Kerry 0-14 Sligo 1-10 - Heartache for Sligo

[tyssam5]

I was sure he was going to give a free and not a penalty. Would have been the usual cop out, but to be fair to him he gave the penalty. Sligo just didn't have the composure the forward line in the second half. There hadn't the cuteness to draw free or a man you could point from 40 yards out over the top of the swarming Kerry blanket. Kerry hung in there, they will probably get Antrim next?

ooohhh...spot the arrogance. Pride before the fall....

Better hope you get them Mikey!

[Mike Sheehy]

Coming from you..  get out of my pocket FFS, are you not fed up being owned
Do us all a favor and take your limited repetitive WUM abilities to the Hogan Stand where it belongs..
You're more to be pitied than laughed at at this point

When you have to resort to perverted, sick responses like your last one then it is clear who is "owned".

[anportmorforjfc]

can Kerry draw Limerick?

[comethekingdom]

Yes, although whoever we draw we'd be better getting bate by them rather than getting a wild hiding from any of the provincial winners in the 1/4ers!

[Tyrones own]

Yes, although whoever we draw we'd be better getting bate by them rather than getting a wild hiding from any of the provincial winners in the 1/4ers!

True but ye know yourself that Jack only has eyes for us...unfinished business and all that.

[comethekingdom]

There's no way that this Kerry team can beat either Dublin or Tyrone playing to their current form (Kerry).

[tyssam5]

There's no way that this Kerry team can beat either Dublin or Tyrone playing to their current form (Kerry).

That what every one said about Tyrone leading into the Dublin game last year. Kerry still have the players and may yet click, they stil have the ability to play well above their current form. Question is what is holding them back? Is it missing Donaghy, or are there issues of motivation with certain players or the squad as a whole? Do they not like Jack? I can't figure it out.

[Tyrones own]

There's no way that this Kerry team can beat either Dublin or Tyrone playing to their current form (Kerry).

That what every one said about Tyrone leading into the Dublin game last year. Kerry still have the players and may yet click, they stil have the ability to play well above their current form. Question is what is holding them back? Is it missing Donaghy, or are there issues of motivation with certain players or the squad as a whole? Do they not like Jack? I can't figure it out.

Did you not read his book

[Frank Casey]

Never seen Marc O Se skinned like he was yesterday. Fair play to the Sligo No. 13 he's some slippery eel to try and catch. I thought we won it in the HF line. Galvin, Declan and Donncha had good games. Murphy justified holding his place and I'm divided in what I thought of Mike McCarthy - good with bad. Our entire FF line did not fire despite chances to do so. Scanlon improved from Longford game and got a bit of rustiness out of him. Dara needs to start on the bench and give all for a 20 minute burst.

Alot of talk about the delays. I was in Tralee yesterday and traffic was mad. Delay to throw in was not down to last minute pints but a combination of match and shopping traffic. The ground is along side one large shopping centre and withing walking distance of another (Tralee's largest). I blame the wimmin getting their messages. Heard a share of Sligo fans had to abandon their chariots and walk.

But still we're there and in the last 12. Am hoping for Antrim away to do a bit a shopping with Mrs Casey.

[comethekingdom]

No doubt the talent is there. Injuries have hit us hard this year. However, I think its just sheer miles on the clock. Played 7 of the last 9 finals. Semi finalists every year since 2000. No other county has played as much football in the latter end of the c'ship as Kerry have done. There's a lot to be said for taking a break.

[magickingdom]

once again kerry survive ahem.....

i cant see any of tonights teams beating kerry next week even on current 'form' - also i dont doubt theres a big game or two left in kerry before the end of the year.

hard luck to sligo, great team which is getting overlooked by a lot of posters - if they had won no one could complain. i've seen kerry do this countless times (tipp in 06 put up a great show and could have won) where they just about survive but come sept... the lesson here is for teams like sligo, theres no reason why sligo cant win an ai accept a bit of luck and belief. anyway met loads of sligo fans in tralee over the w/e and had good craic.

[magpie seanie]

Where do I start?

