Kerry GAA Discussion Thread Mod Warning Post #4167

Mr. Incognito

I was at the game in Tralee over the weekend.

The panel is looking very strong this year. David Moran was excellent in midfield and Aidan O'Shea looks a class act aswell. Going to be a lot of competition for places and Kennelly still has to come back. Nice to see Jack O'Connor get his maiden victory.

Galvin kicked three good points but seemed to tire considerably in the second half. I'm not sure when they started training but they looked sharp, considering Donegal had McKenna Cup games played- looking forward to next weekend against Tyrone.

sam34

i was there too... delighted to see young moran doing so well. tommy walsh was pretty good too. galvin was certainly out of it towards the end, but he did some great work.

thought darren o sulllivan was poor, spilled a lot of ball.

overall, the ref was ok i thought. could have prob issued one ot two yellows to each side, but chose not to.

delighted for jack.

here's hoping it was the first of many successes this year!

chupacabra

Should be a cracking game against Tyrone. And seeing as traditionally Kerry take awhile to get up to speed, its encouraging to see them get a good win and a good start to the season.

Mr. Incognito

Good point about the yellow cards. I left ten minutes early to beat the traffic to Dublin and Wishie was saying on Radio Kerry that Mark O'Shea had blatantly tripped his man going through and yet, no yellow. The game started out very cleanly and open but seemed to get a bit more physical towards the end of the second half. I was really impressed with the turnout too!

Tyrone got anniliated in Tralee last year in the league. It's going to be interesting next weekend when they are at home. They looked good against Dublin in the first half but Kerry defence isn't going to give them that sort of space.

shiibata

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

I was at the game in Tralee over the weekend.

The panel is looking very strong this year. David Moran was excellent in midfield and Aidan O'Shea looks a class act aswell. Going to be a lot of competition for places and Kennelly still has to come back. Nice to see Jack O'Connor get his maiden victory.

Galvin kicked three good points but seemed to tire considerably in the second half. I'm not sure when they started training but they looked sharp, considering Donegal had McKenna Cup games played- looking forward to next weekend against Tyrone.

Was working last Sunday so did not see the game, listened to it on local radio at work and Martin McHugh had great praise for the Moran lad at midfield, was giving him MOTM.

Must admit when I seen Donegal had the same team out again as the previous weekend in McKenna cup final, my confidence was so high, I put €50 on Kerry -3 at 13/10:D. (forgot to change my pools prediction though:()
That was one of the poorest teams out in a league game for years for Donegal and unfortunately we look to have not much coming through the ranks as you seen

news for you

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Good point about the yellow cards. I left ten minutes early to beat the traffic to Dublin and Wishie was saying on Radio Kerry that Mark O'Shea had blatantly tripped his man going through and yet, no yellow. The game started out very cleanly and open but seemed to get a bit more physical towards the end of the second half. I was really impressed with the turnout too!

Tyrone got anniliated in Tralee last year in the league. It's going to be interesting next weekend when they are at home. They looked good against Dublin in the first half but Kerry defence isn't going to give them that sort of space.

Annihilated by a massive three points.

Mr. Incognito

Lol I knew that was going to come up. They were 8 points down and came back only through Kerry's atricious wides on the night- they were comprehensively outplayed.

Sheehan missed some sitters in Tralee that night- Interested to see him on the bench this year. I wonder who is going to take the frees, I see gooch was taking everything from the right.

Pride Fighter

I think Tyrone will win the AI again. But there are several realistic contenders this year. Kerry have a great chance, especially with the return of Kennelly. Kerry to win the league, Munster title and go out at the quarters against an Ulster back door team.

Mr. Incognito

If they stay fit. They both have good young talent coming through.

I personally think if last years Kerry team and Tyrone had played ten times Kerry would have won 8. Pascal made two fantastic saves in the first half that could have wrapped it up for Kerry.

But Kerry have yet to beat then in Croker- I think they should break that duck this year. Galway were my dark horse last year, have to see how they get on in the league but Meehan is looking amazing. They need some more solid defenders though.

mumhaabu

Kerry were impressive enough and immediately I could see the Jack O'Connor effect in them. Kerry started well and went 2-05 to 0-01 up within 15mins. I was at the game and analysed it afterwards. I feel that the new rules will benefit Kerry in the League and they will give it a good rattle.

