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Well well well an All Munster All Ireland final. Who would have thought it? Has to be Cork. No doubt about it!!!

Good job your not on the wind up!I don't think any dubs will respond to this.They wouldn't fall for this, would they? ;)

Would losing an All Ireland final to Cork be the worst imagineable scenario for a Kerryman? Might even put '82 in the shade...

I think Kerry would be better off letting Dublin have their day next Sunday, rather than risking such a catastrophe  ;D

Kerry to beat Dublin then Cork.
We dont have a chance

Quote from: Hound on August 20, 2007, 08:12:13 AM
Would losing an All Ireland final to Cork be the worst imagineable scenario for a Kerryman? Might even put '82 in the shade...

I think Kerry would be better off letting Dublin have their day next Sunday, rather than risking such a catastrophe  ;D

'82 wasn't a terrible scenario. You know what the great consolation is when you miss out on 5-in-a-row? The 4-in-a-row you've got before it. I'm sure most footballers would be happy enough with 4 All-Ireland in 5 years. Also that defeat inspired the team onto 3 further All-Irelands.
Offaly on the other hand haven't been in an All-Ireland final since.

Quote from: blanketattack on August 20, 2007, 03:12:25 PM

Quote from: Hound on August 20, 2007, 08:12:13 AM
Would losing an All Ireland final to Cork be the worst imagineable scenario for a Kerryman? Might even put '82 in the shade...

I think Kerry would be better off letting Dublin have their day next Sunday, rather than risking such a catastrophe  ;D

'82 wasn't a terrible scenario. You know what the great consolation is when you miss out on 5-in-a-row? The 4-in-a-row you've got before it. I'm sure most footballers would be happy enough with 4 All-Ireland in 5 years. Also that defeat inspired the team onto 3 further All-Irelands.
Offaly on the other hand haven't been in an All-Ireland final since.

I would certainly think so. If Dublin win the All Ireland this year I wouldnt care if Meath beat us by 20 points next year!

But I have heard from so many Kerry people that not doing the 5 in a row, especially in those circumstances, was an absolute killer.

However I'd imagine losing an All Ireland final to Cork would bring the depths of depair to any Kerry supporter!

QuoteHowever I'd imagine losing an All Ireland final to Cork would bring the depths of depair to any Kerry supporter!

Losing to Dublin on Sunday would be more painful, we will worry about Cork if we get there.

i haven't slept since sunday, i hate meath. i'd rather lose to dublin on sunday then cork in the ai. if cork beat us (and i think they wil) under billy (i am a f*#*#*) morgan it will be a nightmare..

Noel O'Leary cleared to play, Brian Crowe has confirmed that he's happy with the action taken at the time, as I thought he would be  ;)

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on August 22, 2007, 09:17:04 AM
Noel O'Leary cleared to play, Brian Crowe has confirmed that he's happy with the action taken at the time, as I thought he would be  ;)

Cork to finish the final with 14 men then.

No offence to the 3 teams left but i find it difficult to get excited about any of them. 

Quote from: neutral on August 22, 2007, 09:47:27 AM
No offence to the 3 teams left but i find it difficult to get excited about any of them. 

In fairness who is better currently?

Tyrone and Armagh would in previous years have been regarded as serious contenders but not anymore.

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on August 22, 2007, 09:17:04 AM
Noel O'Leary cleared to play, Brian Crowe has confirmed that he's happy with the action taken at the time, as I thought he would be  ;)

Wow, I'm surprised.

I suppose its consistent with the ruling on Geraghty's punch v Dublin, tho I thought O'Leary's was slightly worse, given it was totally off the ball, rather than a late hit. Although I still thought both were red card offences.

Maybe we're following the maiming principal - as long as you don't draw blood or break bone, a punch is a yellow.
Or maybe its boxing rules. A jab is a yellow, but a good hook or uppercut is red.

To be fair to Meath, they didn't make a song and dance of it, so there was no real pressure on Crowe not to leave as is. The recriminations would have flown had he acted otherwise, and the spectacle of the final itself may have suffered as a consequence (without O'Leary).

That's not to condone his punch though; and I repeat that I believe he had taken a belt before that incident, which was missed by all and sundry.  Case firmly closed now.

Crowe did the sensible thing - the game is over and it should be over when it's over !

Quote from: orangeman on August 22, 2007, 11:40:31 AM
Crowe did the sensible thing - the game is over and it should be over when it's over !

Bullshit - time to stamp this crap out of the game completely - If I walk down the street tomorrow and some lad punches me, I bring him to court. But if it happens on a football pitch and the ref doesn't see it, then everything is oxo. O'Leary should be suspended and miss the final. But after this summer such displays of thuggery from the likes of Geragrhty, O'Leary sends out a clear signal - the GAA haven't the balls to tackle this issue.

I agree - there can be no future or reward in Thuggery, Geraghty lived and died by the same rule book this year though. So at least we are consisitent - a punch aint so bad in Gaelic Football.  Its a yellow card offence. Orangeman this has opened up another can of worms who will referee this years ai final... It could well be your old friend. 

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on August 22, 2007, 11:09:23 AM
I repeat that I believe he had taken a belt before that incident, which was missed by all and sundry. 

Fear, I let this go the first time you said it. But you can have absolutely no basis for that assertion or is it just because it was GG that you assume he must have hit O'Leary first? As you say, nobody is making a song and dance about a bit of heat-of-the moment stuff and I don't think anybody in Meath, least of all Graham Geraghty would want O'Leary to miss the final for it. But it's taking advantage of that attitude to actually accuse Geraghty of starting it (as you have) or imply either that he started it or faked it (as Crowe's stance appears to do).

GG has taken his medicine anytime it's been dished out without whinging about it. It's not fair now to expect him to take the rap for something he didn't do (though it wouldn't be the first time for that either).

QuoteTo be fair to Meath, they didn't make a song and dance of it

That's what you have to love about Meath. They do not whinge. It's the correct way to conduct yourself and an example of how to take defeat.

QuoteI repeat that I believe he had taken a belt before that incident, which was missed by all and sundry

Just read that back and you'll hopefully see how ridiculous it is.

Hardy, MS: O'Leary had a fresh, clearly visible, marble sized lump on the side of his head just above his right eye before the rumpus broke out, fact. I'm not accusing anyone here of doing anything, and neither am I excusing his punch on Geraghty, and I'm certainly not saying that because Geraghty might have been involved then benefit of any doubt shall be withheld for previous misdemeanours, perceived or otherwise.

But the fact remains he definitely took a belt, intentional or otherwise, and involving who it did (O'Leary) it's surely material to the facts of the matter. And that Geraghty made so little of it afterwards is to be commended, and doubtless contributed to the relative absence of pressure on Crowe in coming to his final decision.

Quote from: neutral on August 22, 2007, 01:01:12 PM
I agree - there can be no future or reward in Thuggery, Geraghty lived and died by the same rule book this year though. So at least we are consisitent - a punch aint so bad in Gaelic Football.  Its a yellow card offence. Orangeman this has opened up another can of worms who will referee this years ai final... It could well be your old friend. 

now theres bullshite, the kn**ker should be banned for two months!

Quote from: neutral on August 22, 2007, 09:47:27 AM
No offence to the 3 teams left but i find it difficult to get excited about any of them. 

could that be...... because your neutral?

Once this side show is out of the way and Kerry have dispensed with the Dubs the real debate will begin. Who is the best team in Munster/Ireland. Cork to walk it!

If and I mean IF Kerry win today I think Cork will win the game - they SHOULD have won the Munster final - but this dream final may not come to pass. Later will reveal all.

Kerry struggle to beat Monaghan and now a poor Dublin side. Cork will love it!!!

A real yerra-fest lies ahead for the next few weeks. Won't be too much in it.

after the all-uster final in '03 peopel were talking about total ulster dominance (which it in fairness it was IMO) does this now mean total munster dominace??? ;)

Quote from: The Forfeit Point on August 26, 2007, 06:46:12 PM
after the all-uster final in '03 peopel were talking about total ulster dominance (which it in fairness it was IMO) does this now mean total munster dominace??? ;)

Yes, for a year, just like ourselves in 2003!  ;)

We still provided the most teams in the quarters this year and a seperate team who won the league! Wouldnt it be great if Cork won the final, it would ruin the 34 all ireland wins for the Kerry men! Cork are the only team who can take the shine of all those victories by beating them in the 1st all munster final. If Cork win I wreckon they should give up the football totally like Kilkenny so there can be no comebacks for Kerry.

Good luck to Cork and Kerry - hopefully we'll havea good final.

QuoteWe still provided the most teams in the quarters this year and a seperate team who won the league! Wouldnt it be great if Cork won the final, it would ruin the 34 all ireland wins for the Kerry men! Cork are the only team who can take the shine of all those victories by beating them in the 1st all munster final. If Cork win I wreckon they should give up the football totally like Kilkenny so there can be no comebacks for Kerry.

God..there is no sating your appetite today is there..
..go on so, here are some more

(http://sp1.mm-a3.yimg.com/image/2594973882)

how long will it be before morgan is on the telly/airways/papers moaning about dirty kerry and cork needing protection. he'll put so much pressure on the ref that we could get another performance like today. cant say i'm looking forward to this final, even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut and cork are due a victory against us...

i've more time for billy morgan than any kerry man. would love to see the kerry faces if cork beat em. wore a tyrone jersey in killarney last year and i might as well have been wearing a celtic jersey on the shankill. had no such problems when in cork.

Quote from: clarshack on August 26, 2007, 11:00:20 PM
i've more time for billy morgan than any kerry man. would love to see the kerry faces if cork beat em. wore a tyrone jersey in killarney last year and i might as well have been wearing a celtic jersey on the shankill. had no such problems when in cork.

Why were people nasty to you . Have you been on the Shankill with a celtic shirts.?

Quotei've more time for billy morgan than any kerry man. would love to see the kerry faces if cork beat em. wore a tyrone jersey in killarney last year and i might as well have been wearing a celtic jersey on the shankill. had no such problems when in cork

Well, I'd like to say I was in Omagh and how I have no time for them etc, etc but, sure, who'd want to visit Tyrone !!

Quote from: Mike Sheehy on August 26, 2007, 11:43:28 PM

Quotei've more time for billy morgan than any kerry man. would love to see the kerry faces if cork beat em. wore a tyrone jersey in killarney last year and i might as well have been wearing a celtic jersey on the shankill. had no such problems when in cork

Well, I'd like to say I was in Omagh and how I have no time for them etc, etc but, sure, who'd want to visit Tyrone !!

This man. He's been in Omagh a lot  ;)

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44080000/jpg/_44080472_pgdonaghydubs.jpg)

He's probably ye're biggest tourist attraction at this stage..

"Meet Kieran Donaghy..the closest Tyrone have been to an AI semi in two years "

-Should be a great hard hitting game.   Hopefully the ref doenst get conned if Kerry resort to the underhand tactics and is strong enough to send men off when they deserve to go.

Footballer of the year - Declan O'Sullivan, barring a nightmare in the final. Young player of the year perhaps between O'Rourke, Reidy and Young (who of course has an unfair advantage).

You'd have to throw Canty into the mix there, Hardy (much as both of us would like not to) for Player of the Year, and Tomás O'Sé has been outstanding too recently.  I think young Tierney of Laois must be a runner for the young player too, though I don't disagree with any of your choices either.

I just hope it's a good game and I thiink it will be - looking forward to it already.

It will be a nightmare to lose a provincial all Ireland final for one of these teams.  Perhaps Pat O Se or Billy Moragn could get some Armagh fans down before the big day to talk of their own experiences and how gutt wrenching it is to lose an All Ireland  to your nearest and dearest. Could make all the difference.  Good luck to bot teams though, they have ceratinly been amongst the best in Ireland this year.

Magickkingdom,
You say: "We will get another performance like today"
Do you really think Bannon was too strict on ye?

He gave out a lot of yellow cards but most of them were deserved I felt.
They were mostly for dragging players back and the players on yellow cards seemed to continue this.
To me he would have been well within his rights to issue second yellows to one or 2 but seemed to be trying to walk the line between keeping a lid on the scuffles and not ruining the contest by sending anyone off.

Other than that he moved one ball forward for dissent. This after Kerry players confronted/ shouldered most Dublin players who were awarded frees throughout the match.

What mistakes did you think he made?
I'll admit I was biased in favour of the Dubs today.

Declan O'Sullivan was just Magic today.
His goal was class as were some of his points.

The 2 he missed were good efforts as well.

He'd be favourite for player of the year alright.
Hopefully he won't copperfasten it in the final!

There is no Cork football team.

There is a West Cork Football team, and what the f**k is West Cork man only a Kerry man with shoes.

Quote from: Billys Boots on August 27, 2007, 10:39:17 AM
You'd have to throw Canty into the mix there, Hardy (much as both of us would like not to) for Player of the Year, and Tomás O'Sé has been outstanding too recently.  I think young Tierney of Laois must be a runner for the young player too, though I don't disagree with any of your choices either.

Marc O'Sé has been more consistent than Tomás this year IMO but they will probably give it to O'Sullivan if he has a good final. Dara O'Sé should have got it last year, he was head and shoulders above everyone else apart from 2 incidents involving Star with Francie and Heaney.

Quote from: timmykelleher on August 27, 2007, 11:30:49 AM
Magickkingdom,
You say: "We will get another performance like today"
Do you really think Bannon was too strict on ye?

He gave out a lot of yellow cards but most of them were deserved I felt.
They were mostly for dragging players back and the players on yellow cards seemed to continue this.
To me he would have been well within his rights to issue second yellows to one or 2 but seemed to be trying to walk the line between keeping a lid on the scuffles and not ruining the contest by sending anyone off.

Other than that he moved one ball forward for dissent. This after Kerry players confronted/ shouldered most Dublin players who were awarded frees throughout the match.

What mistakes did you think he made?
I'll admit I was biased in favour of the Dubs today.

course you were, bannon was desperate yesterday and that was obivious to most posters on the board even dubs!

I dont like Kerry, I was supporting Dublin (oddly) in the hope Kerry would be knocked outta the Championship, Kerry just have too many All Irelands and it sickens me to see them take it for granted. I dont like Dublin either, because of all the hype and could ya imagine how they'd go on with the boasting if they won! I'm not a fan of Cork much either, but I'll be supporting Cork in the final anyway.

The football this year has to be one of the worst yet, the quality is crap and the only really half decent game I seen this year was the 1st Dublin v Meath game in the Leinster Championship. No team has played their best football and I think this years Championship was wide open for any strong team to win and it annoys me that no team stood up with their strongest team, now it looks like a Kerry team that seems to be stuck in 2nd gear will win.

Classy Kerry stem Blue tide

Kerry 1-15, Dublin 0-16
By Jim O'Sullivan
STRIP away the cynicism and the bad sportsmanship which blighted the first half and you were left with a riveting half-hour of football in Croke Park yesterday which saw Kerry deservedly advance to an historic All-Ireland SFC final with Cork in three weeks.
Captain Declan O'Sullivan's 37th-minute goal was undoubtedly vital, but one of the main reasons why the holders triumphed was because they won an important psychological advantage in the opening phases of play which helped inspire a massive improvement on their quarter-final form.
And, while Dublin had to be admired for their brave recovery bid — twice reducing the margin to a single score after falling six points behind at the three-quarters stage — the difference was that in their spells of dominance, they never looked capable of punishing Kerry.
Certainly not in the way that their challenge was so seriously undermined in a blistering seven-minute period immediately after the resumption which showed the Kingdom at their best.
Apart from the departure of Darragh Ó Sé in the 23rd minute with a hip injury (he came back to play a significant role for the last 15 minutes), Kerry's display was arguably better than the management might have hoped for. And, it wasn't the fact that Tommy Griffin did so well after he came in for Ó Sé, that Kieran Donaghy and Paul Galvin were two of the players who stepped up considerably, or that the newcomers in defence, Padraig Reidy and Killian Young both made telling contributions and dispelled notions about their fallibility.
True, Donaghy gave a massive performance and Galvin was hugely influential (except he was involved in a first-half incident with Paul Casey which could put his involvement in the final in doubt).
But, really it was the effectiveness of the team dynamic which was crucial.
Kerry managed to get the start which Dublin needed, with three points (all from play and the first from Eoin Brosnan coming after just 12 seconds) in as many minutes. It might have mattered little because it was so early in the game, except that even in that limited time span, Donaghy and Galvin were prominent and overall, the team was playing with obvious confidence — a tribute not just to their efforts over the last two weeks but to Pat O'Shea's astute handling of the situation which confronted him after the Monaghan scare.
Dublin took a long time to get going, with Vaughan booting a ground ball which broke to him well wide of the upright in the fifth minute and missing a 35-yard free after defender Barry Cahill pointed following a great run by Bryan Cullen. They were coming under a lot of pressure in defence, with Bryan Sheehan also playing cleverly and Brosnan getting in good work outside him.
Only Colm Cooper wasn't involved, because the ball was simply not going his way (until later) and while Declan O'Sullivan was seeing more of the action, it was noteworthy that his immediate opponent, Bryan Cullen was one of Dublin's strongest performers. And, Barry Cahill on his right was also to the forefront, notably in picking up a lot of breaking ball behind the half-back line.
At the other end, Kerry's backs were dealing quite comfortably with a fragmented Dublin attack. Still, they were level by the 18th minute and in front from a Vaughan free shortly afterwards before losing their way for a while.
Kerry, meanwhile, were having to fight harder to make openings, with Ross McConnell better able to deal with Donaghy's aerial power and ability. In fact, Dublin's defence was now much tighter and while Darragh Ó Sé and Ciarán Whelan had more or less cancelled each other out before the Gaeltacht man went off, Shane Ryan was getting in a lot of useful work for Dublin.
It made for a much more closely contested final 10 minutes, which saw Donaghy drifting out towards midfield — and beyond — in search of the ball. Cooper, 'fed' in turn by Donaghy and Brosnan was to kick two trademark points from the right. Sheehan, too, kicked over a marvellous score, but on the other hand, some of their finishing was quite poor.
The net effect was that, with Alan Brogan making an impact, Dublin showed enough improvement to stay ahead and go in at half-time 0-8 to 0-7 in front.
The second half was barely two minutes in motion when Declan O'Sullivan had the ball in the net, gaining possession from Killian Young and showing great skill in pivoting and expertly placing the ball in the far corner. In another five minutes Kerry were five points clear and for a while afterwards they almost owned the ball.
Griffin was prominently involved and, not for the first time, Tomas Ó Sé was exerting a huge influence in the half-backline. Donaghy, too, was making his presence felt with a huge work-rate and the pressure being created by the likes of Declan O'Sullivan and Sheehan made it extremely difficult for Dublin to build attacks from the back.

