On the road to Croker - Kerry 2011

[INDIANA]

Maybe I'm being harsh but that Kerry team doesnt look overly strong. The All Ireland really could be wide open this year.

Gooch
Donaghy
Dec Sull
Darren Sul
Walsh and Galvin to come back.

That is still some forward line.

David Moran could be the big loss.

The forward line is ok its the rest of team I would have doubts over. Backed up by fact that 2 players who's heart and work rate were questioned back in 2008 now occupying central roles in the team.

ok?

It has 3 of the best forwards of the last decade. Marc and Tomas O Se, Killian Young etc. They're doing ok

[Orangemac]

Kerry have the best forward line in the country on paper and will still be playing football in late August at least.

I wouldn't bet against them beating Cork if the 2 sides meet in the ko stages.

The heartbeat of the Kerry team is undoubtedly Tomas O'Se. The man Kerry look to when their backs are to the wall and was sorely missed v Down last year.

[Blowitupref]

You could find faults in every favourite on the road to Croker however Kerry remains one of the best & whoever beats them will probably win the All Ireland.

[Redhand Santa]

I meant ok as in it was good enough to win the All Ireland.

I just couldn't see them winning the All Ireland if the team started like that though. They have a few players to bring in like Galvin though and think they can improve their starting 15.

[Kerry Mike]

All dislke and biase aside I think Kerry are an aging team and won't do much this summer

And so it begins...

[haveaharp]

Kerry were caught on the hop by an average Down team last year, a team that nearly won Sam. I can't see how that Kerry squad is not good enough and would fully expect them to be there come the business end.

[Kerry Mike]

O'Sullivan happy to shed 'impact sub' role By Brendan O'Brien - Friday, May 20, 2011

INTERVIEWS with Darran O'Sullivan have followed a reliable pattern ever since his elevation onto the senior Kerry panel.

The usual small talk that kickstarts any such conversation between player and press was invariably followed by a more general discussion on the team's performance before the dreaded two words, 'impact sub', were mentioned.

This year, it is different. Now in his mid-20s, he has been handed a starting spot right through the McGrath Cup and league and is at a loss to remember more than 10 minutes against Mayo when he hasn't been in the thick of the action.

"Ah, I'm happy out to be honest," he said.

"I came back early and things seem to be going okay. I got the fitness back and I'm just enjoying the football and I seem to be playing fairly well. I'll be hoping I'll be able to carry that on to the championship and pick it up another bit."

Not that the year started so promisingly. O'Sullivan found himself being handed the number seven jersey for the McGrath Cup opener against IT Tralee at Austin Stack Park but has spent most of his time since operating at centre-forward.

He was familiar with the job spec having played there at underage levels for his club and county up to and including the U21 grade but Declan O'Sullivan's absence for most of the spring that allowed him to audition for his old role.

"In my eyes, he's the best centre-forward in the country so if I get the opportunity to play there during the championship all well and good. If not, I just want to play my part. I've always said I don't mind where Jack puts me once I'm on the team so we'll see how it goes."

Declan O'Sullivan lined out at corner-forward on his return and it isn't beyond the bounds of reason to suggest he may do so again at some point this summer.

"Declan's that good a footballer you could play him anywhere, to be honest. Like I said, he probably is the best centre-forward in the game. Whether they play me there or whoever they play there, it's up to Jack to pick the team.

"I don't mind where I play now to be honest. I enjoy the centre-forward slot but if I get thrown onto the wing or the corner or impact sub — we won't go into impact sub — wherever I am in the 15 I'm just happy to play."

That flexibility is perfectly understandable given the quality of forwards at Jack O'Connor's disposal but Kerry turn into the championship with doubts lingering about the well-being of their defence as well as the midfield.

Tipperary on Sunday is a hurdle they will still be expected to clear with something to spare but the Premier county's astounding defeat of the Kingdom in the minor championship on Wednesday should serve as excellent repellent to any traces of complacency.

"Hopefully we'll get over Tipperary so there'll be only two weeks which is great to get onto the next game but then if you get over that you're looking at four weeks. It's just the break between games.

"The gaps between games is too big. There could be an easier way of running it. That's why I like the league so much because you're playing every week or two weeks, which is the maximum, which I enjoy."

[Tatler Jack]

Dúchas

You say tradition counts for naught when two teams take the field,
I fear you are mistaken, lad, but the years will make you yield,
And when your hair's as grey as mine, and time has made you old,
Then you'll invoke the truth I spoke of the Kingdom's green and gold.

You cannot box or bottle it, nor grasp it in your hand,
But pride of race and love of place inspire a love of land
Time honoured is our birthright, we'll never break the mould,
It's deep within the soul of us, who wear the green and gold.

Grey lakes and mountains soaring high, Mount Brandon's holy hill,
The little church at Gallerus, our language living still,
The Skellig Rock, stout football stock, they can't be bought or sold,
For our county's fame, we play the game in the Kingdom's green and gold.

And when the battle's fiercest and the fortunes ebb and flow,
We're still alive, we can survive, we never will let go,
For the spirit of our fathers and of stories yet untold,
Will lead us on to victory, in the Kingdom's green and gold.

We savour Kerry victories, we salute a gallant foe
And when we lose, there's no excuse, we pick up our bags and go,
So raise your glass each lad and lass to our warriors brave and bold,
Who again aspire to the Sam Maguire in the Kingdom's green and gold.