Tyrone are certainly still a major threat to us this year however I personally feel that Kerry have more talent and the ability to defeat Tyrone. I think with Jack O'Connor back in charge and the amount of talent there now that Kerry can and hopefully will win back sam. Sun Feb 15th in Omagh will basically be an experiment on how to control Sean Cavanagh his performance against Dublin was one of the greatest I have ever seen since the day Maurice Fitzgerald defeated Mayo single handedly. Tyrone are now on top and there is only one way they can go, Kerry will once again reinvent the wheel.

While Tyrone will probably beat Kerry the next day the expeirience gained by Kerry will be massive. I was extremly impressed by Ger Reidy of Castleisland and after his performance against Donegal, Diarmuid Murphy's days are well and truly numbered. With Tadgh Kennelly back and Tommy Walsh and Kieran Donaghy it will make for an interesting toss up.

With Jack O'Connor and Fitzmaurice at the helm I can see Kerry bringing off the treble this year winning the league and regaining our lost Munster and All-Ireland crowns. No-one must underestimate our northern foe and there is two things for sure anyway and it is that whoever wins this year will not win easy and Dublin won't win unless Kerry and Tyrone annihilate each other in some sort of mess like occured with Kerry and the Rebels last year which really left Kerry for six before the Red Hand axed the 3-in-a-row. :eek:

homerjay2005

job done, 1st game, nothing to get excited about. no all irelands handed out in January and February.

keane2097

Where do people think Tadgh Kennelly will play this year?

Mr. Incognito

I would say midfield. Moran is looking well but it's only the league. I would guess Dara and Tadgh will be the midfield partnership with young Moran coming in the second half. Dara doesn't have the legs for 70 minutes anymore.

Tadgh's physique and distribution would suit Kerry and he would win a lot of route one ball. I can see Tommy Walsh in full forward perhaps- he was an unbelieveable target man the last day with Donaghy moving out to half forward.

homerjay2005

talking to a lad at home, Tadhg is due home today and is in serious training for the past 2-3 weeks. he will probably make his bow in the north kerry league on sunday week for emmets.

he is injury free. my club play emmets soon

keane2097

I thought midfield would be the thing for him alright.

With David Moran kicking on it'll do Dara the world of good not being guarenteed his place on the team imo.

The only thing is, with Tadgh's fielding skills he might make an even more formidable full forward than what's already available...

Mr. Incognito

You know it's funny. in 2005 Kerry had no full forward and now we have three between Donaghy, walsh and Kennelly. I still think that midfield is where he is utilised best. The reason Donaghy was so sucessful in 2006 is that he was getting a great supply of ball and Dara cleaned up in midfield in the semi and the final. Kerry were not as strong there last season and it cost them. A lot of their scores against Galway were ball turned over in the backs. We need to secure route one in midfield and Kennelly is the man to do that.

keane2097

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

You know it's funny. in 2005 Kerry had no full forward and now we have three between Donaghy, walsh and Kennelly. I still think that midfield is where he is utilised best. The reason Donaghy was so sucessful in 2006 is that he was getting a great supply of ball and Dara cleaned up in midfield in the semi and the final. Kerry were not as strong there last season and it cost them. A lot of their scores against Galway were ball turned over in the backs. We need to secure route one in midfield and Kennelly is the man to do that.

Yeah I do think midfield is where he'll do best for us, but he will be a great option at full-forward if we're in trouble with ten minutes to go at any stage...

Triple-towers anyone?:pac:

DDC1990

Anyone think that we should play Kennelly Full Back? I know people will say, he'll be restrained creatively, but look, Kerry had one Weakness last year... Full Back Line. Kennelly would have the pace, physicality and height to cover all the full back criteria.
He also played in the backs in Oz.
Better option then Aiden O'Mahoney IMO.

keane2097

DDC1990 wrote: »

Anyone think that we should play Kennelly Full Back? I know people will say, he'll be restrained creatively, but look, Kerry had one Weakness last year... Full Back Line. Kennelly would have the pace, physicality and height to cover all the full back criteria.
He also played in the backs in Oz.
Better option then Aiden O'Mahoney IMO.

