Kerry GAA Discussion Thread Mod Warning Post #4167

the minor final was streamed live on friday night, great initiative by the GAA for this, hopefully its a sign of things to come!

Ballydonoghue won it fairly easily over a well fancied Dingle team, first North Kerry club to win it apparently.

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

I was looking forward to your analysis

My apologies.

Strand Road set up with Tommy and David at midfield. The plan was then to try and get Rathmore to kick the ball out long. This was made difficult by the fact that Rathmore had an extra man or two dropping in for short kickouts, but Strand Road worked hard at trying to split the spare men and cover as much as possible.

Rathmore still managed to work a lot of short kick outs but we put them under a fair bit of pressure and forced them into a lot of sticky positions. Our problem was that we couldn't win a break for whatever reason, I remember literally two we won all game.

Shane Ryan's kickouts are bizarrely bad, honestly bafflingly terrible, it was weird. From that POV I thought our plan wasn't awful, get them to kick it out to a spot where we have two giants, but there are a couple of problems with it. Firstly, if you lose all the breaks you're ****ed either way.

Then you have the fact that Tommy isn't and never has been a midfielder. We laugh when Donaghy comes out the field for Stacks but when we do it ourselves then we think there's some deep tactical insight behind it. There isn't really. He's big and decent in the air but when you have him, David, Con Barrett and Kevin Walsh all out around there not really knowing what the difference is in the jobs they're all meant to be doing you end up jumping for a lot of ball and not picking up any of it that breaks down.

The most important reason the plan was flawed is that it showed Rathmore way too much respect. Playing at 75% capacity we would get over the line against them even with a ref as bad as Lyons, and we should have just gone out to play our own game. When you create a masterplan to deal with a team who are worse than you and it doesn't really work it must be a serious morale killer.

Especially when an unforeseen element kicks you in the nuts like Donal O'Sullivan strolling through the middle at will. If we were just set up to play our own game and O'Sullivan started causing all these problems, you would just tell Kevin Walsh to go over and stand beside him and he wouldn't touch the ball for the rest of the game. When you've spent weeks coming up with a masterplan you're kind of committed to it and you have to let the game take its course because if you abandon the plan after 15 minutes you're admitting all your work was a self-aggrandising waste of time.

We dominated the first half really possession wise after conceding 1-2 before the ball was nearly thrown in. Our first point came from Barry John absolutely skinning whoever was marking him (Murphy at that stage?) along the end line and fisting over the bar. We then proceeded to kick the next 100,000 balls into Kieran O'Mahony instead. It looks like BJ was breaking right (from his back to goal POV) while Kieran was breaking left whenever Jack Savage or David had the ball out around the middle. I presume the idea here is that when you gather the ball you can swing it straight over your shoulder for a point, but that doesn't really matter when David is kicking 90% of the ball in off his right leg and you're on the wrong side of the field.

Tactically that was probably the losing of the game failing to get Barry on the ball enough. I think they ought to switch him to the 40 and put Jack inside because if Barry touches the ball 30 times and Jack touches it 10 rather than the other way around my gut feeling is you score more. By like, a lot.

In the second half we put Tommy inside and he won every ball that went in pretty much. Gave Tom a good decorating. Playing him out the field at both club and county level is doing him no favours. Honestly, Tommy was always the sort of guy who could skew a 20 yard pass over the stand, his skills are just a bit erratic. He showed for 10 or 15 minutes that he's a real danger inside, while having him outside just leaves another talented player in Con Barrett sort of jogging around confused about where he's meant to be standing.

Another couple of things. There were 3+ occasions on which we showed an embarrassing lack of preparation on free kicks. We won a free by the sideline about 50 yards out on the terrace side at one stage and as it happened Tommy ended up with it in his hands. As I said, not the guy you want trying to clip in a little pop pass. He was looking around for David or BJ or Jack to take it off him or even make a run. The team collectively shrugged its shoulders and Tommy ended up sheepishly having a cut that trailed predictably and badly wide. Sigh.