Indeed, it wasn't until substitute Ray Cosgrove energised the attack with his strong play at centre-forward that the home side began to show promises of a recovery, but not until after a Brosnan point in the 49th minute put Kerry six points clear. And, though they weren't to score again for 17 minutes, Dublin made such hard work of breaking down the lead that the holders never looked in difficulty.

Possibly it would have been different if Cosgrove had not been called back for a free when he might have goaled in the 53rd minute (after Donaghy pulled him down), but clawing their way back into contention was a slow process.

And that's exactly what they did, aided by Cullen and others in defence, much better play from Whelan and the promptings of Cosgrove, who also had the misfortune to waste a very good chance of a goal in the 57th minute.

With six minutes to go, they had the margin down to a point, only to be hit by crucial Kerry scores from Sean and Declan O'Sullivan. But, back they bravely came again with two more scores, the second coming after a minute and a half of four minutes added on.
Notably, the kick-out from the second of these scores (from a Conal Keaney free), was won by Kerry. It meant that possession stayed with the champions before a well-worked move saw Declan O'Sullivan score again. And, after that they weren't going to be denied a famous victory.

Scorers: Kerry: D. O'Sullivan 1-3; B. Sheehan 0-3 (0-1 free); C. Cooper 0-3 (0-1 free); P. Galvin and E. Brosnan 0-2 each; T. O Se and S. O'Sullivan 0-1 each. Dublin: M. Vaughan 0-5 (0-4 frees); C. Keaney 0-4 (0-2 frees); A. Brogan 0-3; B. Cullen 0-2; B. Cahill and B. Brogan 0-1 each.

KERRY: D. Murphy; P. Reidy, M. O Se, T. O'Sullivan; K. Young, A. O'Mahony, T. O Se; D. O Se, S. Scanlon; P. Galvin, D. O'Sullivan (capt.), E. Brosnan; C. Cooper, K. Donaghy, B. Sheehan. Subs: T. Griffin for D. O Se (injured, 23rd minute); D. O Se for Griffin (58th); S. O'Sullivan for Galvin (62nd); D. O'Sullivan for Brosnan (65th).

DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Henry, R. McConnell, P. Griffin; B. Cahill, B. Cullen, P. Casey; C. Whelan, S. Ryan; B. Brogan, J. Sherlock, C. Moran (capt.); C. Keaney, A. Brogan, M. Vaughan. Subs: R. Cosgrove for Sherlock (40th minute); D. Magee for B. Brogan (54th); T. Quinn for Vaughan (68th).

Referee: J. Bannon (Longford). *John Bannon's refereeing was good for the greater part of the game, except that it was spoiled by the awarding of some easy frees and, conversely, the ignoring of a couple of obvious ones.

*Attendance: 82,157.

Turning point

IT would be easy and somewhat lazy to suggest Declan O'Sullivan's goal was the game's critical moment. It would also be wrong. Once Conal Keaney reduced the leeway to four points in the 55th minute, we nodded sagely and indicated the next score would be critical. It should have been a Dublin goal, which might just have injected the Leinster champions with the self-belief they needed. Instead Ray Cosgrove panicked horribly, and screwed a right-foot effort hopelessly wide from 10 metres out. Thereafter Dublin never had another sight of goal.

Talking point

THE reintroduction of Darragh Ó Sé. It's a gambit from the Mickey Harte school of mind games, but necessity was the driver on this occasion. Ultimately, it was the right call. Tommy Griffin had a productive 45 minutes but his legs were gone and Ciaran Whelan had the Big Mo. He outfielded Ó Sé to the first two balls upon the latter's reintroduction, but crucially Darragh reined him in over the last six or seven minutes — and set up a point to boot.

Tactics watch

THIS time Pat O'Shea and selectors ticked all the boxes – something that could not be said after the Monaghan game. Eoin Brosnan thrived from open spaces on the wing, Declan O'Sullivan was front and centre in every sense. Also Kieran Donaghy's midfield efforts were pivotal.

A word too for Padraig Reidy, repaying the selectors' faith when most others in the county were dissing it.

They said

"DARRAGH (Ó Sé) said to me beforehand to wise up, Croke Park was no place for nice guys. Now I know what he meant."

— Rookie Kerry corner back Padraig Reidy on finding his Croker legs.

"That's up to the media to analyse and break down as they see fit."

— Dublin manager Paul Caffrey on the importance of Ray Cosgrove's goal chance in the second half.

Man of the match

THAT Kerry came into Croke Park yesterday under the radar is evidenced by the absence of any footballer of the year material in green and gold — until now. Declan O'Sullivan has been building a head of steam this campaign, thriving after a winter soaking up the Sydney sunshine.

Yesterday, after a quiet start, he powered Kerry to victory, foraging, carrying, and scoring. Bryan Cullen scored two fine points for Dublin, but in terms of his defensive duties, he was outgunned by the Kerry captain.

Referee watch

PAT O'Shea and his Kerry cohorts would have justifiable complaint with the Kingdom's old friend, John Bannon, who booked seven Kingdom players (and six Dubs as well). Their primary frustration was with the amount of soft frees awarded to Dublin in scoreable positions. Few in Kerry will be praying for the Longford man in the final.

What's next

KERRY-CORK in a unique All-Ireland final says everything.

Dublin? "It'll take long time to get over this," admitted Paul Caffrey.

He was right.

Analysis: Tony Leen.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=40946-qqqx=1.asp

Will Gooch get a retrospective banning for his monster dive?

QuoteWill Gooch get a retrospective banning for his monster dive?

Watch the video and make sure and come back on and apologise for this lie.

Cork will give us a lot of trouble. Dara needs a great game, not 10 mins here and there as has often been the case this yr. That said Murphy is a a worthy allstar and wont be dominated for a full game so I think Gooch and Sheehan will be the deciding factor as they may have too much for Cork. Kerry by 1-2pts in a tough (surprise surprise) game.

Dara will need to be at the top of his game alright but it was good that we won even though he had a quiet game.One of the most pleasing aspects about the win was the fact that it was the most balanced performance that I have seen from a Kerry team in modern times. I wouldnt say any of the players had a "bad" game. At the same time we didnt need to rely on a phenomenon like gooch or Donaghy either. Everybody contributed.

Having said that it is true that Cork have probably got the strongest midfield in the country so Dara and Scanlon (or Tommy Griffen) will have to at least win 45% or we will be in trouble.

I think Cork will be a tougher opponent than Dublin were. Cork are much stronger than Dublin from 1-9, and while they're short a few scoring forwards they have good footballers in the forward line and Goulding and O'Connor know where the posts are. I'm not sure that Kerry performance(v Dubs) was all that it's cracked up to be.

Rebels talisman returns to training
Aug 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29 
Cork star James Masters could still be available for the Rebels' Bank Of Ireland All-Ireland SFC final clash with Kerry, though he is facing a race against time to regain fitness.
However, the return to the training ground of the free-scoring forward on Tuesday night must serve as great grounds for optimism for the Leesiders with the decider against their great Munster rivals just two and a half weeks away.
Masters suffered a broken jaw as Cork defeated Sligo in the quarter-final stage of the Championship and had to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates tore Meath asunder in the semi-final to set up the historic Croke Park decider with the Kingdom.
It had been feared that his season was over, but Tuesday's returning to train offers a glimmer of hope to the player and the Cork supporters who know the Nemo Rangers man will be a huge loss against the defending All-Ireland champions.
But Rebels boss Billy Morgan is stressing that Masters faces a waiting game and is trying not to get too many hopes up, telling The Evening Echo: "James returned to training last night (Tuesday) with us, but there was absolutely no contact stuff.
We would remain very hopeful that he would make it, but it is still very much a race against time."
Morgan has a couple of other injury worries to contend with after two of his players picked up knocks, while playing for their clubs at the weekend. But, the wily Rebels boss is confident that Sean O'Brien and David Niblock will be okay to take their places in the panel on September 16.
"Sean has a hamstring problem that he sustained in Nemo's win over Clonakilty and David has a bit of a knee problem. Hopefully though they will be okay for the final."

http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=20222

Kerry boss hails Kingdom skipper
Aug 30, 2007
Kerry boss Pat O'Shea has hailed the contribution of captain Declan O'Sullivan in this year's All-Ireland Championship.
Sunday's semi-final win over Dublin saw The Kingdom through to their fourth successive Bank Of Ireland All-Ireland SFC final as they look for a third crown in those four years and the county boss says goal-poacher O'Sullivan has been a huge figure in this year's run.
"Declan has had an excellent year, a brilliant year. I'm delighted for him," O'Shea was quoted as saying by The Belfast Telegraph.
"He has popped up in all the right places to get big scores for us. He scored an important goal for us against Dublin and another important goal against Monaghan.
"He has also kicked a number of crucial points. He was one of the many stars we had. Last Sunday he was up against (Dublin goalkeeper) Stephen Cluxton, rightly regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the country. You would have to keep the ball away from him and it needed to be a good strike to beat him. Declan delivered that.
"Goals win games - they are very important. Get them at the right time and they help to give you momentum. In this instance the goal came sandwiched between a couple of points that gave is a six-point lead but Dublin came back at us."
Kerry now face Munster foes Cork in the All-Ireland final, but O'Shea was quick to point out that surprise package Monaghan almost made it so that that historic fixture was not going to happen. The Kingdom needed a late flurry of points to oust The Farney Men by a single score in the quarter-final and O'Shea added that he feels the Ulster side have not been given enough applause for their great year.
"We do not think that Monaghan have been given the credit they deserve for the performance they gave in that match," added the Kerry man.
"We knew going into the game against them that it was going to be very tough and so it was. But the game against Dublin was different but again we managed to come out on top."

http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=20223

What do you all think of this?


RTÉ Radio coverage for All-Ireland finals
Thursday, 30 August 2007 18:06
RTÉ Radio will broadcast the GAA All-Ireland Hurling final on Sunday 2 September and the All-Ireland Football final on Sunday 16 September on all wavelengths to Irish people living abroad in countries across Europe, Africa and the Far East.

- In Africa and the Far East, the finals will be available on shortwave. See frequency details below.
- At home, audiences can listen to the GAA finals, as usual, on RTÉ Radio 1 FM, Medium Wave and Longwave 252.
- Across most of Britain, listeners will receive our coverage on Long Wave 252.
- For the second year, RTÉ will also transmit the finals on DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale - digital AM radio) to most of Europe.

For those living in Ireland, who wish to get details of the shortwave frequencies to friends or family living abroad, RTÉ is providing a special phone text service. Listeners can text the word 'shortwave' to 51101 and they will receive a short text message with the shortwave frequencies.

This service is part of RTÉ's continued commitment to Irish people overseas, particularly in geographically or technically isolated areas.
In addition to RTÉ Radio broadcasts, RTÉ will also broadcast the All-Ireland finals on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie/sport (island of Ireland only). There will also be live uninterrupted audio coverage from The Sunday Game available worldwide here on RTÉ.ie/sport, while we also have a live text matchtracker updating events as they develop throughout both afternoons. RTÉ Aertel will also carry live score updates and a match report and reaction, as will RTÉ.ie/sport.


SHORTWAVE FREQUENCIES FOR AFRICA AND THE FAR EAST
Target  Frequencies
West of Central Africa 17860 kHz/11735 kHz
East  of Central Africa  17710 kHz/11635 kHz
Southern Africa  9470 kHz

DRM (Digital AM Radio) FREQUENCIES FOR EUROPE
Target  Frequencies
Europe 17495 kHz/11735 kHz



For further details of RTÉ coverage abroad please see
http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html

Corcoran cool on Masters return
Aug 31, 2007

James Masters may be back in training for Cork, but Rebels selector John Corcoran has warned that the sharp-shooting Nemo Rangers frontman is still far from likely to make the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry on September 16.

Corner forward Masters broke his jaw when Cork defeated Sligo in the quarter-final and subsequently missed the last four success against Meath. It was felt after the break that his season was over, but his return to the training ground on Monday night left reason for optimism amongst the Cork camp and supporters.

But, Corcoran says it is still impossible to say whether or not his team's top scorer will be ready for the all-Munster battle at GAA headquarters in just over two week's time, telling The Irish Independent: "Our medical advice is that it will be a four to six weeks recovery period for James, and it will be exactly six weeks between the Sligo game and the All-Ireland final.

"So that makes things very tight and obviously James would have to do plenty of training before the match against Kerry, because a player couldn't go in an All-Ireland final without proper preparation."

http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=20242

course masters will play...

Cooper hints at Donaghy centre-field role

Kerry star forward Colm Cooper believes that the Kingdom may well have to employ erstwhile target man Kieran Donaghy around midfield in the upcoming All-Ireland SFC final such is the strength of opponents Cork in that area of the field.
Donaghy impresssed as he played a deep role in the victory last weekend over Dublin and Cooper reckons he wouldn't be surprised if the 2006 Player of the Year was asked to face up to the Cork midfield partnership of Derek Kavanagh and Nicholas Murphy.
"You're going to have periods in games when you'll be in trouble and Kieran, I suppose, is a good option for us to brind out the field," says Cooper.
"He caught one or two balls against Dublin.
"The Cork game is going to be different. They're strong in midfield and they have a strong full-back line.

http://www.hoganstand.com/Kerry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=82746

Yawn.  Does anyone care??

While not the most attractive pairing for the neutrals, it is the AI final and I'd imagine a lot of people care.

You'd nearly miss the Connacht or even the Ulster boys around for the All Ireland Final (yerra tis so long since a Leinster team was involved that they dont remember what a final is like anymore I suppose ;) ) at least there would be a bit of talk and maybe a bit a of banter, but jaysus no post on this game in 2 days, yerra come on.

Anyway it has come to pass and we have an All Munster All Ireland final, The Kingdom verses The Rebels, The Animals verses The Langers, the Green & Gold verses the Blood & Bandage or just plain old Kerry verses Cork. Either way I can't wait for both teams to lock horns on the 16th. This is a longstanding local derby game and there is a lot of history between the two counties, with lots of old festering scores to settle as well.

For the neutral (as we see from the reaction here) it's probably a game that few would have interest in and for the experts who deride the Munster championship year after year it's a finger in the eye.

But to those of us who live in Cúige Mumhan and in particular either of the counties it has the makings of an enthralling battle.

Going back to the Munster final, Kerry were very lucky to pull out with a win, losing at half time, Kerry tacked on the scores in a quick burst after the cupan tae, Cork however fought back valiantly and should have got a draw or more from the game at least, Derek Kavanagh's last minute goal bound shot arching wide, with the help of a slight pull on his jersey, Tomas O'Se I believe with the guilty hand, Kerry lucky to avoid a penalty. Thankfully Kieran Donaghy and Sean O'Sullivan tacked on the winning points late in the game to secure a famous win for us, the first in 21 years in a final over Cork in Killarney, but surprisingly Billy Morgan was caught on camera smiling at the end result, was this part of the master plan for Cork 07, does he think he now has the recipe to beat Kerry, time will tell.

Cork dominated for long periods of that second half and won an abundance of ball around midfield especially when Cussen moved out around the middle as he has done in subsequent games. Kerry too have had to bring out the big man against the Dubs and it will be a ploy that both teams will probably have to use again in two weeks, the Midfield as it is in every game will have a major bearing on the outcome and with a meithal of big men around the middle it will be a battle to get any hands on the ball, the breaking ball in this area will need to be hovered up and Kerry will need all of the half backs and half forwards to perform well in this area. It will be scrappy, but there is nothing that gets a Kerry man going than the sight of a Cork Jersey and I am sure it's the same in opposites across the border.

There will be some key clashes to be sorted out on the field and my views though probably a bit biased are here:

First of all from a Kerry Defensive side there will be Padraig Reidy against Donnacha O'Connor, O'Connor got the upper hand in Killarney and as both are from about 5 miles from each other on opposite sides of the county bounds there will be major slagging in Ballydesmond and Scartaglin for the coming weeks, Reidy will be first man from his village to represent his county in an AI final if he is picked ,so an added bit of pressure for the young man who stood up to the Dubs and Marc Vaughan in particular in fine style last week. O'Connor is a class act and is strong in the air and good on the ball and will score off either side, he is a key danger man for us to curtail.

Marc O'Se will relish the marking task of James Masters who I believe will play despite his recent fractured jaw, he did well on him in Killarney and though Masters has a great scoring potential he does not appear to be the quickest, and Masters may not relish any physical challenges if his chin is still a bit suspect.

Tom O'Sullivan will have his hands full against big Mike Cussen but I'd expect Cussen to drift outfield where he did well against Meath, O'Sullivan will be up for it though and another Border man will raise his game for the rebels, he did reasonably well in the 50/50 balls with Conal Keaney last week. If Cussen moves I'd expect O'Sullivan to pick up O'Connor with Reidy moving out the field.

Out on the half line Tomas O'Se has had a storming year and with the loss of the Pony it is his bursts from defense that are now providing inspiration, loves to get up to kick a point and is a good man marker so hopefully either Miskella or McMahon will be in for a long afternoon.

On the other wing Killian Young has performed excellently in his first full season, he has had a direct role in 3 goals so far and is comfortable on the ball and in the air, I expect a big final from the Renard man but it wont be easy against a ward working Cork half forward line. John Miskella and Kevin McMahon will work hard to win ball and will distribute well but I am to be convinced of their scoring threat and am hopeful of a Kerry dominance in this area.

In the centre Aidan O'Mahony will have his hands full against Pierse O'Neill who has a big height advantage, O'Neill is a fine footballer too but does not seem to contribute as much scores as he should with the procession he wins. O'Mahony though has had a good year and is dogged in the tackle and reads the game well and he makes vital interceptions.

In Midfield Darragh O'Se (if he recovers from a hip injury, if he doesn't it will be Griffin coming in) will probably mark Nicholas Murphy, I think Murphy has been the best midfielder this year but its possibly O'Se's last final and he will be well up for one last fling against the Rebels, he has given fantastic service to Kerry and if Liam Hayes took off the blinkers he would be adding OSe's name to his small list of "20 Year Greats" he named on Sunday, namely Colm O'Rourke and Peter Canavan. Darragh has never left the county down particularly on a big occasion and for a not so big man he wins some spectacular ball in midfield at times, does not have the engine of a few years ago but still a vital cog in the Kerry system. Murphy is excellent in the air and will need close marking all day to prevent Cork setting up any scoring platforms.