There was no problem in the full-back line. There was a problem on the sideline.

Tommy Griffin came in and solved the problem before the management retardedly decided to drop him and let Sean Cavanagh destroy us in the final.

Surely Jack will be smarter than that.

Agus

Jack drops Kennelly hint

04 February 2009

Jack O’Connor has dropped the strongest hint yet that Tadhg Kennelly will be part of the Kerry senior football squad in 2009.

The Listowel man is home in Ireland to pursue his dream of winning a senior All-Ireland medal with Kerry but admitted upon touchdown at Cork Airport on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect to walk straight into the Kingdom team or panel.

However, manager O’Connor believes the former Kerry underage sensation can quickly re-adapt to gaelic football after his illustrious career Down Under with Sydney Swans:

"If he had left it to later in the year, it probably would have been too late because fellas at that stage would have three or four months’ training behind them.

"So he’s coming in on a fairly even keel and I know for a fact that he was doing a lot of work, even when he was in Australia in January.

DDC1990

Agus wrote: »

Jack drops Kennelly hint

04 February 2009

Jack O’Connor has dropped the strongest hint yet that Tadhg Kennelly will be part of the Kerry senior football squad in 2009.

The Listowel man is home in Ireland to pursue his dream of winning a senior All-Ireland medal with Kerry but admitted upon touchdown at Cork Airport on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect to walk straight into the Kingdom team or panel.

However, manager O’Connor believes the former Kerry underage sensation can quickly re-adapt to gaelic football after his illustrious career Down Under with Sydney Swans:

"If he had left it to later in the year, it probably would have been too late because fellas at that stage would have three or four months’ training behind them.

"So he’s coming in on a fairly even keel and I know for a fact that he was doing a lot of work, even when he was in Australia in January.

Shock Horror!!!

keane2097

Yeah fair play to Jacko not hiding his intentions...

Agus

Kennelly already in Kingdom training

[SIZE=-1]Tadhg Kennelly[/SIZE]09 February 2009

Tadhg Kennelly has already joined the Kerry senior football squad, less than a week after returning home from Australia.

The former Sydney Swans star trained with the Kingdom over the weekend and is now expected to be part of Kerry’s national football league panel.

Jack O’Connor will be without Kieran Donaghy for Sunday’s trek to Omagh, which leaves the manager with the tantalising option of throwing Kennelly into the fray at full forward. However, he is more likely to be deployed at full back, where his fielding ability would by a major asset.



The player himself said that he didn’t expect to walk straight on to the Kerry panel, but Jack O’Connor pointed out that he had faith in Kennelly’s ability as an athlete to adapt.

The thinking in the camp could be that he needs as many games as possible to hone his skills ahead of the championship.

Mr. Incognito

Will playing him against tyrone not be showing their hand a bit?

homerjay2005

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Will playing him against tyrone not be showing their hand a bit?

he wont play against tyrone. anyway, how is it showing a hand? people know enough about him, theres nothing to hide!

tommy walsh was a secret, star, killian young etc. tadhg kennelly is hardly an unknown waiting to burst onto the scene.

Agus

Quick Kennelly debut ruled out

10 February 2009

Kerry selector Ger O’Keeffe has dismissed reports that Tadhg Kennelly could make his senior debut in Sunday’s eagerly-awaited NFL clash with Tyrone in Omagh.

The 27-year-old, who recently quit the Sydney Swans to return to his native Kerry, trained with both Listowel Emmets and the Kingdom squads last weekend, but O’Keeffe has insisted that he will not be rushed into action.

"We haven’t selected a squad for Omagh yet, but we’d be reluctant to push any player too quickly," he said.

"Tadhg will know himself when he is ready - he’ll be under no pressure from us. We recognise what an athlete he is and fitness certainly won’t be an issue with him.