In the second half we had one about 55 yards out in front of the goals. Jack had it in his hands and looked like he'd give his empire for an option to come short. None emerged and again we ended up with a lamentable effort and predictable wide. This despite the fact that David was standing within 20 yards of him having kicked one straight over from ten yards further out in the first half. WTF is that? How did David even end up taking the first one if nobody has said "if it's outside Jack's range David takes it"? ****ing hell.

So yeah, we were fairly septic.

Having said that, I'd like to take estimates from others who were there as to how much we would have won by if the ref's bias had been in our direction rather than Rathmore's. I'd have we'd said probably have won by six or so. Meh. The free Rathmore got in their own corner that the winning goal came directly from was like a middle eastern victim blaming stoning in the town square, where Tommy was penalised for falling on the ball with two lads up on his back. Too bad, you're big.

Positives were John Ferguson at wing back, Cormac Coffey was good as well. Con Barrett tried his nuts off.

Oh yeah, David is going in for a scan today because the ref in his wisdom decided to put up a hop ball before immediately blowing the final whistle after David was body slammed onto his shoulder. He reckons he has damaged a joint.

I agree completely with the point on swapping Savage and BJK- Jack was being dragged back down the field which really didnt suit him left him with too much work to do to break.

Barry John is a more powerful runner and would have been suited- also Savage is probably Rahillys most accurate forward so when you need scores- get him cloer to goal.
The inability to get Barry John (especially) or Tommy on the ball regularly was a real tactical failure.

The free against Walsh at the end was laughable and is something that I have commented on before- big lads seem to have loads of frees given against them that wouldnt happen to small lads- I know it sounds simplistic but it happens at every level in football.

Tom Sull and Aidan O Mahoney have lost none of their dark arts skills- that much is for sure.

As I said previously- a horrendous refereeing performance aside (havent seen anything as bad in a good while)- Rahillys tactics were just awful.
They never got any of their big players on the ball- they left their defence really badly exposed by allowing their centre back to be dragged out of position and somehow not realising it.

Then to compound it- when they needed scores they brought on Sean Walsh!
He is willing, etc but he's not the man to get you a few scores and they already had 1 big man inside. The plan then should have been to get Savage closer to goal or even bring on Quill and play him inside off Walsh.

Glad to hear Tom Sull is keeping his title as filthiest defender in the land btw - absolute joke what he gets away with in some matches.

Interesting to hear about Shane Ryans kickouts - you'd expect better from somebody who's being talked up as much as he is.

Tommy midfield - ffs, you could tell at u14 he wasn't a midfielder, putting him in on Tom/Aiden should always have been the ploy - if even just to free up BJK or another forward from being marked by them, just seems a no brainer to play him in the full forward line.

sounds like a bad week on the injury front so for the Senior team, not good prep ahead of the Tipp game.

Prop Joe wrote: »

Was at a number of games over the weekend.KOR disappointed me the most..Totally clueless tactics.Tommy Walsh did well when he went into the full forward line,Barry John was good but was starved of possession.As a neutral at the game i thought the ref was fair enough,The penalty was a poor call - Tommy won the ball then fell over,Don't understand the hate over Tom Sullivan didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Shane Ryan was obviously instructed to go short every time,Couldn't just lamp it out to Moran & Walsh

In Killorglin Sunday Mid Kerry v Legion was very exciting,County players didn't really stand out but it was an honest game.One side note,The antics of the Legion manager often running in 30/40 yards to scream in the ref's face left a sour taste.Everyone loves a passionate manager patrolling the sideline but it was appalling behaviour.

No hate on Tom Sullivan at all- but he should have walked and probably before the penalty.
He took out Savage with a shoulder to the chest that left him down for about 3-4 mins and then after that he pulled down Walsh 3 times (twice for frees and 1 for a penalty)- easily would have warranted a second yellow/black card.

