Championship

Kerry v Dublin in Croker – it doesn't get better than this

July 28th, 2009
by Weeshie Fogarty

As expected Kerry survived the latest challenge when they were put to the pin of their collective collars against Antrim in Tullamore last Sunday. The bottom line in all the three qualifying games was to get through to the knock out stage, nothing else. End of story. And now that has been achieved. Kerry are still in the championship and all the happings both on and off the field over the past two months has been in my opinion a god-send to this county.

Instead of listening continuously to all the doom and gloom in relation to the massive down turn in the economy, squandering of tax payers expenses etc – and I fully understand the very serious implications for thousand of decent hard working people – it is at the moment Kerry football for breakfast, dinner and supper. This is what Kerry football, its supporters, its traditions and heritage is all about and last Sunday there was a massive turnout of Kerry followers.

I would say we outnumbered the Antrim folk by about three to one. So as Jack and his men continue on their compelling voyage to regain the All Ireland title we should keep thing in perspective and enjoy what is unfolding before us this gloomy rain sodden summer. Antrim can count themselves unlucky not to be more than one point ahead at half-time and the big worry from the Kingdom's perspective as the short whistle sounded was the huge amount of ball that Kerry gave away as they attempted to find their team mates with foot and hand passes. Fifteen passes in total by nine different players failed to find their intended destination.

As a result with Kerry completely dominating midfield, Antrim were wiped out here, the huge amount of ball going into the goal area was being continuously intercepted by the lively Antrim men. Two more incidents in this first half were vital. Darran O'Sullivan saw his shot for goal brilliantly saved and once again we saw Diarmuid Murphy continuing his magnificent form saving another goal AND a point. The problem I believe in relation to squandering possession, and I have continuously mentioned this is the fact that the side is one of the most unsettled in many years and find it difficult to gel in the white heat of championship football.

And in fairness to all, these unsettled line-outs are not a fault of the selectors, but the continuing injury and loss of form by a number of players. The men on the line are struggling to find the best fifteen capable of giving a performance that will see the side recapture their top form. And to emphasis the importance of this contrast what I have said with the Wicklow situation and the great run Mick O'Dwyer's men have had. No injuries, no loss of form and they have fielded the very same fifteen in all four championship games and not alone that but they have finished each match with the same starting fifteen.

When the chips were down last Sunday Kerry once again rose to the challenge in true traditional style and the beauty of this side despite all the arrows shot in their direction is the fact that cometh the hour cometh the man in every game they have struggled through of late. The aforementioned Diarmuid Murphy, Paul Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan, Michael Quirke, Tom O'Sullivan, Kieran Donaghy and one of the Ó Sés have all rose to the challenge and lead the charge when the fat was in the fire and Kerry were struggling to hold on to slender leads. And we saw it again last week.

Michael McCarthy the quiet man from the parish of Kilcummin with the rich Kerry football blood coursing through his veins dragged his side to victory with a series of defence splitting runs through the heart of the Northern defenders. These thrilling attacks resulted in four vital points and add in Paul Galvin's first ever championship goal and Micheál Quirke's high fielding late on and you have the story of victory.

Someone might figure out how Mike McCarthy missed all the winter training and Paul Galvin also had a long enforced rest and yet both look to me as fresh as daisies and mad for road. Just a thought. And Kenmare's Paul O'Connor staked a claim for a place with a very impressive performance when introduced.

So now it's decision time. Kerry V Dublin in the championship in Croke Park. What more could you ask for in sport? Hill 16 a sea of blue and white, Croke Park packed to the rafters, the overpowering sense of tension and anticipation, the magnificent green and gold of the Kingdom, the singing and the chanting and then the ear splitting roar of the masses as the teams race on to the field, the parade, and finally the National Anthem.

This is the age old rivalry that for me surpasses all others, bar none. Who will win? The bookies will all say Dublin. They have been on fire this year and look unstoppable. All action, all movement, all aggression and strength while rattling up huge scores. The Dubs are so hungry for victory and as we have often said here "hunger is the great sauce".

Kerry have been stuttering along, unsettled and unsung with the national media and some journalists in particular having them dead and buried following their recent trials and tribulations. Will they beat Dublin?

To tell the truth I haven't a clue. Just where are Kerry at the moment, are they capable of casting off that cloak of sub standard performances in recent weeks. Can they get it together for this the defining ultimate test? Many will say no.

But hold on a minute. Let's not forget that this is the very same county Kerry that have not lost to Dublin since 1977 (and only for one bad pass we would have won that too), the very same county that stunned the so called "Unbeatable Dublin Machine" in 1955 and the same side that were most peoples' favorites to win the All Ireland this year. Can they recapture their form or is that staleness we have written about hear ever week still lingering in the body and minds?

Kerry men were born to play in Croke Park. It is there that John Dowling, Ned Roche, Seamus Moynihan, Mick O'Connell, Tom Long, Maurice Fitzgerald, Paídí Ó Sé, Mickey Sheehy and a host of other greats lifted their performances to dizzy heights when faced by the men in blue.

This present Kerry side are littered with footballers every bit as good as the afore mentioned legends. They don't need any reminding from the likes of me that it is now their turn to rise to this latest challenge and recapture their best form. It was done against all the odds before and it might happen.



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