"He played a trial game and did well. He was a bit rusty as you might expect, but he’s got an early taste of it and that can only serve him well."

Significantly, O’Keeffe did not rule out Kennelly being part of the travelling squad for Sunday’s game.

keane2097

I hope he plays - I'm itching to see him in action...

blackbelt

Can't see it happening.What manager would put Kennelly on from the off?He hasn't played GAA in years and the morale of the Kerry team would suffer if Kennelly was to walk on to a starting 15.

Plus there is no way he could deal with the Tyrone attack of O Neill and Cavanagh...and even Mulligan!!

It will be club matches for him and training with the Kerry seniors until the latter stages of the league when Kerry will play Dublin.

Mr. Incognito

Anyone know how Kennelly played for Emmets?

Blackbelt- he's not that rusty he's been playing club football a bit in the off season- I remember he was home last season for a county final for instance.

Good article on the GAA website from Marc O'Shea. He mentions 12 fighting it out for the back positions?

He seems very optimistic anyway and making no bones about it.


http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=25945

Poor_old_gill

any room in here for discussion of kerry leagues and championships?

Mr. Incognito

Don't see why not- I'm a Legion man so be gentle.

Poor_old_gill

Here I go so:

Div 1 - Strand Road
Div 2 - Stacks
Div 3 - Castlegregory
Div 4 - Fossa
Div 5 - Ballydonoghue

Senior - Strand Road
Inter - Listowel
Junior - Castlegregory
Novice - Fossa

Thats my predictions for the year- I also reckon that unless Kilcummin can get dodge to come back then they could well lose their senior status.
Legion should survive in Div2 but they will have to fight tooth and nail

homerjay2005

kerry people are slowly taking over this forum

long may it continue!

too early to study form this year.

keane2097

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Here I go so:

Div 1 - Strand Road
Div 2 - Stacks
Div 3 - Castlegregory
Div 4 - Fossa
Div 5 - Ballydonoghue

Senior - Strand Road
Inter - Listowel
Junior - Castlegregory
Novice - Fossa

Thats my predictions for the year- I also reckon that unless Kilcummin can get dodge to come back then they could well lose their senior status.
Legion should survive in Div2 but they will have to fight tooth and nail

I'm a Strand Road man myself and to be honest I can see this year being a tough one for us. It will be tough for us to recover from the loss in the County Final this year - it was such a cruel finish. Added to that the fact that we've lost Jack O'Connor and (even more unfortunately imo) Alan O'Sullivan means this could be more a year of consolidation than anything.

Hopefully I'm wrong but I see us probably winning or being there-thereabouts in the League, but probably not winning the Championship for 2 or 3 years. Our backs especially aren't the finished article yet, although there are some guys in there with massive potential - Brendan Quill will be a great club player for the next ten years or more and Gavin Duffy is potentially an absolutely smashing player (very good even now). There are a couple more as well but as a unit I don't see them as that strong yet.

Agus

25 February 2009

Inspirational Kerry midfielder Darragh Ó Sé is expected to return to intercounty training with the Kingdom this week.

With Tom O’Sullivan, Tomas Ó Sé, Michael Quirke and Kieran Donaghy already back in the fold, Ó Sé’s return will leave manager Jack O’Connor with his strongest hand to choose from as Kerry bid to regain Sam Maguire in 2009.


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Agus

keane2097 wrote: »

I'm a Strand Road man myself and to be honest I can see this year being a tough one for us. It will be tough for us to recover from the loss in the County Final this year - it was such a cruel finish. Added to that the fact that we've lost Jack O'Connor and (even more unfortunately imo) Alan O'Sullivan means this could be more a year of consolidation than anything.

Hopefully I'm wrong but I see us probably winning or being there-thereabouts in the League, but probably not winning the Championship for 2 or 3 years. Our backs especially aren't the finished article yet, although there are some guys in there with massive potential - Brendan Quill will be a great club player for the next ten years or more and Gavin Duffy is potentially an absolutely smashing player (very good even now). There are a couple more as well but as a unit I don't see them as that strong yet.

Not champions this year maybe, but long-term that could be an absolutely brilliant team.

yayamark

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Don't see why not- I'm a Legion man so be gentle.