I agree with you though- Rahillys were clueless tactically (so bad it was almost embarrassing) and probably would have found a way to lose the match no matter what

Shannon Rangers 0-9 Dr Crokes 2-16

It was all so easy for Dr Crokes who had 13 points to spare over last year’s semi-finalists Shannon Rangers in this Kerry SFC first round tie at Tarbert on Saturday evening.


The hosts couldn’t cope with the power and pace of the visiting attack as Kieran O’Leary, Chris Brady and Daithi Casey excelled while Colm Cooper directed proceedings from the off.

Johnny Buckley was the only noticeable absentee for the Crokes from their starting line-up having picked up an ankle knock in their Senior Club Championship semi-final victory over Rathmore the previous week.

However his absence was hardly felt as the Killarney side - who failed to sparkle last season - offered glimpses of the form that brought them four consecutive Kerry titles from 2010 to 2013.

Manager Martin Byrnes admitted: “We’re very happy with the performance, we didn’t know what to expect coming up here but the lads went about the task well. We’ve been going well in training and we’ve put last year firmly behind us. I think something like last year was bound to happen at some stage when you consider the mileage that has been put up by the team over recent campaigns.

“We’re delighted in particular to have Colm (Cooper) back and he showed how much he is getting back to his best here again.” Byrnes added: “The knock Johnny (Buckley) picked upon his ankle last week was a bit more serious than we thought but other than not being able to play tonight, he should be fine.”

Crokes really powered on in the final 10 minutes of the first-half having led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 18 minutes in misty conditions at Shannon Park. Danny Wrenn had scored the first point of the game in the sixth minute, but it was a scrappy affair until the game’s opening goal. Chris Brady forced a fine save from Shannon Rangers goalkeeper Dara O’Shea but Cooper fisted the rebound to the net for a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes. Kieran O’Leary, Daithi Casey and Brady all added scores to make it a 1-9 to 0-4 lead at the break with Thomas and Paul Kennelly (two frees) replying for Rangers.

Substitute Darren Russell and Paul Kennelly scored the hosts’ only points in the third quarter but by then the game was over. Crokes had a second goal in the 42nd minute with Alan O’Sullivan setting up Brady for a score which opened a 2-13 to 0-6 lead.

It took a great double save from Shannon Rangers goalkeeper O’Shea along with substitute Shane O’Connor to prevent Brady scoring a third goal near the final whistle. Danny Wrenn was the home side’s best performer but the absence of Paud Costello and Kerry Minor Brian Ó Seanacháin cost them dearly. They will hope for much better in the Losers Round however it will take a big turnaround for them to again reach the heights of last year’s campaign.

Scorers for Dr Crokes:

C Brady (1-3), C Cooper (1-2, 2f), D Casey (0-3, 1f), K O’Leary (0-3), J Doolan (0-2), A O’Donovan, B Looney and G O’Shea (0-1 each).

Scorers for Shannon Rangers:

P Kennelly (0-5, 5f), D Wrenn (0-2), T Kennelly and G O’Sullivan (0-1 each)

SHANNON RANGERS:

D O’Shea (Ballydonoghue), J Foley (do), S Enright (Tarbert), P Collins (Beale), J Gogarty (Ballyduff), D Wrenn (Tarbert), T Kennelly (Ballydonoghue), D Sheehy (do), K Enright (Tarbert), D O’Carroll (Ballydonoghue), P Kennelly (do), M Boyle (Ballyduff), G O’Gorman (Beale), B O’Grady (Ballyduff), E Doyle (do).

Subs: D Leahy (Moyvane) for Doyle (26), D Russell (Asdee) for O’Carroll (H/T), C Kearney (Ballyduff) for K Enright (46) and S O’Connor for Gogarty (48).

DR CROKES:

A Kelly, J Payne, M Moloney, L Quinn, F Fitzgerald, E Brosnan, A O’Sullivan, A O’Donovan, M Milner, K O’Leary, D Casey, B Looney, C Cooper, C Brady, J Doolan.