Scanlon saw a lot of the ball against the Dubs but his shooting was poor and in the second half even though in scoring positions he held up the play for a forward to take over, does well in the air and is a good foil to O'Se. Kavanagh will work hard in the middle too and as captain will give his all but he just does not seem to dominate midfield. Kerry will have the considerable option of Tommy Griffin to bring on or even Mike Quirke who won a lot of ball in the Munster final.

Our half forward line is our key line, I'd expect Declan O'Sullivan to line up at 11 where he ran Bryan Cullen ragged at times last week. He has had an excellent year and the few months in Oz seemed to have revitalized him for this year, he was burnt out from last year. His goals have been vital this year and he gets into great scoring positions when Gooch comes out the field. Ger Spillane though will be a tough match up, Spillane has plenty of football in him and will be a match for O'Sullivans running, maybe Brosnan will line up in the centre leaving Declan on Anthony Lynch, either way I'd expect Declan to put in a great game and hopefully be in a position to be the first Kerry captain since Dick Fitzgerald in 1913/14 to captain back to back Kerry winning teams. It would be some achievement for the man from Dromid.

Eoin Brosnan too is coming back into form, loves the spaces in Croke Park and will always provide a scoring threat when he gets on the ball at speed, his work rate was much improved against Dublin over the Monaghan game and if he can produce the same in the final he could be a hidden gem, after being dropped for last years final will have a major point to prove to Kerry. Anthony Lynch is a very good defender and will not give away much to either Brosnan or O'Sullivan, but I feel its now or never for one of the veterans of the Cork panel, lets hope he is given a good run around the pitch and then have to cope with one of the two speedy O'Sullivan's if they are introduced in the second half.

The clash that will attract most eyes and attention is that between Paul Galvin and Noel O'Leary, both being lucky to be play in the final given recent events, Both are fiery characters but also very good footballers, O'Leary had a great game once he settled down against Meath after his altercation with Geraghty and Galvin too contributed to winning a lot of ball against the Dubs after his alleged spat with Casey, kicked 2 fine points as well. Like them or Loathe them every team needs these kind of players and it will be a test of both of their mental ability to withstand the baiting of others and avoid a red card for their team in the final, given the animosity that both had in the Munster final towards each other.

In the inner line there is Gooch who will provide a real handful for whoever is detailed to track him, Cork have the option of putting Canty on him if Donaghy drifts out the middle. Cooper is coming into great form and his vision against the dubs was excellent, he is not scoring as much as he should but is playing the role of chief playmaker to perfection, expect a big final from the Gooch, he has scored goals in 2 finals already and must be good value to complete a hat trick.

Bryan Sheehan too should hold his spot for the final, his free taking will always provide a threat to curb any long range fouling yet he only got one chance from distance against Dublin, but it was his ball winning and long range point scoring that really stood out the last day. Mike Frank will feel disappointed to lose out on another final but I think Sheehan provides better options. His height against two smallish Cork corner backs should be an advantage.

Canty against Donaghy has the makings of a great clash, Donaghy has struggled at full forward this year and that has been down to a slow recover from a spring shoulder injury and to the quality of the ball coming in, but against Monaghan he was involved in 3 good goal scoring chances and on another day with a bit of luck would have had 3 green flags, so will provide a threat if the supply is good, his move to midfield helped bolster us when O'Se went off injured the last day and he distributed ball very well, has good hands and great vision (must be the basketball) he seems to be getting back to his form of last year and the extra 3 weeks of skelping in training will be a great help to him but it also opens up the Kerry attack for Cooper, Sheehan, Declan and Brosnan. We have shown we are lethal when the ball is moved quickly but I'd expect a mixture against Cork of supply just to keep the backs guessing, Graham Canty though will be up for the task, he is an excellent defender, though he struggled in the first half against young O'Rourke for Meath but his dilemma will be if he has to follow Donaghy or minds the kitchen when Gooch and Co are let loose around the house.

Kerry have further great attacking options in Sean and Darren O'Sullivan and possibly MFR to spring from the bench, while Cork with Gould and Goulding have a solid bench to play with. Our bench however will again be light on defensive cover which has been a major concern all year, so fingers crossed all 6 backs come through on the day.

Pat O'Shea verses Billy Morgan will be a battle of tactics on the sideline, if there is one thing Morgan wants in Life its to take a Kerry scalp and to do that from an All Ireland would be worth 20 years of bragging right to the bould Billy, but Pat O'Shea has done really well in his first year to get us back to a final and to hopefully get the lads in a mood for winning our 35th title. The new trainer John Sugrue who is younger that some on the Kerry panel, and who has played against many of them in club games this year, has to get great credit too in bringing new ideas to the training field and to keep the lads fit and hungry for more, he had to earn that respect but I am sure he has fitted in well at this stage.

4 finals in a row is a huge achievements in the modern era and shows the hunger and desire from the panel to keep on winning but winning the final is all that matters over any statistics, we have won 3 tough games this year by the bare minimum and that will stand to us, and hopefully there is more in the tank, and yet we did not play to full capacity for any of those games, we seem to go to sleep in the middle of both halfs with strong starts and finishes being the hallmarks but that may be a testament to the opposition not allowing us to play as well, Cork will look to exploit that perceived weakness. Like Kilkenny on Sunday it is difficult to counter act raw hunger, but Cork have shown that it will be no easy game, it will be a hard physical encounter and I don't expect to see the open scoring game like Kerry v Mayo last year. David Coldrick of Meath has been named referee today, will need to get a close eye on the off the ball activities.

For lads like the O'Se brothers who have all been outstanding in different games this year, games against Cork run deep in their blood and they will not let anyone on the team lie down easily. Since 2000 this will be the 13th championship meeting between the two counties, with 8 Kerry wins, 2 draws and 2 Cork wins making up the tally and from a Kerry point of view we have beaten them 3 out of 3 times in Croke Park semis but all that will count for little once the next game starts, both teams will tear into each other trying to get the important early scores.

I'm excited and nervous in equal measures at the moment and just hopeful that on the day we play as well as we can and for longer periods than we have in any of the games this year, if we do we will hopefully have too much for Cork but I don't think there will be much in it. Cork struggled against Sligo and Louth but did enough in both games to win but they really turned the burners on against Meath creating a great team effort, but Meath were poor on the day too, so Cork's greatness will have to wait for another day to gain a better perspective. Their problem is that we don't know which Cork will show up on the day, they were very inconsistent in the league and that has traveled with them into the championship. Billy will have them bursting to get stuck into Kerry. Cork being the last team to win back to back titles in 1990 adds another little ingredient to the mix, they will not want to lose that distinction especially to Kerry. Not having won an All Ireland in 17 years is a long time for a county with the footballing potential of Cork so they have a huge number of motivations to use for winning.

Its all to play for I think and on the day the little things could have a major bearing, here's hoping they go our way...

Ciarraí Abu

Very good Mike, comprehensive to say the least!
Have felt that it's another cert for the Kingdom, but after reading that I'm starting to think Cork could rise to the big occasion!
You's fly feckers are good at that!

Kerry by ten   :D

Very little interest in the final here in Mayo. Usually at work, the pub, on the street there is small talk of tactics and formations etc, even when the county is not involved, but nothing. Many do not even have even a preference as to who they would like to win.

What is the interest like in Kerry and Cork?

Is there a scramble for tickets?

Said a few weeks back that both the Hurling and Football AIs would be non events competitive wise and so far have be proven correct in the hurling. Kerry have smuthered Cork in Croker the last couple of years and i see no difference this year.

Christ Mike.

Not much to add but Mike Quirke cant start, or be involved in an AI. Not good enough & will get found out in the spaces of Croker due to his immobility and, quite frankly he was poor in Munster Final in which we were fortunate not to LOSE. I''m a massive Griffin fan but cant see him starting as it appears he doesnt have 50/60 min in him never mind 70. I was happy enough with Scanlon in the SF especially in the 1st half.

It'll be interesting to see how Cussen and the Star fare as they'll both more than likely be around the centre. Will they be followed out or allowed to go toe to toe?? Finally Murphy, imo, has been the most consistent MFer over the last few yrs and thats naturally a key battle, assuming Dara starts BUT we said the same about O'Se and Whelan and they were the 2 poorest midfielder on show during the semi.

Quoteif Liam Hayes took off the blinkers he would be adding OSe's name to his small list of "20 Year Greats" he named on Sunday

That should be enough to rule both players mentioned out of the running.

I think Kerry have a good bit in the tank, and rarely 'show their hand' in the Munster Final.  In fairness, they haven't had to since either.  Cork have a better defence than Dublin had, but appear (to me) to be more limited in attacking options.  They'll win their share in the middle third, but don't appear to have the efficiency in converting possession to scores that Kerry have.  Kerry by 4 or 5.

can anyone post the article that hayes wrote

Rock-bottom Kingdom ripe to be stormed if Dublin's true believers hold their nerve
Football Analyst Liam Hayes

KERRY football surely reached its lowest point in the last 30 years, midway through the second-half of their quarter-final victory over Monaghan earlier this month. It was sad to watch. Pathetic, even. Sure, Monaghan stopped two feet short of the finish-line and refused to budge, even an inch further, in the last two minutes of the game itself and the three minutes of stoppage time.  And, sure, Kerry stormed by them to win by a whisker. It is from this low, low point that this Kerry team are viewing this afternoon's great semi-final meeting with Dublin.  They have a long uphill battle ahead of them after their dreadful quarterfinal performance. With the game looking out of their reach and with Monaghan looking good for an historic victory, a half-decent Kerry team was reduced to the antics of a bunch of juvenile footballers. We watched grown men in green and gold, a great many of them with two All-Ireland medals pinned to their chests, carefully working the ball up to within 70 yards and 60 yards of the Monaghan goalmouth . . . and then lobbing it in the direction of Kieran Donaghy.  Eventually, a defender under pressure from Donaghy knocked down one ball and Kerry got the goal that saved Pat O'Shea's bacon.  But it was bad, bad, bad football, and I couldn't help trying to work out for myself how far Kerry football has fallen, in full view of the last generation of GAA fans.  Kieran Donaghy acting as a telegraph-pole in front of an opponent's goal got Kerry out of a 'bad place' last summer and won them an All-Ireland which, thanks to Mayo's second vanishing act in three years, was of precious little value. But if the future of the Kerry football is dependant upon 'Hail Mary' (that's what they call them in the American NFL) passes being sent in Kieran Donaghy's general direction, then it has to be said. . .  The Kingdom no longer rules. It's finished, it's kaput. There is no such place worthy of . . . and living up to - this mighty name anymore, and the GAA has lost its most prized territory.  Now, let me tell you, I don't like writing this and I don't like you having to read this judgement of mine on the morning of yet, another, so tempting Kerry-Dublin meeting. I love Kerry football. Some of my best friends are Kerry people. Actually, I am in awe of the fabulous county and the smart, always sensible men and women produced there.  However (and this is a thundering however), I'm not going to come out with the false patronising commentary which almost everyone else in this writing business has been offering up in recent years. They're all afraid of saying 'boo' in front of a Kerry football team - terrified, most of them.  I'm going to tell you that Kerry football teams have barely left a mark on the game for over 20 years - less than a handful of All-Irelands, and not one of them truly memorable in my book.  Equally, Kerry stopped producing 'giants' of the game over the last two decades. Apart from Darragh O Se.  He's for real, a living giant. But Seamus Moynihan was never one of the greatest footballers of this or any other generation - he was, just, exceptionally good, and strong and brave.  A few weeks ago, I wrote that 'The Gooch' was like Tiger Woods stuck on two 'majors', and I firmly believe that he gets far too much praise, far too quickly from most quarters. Colm Cooper is a tricky, accurate inside forward, with a sublime touch on occasions which are quite infrequent. He needs a massive 'second-half ' to his career if he is to be measured up against Pat Spillane or Mikey Sheehy or John Egan.  Naturally, it would be right to assume that I give Kerry no chance of winning this afternoon's semi-final, and gaining access to an All-Ireland final against Cork which would warm all Kerry hearts. Kerry and Cork, right now, are both in Dublin's pocket.  If Kerry are to make a real game of this 'semi', they will have to begin by taking Donaghy from full-forward and allow him 70 minutes of athletic 'fun' beside O Se in the middle. Pat O'Shea should actually take this page from Billy Morgan's game-book last Sunday.  Morgan sent Michael Cussen roaming and for a tall, rangy player he played a significant, little role in Cork's stunning, though predictable, victory.  Donaghy is twice as good a footballer as Cussen. He's got greater confidence in himself, and he has the intelligence to make a difference on the football field. He's really lost at No. 14. The Kerry management would be far better off putting Cooper in that shirt for the next four or five years and asking him, every single game, is he a man or a mouse or is he 'Gooch the Great'?  My money, still, would be on Cooper showing us just how great a footballer he is, and I genuinely would love to witness him living up to his name and showing us all that his reputation was not over-inflated at too young an age.  Cooper in front of the square, in front of Ross McConnell (or whoever else the Dublin management team decide to send in his direction) should be an easy call this afternoon.  Kerry were in ragged condition by the time they started celebrating their quarter-final victory over Monaghan.  Their defence had been stretched, and stretched again. Their midfield pairing had been muscled out of the contest before it was half-over. And their forward division had been sent packing by the Monaghan defence - Galvin with a sore shoulder, and Brosnan and Frank Russell, with nothing to show for the afternoon, were taken off.  The kids who replaced them are only kids. Bryan Sheehan and Darren O'Sullivan have not even finished their apprenticeships as Kerry footballers.  The Kerry team is down and that's why most of the country imagines they are going to be incredibly dangerous this afternoon. I don't think so.  If this Dublin team is worth its salt it will work solidly for 50 or 55 minutes and coast home, in a business-like manner (rather than a holiday-like manner). I honestly believe this Dublin team is lacking in genius, and has no great magical quality to it, but it has brought itself to a position over the last six years (not three) where it believes, solidly, truly, that it is the best football team in the country.  Believing is half the battle, and if Dublin hold their nerve once again, as they did brilliantly against Derry in their quarter-final win, they will be in an All-Ireland final before they know it.  This Dublin team in an All-Ireland final will surely behave like men entering a five-star hotel in a promised land.  They'll make themselves at home, and look and feel absolutely fantastic.  Dublin are so close, finally, and the poorest and most shaken Kerry team of the last 20 years are in their way. It does not have to be all that close. Dublin could, all going well, win this game by anything between five and 10 points.  It all depends, really, on the Dublin defence. It's got to hold up, that's all.  Last week, we said that in a contest between a 'great' Cork defence and a 'very good' Meath attack, that the defence looked the winner. And so it was. Today, we've got a 'very good' Dublin defence against a 'good' Kerry forward-line. If defence holds solid, The Dubs are home.  There are no real doubts over Dublin's ability to, at the very least, win an even share of the good ball and spoiled ball in the middle third of the field. Ciaran Whelan and Shane Ryan are the number one midfield pairing in the country, and Cahill, Cullen, and Moran are going to put their lives on the line for every loose ball. Kerry footballers never lack bravery when it comes to the ugly side of the game either but this Dublin team will not lose out when it comes to measuring out the raw courage on display.  It's in Kerry's front garden, however, that Dublin can also profit and win the game. Any team, coming into the month of August, which has forwards as scorehungry as Alan and Bernard Brogan, and Jason Sherlock and Mark Vaughan, has to be as happy as it is confident.  The Dubs have more forwards bang in form than Kerry, they have two 'new' forwards (in Bernard Brogan and Vaughan) who are lapping up the big time and who do not seem to realise they should be very afraid. And they have Conal Keaney - Dublin's 'secret' All-Ireland winning weapon. Keaney has had a relatively quiet summer but has time on his side to be the most important footballer on this Dublin team. He might just take what's left of the championship by the throat.  All that powerful scoring ability favours Dublin and that's before anyone thinks of Ray Cosgrove or Mossy Quinn, either of whom could be worth an All-Ireland winning point.  As I asked last week - spread the two teams out on the table in front of you, weigh them up, shake them around, hell, turn them upside down and whichever way you look at it, this day is going to end up with a Dublin victory. Unless Dublin fold,

thanks for that MM , just show's you what Liam Hayes knows about football. I can't stand the pr**k so i never buy the paper he writes for. What is he on about with gooch and moynihan. I think the 2 points the gooch scored against dublin showed the quality of footballer the gooch is as for Moynihan he had nothing to prove to anyone least of all hayes.

Quote from: the Deel Rover on September 05, 2007, 01:44:55 PM
thanks for that MM , just show's you what Liam Hayes knows about football. I can't stand the pr**k so i never buy the paper he writes for. What is he on about with gooch and moynihan. I think the 2 points the gooch scored against dublin showed the quality of footballer the gooch is as for Moynihan he had nothing to prove to anyone least of all hayes.

I was at home at the weekend and picked up the Tribune to read his follow up which was as baffling. A kind of "If I knew it would create this much uproar I wouldnt have wrote it" kinda article. What?? Love or loathe Kerry football you cant underestimate it's quality and by taking a swipe at that you are bringing into question the overall standard of Gaelic football. Silly Stuff. Wont go on as I'm sure its all been said last week.

It was funny that his colleague on the opposite page had a diff view but he stiill maintained Hayes has GAA knowledge, as he predicted Armagh wouldnt make QFs, Tyrone wouldnt make SF & Cork would turn over Meath. However, he went on to say Hayes was clearly on another planet when it came to Kerry and stated that the Gooch will confirm his superstar status with a performance if he performs against Cork.

This is Hayes from last Sunday


Kerry's 'great' expectations rest on the final outcome;
If Kerry win this All Ireland, they will have a team worthy of sharing the same status as the outstanding teams of the past 20 years

Liam Hayes

There was one lingering moment of extremely light relief over the last seven days, when my two 'interrogators' on a Radio Kerry programme vehemently condemned me for suggesting that their county has not produced many Gaelic football 'giants' over the last 20 years.

I had readily ceded to them that Darragh O Se fitted that description, but, even over the telephone, I could sense that they were 'locking, and loading', and aiming in my direction. And what about Seamus Moynihan, they asked? And what about Maurice Fitzgerald? And, I waited for them to mention a few more names, but, you know what, the two Kerry lads on the lunchtime programme just kept on talking to me about Seamus Moynihan and Maurice Fitzgerald, and Maurice Fitzgerald and Seamus Moynihan, and Seamus and Maurice, and Maurice and Maurice. In a 20 minute conversation, covering 20 years of Kerry football, my two learned friends, under a bit of pressure admittedly, could only come up with three names.

