DDC1990 wrote: » Really unsure as to what way today will go. We've had a fantastic league campaign. Today will show where we really have been at and whether the Mayo game in Tralee was a blip or a true reflection of where these two teams are in the pecking order. That night in Tralee, key players didn't get to the pitch of the game. Gavin O'Brien and Dara Moynihan (who were key players for us in the league) seemed heavy legged and were run into the ground by an exceptional Mayo back line. Aidan O'Shea and Matthew Ruane were well on top of Jack Barry and Mark Griffin that night and when Adrian Spillane came on, he lost Ruane for the key goal. Having said that we bounced back well against Roscommon, a game we won with ease. Early on we looked prone to the Roscommon runners in defence, but when the real pace went out of the game a quarter of the way through the game, we took over and controlled it to the finish. It was great to see David Clifford back, and today he gets an opportunity once again to shine in Croke Park. No doubt he'll be tightly marked but hopefully he throws of the shackles and puts on a show. I feel the game will be won and lost in the Kerry half forward and Mayo half back lines. If Kerry can stifle the attacking influence of Durcan, Keegan, Vaughan and Higgins; while also putting them on the back foot on the other end of the field, it will go a long way towards a Kerry victory. At the start of the week I felt Mayo would just have too much, considering what it would mean to them to win a National Title. But as can often be the case, the closer the game comes the more I lean towards the Kingdom. The first 15 minutes will tell a lot. Should be a mighty clash no matter what. Kerry by 3. EDIT: Interesting to note the changes in our team from that Mayo clash. Ryan for Kelly Sherwood for Morley O'Sullivan for O'Beaglaoich O'Connor for Griffin Clifford for Gavin O'Brien Every one of these changes should arguably make us stronger. Will be interesting to see how it works out in practice.
Forge83 wrote: Strong Kerry team. A small bit disappointed Gavin White wasn’t drafted into the squad. Tadgh Morley a small bit unlucky not to be getting a run out as I’d have him slightly ahead of Gavin Crowley. Not much between them though. Geaney and O Donoghue off the bench are great options to have.
kerry37 wrote: » The sooner Shane Murphy comes back the better. Ryan has been caught out a few times this year under the high ball. Not good enough
conor05 wrote: » Issues in midfield too. James O donoghue is no longer a goal scoring threat for us either.
Forge83 wrote: » Harsh. His kick outs in the first half were excellent. Made a few fantastic saves. Yes he made a blunder for the goal and a couple of other mistakes. He is young and has the talent to improve to a level that far surpasses Murphy and Kelly.
DDC1990 wrote: » No complaints. Better team won. Crushed to be honest. Mayo made us look poor for a lot of the game with their superior pace and physicality. Their forwards took their chances better as well To many poor decisions cost us. Subs have us nothing. Dara Moynihan seemed to be coming out for the second half with the rest of the players then started limping and returned to the dressing room so James came on.
Mr. Incognito wrote: » Was at the game. No complaints. Better team won. Few observations - We were comfortably on top playing a deep defence. Went man to man in the second half and were slaughtered. I have no idea why. -Mark Griffin was responsibile for 1 03. Considering he came on as a second half sub thats insane. Kept giving stupid turnovers. Running into contact and giving bad passes. He had never improved as a player and is not going to. -James o donoghue was poor. Doesn't look to pass -Shane Ryan was excellent. Brilliant under the High ball. Needs to be given the jersey for the championship. His long kick outs were straight to O Shea. Not hard to stay away from him. -Tommy Walsh was excellent. As was Clifford. Barry solid in midfield when he was targeted. Finally. The Kerry support was appaulingly bad. No more than 1,000 id say. Mayo easily 25,000 supporters. Made for a serious Mayo athmosphere and Kerry were denied some clear frees as a result when the crowd put the ref under pressure.
kerry37 wrote: » They were and they have been pretty good every game he has played tbf. He caught 3 good high balls in, under no pressure. One time a Mayo man gets near him and he doesn't get there, I think that's the 2nd time hes cost us a goal like that. He needs to absolutely clean man and ball if hes coming out like that. Wont be good enough come championship and imo Murphy is the better keeper.
kerry37 wrote: » Can anyone shed any light on the Aidan o Shea sending off. The push he actually got sent off for on Seanie O Shea looked soft enough, as in it looked like Seanie just ran into him more than anything. Looked like he threw a punch at Tommy earlier in the game but was far enough away from it. Any telly replays shown?
Forge83 wrote: » Murphy May be marginally safer than him now as he has a lot more experience.But my point remains that Ryan has far more ability to go to another level of quality which Murphy hasn’t. For that reason persisting with Ryan benefits the county team more in the long run which is what Peter Keane is trying to build.
conor05 wrote: Issues in midfield too. James O donoghue is no longer a goal scoring threat for us either.
Forge83 wrote: Wasn’t a punch. He shrugged him off with a hint of an elbow. Ref saw it and felt it was legal.
C__MC wrote: Kerry still in a fair position due to Munster being what it is. Keegan destroyed o se
C__MC wrote: » Kerry still in a fair position due to Munster being what it is. Keegan destroyed o se
Forge83 wrote: » Destroyed? They seemed to negate each other if anything. Keegan is the dirtiest player in the country. He is not a footballer. Constant off the ball dirty play. O Se will retire with a few senior All Ireland’s though and be remembered for his talent, Keegan will not.
C__MC wrote: » Childish response. Your guranteed nothing in life