Kerry V Meath AI SF Semifinal 30th August 2009

[Hardy]

Meath won't be taking Kerry for granted. We'll be giving them the same respect we'd give any team. Kerry are in the semi-final on merit. Nobody can take that away from them and we know they'll put it up to us big time.

[Billys Boots]

You've been practicing that for a while Hardy, I'd say.  Impressive. 

[Hardy]

Just trying to bring a little balance to the debate, Billy. Not looking for a reaction or anything, of course.

[Billys Boots]

I thought you might be trying to take the piss out of folk unlikely to visit this particular thread. 

[Hardy]

Moi?

[Donnellys Hollow]

Meath won't be taking Kerry for granted. We'll be giving them the same respect we'd give any team. Kerry are in the semi-final on merit. Nobody can take that away from them and we know they'll put it up to us big time.

Yerrah

[Billys Boots]

You'll have to visit the 2010 McKenna Cup thread to get a reaction Hardy.  Incidentally, I'm surprised no-one has started it up yet.

[Billys Boots]

Today we are down but from Tomorrow I cant wait for the mc kenna cup. Congrats Cork and that fantastic Armagh minor team.

I stand corrected.

[Hardy]

The sun never sets on Ulster football.

[Mike Sheehy]

We know how glad Meath are that Tyrone didnt make the final as they'd have a month of 1996 whinging to distract them. Now they are focussed on meeting their true nemesis Cork. Only Kerry stand in their way and after 2001 and Kerrys dismal form this year (Dublin was a freak result)  that shouldn't be much of a problem to them.

The Royals are on the March again. We'll be doing well to keep it kicked out to them.

[Billys Boots]

I would like to see Jack O'Connor in another final, know he is not really liked in Kerry as they dont see him as one of their own.

Ah I don't think that's right DD12, AZ and the Kerry lads would know better, but I think that any Kerry manager will always be under pressure to perform from the other districts (Tralee and North Kerry especially, in his case), as they will want one of their own in the job. 

[Stimpy]

will donaghy play any part or is he out for the season?

[johnpower]

will donaghy play any part or is he out for the season?

Not sure ,I dont expect him to figure this Sunday .

[Kerry Mike]

Just heard Aidan O'Mahony is out next weekend with suspected appendix. Will be a loss but he has been out of form most of the season and Mike McCarthy has made centre back his own since his return. Still we have other options with Padraig Reidy, Daniel Bohane and Aidan O'Shea all in contention

Can't see any changes to the line up from the Jackeen's game except perhaps Tadhg Kennelly in for one of the Walsh's.

Diarmuid Murphy will play in goal, has made some vital saves in games this year which has kept us afloat at times.

The full back line should be Marc O'Se , Tommy Griffin and Tom O'Sullivan and you will see some interchange between these positions Killian Young and Tomas O'Se will flank Mike Mc in the Half back and again all three will be swopping, and will all attack when possible.

Seamus Scanlon will partner the OAP making his 80th appearance in midfield, Scanlon and O'Se's  fitness has improved and will be needed against a tall and physical Meath centre pairing. We need to gain a platform here. Mike Quirke has been an ideal sub all year will win ball when introduced and Anthony Maher if fully fit is a great option too.

The half forwards were excellent against Dublin and cleaned up an amount of breaking ball and Dublin kick outs, we need the same industry from them on Sunday. Paul Galvin has been having a fine summer and his concentration on football matters has to be commended.

One of Jacks big dilemmas will be playing Declan in the centre forward or full forward position where he did immense damage against the Dubs. I'd start him on the forty and let him attack.
The other wing position is up for grabs between Donnacha Walsh and Kennelly , and while Wash has been solid all year I might just give to nod to Kennelly who seems to be hitting form (whatever that is as he has no past form for Kerry)

Gooch, back in form, will be in the corner and be the free taker, with possible Tommy Walsh again on the edge of the square and Darren O'Sullivan did enough against the dubs to hold onto a starting spot. And Bryan Sheehan and  Paul O'Connor while having good free taking abilities will not start but are good options off the bench as is Sean O'Sullivan, can't see Donaghy being fit this weekend he is only back training and would be a huge gamble to throw him in.

It will be a very tough game for us, the memories of the one sided Dublin game need to be forgotten about and any thoughts that creep in of playing Cork in the final will be punished by a very good but underachieving Meath team.

On the day its what matters though so Kerry will need their top performance to get through here.

[johnpower]

Just heard Aidan O'Mahony is out next weekend with suspected appendix. Will be a loss but he has been out of form most of the season and Mike McCarthy has made centre back his own since his return. Still we have other options with Padraig Reidy, Daniel Bohane and Aidan O'Shea all in contention

Can't see any changes to the line up from the Jackeen's game except perhaps Tadhg Kennelly in for one of the Walsh's.

Diarmuid Murphy will play in goal, has made some vital saves in games this year which has kept us afloat at times.

The full back line should be Marc O'Se , Tommy Griffin and Tom O'Sullivan and you will see some interchange between these positions Killian Young and Tomas O'Se will flank Mike Mc in the Half back and again all three will be swopping, and will all attack when possible.

Seamus Scanlon will partner the OAP making his 80th appearance in midfield, Scanlon and O'Se's  fitness has improved and will be needed against a tall and physical Meath centre pairing. We need to gain a platform here. Mike Quirke has been an ideal sub all year will win ball when introduced and Anthony Maher if fully fit is a great option too.

The half forwards were excellent against Dublin and cleaned up an amount of breaking ball and Dublin kick outs, we need the same industry from them on Sunday. Paul Galvin has been having a fine summer and his concentration on football matters has to be commended.

One of Jacks big dilemmas will be playing Declan in the centre forward or full forward position where he did immense damage against the Dubs. I'd start him on the forty and let him attack.
The other wing position is up for grabs between Donnacha Walsh and Kennelly , and while Wash has been solid all year I might just give to nod to Kennelly who seems to be hitting form (whatever that is as he has no past form for Kerry)

Gooch, back in form, will be in the corner and be the free taker, with possible Tommy Walsh again on the edge of the square and Darren O'Sullivan did enough against the dubs to hold onto a starting spot. And Bryan Sheehan and  Paul O'Connor while having good free taking abilities will not start but are good options off the bench as is Sean O'Sullivan, can't see Donaghy being fit this weekend he is only back training and would be a huge gamble to throw him in.

It will be a very tough game for us, the memories of the one sided Dublin game need to be forgotten about and any thoughts that creep in of playing Cork in the final will be punished by a very good but underachieving Meath team.

On the day its what matters though so Kerry will need their top performance to get through here.

Eamon Fitmaurices piece in todays Examiner was interesting where he mentioned the heavy training Kerry under took between the replay with Dublin and the Meath match . I hope that kerry are a bit fresher than 2001 ? Meath are not going to give Kerry as much space as the Dubs did . I hope Jack has  a plan B and Plan c and that the panel is ready