I would have thrown Colm Cooper's name in as well, for free, but I decided to leave the two lads at it! Of course, as I stated last week in this newspaper, Seamus Moynihan was a very good player, strong and brave. You would think that not too many people would get very upset about that, wouldn't you? I mean, it's not like I said that their beloved 'Pony' of a footballer was really half a donkey.

The last two decades was a blistering period for Gaelic football and during this time we've watched a long line of outstanding teams grip and tantalise the country. We had Meath and Cork in the late 80s, and we had Down and a brilliant Derry team in the early 90s. There was a damn fine Dublin team around the place too at that time. Then we had Galway in the latter half of the 90s, and as we wheeled into a new millennium Tyrone and Armagh brought team performance to an entirely new level of intensity. I wouldn't put the Meath or Kerry teams which each won two All Ireland at the tail-end of the last century on the same big stage as the eight teams just mentioned.

But, I dare you? Go through all of these eight teams and, hand on heart, put your finger on individual footballers who were were real, live 'giants' of the game? When I do this exercise I find myself identifying a significant grouping of footballers who honestly excelled and entertained hugely, but who all came up short of meriting the label 'giant' or 'legend' or call it what you will. Mick Lyons, Larry Tompkins, Mickey Linden, Padraig Joyce, Michael Donnellan, Sean Cavanagh, Steven McDonnell, Kieran McGeeney have all been superior footballers. None of them were true giants of the game.

Colm O'Rourke was a giant, and Peter Canavan was too, but anyone who accepts the exercise I am presenting before you with the utmost seriousness will really, really struggle to put many more names on the same plate as O'Rourke and Canavan.

I hadn't mentioned Maurice Fitzgerald last week in my column at all, but since I'm now being invited to comment on his candidacy for 'giant-hood', I've got to say, lads, ladies, I don't think so! Maurice Fitzgerald was one of the most magnificently stylish footballers I have ever had the pleasure of watching, but if you ask me, or a jury of any group of county footballers over the last 20 years, you'll find that the judgement on Maurice is one that he under-performed to reach that dizzy mantle.

And, hey, nobody should take this personally. It happens! As I've written before - maybe a dozen times - I was fortunate enough to be on a Meath team which won two All Irelands, five Leinster titles and two National Leagues, and I was fortunate enough to be on a Leinster team which won three Railway Cups, and I was fortunate enough to play for Ireland a few times (actually, that was unfortunate!) and win an All Star (should have been two!), and I, Liam Hayes, was one of Gaelic football's greatest under-performers. A 'true giant' amongst under-performers, if you like. But still, to this day, if I am at an official function or if I am being introduced in public, it will usually be said that I am a 'legend', or that I was one of the 'greatest midfielders' ever seen in Croke Park. One or the other, nearly all the time!

This is not true, of course, and I more than anybody know that a thorough inspection of my performances over 12 years on the Meath team would, quickly enough, make me unworthy of either comment. Just because people say it, does not make it truthful or in any way factual. Trust me, I'd love to believe some of the things I've heard people say about me since I retired. And just because Kerry folk tell themselves that the 'Pony' and Maurice and a rake of others were the greatest of all time, does not add up to 'diddly' amongst the nation's Gaelic football fans, who really know, and live and breathe, the game. In short, what I am saying is that we have devalued the term 'great' by over-usage and incorrect application.

Anyhow, it was an interesting week, and very entertaining in parts, but also enlightening. I didn't know before writing last week's column that it was against the rules to write a critical analysis of the Kerry football team.

Sure, only a few years ago (five or six summers ago) Kerry GAA people were noisily eating their own (such as two-time All Ireland winning manager Paidi O Se) and a great Kerry footballer (we're still talking about Paidi here, folks!) was calling Kerry football fans 'animals'.

Kerry had won a couple of All Irelands at this time, but after well over a decade of great frustration and immense self-doubt - O Se was not the only manager who was hounded up and down the streets, and out of a job after Mick O'Dwyer's departure - nobody appeared very happy with the immediate past, or what the immediate future held for Kerry football. The county was in deep, deep trouble.

One county official in Kerry, over the last seven days, actually called me 'scurrilous' on more than one occasion. He had his great, big, chairman's knickers in an awful twist altogether, and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest, here and now, that the poor man was in such pain that he didn't really know what he was saying.

When Portuguese journalists write that Madeleine McCann's parents might know more about her disappearance than they are saying - that's 'scurrilous'!

Writing that the Kerry football teams of the past two decades have been second-rate by Kerry's own enormously high standards is not close - not even in the same parish - as being 'scurrilous'. I'll have a few more short words to say about this at the very end of this article, but let's get away from last Sunday morning (and my article in the Tribune) and let's get into the middle of last Sunday's All Ireland semi-final.

Of course, Dublin, as I suggested, did not win the game by seven or eight points. Dublin played poorly enough by their own high 2007 standards and their performance over the full 70 minutes was wildly inconsistent.

It was a game which Dublin might have drawn, but which Kerry did deserve to win. It was not a thriller, and will be left in the tuppence-halfpenny department when compared to the great, rough 'n' tough, manly contests between the two counties in the past. Pat O'Shea made all the right, astute changes to his game-plan between the quarter-final and semi-final, and by taking Kieran Donaghy into a deeper role on the team and leaving Colm Cooper in more of a stand-alone target-man position, he allowed his entire team to break free from the rigours of 'kick and hope' football which has dominated the mind-set of this team for almost 12 months.

But we'd all been telling Pat, for weeks and weeks, that this was exactly what he had to do, so there's no top marks for the Kerry coach for this tactical performance. However, he does get ten out of ten for having his team mentally on 'red alert' for the contest - and for having his team back on the field before Dublin for the start of the second-half, and for having them get stuck into Dublin on the re-start and fighting like demons for every single ball. Like all Kerry teams, these lads like to play good football - and they did that at times last Sunday. Cooper was excellent, and this is the level of superior performance which people expect of him every single time he togs out. The level of expectation is higher for him than possibly any other 'footballer' in any sport in the country - with the exception of Brian O'Driscoll, maybe. The bar is that high for Colm Cooper. But, y'know what, truly great players have to live and suffer that constant expectation. They live with a ridiculously high level of adulation and, correspondingly, they have got to live with a little bit of criticism too at times. Cooper has not been half the footballer he is supposed to be these last two years, admittedly through sad circumstances for himself and his family. But, now, in the All Ireland final, he must finish off the season with an equally perfect performance, if he is to get his career firmly back on track - and if he is to safely book his place alongside Colm O'Rourke and Peter Canavan at the very top table.

It was the raw energy of the Kerry players which was the single most impressive part of their performance last Sunday. On the ball, and off the ball, they were 'burning' it up, and in the circumstances things got a little bit nasty at times... and 'girly' at times too.

The Kerry team before us today is perilously close to winning three All Irelands in four years. And that would be a fantastic achievement in its own right. Nobody's arguing with the maths. But in pure pedigree, where does this Kerry team sit overall within this 20 years period? Remember, Kerry struggled to win one All Ireland in the whole of the 90s, and don't forget that the last two All Ireland victories over Mayo were embarrassingly awful non-events, admittedly thanks entirely to Mayo.

The last two titles, when measured up against the 30-something Kerry have claimed over the last 100 years, would find themselves probably closer to the bottom of the pile.

What I'm saying here is that there were eight outstanding All Ireland champions over the last 20 years and, apart from going toe-to-toe with Galway, Kerry teams seldom got really close enough to any one of the others when those teams reigned.

And now we have a Kerry team who are No.1 in Ireland again. And clearly No.1 after physially and psychologically demolishing Dublin last Sunday afternoon. They are facing into an All Ireland final which could be a death-trap for them, with all the perils of a Munster final now presenting themselves in the month of September. Everyone expects Kerry to win. Me too! And Kerry are going to find themselves in a dangerous place on the morning and afternoon of that game. It could be the greatest moment in Kerry football in 20 years, or it could become something else entirely.

If Kerry do lose, maybe then the people of the county will look back over their shoulders at two decades, and feel dramatically short-changed by everything they have experienced and everything they have achieved. Then they will certainly share my perspective of the last two Sundays - at least in the privacy of their own homes and their own quiet conversations.

If Kerry win this All Ireland, they will have a team worthy of sharing the same status as the outstanding teams of the last 20 years. A lot rests on the next 70 minutes. Nearly everything, in my opinion.

The thing the annoys me with hayes is that he judges a player despite the fact that he has only probably seen them play Live a few times. For e.g last year he wrote a damning article about Ciaran Mc before the Dublin Match stating that he was not a  even a good player and and that he should be dropped Mc d answerd him in that match. However i'm sure he has never been to the connaught championship to see him play nor to a qualifer nor to see him play in a club match yet he bases his opinion or 2 or 3 matches that he sees himself. Has he ever Seen Maurice fitz play down in Kerry?

Kerry boss Pat O'Shea has repeated his displeasure at Liam Hayes' scathing article about the Kingdom's football, describing it as "repulsive" to Kerry people.

Hayes stated that the Kingdom "no longer rules", "barely left a mark on the game for over 20 years" and has produced only one giant of the game in the last 20 years - Daragh Ó'Sé.
This left O'Shea seething, and the Kerry boss was quick to point out to Meath man Hayes, that the Kingdom does its talking on the pitch.
"It was really in the aftermath of the win over Dublin that people found Liam Hayes' article more repulsive than anything else," O'Shea told the Kerry radio."If the result had gone differently against Dublin, Kerry supporters might not have taken too much notice of it.
"But because we had won, people felt that something needed to be said, that this assessment of Kerry football was just not right.
"I don't think it would have been said about Kilkenny hurling or Cork hurling in the same fashion as what Liam Hayes wrote about Kerry football over the last twenty years.
"Some of the players like Seamus Moynihan and Maurice Fitzgerald are iconic figures and would have been no matter what era they played in.
"I know there were other players mentioned but there was no basis to what was said and, in short, it was disrespectful towards Kerry people, who like their footballers to do their talking on the field and 34 All-Ireland wins proves that.
"We did our talking on the field against Dublin so let them write history away, you can't change history."

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Cork to wait for surgeon's report on Masters

Cork selectors will wait until next week before a decision is made on the availability of leading scorer James Masters for the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry.The Rebels management must await a final surgeon's report on the broken jaw the Nemo Rangers man suffered in the quarter-final win against Sligo last month."We honestly don't know what the story is with James at this stage," Cork selector John Corcoran is quoted as telling the Irish Examiner."We're awaiting a surgeon's report and it will be next week when we're picking the team before we can make a final decision on whether James is available."
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Kerry Mike,

I never knew you had it in you. That preview of the match was both balanced and insightful. A damn good read. Not your usual inflammatory produce at all? I'd agree with all you have said above, apart from Liam Hayes did include Darragh O'Sè in his "greats" and the "Ciarraì abù" bit, obviously. 

My own view on the match is that this may be Cork's best chance to win for sometime but they may come up short.

The reason I say that is their best chance for a while is based on the strength of their midfield sector. Cussen, O'Neill, Kavanagh, Murphy and Spillane are all big men capable of winnning their own or breaking ball. Scanlon seems a little green despite being on the Kerry panel for a good while and Ò Sè is (hopefully) past his best. Of course past his best may still equate to the best midfielder on the pitch. I can still picture him rising in the middle of Cussen, Kavanagh and Murphy in the munster final and coming down with the ball. I wouldn't mind seeing O'Neill mark him for a while to see could he test out that rusty hip by running the legs off him.

Also Cork seem to be reverting to puke football, in that they get as many men back inside the 45 as possible.
2 of the last semi-filletings have seen Gooch roast Kieran O'Connor and another corner back in one match and Kieran Donaghy give an injury hampered Derek Kavanagh the run around in another. Neither of these match ups were helped by a man for man marking system that is being dropped in favour of mass defence.

The reasons I feel they will come up short are Kerry's more populous scoring threat. Galvin hit 2 great points off either foot at the start of the semi, Sheehan can hit them off either foot or from the next parish if it's a free, the gooch hit 2 class scores off either foot in the semi and his goal against Cork wasn't half bad, Sean O'Sullivan and even Donaghy hit 2 class long range points against us when the need was greatest. Just who does one concentrate on? I mention spillane's importance for the breaks but does he instead track O'Sullivan constantly. Just as well they don't have a raiding half back good for 2 scores a game  :-\

For us scores maybe harder to come by. Pierce O'Neill was flying in the semi but I can't see Kerry allowing him the space Meath did.
We were struggling last year to kick 45s. This year Donnacha seems to be improving but you get the odd free like against Kerry in the munster final where he missed from about 25 yards out. (Although was this and Kavangh's miss part of Billy's master plan, Mike?)
McCarthy is there to carry the ball. Masters is injured and Goulding is raw. Donnacha O'Connor is our best hope. So who do Kerry concentrate on?

Ciarraì?  Booooo!

QuoteNot your usual inflammatory produce at all?

yerra Timmy you auld langer you, if you read between the lines its not always inflammatory :P , I have my good days too, and will even give credit to Cork on a very good day.

Agree with you about Spillane he is key for Cork but who does he follow or will he just try to hold the middle together, O'Neill too if left to roam will win plenty of ball though I dont thing O'Se will be following him. I think Shields and O'Connor will have to also produce very good games in the corners to prevent Cooper and Sheehan from dominating the game. Cork will have to maximise the chances they will create while Kerry look to have the better scoring options, with long range point taking a key area I hope we can exploit.

In Cork there is a very low profile to the Game, the general belief amoung supporters I have spoken to is that we will win, no body seems to be tipping Cork, Billy is staying very quite which is always dangerous, me thinks the Rebels are gathering in the long grass for another Beal Na Blath, the Rebels are good at mounting ambushes, remember 1983 or 1987. I just feel it will be a close tough game, on paper you would have to say Kerry but there was never a game won on Paper, its on the pitch on Sunday week that matters.

Kerry have the big day AI final experience and would have been aiming their training program all year for this date so hopefully like last year we will peak on the day but it will be interesting to see how Cork face into the game, who will be more nervous on the day. A good start for either team is vital and there will bne a full on battle in those first 10-15 minutes.  Its a game I think Morgan just has to win to prove his second coming or will young buck Pat O'Shea pull off an exceptional coup in his first year.

The Langer free Kingdom of Kerry abú

(http://www.pride.ie/shop/acatalog/kerry_langer.gif)

Is there much craic or colour down there?

It has hardly been mentioned up here at all.

Kerry Senior Football - Pen Pictures... (thanks to the Kerry GAA site)

Management:

Pat O'Shea was manager of the Kerry Minor team in 2002 and 2003. Previous to that he managed the Limerick Minor Football team for two years. He trained the Dr. Crokes Senior Football team that reached this year's All-Ireland Club Championship Final. He was a member of the Dr. Crokes team that won the All-Ireland Club title against Thomas Davis (Dublin) in 1992.

Dr. Dave Geaney is an All-Ireland medal holder (1959) and has been trainer of the Castleisland Desmonds Senior team for a good number of years and was trainer when they won the All-Ireland Club title in 1985 when they defeated St. Vincents (Dublin) in the final on St. Patrick's Day.

Sean Geaney was manager of the Kerry Minor Football team in 2004 and 2005. He played senior football for Kerry in the 1990's and was a star player with his club team until recently.

John Sugrue played minor and Under 21 football for Kerry and captained the Kerry Vocational Schools team that won the All-Ireland title in 1997. John has a Sports Science degree from UL and has Physiotherapy qualifications from UUJ.

Back-up Support:

Dr. Michael Finnerty is in his fifth year of regular involvement with the Kerry Senior Football team. He is a specialist in treating sports injuries.

Megan Gooding - This is Megan's first year with the Kerry Senior Football Team and was team physio last year for the Kerry Minor Football Team. She is a native of Western Australia.

Tara Timlin is a native of Tralee and this is her first year with the Kerry Senior Football Team and she was previously physio to the Irish Amateur Boxing team.

Harry O'Neill is a member of the Dr. Crokes Club and was the Club's senior team trainer for a number of years. This is his fourth year being involved as a masseur with the Kerry team.