Subs: A Murphy for Brosnan (41), G O’Shea for Looney (45), S Doolan for Milner (54), D O’Leary for Quinn (54) and J Lyne for O’Sullivan (57).

Referee:

P Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)

Kenmare District 5-15 St Brendan’s District 0-8

This time last year Kenmare’s no-show was making the headlines in the opening round of the Kerry SFC, but yesterday it was their first-half demolition job on a weak St Brendan’s District side that caught the eye.


In a sun-splashed Father Breen Park, the game was over as a contest by half time as Kenmare District moved with menace up front. Kerry’s Stephen O’Brien was the catalyst for most of the good things that his side did, with Cian Hallissey and Paul O’Connor kicking early points, but St Brendan’s replied with two frees from midfielder Jack Barry.

Then Kenmare District struck for two goals in a minute. The first came Killian Spillane finished to an empty net and from the kick-out, O’Brien found the net.

Killian Spillane added a sublime point and Paul O’Connor soon added a third goal, after a surging run by centre back Tadgh Morley.

Five unanswered points followed from Cian Hallissey, Paul O’Connor, Adrian Spillane, Stephen O’Brien, and John Spillane and then another O’Connor goal and Kenmare District led 4-8 to 0-4 at half time, and the game was over. St Brendan’s did not help their cause by going for goals after the restart, while Kenmare withdrew their heavy artillery midway through the second half, used six subs and added 1-7 without too much fuss, with Mark Crowley scoring a fifth goal.

Scorers Kenmare District: P O’Connor (2-2, 1 free); S O Brien and K Spillane (1-1 each); C Hallissey (0-4), M Crowley (1-0), B Crowley (0-2), J Spillane, F O’Sullivan, A Spillane, K O’Sullivan, and S O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

St Brendan’s District: C Fitzgerald (0-3, 1 free); J Barry (0-2 frees); B Poff (0-2); L Bastible (0-1)

KENMARE DISTRICT:

S O Sullivan (Tousist); D Crowley (Kenmare), G Crowley (Templenoe) T O’Sullivan (Kenmare); P Clifford (Templenoe), T Morley (Templenoe), J Spillane (Templenoe); F O’Sullivan (Tousist), A Spillane (Templenoe); S O Brien (Kenmare), C Hallissey (Templenoe), K O’Sullivan (Kenmare); K Spillane ( Templenoe), P O’Connor ( Kenmare), B Crowley (Templenoe).

Subs:

M Crowley (Kenmare) for J Spillane (37), S O’Sullivan (Templenoe) for P O’Sullivan (43), Mike Tim O’Sullivan (Tousist) for K Spillane (43) M Hallissey (Templenoe) for T O’Sullivan (50), D O Shea (Kenmare) for P Clifford (53), S Sheehan for K O’Sullivan (55)

ST BRENDAN’S:

E O’Brien (Churchill); P McMahon (St Pats), K Dineen (Na Gaeil), L Mulligan (St Pats); M Brennan (Churchill), L Bastible (John Mitchels), J Barry (Na Gaeil); D O’Connor (Na Gaeil), D Culloty (Na Gaeil); M Griffin (Na Gaeil), C Fitzgerald (Churchill), C Crowley (Churchill ); S Moloney (John Mitchels), L Poff (St Pats), B Poff (St Pats):

Subs:

D Herlihy (Na Gaeil) for L Poff (19), R Murphy (Na Gaeil) for C Crowley (h/t), K O’Donovan (Na Gaeil) for S Moloney (46), G Bastible (John Mitchels) for M Griffin (48).

Referee:

J O’Sullivan (Firies)

Laune Rangers 1-14 West Kerry 0-16 (AET):

Laune Rangers, inspired by Mike Frank Russell and captain Shane McSweeney, edged out West Kerry in this epic county championship battle at JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin, yesterday.


The losers lined out without Marc Ó Sé and their supporters will wonder what the outcome might have been had the An Ghaeltacht man been available. His clubmate Seán Mici Ó Conchúir was the star man for the amalgamation, finishing the day with nine points, five of those from frees.

