Championship

2008 All Ireland Semi Final - Kerry Vs Cork

August 19th, 2008
by Weeshie Fogarty

 The Munster final defeat by Cork some weeks ago was certainly a huge wake up call for the Kerry selectors because they had as manager Pat o Shea himself unashamedly admitted "a bad day at the office". Since that sensational winning second half display by Cork everything has changed and changed utterly on the Kerry side line and it's here that this intriguing semi-final clash I believe will be won or lost. While all managers will say that the game is decided by the players on the field, in this day and age of tactics and five substitutions shrewd switches can have a huge bearing on the result. During their last games both managers used the permitted five substitutions. The Kerry substitutions were hugely influential in turning the game against Galway into a famous victory. On the other hand Connor Counihan used his bench to give his substitutes a feel of Croke Park in preparation for the Kerry game. Coasting to victory he very nearly paid a costly price for all these changes as Kildare went within a great block down of sending the game into extra time. The one huge difference between the players on both county benches is that the Kerry men have massive experience of the big day in Croke Park. Much more than their counterparts of the rebel county. This may well prove to be the deciding factor.  Indeed a great case could be made to include Tommy Griffin, Darren and Sean o Sullivan, Eoin Brosnan and Daniel Bohane on the starting fifteen.

This contest is going to be much closer than last years final when Cork through their own carelessness gifted Kerry two early second half goals. For the first time in over two years the Cork management now has a selection headache of the best possible nature and has big decisions to make in relation to mid field and the full fordward line. Captain Graham Canty could still make an appearance, while John Miskella, Kevin McMahon, and Noel o Leary have all returned to fitness. Michael Shields return from Australia is another boost for Counihan which means that one way or another his bench will be very strong.  I don't believe that Kerry will start Bohane on Michael Cussen. The meeting of Dara o Se and Pierce o Neill promises to be crucial while Anthony Lynch Cork's man of the match last day out will have an intriguing battle with Colm Cooper.

I was hugely impressed with John Hayes the Cork corner fordward against Kildare and his precision finish for the goal emphasized what a deadly striker he is. Kieran Donnaghy was not at his best the last day out. "Star" hates having an average game and will improve greatly and despite his "cramping problems" will play a crucial part especially now that Tommy Walsh is sharing equally the ball winning duties in front of the opponent's goal mouth. We could analysis this game until the cows come home. However I am convinced that Kerrys more experienced substitutes, Brian Sheehan's superior free kicking to his Cork counter part, their big match experience and most importantly of all that hurting burning desire to avenge that humiliating defeat that wet day in the Munster final will see Kerry through to contest the final for that elusive three-in-a-row.  

Fogra: Dara o Se has scored 1-28 in his all time record seventy one championship appearances for his county. My good friend and Kerry GAA historian Tim Slattery is my source of information here. The Austin Stacks man trawled through all Dara's appearances with the help of his huge match programme collection and old Kerryman editions. Surely a real labor of love.

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