Dan O'Sullivan is brother of full back Tom and this is second year being involved with the team. He plays senior football for his club, Rathmore

Playing Gear & Equipment: Vincent Linnane, Niall O'Callaghan
Groundsman Fitzgerald Stadium: Denis O'Leary, Michael Looney

Panel:

Kieran Donaghy
Club: Austin Stacks
Occupation: Bank Official
Age:24
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 15

1st League Game for Kerry: v Dublin 2005
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Waterford 2006
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2003-2004
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2001

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 2 Munster Senior, 1 All-Star, Player of the Year 2006

Paul Galvin
Club: Finuge
Occupation: Teacher
Age:27
Height: 6'
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: v Leitrim 2002
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Clare 2004
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1998-2000
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1997

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, I County Kerry Senior Hurling Championship, 3 Munster Senior, 1 Munster Under 21, 1 Munster Minor, 2 National League, 1 Munster Club (UCC), 2 All-Star, 2 Munster Junior Club, 1 All-Ireland Junior Club

Michael Frank Russell
Club: Laune Rangers
Occupation: Teacher
Age:29
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: v Derry Oct. 1996
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 1997
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1996-1998
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1994, 1995

Honours Won: 4 All-Ireland Senior,2 All-Ireland U-21; 1 All-Ireland Minor;1 All-Ireland Club;1 All-Ireland Colleges; 3 National League, 1 Sigerson Cup 3 Senior County Champs 1 All-Star 2000

Killian Young
Club:Renard
Occupation: Bank Official
Age: 20
Height: 6'
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: v Mayo 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 2006
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2004.2005

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 1 Munster Senior, 1 Munster Minor

Tommy Griffin
Club: Dingle
Occupation: Publican
Age:29
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 14

1st League Game for Kerry: 1999
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Clare 2000
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1997-1999
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1996

Honours Won: 3 All-Ireland Senior, 1 All-Ireland U-21, 3 Munster U-21, 1 Munster Minor, 2 National League

Kieran O'Leary
Club: Dr. Crokes
Occupation: Sales Assistant
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 10.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Mayo 2006
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2004,2005

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor

Darragh O Se
Club: An Ghaeltacht
Occupation: Auctioneer
Age:32
Height: 6'
Weight: 14.0

1st League Game for Kerry: v Donegal 1994
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Limerick 1994
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1993-1996
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1993

Honours Won: 4 All-Ireland Senior; 2 All-Ireland U-21; 3 National League; 1 Railway Cup; 2 All-Star, International Rules 2001, 2 County Senior Championships, 1 Munster Club

Marc Ó'Sé
Club: An Ghaeltacht
Occupation: Teacher
Age:27
Height: 6'
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: v Antrim 2002
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Limerick 2002
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1999, 2000
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1998

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor, 4 Munster Senior, 2 County Senior, 2 National League, 1 Munster Club, 1 All-Star

Tomás Ó' Sé
Club: An Ghaeltacht
Occupation: Teacher
Age:29
Height: 5"11'
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: 1998
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Cork 1998
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1997, 1998, 1999
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1995, 1996

Honours Won: 3 All-Ireland Senior,1 All-Ireland U-21; 3 Munster U-21; 1 Munster Minor; 7 Munster Senior, 2 County Senior, 2 National League, 1 Munster Club, 2 All-Stars, Player of the Year 2004, Texaco Award 2004

Mícheál Quirke
Club: Kerins O'Rahillys
Occupation: GAA Coach
Age:27
Height: 6' 7"
Weight: 17.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Tyrone 2002
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Limerick 2003
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2001
Minor Experience with Kerry:

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 2 National League, 4 Munster Senior

Declan Quill
Club: Kerins O'Rahillys
Occupation: Teacher
Age:25
Height: 6'
Weight: 11' 7"

1st League Game for Kerry: v Tyrone 2000
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 2001
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2000, 2001, 2002
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1999, 2000

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 2 Munster Colleges Corn Ui Mhuiri 1 Munster Under 21, 4 Munster Senior, 1 County Senior Championship, 1 National League

Colm Cooper
Club: Dr. . Crokes
Occupation: Bank Official
Age:24
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 11.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Laois 2002
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Limerick 2002
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2002, 2003, 2004
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2000, 2001

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor, 1 Munster Under 21, 5 Munster Senior, 2 National League, 3 All-Stars, Texaco Player of the Year 2004

Eoin Brosnan
Club: Dr. Crokes
Occupation: Solicitor
Age:27
Height: 6' 3''
Weight: 14.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Louth 2000
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 2001
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1999, 2000
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1998

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, I County Kerry Senior Football Championship, 5 Munster Senior, 1 Cork County Senior with UCC, 1 Munster Minor, 2 Munster Club, 2 National League

Declan O'Sullivan
Club: Dromid Pearses
Occupation: Supermarket Manager
Age:23
Height: 6'
Weight: 13

1st League Game for Kerry: v Cork 2003
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 2003
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2002-2004
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2000, 2001

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 4 Munster Senior, 1 Munster Minor, 1 Munster Under 21, 2 National League

Darren O'Sullivan
Club: Glenbeigh/Glencar
Occupation: Bank Official
Age:21
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: 2005
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tyrone 2005
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2005,2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2004

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor, 2 Munster Senior, 1 National League

Diarmuid Murphy
Club: Dingle
Occupation: Insurance Clerical Officer
Age:32
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 14.5

1st League Game for Kerry: 2002 v London
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Clare 2004
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1994, 1995, 1996
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1992

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 2 All-Ireland Under 21, 4 Munster Junior, 4 Munster Senior, 2 National League, 2 All-Stars

Tom O Sullivan
Club: Rathmore
Occupation: Garda
Age:28
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 13.0

1st League Game for Kerry: v Cork 1999
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Cork 2000
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1998, 1999
Minor Experience with Kerry:

Honours Won: 3 All-Ireland Senior, 6 Munster Senior;1 All-Ireland U-21; 2 Munster U-21; All-Ireland Vocational Schools; 3 County Senior Football Championships, 2 National League, 2 All-Star

Bryan Sheehan
Club: St. Mary's
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 13

1st League Game for Kerry: 2005
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Cork 2005
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2003-2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2001-2003

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 3 Munster Minor, 3 Munster Colleges Corn Uí Mhuirí, Co. League Div.1 & Div. 2, 3 County Senior Football Championships, Co. Intermediate, Co. Minor, Co. Under 21 Championships

Aidan O'Mahony
Club: Rathmore
Occupation: Garda
Age: 27
Height: 6'
Weight: 13

1st League Game for Kerry: 2003
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Clare 2004
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2001
Minor Experience with Kerry:

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 2 National League, 4 Munster Senior, 1 All-Star, 1 County Senior, 1 County U21, 1 County Intermediate

Kieran Cremin
Club: Dr. Crokes
Occupation: Garda
Age:26
Height: 6'
Weight: 15

1st League Game for Kerry: v Mayo 2006
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1999-2001
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1996

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 2 National League, 3 Munster Senior, 1 Munster Under 21, 1 Munster Junior, 1 Munster Minor

Padraig Reidy
Club: Scartaglin
Occupation: Sales Rep
Age:20
Height: 6' 00
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: 2005
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Waterford 2007
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2005, 2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2003-2004

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 2 Munster Minor, 3 Munster Senior, 1 Junior International Rules 2004

Rónán Ó'Flatharta
Club: An Ghaeltacht
Occupation: Apprentice
Age: 24
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Fermanagh, 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2003, 2004
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2000, 2001

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor, 1 Munster Club

Mossy Lyons
Club: Castleisland Desmonds
Occupation: Actuary
Age:30
Height: 6'
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Louth 2000
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Tipperary 2001
U21 Experience with Kerry:
Minor Experience with Kerry:

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 4 Munster Senior

Seamus Scanlon
Club: Currow
Occupation: Fitter
Age:25
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 14

1st League Game for Kerry: v Meath 2002
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Limerick 2002
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2001, 2002
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2001

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 2 Munster Senior 1 Munster Under 21, U-17 International Rules 1999, 1 National League

Paul O'Connor
Club: Kenmare
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: v Mayo 2006
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: v Waterford 2006
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2006
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2004, 2005

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Minor

Ronan Hussey
Club: Sneem
Occupation: Bank Official
Age: 25
Height: 6'
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Fermanagh 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry:
Minor Experience with Kerry:

Honours Won: 1 All-Ireland Senior, 1 Munster Senior, 3 Senior Co. Championships

Donncha Walsh
Club: Cromane
Occupation: Engineer
Age: 23
Height: 6' 1''
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Mayo 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2003-2005
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2001, 2002

Honours Won: 2 Munster Minor

Seán O'Sullivan
Club: Cromane
Occupation: Bank Official
Age:27
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 12

1st League Game for Kerry: 1999 v Cork
1st C'ship Game for Kerry: 2002 v Limerick
U21 Experience with Kerry: 1999, 2000, 2001
Minor Experience with Kerry: 1998

Honours Won: 2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 National League, 1 Munster Minor, 1 Munster Under 21, 2 Munster Senior, Trench Cup 1999 with LIT

Daniel Bohan
Club: Austin Stacks
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Age: 24
Height: 6'
Weight: 12.5

1st League Game for Kerry: v Tyrone 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry:
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2001

Tommy Walsh
Club: Kerins O'Rahillys
Occupation: Student
Age: 19
Height: 6' 4''
Weight: 16

1st League Game for Kerry: v Limerick 2007
1st C'ship Game for Kerry:
U21 Experience with Kerry: 2007
Minor Experience with Kerry: 2005-2006

Honours Won: 1 Munster Minor

QuoteIs there much craic or colour down there?

It has hardly been mentioned up here at all.

Not much going on in Cork City, a few flags up but no real banter, at home the excitement is building but I'd say it will be after the weekend before it really kicks off once tickets become available, it has a very surreal feel to it to be honest.

QuoteIs there much craic or colour down there?

It has hardly been mentioned up here at all.

I've a Kerry mate livin in Dublin who says there's not much buzz about it yet even back home in the bog.  When I said it would be a mad scramble for tix since its an all Munster affair he said that he didnt think so and that tickets would be handy enough come by for the neutral. 

Masters hopeful of facing Kingdom
Sep 07, 2007
James Masters has admitted that he faces an uphill battle to prove his fitness ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry on Sunday week.The Nemo Rangers star has not given up all hope of making an appearance in the much-awaited clash with the Rebels' greatest rivals though.
Masters missed the semi-final win over Meath after he sustained a broken jaw against Sligo in the quarter-final.
The Cork-based Garda was initially ruled out of the final and was expected to spend at least eight weeks on the sideline.
However, his recovery has been quicker than anticipated and Masters has admitted that the injury is healing well.
"Four weeks is an awful long time for an inter-county player to be out," Masters told the Star.
"It's healing well. Hopefully I will go back to contact tomorrow, but whether it holds up or not is another question. Contact is the big thing.
"I can't complain if I am a sub or not if I am fit. I'll know and it's up to Billy (Morgan) then. I will try my very best to get my place back. It's my big thing. It would be stupid if I didn't want it.
Masters had a metal plate inserted in his jaw and it will remain in place until shortly after the final. The 25-year-old has participated in all of the Rebels' training sessions in the last two weeks - dropping out only at the contact stage.

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Quote from: never kickt a ball on September 07, 2007, 07:15:24 PM
Masters hopeful of facing Kingdom
Sep 07, 2007
James Masters has admitted that he faces an uphill battle to prove his fitness ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry on Sunday week.The Nemo Rangers star has not given up all hope of making an appearance in the much-awaited clash with the Rebels' greatest rivals though.
Masters missed the semi-final win over Meath after he sustained a broken jaw against Sligo in the quarter-final.
The Cork-based Garda was initially ruled out of the final and was expected to spend at least eight weeks on the sideline.
However, his recovery has been quicker than anticipated and Masters has admitted that the injury is healing well.
"Four weeks is an awful long time for an inter-county player to be out," Masters told the Star.
"It's healing well. Hopefully I will go back to contact tomorrow, but whether it holds up or not is another question. Contact is the big thing.
"I can't complain if I am a sub or not if I am fit. I'll know and it's up to Billy (Morgan) then. I will try my very best to get my place back. It's my big thing. It would be stupid if I didn't want it.


Terrible injury the guy sufferred yet no word on how it happened ?. He has always struck me as a nice guy .To miss an all Ireland must be terrible .Maggpie Seani or other Sligo folk any comments on what happened ?
Masters had a metal plate inserted in his jaw and it will remain in place until shortly after the final. The 25-year-old has participated in all of the Rebels' training sessions in the last two weeks - dropping out only at the contact stage.

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QuotePat O'Shea was manager of the Kerry Minor team in 2002 and 2003. Previous to that he managed the Limerick Minor Football team for two years. He trained the Dr. Crokes Senior Football team that reached this year's All-Ireland Club Championship Final. He was a member of the Dr. Crokes team that won the All-Ireland Club title against Thomas Davis (Dublin) in 1992.

Dr. Dave Geaney is an All-Ireland medal holder (1959) and has been trainer of the Castleisland Desmonds Senior team for a good number of years and was trainer when they won the All-Ireland Club title in 1985 when they defeated St. Vincents (Dublin) in the final on St. Patrick's Day.

Sean Geaney was manager of the Kerry Minor Football team in 2004 and 2005. He played senior football for Kerry in the 1990's and was a star player with his club team until recently.

John Sugrue played minor and Under 21 football for Kerry and captained the Kerry Vocational Schools team that won the All-Ireland title in 1997. John has a Sports Science degree from UL and has Physiotherapy qualifications from UUJ.

Back-up Support:

Dr. Michael Finnerty is in his fifth year of regular involvement with the Kerry Senior Football team. He is a specialist in treating sports injuries.

Megan Gooding - This is Megan's first year with the Kerry Senior Football Team and was team physio last year for the Kerry Minor Football Team. She is a native of Western Australia.

Tara Timlin is a native of Tralee and this is her first year with the Kerry Senior Football Team and she was previously physio to the Irish Amateur Boxing team.

Harry O'Neill is a member of the Dr. Crokes Club and was the Club's senior team trainer for a number of years. This is his fourth year being involved as a masseur with the Kerry team.

Dan O'Sullivan is brother of full back Tom and this is second year being involved with the team. He plays senior football for his club, Rathmore

Playing Gear & Equipment: Vincent Linnane, Niall O'Callaghan
Groundsman Fitzgerald Stadium: Denis O'Leary, Michael Looney

I see that Micko is giving out about all the specialist coaches and other backroom staff that modern teams are bringing on board. He claims that counties like Dublin,Tyrone and Armagh have gone over board with the amount of backroom staff. He says that Kerry don't do this, the above list of support staff would suggest otherwise.

PP have Cork 9-4 for the All Ireland, that's a cracking price, Cork probably have the best 1-9 in the country at the moment. And despite the performance of some of the Kerry backs the last day I don't think it's a particularly strong sextet. Cork play overly defensively IMO and lack real scoring potential but because they shouldn't concede a big score that may not be a problem.

Kerry Unveil New Tactic Of Dealing With Cork Aerial Dominance

(http://dynimg.rte.ie/0001077812cry.jpg)

Just heard Anthony Lynch likely to miss final - broken bone in hand

Great article on Offaly v Kerry in 1982 in today's Sunday Times.

Looking forward to this game. There's nothing in the world like All-Ireland Sunday. An All-Munster Final will add an extra dimension to the game and hopefully add to the excitement.

Kerry seem to have the game won on paper, but something tells me in my guts that Cork could pull off a fast one and win the Sam Maguire.

Hard to know which team I'll be supporting come Sunday.

I think this will be a close enough game in which Kerry will probably come out the victors.
I'll be supporting the Rebels mind you, I've had a soft spot for them since the '93 final when i gained huge admiration for their supporters. It's always good to see the underdogs come through and I hope it is the case this weekend, but I just think Kerry will have a wee bit too much for them.

Roll on Derry in the Minor match!

Despite the (almost definite) loss of Anthony Lynch, I still feel Cork will edge home in this one: their hunger will be the meaner, and their drive the more irresistible.

Perhaps it's a blessing-in-disguise that Lynch won't be playing in that such will be the raw parochial and claustrophobic intensity of the occasion Cork just might have found themselves down to fourteen after not too long had he started.

Here's to a cracker!

SENIOR FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Kingdom to retain crown
There is hardly ever a year when Cork and Kerry don't cross paths in the championship, but this will be the first time the great rivals from the south will meet in an All-Ireland final. The Kingdom shaded the Munster final, and should be celebrating again on September 16 according to our tipster Randal Scally.
Another busy championship season draws to a close on September 16 when Cork and Kerry meet in the first ever All-Ireland football final to feature two teams from Munster.
A novel All-Ireland final pairing it may be, but just like Tyrone and Armagh in 2003, these two teams couldn't be any more familiar with one another. Since the introduction of the backdoor series in 2001, Cork and Kerry have been meeting regularly in both the provincial and All-Ireland championships, and more often than not the Kingdom have had the upper hand.
The Munster heavyweights have faced off in three All-Ireland semi-finals since 2002, including 2005 and 2006, and each time Kerry have emerged victorious. After breaking their recent semi-final hoodoo in emphatic style last month, however, Cork will have gained huge confidence and won't hold any fears when they renew their rivalry with the reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions.
Kerry go into the final as favourites, but they don't need reminding that no team has managed to put All-Ireland titles back-to-back since Cork in 1990. Two years ago, the Kingdom were within 70 minutes of doing so but lost a memorable final to Tyrone. They now have the opportunity to make amends, and the prospect of being denied the two-in-a-row by their fiercest rivals doesn't bear thinking about. Indeed, this is a game neither team wants to lose as it would represent a nightmare scenario when such factors as rivalry and geography are taken into consideration.
The Munster final revisited is a must-win game for both. Cork, under their veteran manager Billy Morgan, have a ferocious hunger that only an All-Ireland medal will sate. While Kerry are bidding for their 35th All-Ireland, Cork are seeking only their seventh and first in 17 years. They lost the 1993 and '99 finals to Derry and Meath respectively, and have worked extremely hard to get back to this stage. Needless to say, the many disappointments they've endured in recent years would immediately be forgotten about if they were to topple the Kingdom in the final.
After losing consecutive semi-finals to Kerry, it was a case of third time lucky for the Rebels in their recent clash with Meath when a dominant display saw them finally make it back to the decider. Huge question marks had hung over their All-Ireland credentials before the meeting with the rejuvenated Royals, but their 10-point winning margin left nobody in any doubt that they are serious contenders.
After failing to impress in earlier rounds against Louth and Sligo, Cork finally showed what they are capable of on the big stage and it was an especially good day for their hitherto much-maligned attack which registered 1-16 (1-12 from play) in the absence of the prolific James Masters. Billy Morgan got his team focused and tactics right and a similar performance against Kerry would go a long way towards ending the county's All-Ireland famine.
There is a maturity to this Cork team that was lacking in previous years and this was evident in their respective demolitions of Limerick (2-14 to 0-7) and Tipperary (2-17 to 0-10) in the Munster championship. With Kerry walloping Waterford by 2-15 to 0-4 in their first championship outing, the Munster final on July 1 was the first real test for either side.
Cork were the reigning provincial champions, having the beaten Kingdom after a replay last year, and they travelled to Killarney in the knowledge that they hadn't lost a Munster final at Fitzgerald Stadium in 21 years. The visitors had the advantage of a strong breeze in the first half and, after a tentative opening, they gradually got into the game to lead by 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval.
After Donnacha O'Connor had extended Cork's advantage three minutes into the second half, Colm Cooper brought the Kingdom level with a 41st minute goal and they surged six points clear before O'Connor found the net midway through to revive Cork's challenge. Within seven minutes, they were level through frees from James Masters and as the game moved into stoppage-time, the Rebels were denied a stonewall penalty when Derek Kavanagh had his jersey tugged as he took a shot, which flew inches wide of the target.
Following that let-off, Kerry went back on the attack and Kieran Donaghy scored a superb long range point to edge them back in front. Sub Sean O'Sullivan then added an insurance score to give the Kingdom a 1-15 to 1-13 victory and their 71st Munster title.
Despite surrendering their provincial crown, Cork could take plenty of encouragement from their display. However, they looked decidedly average in their next two outings against Louth and surprise Connacht champions Sligo, and they were all but written off as All-Ireland contenders before they faced Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Against Louth in Portlaoise, they trailed by 0-8 to 0-9 at half-time but recovered in the second half to win by 0-16 to 0-14. Their quarter-final joust with Sligo was a poor quality affair with John Miskella's first half goal setting the Rebels up for an uninspiring 1-11 to 0-8 win.
On the same day at Croke Park, Meath produced an impressive display to knock Tyrone out of the All-Ireland race and, despite their lowly starting point at the beginning of 2007, were widely expected to take care of Cork too. But revelling in the underdogs' role and making light of the absence of the injured James Masters, Cork ran riot to record a facile 1-16 to 0-9 victory.
Billy Morgan's charges were always in control and when Meath threatened a revival before half-time, they hit back with three points from play to lead by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break. The second half turned out to be virtually one-way traffic with Cork on top in every department and there was no way back for Meath after Kevin McMahon scored the only goal in the 51st minute.
In the build-up to his side's All-Ireland quarter-final against Monaghan, new Kerry manager Pat O'Shea expressed concern about the six-week gap since the Munster final. And his worst fears were almost realised as a ring-rusty Kingdom were very fortunate to come away from Croke Park with a 1-12 to 1-11 victory.
Monaghan thundered into the All-Ireland champions and after Thomas Freeman's early penalty, led for most of the game. Declan O'Sullivan brought Kerry back from the brink with a goal midway through the second half, only for the beaten Ulster finalists to regain the lead with the next two points. However, Kerry never panicked and after drawing level late on, Tomas O Se came forward to fist the winning point.
Pat O'Shea's charges showed considerable improvement for their All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Dublin, and they needed to as the Leinster champions threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at them. This game lived up to all the hype with Kerry's extra class and composure proving decisive in their 1-15 to 0-16 win.
Dublin led by 0-8 to 0-7 at the end of a tempestuous first half, but both teams settled down to play some tremendous football in the second half. Kerry went for the jugular immediately after the restart and Declan O'Sullivan's second goal in as many games helped them into a six-point lead after 50 minutes. Dublin refused to wilt, though, and roared on by their huge support in the 82,000 crowd, brought the margin back to a single point. But another Kerry charge in the closing stages yielded the match-winning scores from sub Sean O'Sullivan and the outstanding Declan O'Sullivan.
What the wins over Monaghan and Dublin highlighted is the remarkable mental strength of this Kerry team. They were too cute for Dublin and clearly panic isn't a word that features in their vocabulary. In terms of football ability, Kerry have no equals and they also happen to have the strongest subs' bench in the game. Against Dublin, they were able to spring Tommy Griffin, Sean O'Sullivan and Darren O'Sullivan, and keep four-time All-Ireland winner Mike Frank Russell in reserve. What other county could enjoy such a luxury?
After taking over the managerial reins from Jack O'Connor, Pat O'Shea had the unenviable task of finding replacements for the retired defensive trio of Michael McCarthy, Seamus Moynihan and Eamonn Fitzmaurice. He moved Tom O'Sullivan to full back, Aidan O'Mahony to centre back and blooded Padraig Reidy and Killian Young. Both newcomers were superb against Dublin with Scartaglin clubman Reidy blotting out the threat of Mark Vaughan and Young excelling at wing back, as well as combining with 'Gooch' Cooper to set up the goal for Declan O'Sullivan.
Team captain O'Sullivan has been revitalised since returning from a spell in Australia, while the O Se brothers, Bryan Sheehan and Cooper, who is now as much a playmaker as a finisher, have also been performing to their usual high standards. Compared to 2006, Kieran Donaghy has had a quiet season but he remains invaluable to the Kerry cause and got through a huge amount of work when switched to midfield the last day.
Like Dublin, Cork have been knocking on the door for the past few years and this group of players may never get a better chance to savour All-Ireland glory. They are a big, strong, well-organised team who possess the best set of backs in the country and arguably the best midfield pairing in Nicholas Murphy and Derek Kavanagh. As already mentioned, their attack finally came good against Meath and Billy Morgan's options in this department will be strengthened by the return of James Masters from his fractured jaw.
Donnacha O'Connor really came of age against Meath with his six-point haul, Daniel Goulding was equally as impressive in the other corner, while Kevin McMahon was a worthy man of the match recipient after plundering 1-2 from wing forward. The big full forward is now unequivocally the tactic of choice in Munster, though like his Kerry counterpart Kieran Donaghy, Michael Cussen has spent a fair share of his time helping out the midfield.
With Graham Canty an inspirational figure at full back, Cork's defence has been outstanding and it is from here that Billy Morgan will build his game-plan. The clash of Darragh O Se and Nicholas Murphy at midfield is certain to have a big bearing on the outcome and Kerry will need O Se to be back to full fitness after a hip injury forced him off for a time in the semi-final. Both teams have the ability to score long-range points and are also capable of creating goal chances. Cork fisted five points against Meath, but might have gone for goals if they needed them.
The Munster final was merely an appetizer for the main course which will now be served up in Croke Park. Billy Morgan's men have stepped out of the shadow of their hurling counterparts this year and deserve to be where they are now. But while favouritism can often count for little in local derbies, it is still difficult to make a case against Kerry retaining their All-Ireland crown.
Cork have the footballers, a manager who has done it all before and the self-belief, but are they capable of putting two big performances together? We know that Kerry can and it's likely that they will do just enough for the fourth consecutive game to capture All-Ireland title number 35 and earn the local bragging rights.
Verdict: Kerry.