Now who would bet against such a modest county!!

[Kerry Mike]

You say tradition counts for naught when two teams take the field,
I fear you are mistaken, lad, but the years will make you yield,
And when your hair's as grey as mine, and time has made you old,
Then you'll invoke the truth I spoke of the Kingdom's green and gold.

You cannot box or bottle it, nor grasp it in your hand,
But pride of race and love of place inspire a love of land
Time honoured is our birthright, we'll never break the mould,
It's deep within the soul of us, who wear the green and gold.

Grey lakes and mountains soaring high, Mount Brandon's holy hill,
The little church at Gallerus, our language living still,
The Skellig Rock, stout football stock, they can't be bought or sold,
For our county's fame, we play the game in the Kingdom's green and gold.

And when the battle's fiercest and the fortunes ebb and flow,
We're still alive, we can survive, we never will let go,
For the spirit of our fathers and of stories yet untold,
Will lead us on to victory, in the Kingdom's green and gold.

We savour Kerry victories, we salute a gallant foe
And when we lose, there's no excuse, we pick up our bags and go,
So raise your glass each lad and lass to our warriors brave and bold,
Who again aspire to the Sam Maguire in the Kingdom's green and gold.

Always makes me a wee bit emotional that poem !!

as for our "modest" neighbours to the east with their Magnificent 7 All Irelands....

At the great hurling match between Cork and Tipperary
'Twas played in the park on the banks of the Lee
Our own darling lads were afraid of being beaten
So they sent for bold Thady to Ballinagree
He hurled the ball right and left in their faces
And showed the Tipperary men action and skill
If they touched on his lines he would certainly brain them
And the papers were full of the praise of Thade Quill

For ramblin', for rovin', for football' or courtin'
For drinkin' black porter as fast as you'd fill
In all your days rovin' you'll find none so jovial
As our Muskerry sportsman, the bold Thady Quill

[Up The Middle]

I think Kerry will go all the way this year, especially after last years defeat to Down (which incidentally they could have won without playing anywhere near what they could), they might not win Munster but if they get Cork in Croke park in September i would say they will come out on top. Their forwrd unit is 2nd to none and if they get Scanlon back in the middle they will be even better.

[Tatler Jack]

Always makes me a wee bit emotional that poem !!

Wll here is another one to evoke different emotions - written by a Corkman!!

The Kerry Animals
So at last the secrets out (said the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
We have it from the horses mouth (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
     Some will claim they always knew it,
     But 'tis now beyond dis-pute
That those Kerrymen are brutes (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

For the signs were always there.....(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
Like Healy Rae's distinctive hair .. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
And they have this strange mystique
With their footballing technique,
A that funny way they speak.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

I don't wish to make a fuss..  (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
But they're clearly not like us.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            In that Kingdom so remote
           Every August you will note
For their King they crown a goat.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

On safari we will go.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
From Banna Strand to Templenoe ...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            "Twill be just like Noah's Ark
            Where things bleat and growl and bark,
All in Páidí's Wildlife Park.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

And we'll study Kerry's beasts ...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
Both the living and deceased ...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            "Twill be dangerous enough
            And conditions will be tough
Páidí said they can be rough ...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

Castleisland's chimpanzees....(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
Ballyheigue's performing fleas...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            With Kilgarvan's kangaroos
            And the Kenmare cockatoos,
Plus Killarney's Kerry Blues...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

In Árd an Bhóthair things are slack...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
But we'll get the tourists back...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            There'll be zoologists go leor
            Going on field trips by the score,
All flying into Farranfore.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

But if you think I am too bold.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
With those lads in green and gold.. (says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)
            Don't neglect to have your say
            Send your message off today
All complaints to P. Ó Sé...(says the Sean-bhean Bhocht)

[Banana Man]

Kerry were caught on the hop by an average Down team last year, a team that nearly won Sam. I can't see how that Kerry squad is not good enough and would fully expect them to be there come the business end.

funny that, it must always be the case that Kerry get caught on the hop by an average Down team seeing as they have never beat them 

Beaten by a point in the All-Ireland final is not an average team

Anyway Kerry will be there or thereabouts as usual I would say, i think they would have to win 3 games this year though if they are to win Munster is that correct? that would stand to them better i would have thought if they win Munster....

[Fuzzman]

As a matter of interest, do Kerry play "Friendlies"?

Will be interesting to see how Gooch & Star get on this year.

[haveaharp]

Kerry were caught on the hop by an average Down team last year, a team that nearly won Sam. I can't see how that Kerry squad is not good enough and would fully expect them to be there come the business end.

funny that, it must always be the case that Kerry get caught on the hop by an average Down team seeing as they have never beat them 

And the relevance of the previous Down teams to the present one is

[Banana Man]

Kerry were caught on the hop by an average Down team last year, a team that nearly won Sam. I can't see how that Kerry squad is not good enough and would fully expect them to be there come the business end.

funny that, it must always be the case that Kerry get caught on the hop by an average Down team seeing as they have never beat them 

And the relevance of the previous Down teams to the present one is

the relevance is they have the same record i.e. Kerry has never beat them - this talk of a lucky Down team and how they are avergae is irking me - an average team doesn't get beat by a point in any final