Whatever happened to the Legion?

The 90s were good to them doing well in the league and okish in the championship.

But its just all tailed off now

Fine new clubhouse now in Ballydribeen.

Did u play are u still playn with them?

keane2097

Agus wrote: »

Not champions this year maybe, but long-term that could be an absolutely brilliant team.

Hopefully...

Mr. Incognito

Whatever happened to the Legion?

The 90s were good to them doing well in the league and okish in the championship.

But its just all tailed off now

Fine new clubhouse now in Ballydribeen.

Did u play are u still playn with them?

Crokes ate up all the young players in the mid 90's as they had a bus that ran on saturday mornings that collected from all the estates, the legion had an aging team- I played Minor but then when I left for college in Galway that sort of distance just isn't possible so I took up soccer and basketball instead.

They've started a ambitious younth programme but they're always going to struggle as the Crokes are seen as the town team now, heck I was on that Crokes bus when I was under 10 and 12's but went back to the Legion for Minor as I had some mates playing for them.

manster

I remeber Pat Healy once lamenting all the young footballing talent that left Killarney to go to different colleges around the country. "We must be the best f@cking educated team in the country", he said. Still makes me smile to think about it.

newmills

Tyrone lad jumping in here lads - don't savage me!! As an earlier poster said No all ireland medals handed out in january and february.
Wouldn't really be talking about the twin towers or possibly three towers for a full forward line - as an old meath man said to me at last years all ireland final - they'll win f*ck all if they keep kicking high balls in to a couple of basketball players!!
If you had 3 goochs then we would all be f*cked - kerry playing football - real football on their day will beat anyone or run them to the wire.
Look out for the old red hands anyway cause we are still looking at you - the bench mark so to speak!!

keane2097

newmills wrote: »

Tyrone lad jumping in here lads - don't savage me!! As an earlier poster said No all ireland medals handed out in january and february.
Wouldn't really be talking about the twin towers or possibly three towers for a full forward line - as an old meath man said to me at last years all ireland final - they'll win f*ck all if they keep kicking high balls in to a couple of basketball players!!
If you had 3 goochs then we would all be f*cked - kerry playing football - real football on their day will beat anyone or run them to the wire.
Look out for the old red hands anyway cause we are still looking at you - the bench mark so to speak!!

What do you mean "real football"?

Football has always traditionally been a hugely catch-and-kick based game, it's only very recently that this has begun to change, largely due to northern teams pioneering swarm defence and possession based strategies.

kerry4sam

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

... They've started a ambitious younth programme but they're always going to struggle as the Crokes are seen as the town team now, heck I was on that Crokes bus when I was under 10 and 12's but went back to the Legion for Minor as I had some mates playing for them.

Spa and Legion don't seem to get a look-in anymore these days. Crokes do seem to be a more 'closed' club so to speak though as opposed to the aforementioned who seem to be more willing to open back their doors and welcome new members

newmills

keane2097 wrote: »

What do you mean "real football"?

Football has always traditionally been a hugely catch-and-kick based game, it's only very recently that this has begun to change, largely due to northern teams pioneering swarm defence and possession based strategies.

By real football i mean full speed up the pitch, backs passing to midfield passing to full forwards who do the needful. I watched kerry at a league match in killarney a good few years ago and they were unreal - they moved the ball at speed from defence to attack - short hand passes and kick passes - it was the stuff of pure class. Fast forward to 2008 and it's f*ck the midfield - kick it as high and far forward as you can. Swarm defences or not - quality players who can pass and kick and move into space will score points which will win games. Take the gooch - give him a ball near the goal and it's one or three points - quality doesn't need strategies!!

Mr. Incognito

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2009/0303/kennellyt.html

Looks like Kennelly is starting on Sunday against Derry - I'll be at that for sure.

Frogdog

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2009/0303/kennellyt.html

Looks like Kennelly is starting on Sunday against Derry - I'll be at that for sure.

How're you making it up to Derry Mr. Incognito?

Hello everyone - another fellow Kerryman here - exiled in Dublin unfortunately.