QuoteLook at the last semi finals Dublin were in, the media tried their best to convince everyone that Dublin were the finished article, yet experience from Kerry and Mayo proved all that ink and paper to be a massive waste.

Good man Mid louth - A thread re the AIF and still the boot goes into the Dubs - Lord Jaysus

I reckon Cork will have a massive support and Kerry will bring a bigger than normal support because it's Cork their playing. What level of interest there'll be in the neutral counties is hard to gage, in truth it's not the most attractive of pairings, though I still hope to go. It should be intense if nothing else.

Quote from: 5iveTimes on September 10, 2007, 06:27:11 PM
Whats the ticket situation like?
I have been promised two, but I have a friend from Derry now looking for 4.
Surely there wont be that big of a demand as neither county usually has a very big support?

54,000 at the semi final last year 5sams. kerry/cork in an ai final!, i'd rather lose the next 4 to anyone but cork then to lose to them. cork are kerrys greatest rivals always have been and always will be. i know this will sound trite and it is but i have never liked seen kerry hammer anyone in football except cork and i'd love to see kerry do it on sunday but i doubt it. think cork will win this and get over one or two of their many grievances with kerry....

Quote from: 5iveTimes on September 10, 2007, 09:49:23 PM
I think your doubt is understandable, we all doubt that our teams will do it on the big day, byt from a neutral point of view I cant see anything other than a Kerry win. I know that Cork are your greatest rivals, it is the same with all neighbouring counties, but I think Kerry just have too much where it counts. Yes Cork have a good midfield, but Kerry have the O`ses. Enough said.
Kerry to win by 4.

I'd say that's close enough.

Haven't heard any problems with tickets - Will be there myself and only for that sour grapes merchant Morgan I'd be 100% cheering for Cork. One thing that Cork won't be is afraid of the kingdom but you'd have to think that Kerry will have too much for them. Looking forward to it.   

Quote from: Declan on September 11, 2007, 06:51:04 AM
Haven't heard any problems with tickets - Will be there myself and only for that sour grapes merchant Morgan I'd be 100% cheering for Cork. One thing that Cork won't be is afraid of the kingdom but you'd have to think that Kerry will have too much for them. Looking forward to it.   

not sure sour grapes covers billy, more like 11 acres of lemons..i cant stand the focker..

With Anthony Lynch's (almost definite) absence, are you any less pessmistic of your propects magickingdom?

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 11, 2007, 09:11:14 PM
With Anthony Lynch's (almost definite) absence, are you any less pessmistic of your propects magickingdom?

think he's going to play after all and i'm glad for him because he deserves it. just have a bad feeling about this one, kerry/cork games take on a life of there own once they start, with never much in it. cork have one of the best defences in the country and possibly midfield too and if they manage to hit the 17-18 point mark they can win it. the kerry team was announced tonight and no changes (surprise surprise). mike frank will probably feel hard done by yet again to lose out to bryan sheehan but it was the right call. whats interesting is declan o sullivan remains captain because of south kerrys county championship win but bryan sheehan playes for st marys who won the south kerry championship and would have been captain if he got picked earlier in the championship... 

No Change for the Kingdom.....Rock on Number 35.

Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle) ; Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), Tom O'Sullivan (Rathmore), Pádraig Reidy (Scartaglin) ; Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), Aidan O'Mahony (Rathmore), Killian Young (Renard) ; Darragh Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), Seamus Scanlon (Currow) ; Paul Galvin (Finuge); Declan O'Sullivan (Capt) (Dromid Pearses), Eoin Brosnan (Dr. Crokes) ; Colm Cooper (Dr. Crokes), Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks), Bryan Sheehan (St. Marys)

Subs:
Kieran Cremin (Dr. Crokes), Micheal Quirke (Kerins O'Rahillys), Sean O'Sullivan (Cromane), Mossie Lyons (Castleisland Desmonds), Darren O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Mike Frank Russell (Laune Rangers), Daniel Bohane (Austin Stacks), Paul O'Connor (Kenmare), Rónan Ó Flatharta (An Ghaeltacht), Kieran O'Leary (Dr. Crokes), Tommy Griffin (Dingle), Ronan Hussey (Sneem), Donncha Walsh (Cromane), Tommy Walsh (Kerins O'Rahillys), Declan Quill (Kerins O'Rahillys)

Quotewhats interesting is declan o sullivan remains captain because of south kerrys county championship win but bryan sheehan playes for st marys who won the south kerry championship and would have been captain if he got picked earlier in the championship... 

Portmagee won the South Kerry Championship last year, they nominated Sheehan but because of injury earlier this year it reverted to Declan, and it has remained thankfully it is not an issue for Sunday, Sheehan has enough on his plate to produce the goods, no added pressure on Declan as he has ben captain the last 2 years.

If Kerry win and Declan lifts Sam (even with the help of Bryan Sheehan) he will become the first Kerry man to lift Sam two years in a row.
Dick Fitzgerald was a double winning Kerry captain in 1913 and 1914 but then of course Sam Maguire was not the cup back then.
Joe Barrett famously handed over the captaincy to the great Con Brosnan in 1931, thus resolving a bitter civil war feud, Barrett came back in 1932 to lift Sam having being the first Kerry man to lift Sam in 1929.

Darren O'Sullivan hasn't really made the step up yet from the minor team of '04. He came on as a sub in the '05 final (as well as MFR) and  I remember fearing his pace, esp against Lawn. He's still on the bench though 2 years later. I suppose it's hard to displace the 6 starting and with MFR and Quill as subs, it's a healthy division.

O'Sullivan: New manager spurred Kingdom
Monday, September 10.
Kerry captain Declan O'Sullivan is adamant that a change in management at the end of last season was the boost his Kingdom side needed in their quest to retain the All Ireland crown.
Pat O'Shea took over the reigns from Jack O'Connor at the start of the year and O'Sullivan believes the successful squad from 2006 was forced to prove themselves all over again to the new manager.
"Pat is coming into a situation where he can't rely on last year's success at all and he has no loyalty to the players who won it last year," O'Sullivan said at a press conference in Dublin on Monday afternoon.
"From that point of view it has been good for the players and it has been good for him. There is no loyalty there as such and we had to prove our worth all over again and the players have benefited from that.
"Pat is known very well in the football scene in Kerry. I think most of the players would have known him or played against him. He'd have great respect amongst the players.
"The fact that he came in and the new management team swept the boards clean and every fella had to prove himself again. From that point of view I think it has been very beneficial," he added.
Annexing two All Irelands in succession is not something that is not being considered in the Kingdom, O'Sullivan maintains.
"There is no talk of a two-n-a-row in our camp because the new management and new players in this particular group haven't won the All-Ireland last year. That was a different group of players and a different management. So from that point of view we are going for our first All-Ireland," he said.
The Dromid clubman has seen a turn-around in his own fortunes over the last season under O'Shea. In the build-up to last season's final he was not guaranteed a starting place but the 2007 campaign has seen him installed as team captain and the fulcrum of the Kerry attack.
"It 's different enough of course (this season) but then an All-Ireland final is an All-Ireland final and you have to prepare a best  possible. Whether you are playing or not playing you always have to be positive and train as hard as you can," O'Sullivan said.
"Remain positive so that when you get your chance, whether it be from the start or coming on, you nt to make a positive contribution. From that point of view, your preparation doesn't change a whole lot either," he added.

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QuoteDarren O'Sullivan hasn't really made the step up yet from the minor team of '04. He came on as a sub in the '05 final (as well as MFR) and  I remember fearing his pace, esp against Lawn. He's still on the bench though 2 years later. I suppose it's hard to displace the 6 starting and with MFR and Quill as subs, it's a healthy division.

He scored a great goal that killed off Armagh last year and most people will forever be grateful for that :P

But seriously yes he has great pace and is very strong on the ball, I think however he does not present a long range scoring threat and probably also would not be a great ball winner around the bear pit in the middle like Galvin or Declan O'Sullivan. Sean O'Sullivan is another too who has all the above traits of speed and skill and can score too, but again its doing the dirty stuff that he lacks. Mike Frank will be possibly the last sub used if Kerry are winning well, just to give him his medal, but MFR too lacks the physicality.

Bryan Sheehan however has stepped up this year after showing great potential over the last few years and with Cooper, Donaghy, Galvin and Declan O'Sullivan always going to get on the team the only other possible spot was Eoin Brosnan's ,who has had a poor year even though he scored 2 goals against Waterford but was back to something near his best against the Dubs, still has a point to prove after being dropped for the final last year and I think he will be one of the players who steps up on Sunday.

Declan Quill the League specialist will miss out again, cant see him featuring on Sunday, has never left us down but just cant break into the championship team and he has been around 5-6 years or more.

The other forwards in the Kerry subs like Kieran O'Leary , Donnacha Walsh, Ronan Hussey, Tommy Walsh, or Paul O'Connor will probably not feature either unless there is a surprise in store. We are top heavy with forwards but again we only have Mossie Lyons, Daniel Bohane, Rónan Ó Flatharta or Tommy Griffin as defensive cover and Bohane and O'Flaherta have not played championship football for the Kingdom. I have been worried about this all year, and even from a panel point of view we have not found players to fill in for the loss of Seamus Moynihan, Mike McCarthy, Eamon Fitzmaurice and Brendan Guiney. We will be caught out sometime hopefully not on Sunday.

KM, if Kerry prevail on Sunday, who'll be gaining their first celtic cross on the panel?

O'Neill, Playing in their first final will be Pádraig Reidy, Killian Young, Seamus Scanlon but they have panel winning medals

Those hopefully getting their first medals will be I think
Daniel Bohane (was part of the panel on AI day last year and wore 31 but not sure if he got a medal, everyone was wondering who youre man was in the team photo??)
Donncha Walsh
Tommy Walsh (last years minor midfielder)

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2007, 09:30:46 PM
Portmagee won the South Kerry Championship last year, they nominated Sheehan but because of injury earlier this year it reverted to Declan, and it has remained thankfully it is not an issue for Sunday, Sheehan has enough on his plate to produce the goods, no added pressure on Declan as he has ben captain the last 2 years.

If Kerry win and Declan lifts Sam (even with the help of Bryan Sheehan) he will become the first Kerry man to lift Sam two years in a row.
Dick Fitzgerald was a double winning Kerry captain in 1913 and 1914 but then of course Sam Maguire was not the cup back then.
Joe Barrett famously handed over the captaincy to the great Con Brosnan in 1931, thus resolving a bitter civil war feud, Barrett came back in 1932 to lift Sam having being the first Kerry man to lift Sam in 1929.

i stand corrected km! as sheehan had been nominated i presumed st marys had won it...

QuoteI would be disappointed for him. If I remember correctly he was very good in the Munster Final this year. It would be very insulting way to end the year if such a thing happenend, medal or no medal.

He scored 6 points in the Munster final and 4 against Monaghan and was having a good year but alot of those scores came from frees, he is unfortunate to lose out but I just think Sheehan will contribute more from open play.

QuoteI don't know what you mean physicality, it isn't like the Gooch or even Declan O'Sullivan are all that physical.

Cooper is a hardy bit of stuff and is good in the air and will win his own ball while Declan O'Sullivan has developed into an all round team player, can carry the ball and pass well and has become less selfish than he was a few years ago, will fight for the hard ball around the middle and most importantly he can score, Mike Frank is just missing that something plus he has lost that burst of speed he had 10 years ago, I have great time for him and he has given great service to us, but when up against the pick that Kerry have, someone is going to lose out.

If you want to bring a match winner off the bench I just dont think MFR is the man and if he gets a run it may be more out of sentiment than anything else may not be fair but that life for a kerry footballer. In 2004 and 2006 Brendan Guiney played about 2 minutes in total in 2 AI finals and it was seen as a reward for his contributions to the panel throughout the year from Jack O'Connor.   

Quotei stand corrected km! as sheehan had been nominated i presumed st marys had won it...

Skellig Rangers beat Waterville in last years final played at Christmas, As South Kerry had won the county championship and they had won the South Kerry Divisional title they had the Captaincy nomination and they picked Bryan Sheehan assuming he would be a team starter.

South Kerry are going for 4 in a row this year so you could have Declan as Kerry captain again next year, his fourth year as captain, not bad for a player from a small rural club in South Kerry!!!

Anyway it matters little who is the captain unless we win on Sunday, there are 15 players named who now have to stand up and show leadership against Cork.

Skellig Rangers - Is there really a club on Skellig? I haven't been on the place but I've seen it from the coast and it looks very small.

Quoteit's a healthy division

And there's still the prospect of Paddy Curran in the next few years.   ::)

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2007, 09:30:46 PM
Joe Barrett famously handed over the captaincy to the great Con Brosnan in 1931, thus resolving a bitter civil war feud, Barrett came back in 1932 to lift Sam having being the first Kerry man to lift Sam in 1929.

Interesting piece in the Examiner archives in relation to same:

KERRY'S dominance in Gaelic football over the past century is a testament to the county's passion for the sport — a passion that was forged by the bitterness of the Civil War.

The worst atrocities occurred in Kerry. In retaliation for the killing of five Free State soldiers (including two members of the Dublin Brigade) in Knocknagoshel, nine Republicans were tied around a mine and blown up at Ballyseedy on March 7, 1923.

Five others were similarly treated at Countess Bridge near Killarney the same day. In each case one of the men escaped to tell what happened. The following week five IRA prisoners were taken from Caherciveen and tied around a mine. To make sure none escaped, they were shot in each knee before they were blown up. Those responsible for the atrocities were largely from the Dublin Brigade, which lent intensity to rivalry between the two counties.

It took decades for the bitterness to disappear, but Gaelic football became a great healing force within Kerry. Hence the passion was transferred to the game.

After the fighting, Free State Army captain Con Brosnan managed to get safe passage guarantees for Republican players like John Joe Sheehy and Joe Barrett to play games, and together they used football to help overcome the bitterness. When the team got together, they parked their politics and all talk of the Troubles.

Just one year after the civil war ended, Kerry won the All-Ireland with players who had fought on both sides. Six of that team went on to win six All-Ireland championships together. This helped to bind up the wounds.

