Championship

Born-again Kerry lit up Croker

August 8th, 2006
by Weeshie Fogarty

51 years ago this year - 1955 to be exact - a newspaper heading screamed out the declaration - Up Kerry, up catch and kick, up the Kingdom.

This was the message following Kerry's sensational and completely unexpected All-Ireland final victory over the so-called unbeatable Dublin machine. The late, great John Dowling, the Kerry skipper, had led his men to glory from midfield and that win stunned the experts and scribes of the time. I might be accused of dwelling in the past and living in a football fantasy football world when I equate last Saturday's stunning victory over Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final with what happened all those years ago. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this was one of the great Kerry Croke Park displays - a second half in particular that will linger long in the memory, just like that memorable day in 1955 when the world and her mother gave Kerry no chance.

Last week in this column I stated that Kerry men are born to perform in Croke Park. I must admit that never in my wildest dreams did I believe they would rise to the dizzy heights they achieved in this pulsating performance. But first things first, as the fellow says.

This was the type of Gaelic football played by both sides that we yearn to seen every Sunday of the championship. None of that stomach-churning swarming, crowding, pulling and dragging and continuous basketball that has consumed every team since it was first introduced by the northern counties a few years ago. Now, hopefully, team managers will see the light and instruct their sides to copy the true Kerry style. At the end of the day - and I have often said this -the future of our football style lies with our trainers and managers. They are the people that determine how football is played and, if they instruct, teach and demand their men to play the swarming game then it is they that are destroying the game.

Jack O'Connor and Joe Kernan must be highly complimented for sending out their men to attack and kick in the old fashioned high ball into the goal-mouth style. This resulted in what we witnessed on Saturday - flowing moves, great scores, goal-mouth thrills and, most importantly of all, high fielding. The clash between Francie Bellew and Kieran Donnaghy was breathtaking with both players fielding magnificently around the square.

And then there was Darragh O'Sé. We mentioned at the beginning of this piece the name John Dowling and how he lorded the skies around Croke Park in 1955. Well, Darragh followed in the footsteps of the Tralee legend last Saturday. Paidí O'Sé's nephew has played many superb games for Kerry but, in my opinion, none better than this. His display was brilliant. The West Kerry man is having his best ever year and the way he set up his two brothers for those three late points, in the space of three minutes, is something that will be talked about for many a long day. Marc's point, as Kerry attacked the railway end, was a touch of sheer class. The beautiful, easy controlled way he sold the dummy before raising the white flag would do justice to Maurice Fitzgerald or Colm Cooper himself.

We should also express our thanks to Cork for beating us in the Munster final. This was the game that changed the present face of Kerry football. It is a well known fact that you learn more from defeat than victory and the Kerry management, to their eternal credit, certainly learned from that defeat. I say all this in the knowledge that there are two games to be won before any cup is returned to the county. However, credit where credit is due and for this week we delight in reliving those golden moments we were fortunate to witness last Saturday.

Seamus Moynihan's defence-splitting run to set up Eoin Brosnan for that crucial opening goal was laying down a marker. It was the Dr Crokes man's fourth goal in just two games. And then around the same time in those frantic opening minutes the Glenflesk man met Malachy Mackin with an almighty belt of a shoulder to stop him literally in his tracks and left him gasping for air, on his knees, in the middle of Croke Park. A good start is half the battle we were always told.

What is left to be said about Seamus? Dan and Nuala certainly reared a great one out there in Shronedraugh, Headford. What service he has given to his county since he first donned the green and gold way back in 1992. Suffice for me to say that he is one of the greatest ever Kerry footballers on my list.

And then there is Kieran Donaghy. What a wonderful breath of fresh air this exemplary young man has brought to the scene. His fielding is as great as any we have witnessed from a Kerry footballer in the last 50 years. Of course it's early days yet for the Austin Stacks' man. Nevertheless we can only praise what we have seen to date. He gave us breathtaking stuff against Longford and he was even better last Saturday. And that goal just after half time? A superb diagonal centre from the classy outstanding Sean O'Sullivan. Donaghy soared to the clouds, fielded superbly, Bellew is goal-side and is left sprawling on the grass and Kieran's rocket of a shot gives Armagh's excellent goalkeeper Paul Hearty no chance. Great stuff and a goal to savour. The Tralee man was involved in nearly every Kerry score and while Mike Frank Russell and Colm Cooper are still a little bit short of their high standards, Kieran's presence had given the two corner men a completely new role in many ways.

For me, however, the score that sank Joe Kernan's great side was the Darren O'Sullivan goal late in the game. The Glenbeigh/Glencar man had been outstanding when brought on and the way he nipped in, stole the pass, showed a clean pair of lighting heels to the defenders and rattled the net was Kerry football at its best. Another person might have taken the soft option and punched over a point. And it all happened in the twinkle of an eye. This killed the Armagh challenge and the demanding Kerry supporters shouted in joy as the Kerry players killed time in those memorable closing minutes.

Another crucial factor was the substitutions made. Every one worked a treat and, in particular, our skipper Declan O'Sullivan who suffered the trauma of losing his place was excellent. He contested around six balls, won them all, passed of five and kicked that superb point. The general consensus of opinion at half time was that we would not hold out. But whatever Jack and his selectors said during the break changed everything and the team went on to give a scintillating display of all that is best in the game.

The Longford match six days previously was certainly a major factor and when push came to shove in those closing 15 minutes, our boys were flying. Armagh had been without a game for four weeks and when Kerry upped the tempo the Ulster champions were struggling. And indeed it must also be stressed that in the physical side of the game we came out on top and the strong Armagh men did not get everything their own way. The defence, while still not operating at a 100 per cent, was brilliant in that hectic second half and there will be no change there for the semi-final.

While Paul Galvin will be disappointed to have received his marching orders, the question must be asked why did the Armagh water carrier and Joe Kernan get involved with the linesman? It was as a result of this that Paul took the long walk. Galvin responded to what was said and done - that is his nature. Of course, he should control himself a little more. Nevertheless if he loses that aggression, drive and determination which has made him the All Star he is, he won't be any great asset to club or county. He wears his heart on his sleeve and continuously walks that narrow line. He is a vital part of that half forward line and adds that extra steel and hard work to the side. Two yellow cards is a small price - we need him against Cork.

Once again we return to our trainer - Waterford man Pat Flanagan. He had the players in superb shape. It's not easy to try and peak the squad between a Munster final loss and then just six days between the Longford game. He played a crucial part in this latest inspirational Kerry win. It is very evident also that the management, Jack O'Connor, Ger O'Keeffe and Johnny Culloty, worked very hard to get everything right in both games. Full marks to them.

The Kerry management won't be too happy facing Cork as strong favourites. It will be said that they drew with us and beat us and they should be favourites. However, and of course this is a story for another day, on present form Kerry will win. The balance of the side has been nearly perfected, the style of play will be copied by many and meeting Cork in the vast expanses of Croke Park will definitely suit a rejuvenated Kerry.

In conclusion, let us add that whatever happens before the curtain comes down on the championship, what we witnessed in Dublin last Saturday and the style of football played by both teams should be applauded by one and all. We are edging towards a final. Everything has changed and changed utterly. And the great thing is, it's all for the best.

Could Kieran Donaghy be facing his Austin Stacks' clubman Billy Sheehan in the final? And could two South Kerry men be pacing the line as opposing managers on the big day? I never cease to be amazed by what Kerry football throws up.



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