Just to go back to the Tyrone lad above - I know your post was made with good intentions - but a Gooch Cooper doesn't come along every year. But you are right in some of the things you say. I believe that more of our forward play should go through him. I'd nearly have him in at CHF, Galvin and Declan at either side of him. FF line of Donaghy Walsh and Darren O' Sullivan. I fairness that's the only place I'd play Darren, I wouldn't have him in the half forwards.

Mr. Incognito

Frog- you're crazy!

Darren is masively effective in the half forwards running at the back line at pace. I'd leave Walsh inside as he's been a magnificant ball winner, move Donaghy out to the half forwards where he can track to midfield if he wants to win kick outs and where his quick hand passing giving the ball of to Declan or Darren running in at pace.

I'd leave Gooch inside to play just off Tommy Walsh and I'd put Donnacha in the other corner as well, he's a lovely knacky little player and himself and gooch could come out and play the wings leaving declan and darren to break through at pace or kick unmolested points themselves from the angles.

As for Derry- I'll be driving up- pm me if you want a lift.

Frogdog

Long drive Mr. Incognito! Wouldn't envy you. There's a supporters bus up to it which is a handy one. They leave both Kerry and Dublin. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it up, I've FE1s (solicitor's exams)coming up. All 8 at the one time.

As for your forwards - pah! Donnacha Walsh isn't good enough to start imo. If you include him that means you're dropping Galvin - not feasible or wise in today's game. You need a hard working forward in every team these days. The time of 6 fat forwards waiting for a ball to throw a leg at are over I'm afraid. Darren O' Sullivan played his best game for me against Tyrone last time out. And he was in the corner roasting his man taking him on the outside and along the end line. Gooch needs to be involved more. He's got great vision, great passing ability, two great feet.......he's just great! I like the idea of Donaghy helping out midfield - but if Tadgh/Moran/Dara/Scanlon are there then it's the opposition that'll need help!:D Plus Tommy Walsh is more of a natural MF than a FF imo. His younger brother is a natural forward however.

Mr. Incognito

His younger brother was the top scorer in the minors alright- but then again so was Tommy lol.

Donnacha is captain- you have to bear that in mind and you can't lead from the bench.

I'd agree with Galvin doing a lot of dirty work, and breaking ball but with Kennelly and Moran in midfield you'd have to ask how much is going to be broken down and scrappy. Plus the long ball to the forwards negates a lot of that. Galvin is a particular player to suit a particular style- he plays on the edge and I have no doubt that Jack likes this agressiveness but personally I'd drop him. Kerry played awesome against Galway last year and the new rules are really going to limit his effectiveness and style of play. We'll have to see how the vote goes at congress in a months time.

I'd agree Darren was class agains Tyrone but his breakaway point against Armagh was his finest day in a Kerry jersey to date.

Good luck with the FE1's- I've sat them myself- 8 in one go, in my opinion is nervous breakdown time.

manster

I thought Darren O'Sullivan was captain??

The team that started the first half against Tyrone 2 weeks ago played some of the best football I've witnessed since the match V Galway last year in Croker. The fact that it was against Tyrone shows how the team can turn it on when they want to. Jack O'Connor is the reason for this. Regarding the match, why were we so comprehensive in the 1st half?

1. Darren O'Sullivan although named at corner forward played at half forward and terrorised Tyrone with his runs.
2. We controlled midfield, Scanlon & Moran won everything other won the breaks.
3. Aidan O'Se although named at half back started full and had a mighty half hour
4. The two man full forward line worked better than the twin towers approach of the final last year.

Bringing in Dara O'Se (as an impact sub), Tomas & Tadgh Kennelly not to mind Star, we are looking good for the coming season.

Looking forward to going to Bellaghy on Sunday, having in-laws in Donegal has its advantages!

Agus

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

His younger brother was the top scorer in the minors alright- but then again so was Tommy lol.

Donnacha is captain- you have to bear that in mind and you can't lead from the bench.

Er, Darran O'Sullivan is captain isn't he? And I don't have the figures but I would have thought Paddy Curran was top scorer with the 2006 minors?