In 1930, the Austin Stacks club won the Kerry County Championship and thus the right to nominate the captain of the Kerry team going for three-in-a-row the following year. Joe Barrett, who captained Kerry to the 1929 win, was chosen.

But in a magnificent sporting gesture, he offered the captaincy to Con Brosnan who was coming to the end of a distinguished career. He was never likely to get the chance to captain Kerry, as his local team was unlikely to win the county championship.

Four other members of the Austin Stacks' team were playing for Kerry. Not all approved of Barrett's gesture, but they went along with it in recognition of Brosnan's chivalry.

"Con Brosnan was the political bridge- builder of our time," explained JJ (Purty) Landers, a lifelong republican and last survivor of the five Stacks' players on that Kerry team. "Regardless of pressure from within his own side of the divide, or from the other side, he did what he believed had to be done to bring about peace and healing. He was the ultimate peacemaker in Kerry football after the civil war."


Brosnan went on to lift the Sam Maguire Cup in 1931, capping a magnificent example of true sportsmanship.

After completing their first four-in-a-row in 1932, Kerry's dream of an unprecedented five-in-a-row was shattered by Vincent McGovern's last-minute goal for Cavan in the All-Ireland semi-final in Breffni Park, Cavan. It foreshadowed Seamus Derby's goal for Offaly in even more dramatic circumstances 49 years later.

In view of the inter-county rivalry with Dublin, the Kingdom's most humiliating defeat ever was in the all-Ireland semi-final of 1934. It has gone down in Kerry folklore as "Sandwich Sunday".

What made that game so humiliating was that it was played at the Austin Stack Park, Tralee before what is still the stadium's record attendance of 21,438.

Shops in Tralee stocked up with sandwiches. The game was level at half-time (1-2 to 0-5), but Dublin rolled over Kerry in the second half to win 3-8 to 0-6. It was as if the Dublin Brigade had come back and slaughtered Kerrymen again.
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Kerry people lost their appetite, while the Dubs headed home on the train. They were eating sandwiches in Tralee for the rest of the week.

But the Dubs paid for those sandwiches over the next 30 years because they did not beat Kerry again in the championship until the final of 1976. Living down the shame of losing to Dublin that year and again in 1977, Kerry forged what is generally considered the team of the century.

A documentary, 'Kerry: The Green and the Gold', highlighting those years, will be shown on RTÉ 2 after tomorrow's game.

Another great healing gesture in Kerry was only recognised by those in the know in 1953. John Joe Sheehy's son, Paudie, was captain of the Kerry team that year, but he was dropped for the All-Ireland final, and there was no other member of his club on the team.

John Joe was instrumental in inviting Jas Murphy from another Tralee club to be captain. In one sense, he was from even further across the political divide.

Murphy was a garda based in Cork whose father had been an RIC man in Tralee. That was well known, but John Joe Sheehy also knew that Jas's father was one of the two policemen who had brought Roger Casement from Ardfert to Tralee on the fateful Good Friday in 1916.

That 1953 final was between Kerry and Armagh — the first time a team from the Six Counties qualified for an all-Ireland senior football final. Why was John Joe Sheehy, an ardent republican, behind the selection of Jas Murphy? No doubt he remembered Joe Barrett's gesture in giving the captaincy to Con Brosnan in 1931.

Just because Irishmen served in the crown forces did not mean they were less Irish. Micheál (Sambo) Ó Ruairc, the son of an RIC man and a Fine Gael supporter, was probably closest to John Joe Sheehy within the GAA through the years. In one sense they were inseparable, but they were poles apart politically.

Sheehy knew that Ó Ruairc's father had been the RIC's crimes special sergeant in Tralee. That was the equivalent to head of the local Special Branch.

Of course, he also knew that Sgt Thomas O'Rourke provided RIC codes for Michael Collins and IRA intelligence during the Black and Tan days. Sheehy had an even better reason to understand the patriotism of such people because his own older brother, Jimmy, had served in the British army and was one of the Irishmen killed at the Battle of the Somme.

Others may have denigrated the sacrifices of those men, but not John Joe Sheehy. In later life he befriended the man who joined up with his late brother.

When Jas Murphy lifted the Sam Maguire Cup on that Sunday in September 1953, it was another step in healing the divisions within Kerry.

It was fitting that another Kerryman — former GAA president Seán Kelly — was a driving force in preparing for the Garda and Army No 1 Bands to play God Save the Queen at Croke Park earlier this year.

Following the respect shown to the British national anthem, Irish rugby fans demonstrated their pride with a rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann that brought tears to the eyes of many players. For those who witnessed the event, it was an unforgettable occasion. Ireland was united on that day, at least. The Irish team was inspired, and the record victory in the ensuing match against England was a fitting climax, demonstrating the healing potential of sport.

know its a bit late now but there was an excellent supplement in todays examiner on sundays final...

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 12, 2007, 09:35:21 AM

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2007, 09:30:46 PM
Joe Barrett famously handed over the captaincy to the great Con Brosnan in 1931, thus resolving a bitter civil war feud, Barrett came back in 1932 to lift Sam having being the first Kerry man to lift Sam in 1929.

Interesting piece in the Examiner archives in relation to same:

KERRY'S dominance in Gaelic football over the past century is a testament to the county's passion for the sport — a passion that was forged by the bitterness of the Civil War.

The worst atrocities occurred in Kerry. In retaliation for the killing of five Free State soldiers (including two members of the Dublin Brigade) in Knocknagoshel, nine Republicans were tied around a mine and blown up at Ballyseedy on March 7, 1923.

Five others were similarly treated at Countess Bridge near Killarney the same day. In each case one of the men escaped to tell what happened. The following week five IRA prisoners were taken from Caherciveen and tied around a mine. To make sure none escaped, they were shot in each knee before they were blown up. Those responsible for the atrocities were largely from the Dublin Brigade, which lent intensity to rivalry between the two counties.

It took decades for the bitterness to disappear, but Gaelic football became a great healing force within Kerry. Hence the passion was transferred to the game.

After the fighting, Free State Army captain Con Brosnan managed to get safe passage guarantees for Republican players like John Joe Sheehy and Joe Barrett to play games, and together they used football to help overcome the bitterness. When the team got together, they parked their politics and all talk of the Troubles.

Just one year after the civil war ended, Kerry won the All-Ireland with players who had fought on both sides. Six of that team went on to win six All-Ireland championships together. This helped to bind up the wounds.

In 1930, the Austin Stacks club won the Kerry County Championship and thus the right to nominate the captain of the Kerry team going for three-in-a-row the following year. Joe Barrett, who captained Kerry to the 1929 win, was chosen.

But in a magnificent sporting gesture, he offered the captaincy to Con Brosnan who was coming to the end of a distinguished career. He was never likely to get the chance to captain Kerry, as his local team was unlikely to win the county championship.

Four other members of the Austin Stacks' team were playing for Kerry. Not all approved of Barrett's gesture, but they went along with it in recognition of Brosnan's chivalry.

"Con Brosnan was the political bridge- builder of our time," explained JJ (Purty) Landers, a lifelong republican and last survivor of the five Stacks' players on that Kerry team. "Regardless of pressure from within his own side of the divide, or from the other side, he did what he believed had to be done to bring about peace and healing. He was the ultimate peacemaker in Kerry football after the civil war."


Brosnan went on to lift the Sam Maguire Cup in 1931, capping a magnificent example of true sportsmanship.

After completing their first four-in-a-row in 1932, Kerry's dream of an unprecedented five-in-a-row was shattered by Vincent McGovern's last-minute goal for Cavan in the All-Ireland semi-final in Breffni Park, Cavan. It foreshadowed Seamus Derby's goal for Offaly in even more dramatic circumstances 49 years later.

In view of the inter-county rivalry with Dublin, the Kingdom's most humiliating defeat ever was in the all-Ireland semi-final of 1934. It has gone down in Kerry folklore as "Sandwich Sunday".

What made that game so humiliating was that it was played at the Austin Stack Park, Tralee before what is still the stadium's record attendance of 21,438.

Shops in Tralee stocked up with sandwiches. The game was level at half-time (1-2 to 0-5), but Dublin rolled over Kerry in the second half to win 3-8 to 0-6. It was as if the Dublin Brigade had come back and slaughtered Kerrymen again.
AdTech Ad

Kerry people lost their appetite, while the Dubs headed home on the train. They were eating sandwiches in Tralee for the rest of the week.

But the Dubs paid for those sandwiches over the next 30 years because they did not beat Kerry again in the championship until the final of 1976. Living down the shame of losing to Dublin that year and again in 1977, Kerry forged what is generally considered the team of the century.

A documentary, 'Kerry: The Green and the Gold', highlighting those years, will be shown on RTÉ 2 after tomorrow's game.

Another great healing gesture in Kerry was only recognised by those in the know in 1953. John Joe Sheehy's son, Paudie, was captain of the Kerry team that year, but he was dropped for the All-Ireland final, and there was no other member of his club on the team.

John Joe was instrumental in inviting Jas Murphy from another Tralee club to be captain. In one sense, he was from even further across the political divide.

Murphy was a garda based in Cork whose father had been an RIC man in Tralee. That was well known, but John Joe Sheehy also knew that Jas's father was one of the two policemen who had brought Roger Casement from Ardfert to Tralee on the fateful Good Friday in 1916.

That 1953 final was between Kerry and Armagh — the first time a team from the Six Counties qualified for an all-Ireland senior football final. Why was John Joe Sheehy, an ardent republican, behind the selection of Jas Murphy? No doubt he remembered Joe Barrett's gesture in giving the captaincy to Con Brosnan in 1931.

Just because Irishmen served in the crown forces did not mean they were less Irish. Micheál (Sambo) Ó Ruairc, the son of an RIC man and a Fine Gael supporter, was probably closest to John Joe Sheehy within the GAA through the years. In one sense they were inseparable, but they were poles apart politically.

Sheehy knew that Ó Ruairc's father had been the RIC's crimes special sergeant in Tralee. That was the equivalent to head of the local Special Branch.

Of course, he also knew that Sgt Thomas O'Rourke provided RIC codes for Michael Collins and IRA intelligence during the Black and Tan days. Sheehy had an even better reason to understand the patriotism of such people because his own older brother, Jimmy, had served in the British army and was one of the Irishmen killed at the Battle of the Somme.

Others may have denigrated the sacrifices of those men, but not John Joe Sheehy. In later life he befriended the man who joined up with his late brother.

When Jas Murphy lifted the Sam Maguire Cup on that Sunday in September 1953, it was another step in healing the divisions within Kerry.

It was fitting that another Kerryman — former GAA president Seán Kelly — was a driving force in preparing for the Garda and Army No 1 Bands to play God Save the Queen at Croke Park earlier this year.

Following the respect shown to the British national anthem, Irish rugby fans demonstrated their pride with a rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann that brought tears to the eyes of many players. For those who witnessed the event, it was an unforgettable occasion. Ireland was united on that day, at least. The Irish team was inspired, and the record victory in the ensuing match against England was a fitting climax, demonstrating the healing potential of sport.

Which is why, to borrow from a great man in another sport - Football is not a matter of life and death in Kerry - its more important than that.

Quote from: magickingdom on September 12, 2007, 10:08:30 PM
know its a bit late now but there was an excellent supplement in todays examiner on sundays final...

Loved Niall Cahalane's contributions. The storey about the prayer in the dressing room after a league semi final is priceless.

thanks for that Fear.

The nerves are building nicely and will be full on come Sunday afternoon, am confident and nervous in equal measures but its a great place to be, involved in another All Ireland and for those that have been lucky enough over the years to experience it, they will know what I mean.

Kerry v Cork has always been a special day in the GAA calander and being an All ireland final will make it even more so, Cork are trying to give out the attitude that its only another game, but Mayo tried that approach last year, I feel teams have to be up for the game  to soak up the atmosphere of the day without letting it overshadow the end result. Kerry have the upper hand here in experience of the big day, and it will be a testamount to Morgan and his team if they can remain focussed.

The Palace bar on Saturday and O'Shea's The Merchant or O'Sheas Hotel will get the blood going nicely on Saturday night for those of us on the other side of the fence while a few snappy pre match pints in the Findlater will hopefully set us up for a full on assault for Sam come Sunday. Old rituals and pisogs, must dig out those old socks.

For Kerry Cork games it brings back memories of great names who have played for both teams, Going back in the mists of time, the likes of Kerry's John Joe Sheehy, Con Brosnan, Miko Doyle, Paddy Kennedy, Joe Keohane, Paddy Bawn Brosnan and many more legends loved to play against Cork. In the 70's and 80's the likes of the late Tim Kennelly, Jimmy Deenihan, Jack O'Shea, John Egan, The Bomber Liston, Pat Spillane and Paidi O'Se revelled against the rebels who had some greats themselves in Declan Barron, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Jimmy Kerrrigan, Tony Nation, Dinny Allen and Billy Morgan, tough men all and great games and memories, Micko Dwyer was right when he said Cork were the 2nd best team in the country back then.

In the late 80's and early 90's the clashes were going mostly in favour of the rebels as an aging Kingdom had no match for their hunger and then the rebels recruited Larry and Shay and also had the likes of Cahalane, Tony Davis, Colman Corrigan, Stephen O'Brien, Barry Coffey and Paul McGrath to push them on. Kerry were to come again in 1996 when a meitheil of young lads straight from the U21's joined the likes of hardy North Kerry men Eamon Breen and Liam Flaherty, and Seamus Moyniihan and the classy Maurice Fitzgerald to finally break Cork hold on Munster and lead Kerry from the wilderness to the banquet. The Likes of Dara O'Cinneide, The Hassetts brothers, Darragh O'Se, Mike Frank Russell were to become household name in Kerry and beyond over the the next yew years.

Another U21 in 98 gave us the likes of Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O'Sullivan, Tom O'Se and a few more and this band of brothers have been the backbone of our recent success.

Of course in 2002 a little red haired lad from Killarney came to prominence, "too light he will never make it" were the immediate remarks, another O'Se was let loose from that footballing stable Ard an Bothar and maybe he will be the best of the whole lot. We turned a hurler from Lixnaw into the fiery footballer that is Paul Galvin, Little Dromid Pearses provided Declan O'Sullivan and basketball gave us a Star and a Quirke. But still we march on and new faces appear which has been great to see, Reidy from Scartaglin will be the first to represent his village as will young Young from Renard. Currow has produced many legends of Irish sport and big men too, Mick Doyle, Moss Keane and Mick Galwey are big boots to fill for Seamus Scanlon while Bryan Sheehan follows in the footsteps of Jerome O'Shea, Jack O Shea and Maurice Fitzgerald, legends of the GAA, legends of Kerry and all from St Mary's.
A proud Kerry tradition lads to uphold and I am sure all will give to the cause on Sunday.

But Cork too deserve mention, 1999 is the last time Cork have been to the top table and they have had some miserable times since then but are back this year and with an U21 title already tucked away will be quitely confident, giants like Canty, Spillane, Murphy, Kavanagh, O'Neill and Cussen will win plenty of ball and put the fight to the Kingdom, Will they score enough, will we?

Its there to be won, and what will win it is some parts of hunger, pride, skill, scores, defending, the referee, the crowd, experience , the hop of the ball, the break of the ball, a controversial decision, but one thing we can be sure of and expect from both sides is that they will fight for their jersey. We need to get into the game early on Sunday and lay down a marker, the langers are staying very quite all week, which worries me.

A final thought on what makes us proud of our Kerry footballers comes from the pen of the late Bryan McMahon.

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.


lets the games commence.

Ciarraí Abu....

Dúchas - I haven't heard that in a while. Thanks KM.

BTW - Tickets secured for visiting Mayor and deputy from Turkmenestan, direct from F Murphy. Tee Hee.

Come on the Michaels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is there room for another Turkmenistani ? Great stuff always good to pull one over on him....

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 12, 2007, 11:32:38 PM
Is there room for another Turkmenistani ? Great stuff always good to pull one over on him....

Am working on visas for Armenian delegation. Sweet though!

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 12, 2007, 11:39:36 PM

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 12, 2007, 11:32:38 PM
Is there room for another Turkmenistani ? Great stuff always good to pull one over on him....

Am working on visas for Armenian delegation. Sweet though!

KM - do you think you could dress up as Borat??????????????

I'd dress up as his wife if I pulled a ticket........niiiiiiiiiiccccccce

have a promise of one but will be Sat or Sun before I know for sure, tis always the same and have never been found wanting yet... but any offers to a poor auld Kerry man will be gratefully accepted.

Cheers 5iveTimes for the kind offer, hopefully I wont have to take you up on your offer.

Fair play 5ive times

Fair play 5iveTimes, a generous gesture indeed.

Quotean excellent supplement in todays examiner on sundays final

The article on the 1982 (sorry Mike) Final was excellent, focussing on Mikey Sheehys penalty, saved by Martin Furlong.  I checked on the Examiner website but it doesn't seem to be there.

Finding it very hard to call this one. I think Cork will shade the possession stakes but my gut tells me that (just as in the Munster final) Dara Ó'Se will just be able to gather enough crucial balls to set up Kerry for a narrow victory. I really think its that close and wouldn't be surprised at a Cork win either. The loss of Anthony Lynch though could be crucial. Miskella is a good player but in terms of marking Declan O'Sullivan - well Lynch is just a huge loss.

The percentages say Kerry, just.

Lots of the draws for the tickets by the clubs are tonight especially in Kerry as most clubs decided to wait until they received their 2nd allotment instead of doing it twice. The second allotment was bigger than the first so every club member (except those in clubs with huge membership) will get a ticket. A large percentage of those will have already got a ticket from elsewhere so there'll be 100s of spares. I'd say Cork and Kerry ended up getting over 20,000 tickets each direct.

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 12, 2007, 11:12:02 PM

Kerry v Cork has always been a special day in the GAA calander and being an All ireland final will make it even more so, Cork are trying to give out the attitude that its only another game, but Mayo tried that approach last year, I feel teams have to be up for the game  to soak up the atmosphere of the day without letting it overshadow the end result. Kerry have the upper hand here in experience of the big day, and it will be a testamount to Morgan and his team if they can remain focussed.

Apples and oranges there I'd say KM, comparing Moran/Morrison/Mayo last year against Morgan/Cork this year -- Billy knows his lads well, the 2 Ms didn't, Billy knows the Cork psyche well, the 2 Ms didn't, Billy's not trying to bridge a 55-odd year gap, the two Ms were, etc. 

You're right though, it's a very fine line between remaining cool, calm, collected and focused, and cool, calm, collected and feckless.