However, at the other end, former Kerry star Russell was equally impressive from placed balls, converting six efforts and adding two more points from play.

The opening half was primarily a battle of the place kickers, with Ó Conchúir’s efforts edging West Kerry into a two-point interval lead (0-7 to 0-5). A brilliant point from Russell put the winners ahead by a point in the 41st minute, before Ó Conchúir levelled at the three-quarter mark.

Ó Conchúir and Colm Muircheartaigh quickly nailed two points, before Shane McSweeney fired home the game’s only goal in the 53rd minute.

With Peter Crowley now at midfield, driving Rangers on, the advantage was with the Killorglin side. The spirited westerners refused to throw in the towel and points from Seán Mici and Eanna Ó Conchúir had them level with time almost up.

David Costello looked to have given Laune Rangers the win in injury time, but again Ó Conchúir came to his side’s rescue with a free which forced extra time.

Last year’s Kerry minor Brian Rayel and Ó Conchúir gave the visitors a two-point lead at the end of the first period of extra time and it appeared that the momentum had swung in favour of the West Kerry side.

Eanna Ó Conchúir and McSweeney traded early points, before Russell (2) and substitute Ronan Sayers had the sides all square with four minutes remaining.

Fittingly, captain McSweeney came to the fore when the need was greatest, landing what proved to be the winning point.

West-Kerry had one final chance to draw level, but sharpshooter Ó Conchúir’s radar was off and his effort veered wide of the post.

Laune Rangers go through to the last 16, while West Kerry must take the scenic route.

Scorers for Laune Rangers:

M F Russell (0-8, 6f), S McSweeney (1-2), J O Shea (0-2, 2f), D Costello and R Sayers (0-1 each).

Scorers for West Kerry:

Sean M Ó Conchúir (0-9, 5fs), A Fitzgerald (0-2, 2f), E Ó Conchúir and Colm Ó Muircheartaigh (0-2 each), B Rayel (0-1).

LAUNE RANGERS:

T Lyons, T O’Callaghan, M O’Sullivan, J Carey, K Crowley, P Crowley, C Riordan, P Murphy, M Foley, R Keane, J O’Shea, J Tyther, P Joy, S McSweeney, M Frank Russell.

Subs: J Sheehan for P Murphy D Costelloe for C Riordan R Sayers for J O’Shea C Riordan for R Keane.

WEST-KERRY:

T Mac an tSaoir (An Ghaeltacht) , G O’Connor (Castlegregory), C ÓLuing (An Ghaeltacht) , G Fitzgerald (Castlegregory) , G Nunan (Lispole) , J Hickson (Annascaul), C Ó Muircheartaigh (An Ghaeltacht) , R Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), M Fitzgerald (Lispole), E Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht), B Rayel (Lispole), A Fitzgerald (Castlegregory), A Kelliher (Castlegregory), Sean M Ó Conchuir (An Ghaeltacht), C O’Mahony (Castlegregory).

Subs: P Óg Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) for C O’Mahony, J Crean (Annascaul) for A Fitzgerald, G Lenihan (Annascaul) for A Kelliher, E Currity (Annascaul) for G Fitzgerald.

Referee:

E Walsh, Rathmore.

Legion 1-13 Mid Kerry 0-14 (AET): It took extra time to determine the winners of this Kerry SFC first-round tie in Killorglin, with Legion showing admirable pluck after a slow start to edge Mid Kerry.


The sides were tied 0-9 apiece at the end of normal time, courtesy of a superb injury-time free from Legion full-forward David O’Sullivan.

The Killarney side may have been aided by the first-half breeze, but they were handicapped by the absence of the injured James O’Donoghue, and took 20 minutes to open their account with a fine point from Jonathan Lyne.

However, once they found their feet, two points each from David O’Sullivan and midfielder Jamie O’Sullivan gave them a four-point advantage at the interval, 0-5 to 0-1.

