced with scintillating end to end moves we have seen from the boys in the past.  So while the victory was more than comprehensive there is a lot of room for improvement. And that is why I maintain it is the perfect prelude to the final. This was a hard tough battle at times bordering on the dirty as surprising Mayo were in my opinion guilty of at least three red card offences which went unpunished. The elbow Paul Galvin took to the jaw in particular which did not even warrant a free was one of those and I make no apologies when I say that if the offender was the Kerryman he would have got his marching orders. That is what Galvin now has to tolerate from referees. Give a dog a bad name and all of that stuff. On the other hand Kerrys discipline was top class and this was also vital as they never attempted to retaliate.

It was surprising to see James Horan instruct one of his best attackers. Kevin McLaughlin to play the now familiar sweeping role in front of Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper in that first half, thus depriving his attack of more penetration. In many ways it was a blessing that Darren o Sullivan did not bury those two early goal scoring chances as Mayo would more than likely have completely collapsed and Kerry would not have had the resultant far more competitive test which unfolded. On both occasions it was thrilling stuff to watch as The Glenbeigh/Glencar man careered through the static Mayo defence like a runaway train.  The lack of competitive games and I include the Limerick quarter final in this was very evident in the first half and it was only as the game unfolded that Kerry began to find their rhythm and we witnessed some superb individual displays and magnificent score taking.  

Ahead by just two points at the short whistle Jack o Connor had his men  well set up for the second half and his greater experience on the line was very evident as he won the tactical battle with James Horan hands down.  There will be questions asked again about lack of height around the Kerry square; Andy Moran on his own caused huge problems as he was singled out as the target man in the second half.  A great save by the outstanding Brendan Kealy and the post, to the keeper's right (as in the Cork game) deprived him of goals.  However the selectors will be very slow to fool around with a very settled defence. Only injuries or complete lack of form in training will see changes here. Kieran Donaghy will certainly be all out to have a far better final and I thought the Stacks man was losing his footing a lot on the Croke Park surface. Kieran o Leary, not surprisingly had an outstanding outing and having seen all his appearances for Kerry this year I can't recall the Crokes man having one bad game for his county. Paul Galvin's introduction was massive, he kicked two beautiful points and his passing and support play was  top drawer stuff. 
And in conclusion the Gooch goal. Last week I finished my article here with the following words. "Expect to see Colm Copper and Kieran Donaghy inside on their own and lots of direct ball going their way. Gooch needs to be much closer to the opponents goal and he should be plied with plenty ball. He may well prove to be the big match winner". I based my view on studying the boys in training and it was evident that Colm Cooper was nearing that near perfect state of sublime skill, artistry and magic which only the truly great sports men attain. 

The high centre under the Mayo crossbar, goalkeeper and defender rise for it. In comes Cooper, he doesn't try to catch or punch the ball but as he jumps into the two defenders he deliberately prevents them from a clean catch.  His intentions are now in hindsight quite clear. The ball breaks to the Kerryman and then we see something amazing. Instead of trying for a point or barging for goal he turns and as if in slow motion solos' back OUT the field to the fourteen meter line He turns, sizes up all options, lets defender Tom Cunniffe trailing in his wake ands billows the net at the Canal end. Cool, ruthless, calculating, and most of all wonderful vision and unique skill all displayed in those fleeting moments which ultimately killed off Mayo's blossoming challenge following their goal minutes before hand, game, set and match to the Kingdom and I long for Dublin win over Donegal.  Jack o Connor is reaching for the stars as he continues to copper fasten his position as one of the greatest managers/trainors the game has known.



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