Kerry v Monaghan

TomMc · 12-08-2007 03:59PM

Kerry were sitting ducks today, but will be all the better for it in the long run. They kept their composure when it mattered most or they too would have joined the big name casualties. Sore limbs tomorrow morning for sure but that was as physical a test (& pounding) as they will meet all season. Bryan Sheehan was a great substitution and he is worthy of a starting place the next day. Dublin will now start favourites in the SF, which will play into Kerry's hands I feel.

Pal · 12-08-2007 04:10PM

nesf wrote:

I really feel for Monaghan fans. That was not a nice way to lose a game.

Dreadful refereeing.
Monaghan won that game fair and square.

TomMc · 12-08-2007 04:24PM

Just like yesterday when a Derry man made only one real hop of the ball, got penalised when setting up in front of goal - Dublin then broke to the other end and scored a point.

Darragh Ó Sé was very lucky not to get penalised too late on. I guess the better the footballer, the more ref's tend to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Ah well, Hard luck Monaghan - It's hard to stomach, we have all been there, but GAA usually serves up some hard knocks before some success.

Flukey · 12-08-2007 08:22PM

Kerry very definitely got out of jail on this one. Some more dubious refereeing on view, especially right at the end. The best teams don't always win. Anyway, we'll see how Kerry perform against in two weeks. They'll have to up their performance, which they will, but will that be enough. Come on the Dubs.

Erin Go Brath · 12-08-2007 08:34PM

Have to say I thought the best team lost this one. Monaghan were extremely unlucky. Kerry were "ring rusty" as someone pointed out with the 6 week lay off, and it showed. Fair play to Monaghan, they did themselves proud today. Battled away for the whole game, but possibly Kerrys greater experience payed off in the end. The passing around when they were 1 point up coming to the closing stages was self assured. Monaghan will be back next year, and they will be more street wise next time around.

Kerry v Dublin should be interesting. I fancy the Dubs to do it. They look the stronger team.

Flukey · 12-08-2007 09:02PM

Erin Go Brath wrote:

Kerry were "ring rusty" as someone pointed out with the 6 week lay off, and it showed.

It's funny, Kerry's poor performance is being argued as being down to the fact that they have not played so long, while Waterford's defeat is down to them having played lots of games. People will argue the case either way, whichever suits the situation.

D. Coughlan · 12-08-2007 09:10PM

Flukey wrote:

It's funny, Kerry's poor performance is being argued as being down to the fact that they have not played so long, while Waterford's defeat is down to them having played lots of games. People will argue the case either way, whichever suits the situation.

I think it is a balance, playing 3 highly intense matches at Croke Park must leave the players feeling unfresh, particularly when they were playing Limerick who had no matches for 2 weeks and seemed to be first for every ball.

While Kerry with no matches for 6 weeks just could not get back into the intensity of the Championship.

If i was a Monaghan supporter tonight, I would not be feeling great, they just seemed inexperienced at the big match occasion like Derry yesterday.

quad_red · 12-08-2007 09:28PM

Met a few friends from Monaghan at the game (and my gf is from Monaghan) and I really felt for them. As one of the lads said, that result came straight out of the long grass.

Kerry were poor. Disjointed, off the pace and ineffective. I read on the game review on the rte site that Donaghy despite not being very effective, caused 'terror' in the Monaghan defence when high balls came in.

It didn't bloody look like that from where we were sitting! He couldn't keep hold of the bloody ball and the Monaghan defence were ready to capitalise and regain possession 99% of the time. It was an ineffective tactic and Kerry's dependence and hesitation/inability to adapt was worrying.

Daragh O Se was strangely pedestrian as well (certainly in comparison to how he usually plays). But he wasn't alone.

Monaghan were determined, energetic and really up for it and they can take allot from this. But it disappoints me to hear the same clowns go on about referee bias etc. If there was bias why was the goal disallowed? Monaghan, Limerick and Waterford fans all roared Monaghan on today. Kerry weathered an overwhelmingly pro Monaghan atmosphere and kept their cool.

But Monaghan were unable to capitalise on Kerry's weaknesses. They allowed us to keep in touch and put in a late rally to which they had no response (literally - they couldn't buy a point at the end).

So a date with Dublin beckons (and the scramble for a ticket).

Flukey · 12-08-2007 09:36PM

Since Waterford's last game, they've had seven nights of sleep. It's not as if they played Cork this morning, both the drawn and replayed matches. I do think a bit much is made of this kind of thing. As I said too, it is used in both ways. We'll get the "Kilkenny haven't been tested or had a hard game so that's an advantage as they will be fresh" and we'll get the "Kilkenny haven't been tested or had a hard game so that's a disadvantage." The amount of games had or not and the intensity of those games or not, is argued as being both an advantage and a disadvantage, whenever it suits someone's case. Kerry's poor performance today, or had they even been defeated, would be put down to them not having had a game for 6 weeks. Had they hammered Monaghan it would be because they haven't had a game for 6 weeks and they were fresh. Whatever your case, a long lay off or a heavy schedule can be used to argue it both ways.