Mid Kerry’s sole scorer was corner-forward Liam Carey.

Some sort of reaction from the division was necessary and they began the second half on the front foot. In the first eight minutes after the interval, they shot five unanswered points to take a one-point lead, 0-6 to 0-5.

Legion looked to be in trouble but they dug deep and even though they lost Jonathan Lyne through a black card in the 49th minute they held Mid Kerry to just three points for the remainder of the half.

Mid Kerry lost influential Donnchadh Walsh through injury in the 52nd minute but the last10 minutes of the game belonged to sharp-shooters, Liam Carey of Mid Kerry and Legion’s David O’Sullivan.

The first period of extra time was dominated by Mid Kerry as they outscored Legion four points to one with corner-forward Gavan O’Grady pointing twice. When Darran O’Sullivan pointed for Mid Kerry in the first minute of the second period of extra time it looked as if Legion’s chance had gone.

However they refused to lie down and, mainly through the sharp-shooting of David O’Sullivan, they kept chipping away at Mid Kerry.

They had the deficit down to a single point when three minutes from the end corner forward Conor Keane was fed a ball about 50 metres out, he took responsibility, rode a number of tackles and, eventually crashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net giving Mid Kerry goalie Mike Moriarty no chance. It was a score worthy of victory.

Scorers for Legion:

D O’ Sullivan (0-7, 5 frees), C Keane (1-1), J O’ Sullivan (0-2), K Breen (0-2), J Lyne (0-1).

Mid Kerry:

L Carey (0-6, 3f), G O’ Grady (0-3, 1 ‘45’), D O’Sullivan (0-2), J Hoare, B Murphy and D Healy (0-1 each)

LEGION: B Kelly; P O’ Connor, D Sheehan, C Davies; D O’Sullivan, C Sheehan, J Lyne; S Keane, J O’Sullivan; B McGuire, K Slattery, D Sheehan; K Breen, D O’Sullivan, C Keane.

MID KERRY: M Moriarty (Beaufort); A Cahillane (Keel), N Breen (Beaufort), G Hartnett (do.); J Hoare (Glenbeigh/Glencar), F Griffin (do.), B Murphy (do.); C McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar), T Ladden (Keel); G Sayers (Keel), D O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), G Evans (Keel); G O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar), D Walsh (Cromane), L Carey (Beaufort)

Referee:

D Sayers (Austin Stacks).

Said I'd post the reports for anyone who wasn't at the games.

Was at the Shannon Rangers Dr Crokes game myself. Poor enough showing by Shannon Rangers. Dr Crokes were in a completely different league. They have some set of forwards. It's hard to see how they ever lose a game.

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

For the Kerryman to describe Feale Rangers display as pitiful is a bit much

Are you referring to the reports I posted?

They are from the Irish Examiner. I should have clarified that probably.

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

I'll only get angry talking about Shannon Rangers, but I'll just say that for the "board" to allow them to slip back towards the abyss again after the best season in 35 years last year is just a bloody disgrace.

Shannon Rangers had several players on there who have probably only played 5 or 6 games between them for their clubs, far too inexperienced for that level. Beale should have 5 or 6 players starting there at least and not players who are still 17, 18 or 19.

2 of them played in the Division 1 County final, less than 24 hours before. disgraceful that these players are even being asked to turn up, yet alone start.

Uncle Mclovin wrote: »

Are you referring to the reports I posted?

They are from the Irish Examiner. I should have clarified that probably.

Fair enough but the point stands- they shouldnt be referred to as pitiful

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

I agree with the second paragraph, but not sure where you're coming from with wanting 1/3 of the team to be from Beale.
I don't care where lads are from, but when there is f*ck all training been done or effort put in, it just drives me mad.
Might seem like a small point but there were lads wearing different coloured shorts and stuff for Shannon Rangers which straight away speaks volumes.

north kerry champions, should have more than 2 players on the team, especially a Beale team that has 5 or 6 really outstanding players.