I suppose I'll go through the game as I saw it. Early on it was interesting the shape of the two teams defences. Tomas Ó Sé switched wings, obviously detailed to man mark Costello. McCarthy held his ground in the first quarter at centre back, playing partially as a sweeper in front of his FB line. I think Sligo erred with putting McNamara on Galvin from the start. As it happened Jonny Davey also struggled with him when switched - Galvin is a superb player. With McGovern also having difficulty with Declan O'Sullivan our HB line was in trouble early. Thankfully, our FB line was back to its very best - all 3 were superb throughout. A semi shaky opening was settled when a good pass in by Costello set up a score. We were in big trouble on the kickouts and occasionally the sweeper was making it hard to hit the inside men when we had the ball. However, when we did get it inside we were causing big problems. I have a lot of sympathy for Marc Ó Sé - there's not a back in the country who would hold Kelly at the moment. Despite the dearth of possession Sligo worked hard andthough living on scraps and turnovers by the defence we stayed in touch. Then a good positive switch was mae, putting EOH in onto the square. This was necessary as it meant theball going in didn't have to be a precise and predictable. This tactic yielded the goal and a narrow HT lead which could have beengreater but for some missed chances and wrong options. It was obvious to me at HT that we would have a hard 10-15 mins to weather after HT and so it proved. Kerry kicked over a few scores to only one reply for us but still we were in contact. Our HB line stepped up and we started to gain more and more possession. Unfortunately we did waste a good few chances. I was a bit disappointed at Costello being withdrawn so soon - I thought one or two others could have gone at that point. Cos was one who could kick a quick ball into Kelly - something that didn't happen often in the second period. S. Davey, who I would often have criticised really put himself about and did excellent work in MF. OK - he did lose a few balls too easily and what was he doing with that free but when his attitude is right and he's hungry for work he's an addition. I just think his head is hard to get right. Anyway, all in all he did well yesterday. Bodies were going in and great heart being shown by our lads as Kerry seemed to wilt a little (Galvin lost his influence which was crucial). If felt a goal chance would come and it did. Kelly always hits his penalties low so I couldn't believe it when it went high and was saved. Outside of the penalty we had loads of other chances though. Feel bad for Kelly - his play didn't deserve that misfortune. Felt gutted at the final whistle and to be honest it has got worse. People can say what they like about Kerry's state of affairs but this would have been a big win for us, should have been I mean.

All the players gave their all and the management got most things right. I've alluded to one or two of the things above. Delighted that Costello showed up well. There's more in him but his performance makes a mockery of the rubbish being spouted on the radio especially as well as elsewhere. He's not without flaws but he will improve with more games at this level. Only his 3rd intercounty SFC game.

So when the disappointment eases we must look to next year. Some of the U-21's of last year need to step up and edge into contention but the basis of a good team is there. Might be accused of club bias here but its an awful shame that Johnny Mac didn't get a look in, still think he has loads to offer. Injuries etc held him back and he as always fighting and uphill battle I suppose. Hopefully he can hit the ground running next season.

Taking the radio criticism out of the equation, Costello still has a way more to prove than your suggesting, way more, theres no way he made a mockery of anyones doubts IMO. What age is Costello? Can he get fitter? Seriously if he lost a couple of stone then we'd be in business. I would of brought john mac on instead of gaughan, guaghan confidence is low and just didnt have the confidence to get involved to any great extent.

Costello is about 24 I think, a full decade less than some clown described him. As for your other questions I'll try to be kind. I spoke to a man in the know (close to the setup) about 5 or 6 weeks ago and he said Cos had trained well and lost a pile of weight. They reckoned he had about 1/2 a stone to go so talk of a couple of stone is way off the mark.

Agree wholeheartedly with the second part of your post. Hoping Johnny Mac proves the point in the club championships!

[magpie seanie]

On another note - I heard TV3's coverage was bad and David Brady, even by his considerably high standards, made an absolute w**ker of himself with some of his comments.

[Aaron Boone]

Kerry will scrape home. A handy draw v Limerick or Antrim will be a certainty tomorrow evening.

There you go.

[baoithe]

Still gutted.

Galvin and O'Sullivan were Kerry's saviours and unfortunately we didnt have that quality in the half forward line to pick off some scores in the second half. Costello was a definite improvement on the last game I attended (Galway) and if he can improve on fitness he is worth his place. Sweeney appeared to wake up after Tommy Griffin gave him a few clips whilst Kelly was lining up the penalty. Davey was the right man to bring into Midfield on the basis that they were going to adopt a running game against the wind. It worked fine and he had a fine second half save for the inexplicable short free he took. A few sharp words from Charlie Harrisson seemed to focus his mind though and he kicked on from there. Other than the above, agree with most of what the rest of ye have said. We left it behind us though.

I wouldn't pass much heed of Brady - there isn't much going on between his lugs God bless him. What did he say anyway?