Erin Go Brath · 12-08-2007 09:38PM

D. Coughlan wrote:

I think it is a balance, playing 3 highly intense matches at Croke Park must leave the players feeling unfresh, particularly when they were playing Limerick who had no matches for 2 weeks and seemed to be first for every ball.

While Kerry with no matches for 6 weeks just could not get back into the intensity of the Championship.

If i was a Monaghan supporter tonight, I would not be feeling great, they just seemed inexperienced at the big match occasion like Derry yesterday.

This post is spot on!

Pal · 12-08-2007 09:38PM

The last 2 points should not have stood.
Monaghan must feel very hard done.

WarZoneBrother · 12-08-2007 10:06PM

class game and from a monaghan person i am very disappointed...how can a team get the lead in the last 5mins and win

..monaghan had there chances in the last 5mins but didnt get them...hopefully kerry dont win the all ireland or there will be tears all round..

K-9 · 12-08-2007 10:28PM

Seen this one coming but unfortunately just didn't come through at the end. They have some belief, that Monaghan team. Thomas Freemans knock on his knee was significant, wasn't as effective afterwards.

Ok Donaghy didn't play well and the ball into him wasn't that great sometimes, but he caused the goal, even if he never touched the ball.

I can see the Kerry defence having bother with the Dublin forwards and the rotation and mobility of them.

Kojak · 12-08-2007 11:07PM

Hard luck on Monaghan - they stayed with Kerry a lot longer than I thought they would have.

Kerry seemed to be labouring a lot today, maybe it was because of the 6 week lay off but some of their play was clumsy and didn't look the stuff of All-Ireland champions. However, this will suit them for their next match against the Dubs as with all the usual hype of the dubs, kerry could be going in as underdogs.

Monaghan hunted in packs, and I was surprised that Kerry couldn't counteract this given the fact that they have experienced this kind of thing before with Tyrone. Donaghy was quiet today, and it seemed to take him a while to grasp the fact that he was better off to catch the ball rather than knock it down for the incoming forwards as the Monaghan corner-backs were sweeping up in front of him.

Monaghan got away with a lot of fouls today, IMO and it just added a bit of agro that hadn't any part in the game.

kerry usually peak for one game a year (look at All-Ireland final of last year) so it will be interesting to see if they can raise their game for the next day. Because they will definatly need to - if they played the dubs with a performance like that today, then the dubs would win by about 6 points.

angeldelight · 13-08-2007 12:58AM

Absolutely and totally heartbroken over this one, I was just starting to think we could hold on when things turned. I was really proud of the alds though, in my (slightly biased) opinion it was the best QF even though some people thought it'd be a washout and the fact that they managed not to go behind for so long was encouraging. Watched it in Tralee and even the Kerry fans sitting next to us coming up to the last 3/4 mins were willing Monaghan to get a point as they thought they deserved the draw and start afresh again. Oh well, roll on 2008!

K-9 · 13-08-2007 01:08AM

What an 2008 Ulster championship its going to be!

Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh and Fermanagh on one side, Derry and Monaghan on the other. That's writing off Down, Cavan and Antrim which they'll just love. Now, that is competitive!:D

Pride Fighter · 13-08-2007 01:13AM

Fair play to Kerry, they won but only just. Well done to Monaghan, they can be a force for the future. Roll on the semi and c'mon the Dubs!!

mdwexford · 13-08-2007 01:34AM

TomMc wrote:

Dublin will now start favourites in the SF, which will play into Kerry's hands I feel.

no hope,
8/11 Kerry, 6/4 Dublin.
Kerry will always be favs regardless of past results or who they are playing.
Dublin look to have a cracking chance against them this time though....

CMON DA DUBS!!!!!!!

Bukman13 · 13-08-2007 05:21AM

Seanies32 wrote:

I can see the Kerry defence having bother with the Dublin forwards and the rotation and mobility of them.

yea agree, Defence very sluggish today IMHO

C'mon The DUBS...:D

wanabe · 13-08-2007 07:21AM

We've seen this all before! Kerry have a bad game and people begin to say that Kerry are'nt the team they used to be! I say bulls**t, Form is temporary and Class is permenant! Everybody has bad games but they still won! bring on the dubs! who in my opinion were lucky to get past derry!

TomMc · 13-08-2007 07:46AM

mdwexford wrote:

no hope,
8/11 Kerry, 6/4 Dublin.
Kerry will always be favs regardless of past results or who they are playing.
Dublin look to have a cracking chance against them this time though....

CMON DA DUBS!!!!!!!

In the bookies eyes yes, they are shrewder; but give it time and see if money is laid down on Dublin in the coming week or so, things change.

In the general publics & pundits eyes, Dublin are now given the tag of slight favs.

Anyway, in a way I hope Dublin win (providing Meath beat Cork) as I would be more confident we could beat the Dubs on AIF Day, than having to face a Kerry team which may just peak again mid sept (if they get there).

Nalced_irl · 13-08-2007 07:50AM

Well, its simple, Kerry arent the team they were. Your lying to yourself if you think they are. They are still very strong but nowhere near last years team. Not going by the Monaghan game on that, going by the championship so far. Kerry were lucky to get by also and as were the Dubs and i think both are closely matched. Donaghy looked more effective again than he has this year but still not a patch of what he was in 06. The backs were very unsure of themselves and were lucky to get away with a few big Monaghan scoring chances. Yes class is permenant, but contrary to popular belief, not all Kerrymen are born with natural class and talent. Yesterday proved that. There wasnt a huge amount of class there. I predict a very close SF and i think either team can shade it.

Nalced_irl · 13-08-2007 07:54AM

TomMc wrote:

In the bookies eyes yes, they are shrewder; but give it time and see if money is laid down on Dublin in the coming week or so, things change.

In the general publics & pundits eyes, Dublin are now given the tag of slight favs.

Anyway, in a way I hope Dublin win (providing Meath beat Cork) as I would be more confident we could beat the Dubs on AIF Day, than having to face a Kerry team which may just peak again mid sept (if they get there).

The money will go on Dublin anyway i think. Remember, most small gamblers arent too clever and will fall into what they read in the Sun and the Star and go with the Dubs. Plus most people bet with the heart and not the head so population-wise, more people will bet on Dublin. I would say evens on both teams as i think its a very hard one to call so Dublins odds i think are the better right now to go with.

TomMc · 13-08-2007 09:02AM

Your viewing Kerry as kind of a spent team, a little too early. Remember yesterday's match was just a poor team performance - as footballers, they still have the individual ability, talent & class. They are not over the hill or past their prime yet.

This present Dublin team makes up for certain shortcomings with passion, intensity and team spirit but their weaknesses are a more permanent fixture. Kerry on the other hand do not have limitations as such, they have technically better players (more natural & gifted) and all that is required is for most of them to show better form & more consistency on the one day. They have a lot of work to do over the next fortnight to ensure that happens. It ain't broke it just needs tweaking. The workout v Monaghan will have sorted out the inertia. Now they just need to formulate a more specific game plan to tackle the Dubs, so everyone knows exactly what is required of them. Knowing Kerry (and how they approach Dublin games) they will prepare with far greater attention to detail this time.

Aquitaine · 13-08-2007 09:11AM

I was at the game yesterday - im not from either Kerry or Monaghan so this is not a biased comment but *some* of the Monaghan supporters really let the side down. Even when they were ahead by a few points they booed every kerry player who got a touch to the ball. I know this can happen at any match but i have never been at a match when the sportsmanship was so bad - thought eh Monaghan team played very well but the supporters let them down. A pity!

Niall06 · 13-08-2007 09:33AM

Have to agree about the Monaghan supporters. Had a few sitting beside and behind myself and my father and they spent the match smoking cigs & drinking bottles of Bud.
One feel alsleep during the game, too much drink and another gave out when the ref didn't give his team a "corner"

I was glad when they didn't stay for the second match, a lot more enjoyable for neutral Dubs like us.

Flukey · 13-08-2007 10:03AM

I didn't see bad behaviour, but a lot did leave after their match. They missed a cracking Hurling match.

quad_red · 13-08-2007 10:22AM

Aquitaine wrote:

I was at the game yesterday - im not from either Kerry or Monaghan so this is not a biased comment but *some* of the Monaghan supporters really let the side down. Even when they were ahead by a few points they booed every kerry player who got a touch to the ball. I know this can happen at any match but i have never been at a match when the sportsmanship was so bad - thought eh Monaghan team played very well but the supporters let them down. A pity!

Have to say I experienced similar. Everyone likes a bit of physicality but the constant demands to 'break his f**kin face/legs' was a bit irritating. And booing Kerry players who were down was just retarded.

Still, there's always a few knob heads.

Nalced_irl · 13-08-2007 10:27AM

Not at all TomMc, i dont see them as a spent force whatsoever, but i dont see them as 15 plyers with an abundance of class either. They have some classy players yes, but they have weaknesses also. Im basically saying that Kerry have by no means booked their place in the final yet and im sure they will know that. Worst thing they could do is underestimate the Dubs, as mistakes like that (quite often the Dubs underestimating others) have led to slip-ups that have ended AI campaigns many times in the past.

Nalced_irl · 13-08-2007 10:28AM

Niall06 wrote:

another gave out when the ref didn't give his team a "corner"

Thanks, you just made my morning!

Kerry v Monaghan

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