Quoteit's a very fine line between remaining cool, calm, collected and focused, and cool, calm, collected and feckless

That's a line worthy of the man on your avatar FoSB!  ;)

Sláinte Billy, praise indeed, however unworthy!  ;D

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 13, 2007, 12:37:00 AM
have a promise of one but will be Sat or Sun before I know for sure, tis always the same and have never been found wanting yet... but any offers to a poor auld Kerry man will be gratefully accepted.

very true km, its always the same. still dont have a ticket but something always turns up. the only problem is its nearly always sunday fockin morning and i dont enjoy sat night! ;D

Lynch out with Miskella moving to half back line and Masters coming in. Conor MacCarthy replacing Daniel Goulding. Not convinced this forward line will score enough to trouble Kerry. Conor Mac never seems to have a good game against the Kingdom while I think it is a risk starting Masters - some of the Kerry backs will test if his jaw is fully healed!! With Lynch absent and a far from convincing forward set up it is difficult to see Cork winning unless they really dominate the middle third of the field possession wise. There are a lot more "ifs" about Cork than Kerry so it should be number 35 for the Kingdom. However they will have to work for it and expect Cork to put up a hell of a fight (literally and figuratively)

I think everyone is just hoping Kerry don't do a Kilkenny and blow Cork away after 20 mins. The worrying thing is is that they're due a walk in the park. They were put to the pin of their collar in the quarters and Dublin led at half time last time out. What Kerry showed in that second half was frightening though. The O Se bros, Young and O' Sullivan looked like players peaking at the right time. When Dara went off, it didn't really affect their game-plan either, dispelling some myths.

In fact, looking back over Kerry's campaign this year, the were behind at half time in both games against Cork (0-3 and 0-2), against Dublin (0-2) and level with Monaghan. They only led Tipp by two at half time. Kerry's forte has been to hit a purple patch for he first 20 mins of the second half (apart from the Monaghan game - goes to show how close the Farney came). So Billy there you go - lead at half time, subdue Kerry until the 55th minutes, then let loose.

Unfortunately Kerry are much more than this and as the Monaghan game shows, they've developed more than one way to skin a Dingle cat.

If Kerry win on Sunday Declan O'Sullivan will become only the seventh man to receive Sam twice. Joining the following...

Joe Barrett (Kerry)
John Joe O'Reilly (Cavan)
Jimmy Murray (Roscommon)
Sean Flanagan (Mayo)
Enda Colleran (Galway)
Tony Hanahoe (Dublin)

Hi ONeill, Sorry to be pedantic but Cork and Kerry have only met once in the championship this year.
What matches are you referring to?

V sorry Timmy - for some reason I was thinking last year's drawn final happened this year.....

Same premise applies though. Cork by two at half time; Kerry hit their purple patch and are six ahead 10 minutes into the second.

I cant see anything other that a Kerry win by 3-6 points (The Banty is right!)

Goulding is very unlucky to be dropped.

Quote from: thebandit on September 14, 2007, 10:42:27 AM
Goulding is very unlucky to be dropped.

Great option to spring from the bench though.

Supposed to be theres a serious danger of this game not selling out.  Any official word?

I was offered two tickets an hour ago. Turned them down as I'd only be going in order to use up the tickets. So, there's definitely not a shortage of tickets floating about the nort.

Kerry 0-13
Cork 0-10

Quote from: hardstation on September 14, 2007, 07:45:45 PM
Or a case of "Your All Ireland Final days are over for 5 or 6 years dear".

Too close for comfort there....

Kerry 0-13
Cork 0-11

QuoteI cant see anything other that a Kerry win by 3-6 points (The Banty is right!)

QuoteKerry 2-13 Cork 1-10

Can't understand where this confidence in Kerry is coming from, Cork have the players to nullify many of Kerry's big men.

Spillane V O'Sullivan adv Cork
Canty V Gooch adv Cork
Midfield battle adv Cork

If Cork had a bit more real quality in the forward line then I think they'd definately win, as it is I think they'll still have enough. Though I think it's a mistake playing Masters, O'Se has his number and Goulding is the better all round footballer anyway.

Quoteas it is I think they'll still have enough. Though I think it's a mistake playing Masters,

??

It's difficult to believe it's the Friday of All Ireland Weekend and there's damn all interest or excitement.
I suppose after last year's excitement in these parts with the Minors it's a hard act to follow. However in my sorties to a few  midland counties earlier in the week there was little talk about the game.
And then there's all this talk of empty seats and loads of spare tickets.
As for the game - it's hard to see beyond Kerry but I'm sure they'd prefer to be meeting anyone else (except Down of course) besides Cork. If it develops into a typical dour derby type of game Kerry might just get too tensed up as they have more to lose than Cork. However only one Cork man has played in an All Ireland final and all the prematch hype might just unsettle them more than Kerry.
However all things being equal Gaelic Football games are usually won by the teams with the best forwards and for that reason I am tipping Kerry >:( to win another Sam.
However I will be rooting for the Rebels as Ireland needs a change from Kerry.

Quoteas it is I think they'll still have enough. Though I think it's a mistake playing Masters,

??

He is selected is'nt he?, if so I feel it's a mistake, do you disagree?

How can Cork have enough, but it's still a mistake?

QuoteHow can Cork have enough, but it's still a mistake?

Sorry, maybe I haven't made myself clear. I think that Cork have enough upfront to win regardless of whether it's Masters or Goulding who plays. The reason I think this is I feel Cork will hold Kerry to a fairly low score, so 11 or 12 points might be enough for Cork to win. Because of Masters lack of pace and Gouldings impressive performance in the semi I think Goulding would do well again and Masters would be a good sub to bring in when the game has loosend up a bit.

Agreed. I feel it's looking like the All-Ulster final in 03  - 12-9.

we're f**ked...cmon Declan...its Cork...cool and calm wont do it !! Get stuck into them langers


O'Sullivan says Kingdom's finest are cool, calm and collected

Declan O'Sullivan Kerry
14 September 2007


Kerry captain Declan O'Sullivan says experience of recent All-Ireland SFC finals has helped this year's crew remain in relaxed mode ahead of this Sunday's blue riband decider.

"In general all the lads are relaxed," says O'Sullivan. "The week before the game it's all about relaxing. Not thinking about it a whole lot, getting the bodies right."

"Every fellow is looking forward to it. There's a good buzz around the place and that's enjoyable. I suppose we are lucky enough the last couple of years being involved in the final. You learn to probably enjoy these occasions as well."

Perhaps it's because I have backed Cork at 9-4 that I'm so interested in why others are giving Cork little chance but can someone justify why they feel Kerry will win by 6-8 points.

 Cork +3 is money in the bank, don't know what the price on this is but if I got evens and I had the where with all I'd lump big on that. Now I know it probably comes across like I'm Cork's biggest cheerleader but I'd know a fair bit about both teams and have been watching this Cork squad developing over the past three years or so and their the real deal, believe me. Whatever the result no way will Kerry win it by 6-7 points. For the record I hope neither wins it but that's a different story.

Quote from: darbyo on September 14, 2007, 11:40:53 PM
Perhaps it's because I have backed Cork at 9-4 that I'm so interested in why others are giving Cork little chance but can someone justify why they feel Kerry will win by 6-8 points.

I actually backed Cork a month ago - twas complicated and there was drink taken.

However there is something about Kerry so far this season. I think everything is pointing to a peak on Sunday. Alot has been said about the Monaghan game. Yes Kerry were pushed but even at 5 points down inthe first half I just couldn't see us going down. Thats not arrogance its just you could see in in the team that they were going to get there.

Cork are not there just to make up the numbers (and to say hello to Seamus Darby) but I think Cork need everything to fire at 110% to get there while Kerry just need most things to get going.

Kerry by 3-5.

QuoteYou looking a replay?
Otherwise, you don't have much choice.

Na, I just can't take a shine to Cork football(no great fan of their hurlers either) and this particular bunch's brand of football is especially unlikeable. As for Kerry they've just won too many and I'd like a change of the guard so to speak. As a neutral from a county that will never win Sam I like to see an All Ireland that grabs the general sporting public this one barely interests die hard GAA people.

Agree, their definately two of the best four teams in the country and hopefully it will be a great game. I'm going tomorrow anyway though still no ticket, so here's to a great weekend.

Hope its a cracker and the best team wins. Certainly the best two teams i saw this year. Also would help me weekend if my 6 numbes come up and there was no rain so we could get the turf drawn. That would do me.

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 14, 2007, 11:54:23 PM
[Cork are not there just to make up the numbers (and to say hello to Seamus Darby) but I think Cork need everything to fire at 110% to get there while Kerry just need most things to get going.

Kerry by 3-5.

he'll get some reception from both the kerry and cork crowd! funny bit in the papers today about the kerry/cork game in july 1990, cork were beating kerry by 15 points and near the end a lot of the kerry crowd were leaving pairc ui chaoimh when a langer shouted "lock the gates and make them watch". that sums up the rivalry really, we couldnt beat cork by enough imo but i dont feel it will happen tomorrow......

Quote from: magickingdom on September 15, 2007, 10:30:10 AM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 14, 2007, 11:54:23 PM
[Cork are not there just to make up the numbers (and to say hello to Seamus Darby) but I think Cork need everything to fire at 110% to get there while Kerry just need most things to get going.

Kerry by 3-5.

he'll get some reception from both the kerry and cork crowd! funny bit in the papers today about the kerry/cork game in july 1990, cork were beating kerry by 15 points and near the end a lot of the kerry crowd were leaving pairc ui chaoimh when a langer shouted "lock the gates and make them watch". that sums up the rivalry really, we couldnt beat cork by enough imo but i dont feel it will happen tomorrow......

have to hand it yo you kerry boys you know how to play down you chances of winning ;)

Quote from: the Deel Rover on September 15, 2007, 10:49:52 AM

Quote from: magickingdom on September 15, 2007, 10:30:10 AM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 14, 2007, 11:54:23 PM
[Cork are not there just to make up the numbers (and to say hello to Seamus Darby) but I think Cork need everything to fire at 110% to get there while Kerry just need most things to get going.

Kerry by 3-5.

he'll get some reception from both the kerry and cork crowd! funny bit in the papers today about the kerry/cork game in july 1990, cork were beating kerry by 15 points and near the end a lot of the kerry crowd were leaving pairc ui chaoimh when a langer shouted "lock the gates and make them watch". that sums up the rivalry really, we couldnt beat cork by enough imo but i dont feel it will happen tomorrow......

have to hand it yo you kerry boys you know how to play down you chances of winning ;)

Jeez and the train got a puncture on the way to the big smoke. The lads are in an awful way as the had to help them change the wheel. Without  a jack.

Good luck to both teams and hopefully we get an entertaining and close match. Up the Rebels ;)

Seeing that cute hoor and gobshite Healey Rae on "Up for the Match" gives me another good reason to cheer for Cork!!!!!

Cork by a squeek, especilally if its pissin down the way it is in Belfast at the minute!!

I'll be shouting for Cork. Nothing against Kerry I'd just like to see a fresh face win it.

Anybody watching the coverage on RTE online? Ive been trying to watch the minor game but it keeps cutting out >:( >:(

Watchin on setanta - good lord corkery is a beast of a man!

No free.  O' Shea was tackling with one hand on the ball.  Cork 0.01 - Kerry 0.00

soft alright.

ger canning is so hard to listen to. feel like turing the volume off

ref is trying his utmost to make a balls of it.

thats it over now, kerry 0-3, cork 0-2

Apparently Billy Morgan is complaining to the linesman about 'stuff' going on off the ball - get over it, its all part of the game.  I'd be surprised if Cork were not doing the same.  Referee blowing soft frees.  0.3 each

The Gooch - goal for Kerry

hardly one for the purists so far? ???

easy on there cloc mor, im on a 90 second time delay with setanta!!

Sorry Puckoon.  Gooch on fire, should have been another goal.

Goal? Who scored it. Am in the cocoon again and RTE stream is not working >:(

Bit cynical by o'se there...

FAM - Gooch.

Kerry missing easy chances.

shields will do well to stay on the pitch, niggly wee bastard

cork will do well to stay within 10 if this continues.

Galvin starting to cut loose

Not so sure, Puckoon

Quote from: Puckoon on September 16, 2007, 03:57:04 PM
cork will do well to stay within 10 if this continues.

They are not offering anything up front. Kerry get the ball going forward and it always looks threatening.
But I hope to be corrected. Im just a pessimist.

So this is the 'beautiful game' that Mr Spillane is always telling us Nordies about......hmmmmmm.....

the linesmen and umpires are getting it all wrong, :D

Tomas o Se is some footballer

Scrappy fare, and Cork won't be too disheartened to be only 3 points down.  All to play for in the 2nd half.

super. cork still seem very static when they are coming out with the ball compared to kerry. Or is it patience?

cork midfield in all kinds of bother..

Game over

"..a goalkeeper is supposed to mind the goal"
Radio Kerry commentator

good christ. billy morgan is bound to be close to cardiac arrest after watching that.
disaster for cork is an understatement ger canning!

Jesus. May as well pack up and hand Sam over to the Kingdom permanently.

Am away to hibernate.

Kerry up by 9.  2.09 - 0.06  This is going to be some hammering, if this continues

jesus christ.
just blow it up.

Quote from: Cloc Mor on September 16, 2007, 04:33:10 PM
Kerry up by 9.  2.09 - 0.06  This is going to be some hammering, if this continues

:-X

Just following your lead, Puckoon

Taxi for Cork

What are Cork up to here?? Theyre doing a great impersonation of Mayo :o

It must be awful for the teams who were in the shakeup like derry, monaghan, dublin and meath to watch cork capitulate like this.
Watching donaghy is brutal. I admire what he does, but its not pretty.

Quote from: Puckoon on September 16, 2007, 04:42:45 PM
It must be awful for the teams who were in the shakeup like derry, monaghan, dublin and meath to watch cork capitulate like this.
Watching donaghy is brutal. I admire what he does, but its not pretty.

If any of those teams were good enough they would be in the final.....

thats stating the obvious balboa, but cork obviously arent good enough, and they are in the final. Its on the day and the draw.

Do you really think these are the two best teams in Ireland?

Cork reserve their worst for last, but it must be handed to the Kingdom, they can only beat/humiliate what's presented to them, and oh how they do that!

Cork goal, is the impossible faintly probable?  :P

It would be magical if it happened Fear. magical.

Why pick out Galvin and O' Se?

Who shot paul galvin, im assuming he was shot.

Quote from: Puckoon on September 16, 2007, 04:45:09 PM
thats stating the obvious balboa, but cork obviously arent good enough, and they are in the final. Its on the day and the draw.

Do you really think these are the two best teams in Ireland?

Well you mentioned Meath and Cork tanked them.........Cork are playing brutal today but most people were saying today the best two teams in the country were in the final today. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I see what you are saying balboa, but Im sure you know what my point is.

If only tyrone had have scrapped past meath is maybe what im saying ;)

Considering the crap Tyrone and Armagh got after the 2003 final and the 2005 ulster final, to watch 2 munster teams produce one of the worst finals ever with negative tactics is unreal. There's little passsion about the whole thing and Cork are terrible. Spillane was very quick to point out the free count from them Tyrone games, well Id put my house that there's been more free's in this game than either of those 2.Terrible stuff,a real let down for the whole country. And the next time I here about Northern tactics Im going to crack up, the tactics in the north are no different. Cork are terrible to watch and never produce good games.

Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on September 16, 2007, 04:50:16 PM
Considering the crap Tyrone and Armagh got after the 2003 final and the 2005 ulster final, to watch 2 munster teams produce one of the worst finals ever with negative tactics is unreal. There's little passsion about the whole thing and Cork are terrible. Spillane was very quick to point out the free count from them Tyrone games, well Id put my house that there's been more free's in this game than either of those 2.Terrible stuff,a real let down for the whole country. And the next time I here about Northern tactics Im going to crack up, the tactics in the north are no different. Cork are terrible to watch and never produce good games.

Cork and galway played one of the most exciting games ive seen in recent years either in 2005 or 2006.

Quote from: Puckoon on September 16, 2007, 04:49:18 PM
I see what you are saying balboa, but Im sure you know what my point is.

If only tyrone had have scrapped past meath is maybe what im saying ;)

I think the this current Kerry team would have wiped the floor with Tyrone, we will never know but i dont think Tyrone were good enough this year.

Quote from: Cloc Mor on September 16, 2007, 04:47:32 PM
Why pick out Galvin and O' Se?

Maybe because Galvin pulled his man down and then acted the bollocks instead of walking away and maybe O'shea as he was slapping people in the face and grabbing throats.

Quote from: Balboa on September 16, 2007, 04:53:30 PM

Quote from: Puckoon on September 16, 2007, 04:49:18 PM
I see what you are saying balboa, but Im sure you know what my point is.

If only tyrone had have scrapped past meath is maybe what im saying ;)

I think the this current Kerry team would have wiped the floor with Tyrone, we will never know but i dont think Tyrone were good enough this year.

Beaten, yes - we would be underdogs. Wiped the floor, no.

martin Carney said before the game that "the 2 best teams in the country are in the final"

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Another AI-Final Flop for the GAA.


Brutal

Terrible, terrible game. Is this Cork III?

It might be the hurlers ziggy.

Quote from: Balboa on September 16, 2007, 04:53:30 PM
I think the this current Kerry team would have wiped the floor with Tyrone, we will never know but i dont think Tyrone were good enough this year.

Tyrone under Mickey Harte have great mental strength though, they wouldnt fold like this in an All-Ireland Final. The Dubs showed too they have the bottle to put it up to Kerry.

All thats immaterial though, these two teams are in the final on merit and deserve to be there. And Kerry have beaten everything put in front of them and have routed their oldest rivals on the biggest day in the game, they are deserving and worthy champions.

The pious commentary every time there's a push and shove is very annoying.

"This is ridiculous", "It's unnecessary"

AAARGGHHH

Just needed to get that of my chest. Thank you.

They're the best team in the country by a mile. Tight games or not, they still go out and beat everyone.

Well Done Kerry. 35 for a reason. Only team in the game.

Well done to Kerry football team.
Deserving winners today.

We gave away the goals cheaply but Kerry looked to have plenty more in the tank.

They were well on top in midfield.

Delighted for Goulding and Goold who both played well when they came on. We have to look to our U-21 winners now I feel.

Galvin was unlucky to be taken off.
There wasn't much to the foul on Lynch.
No need to stand over a guy when he's on the ground but it looked to me as if Lynch pulled him to ground as much as vice versa.
Perhaps O'Shea took him off for feigning injury on the ground afterwards.

Was that Kerry Mike on the pitch with an umbrella? lol

I didn't think Galvin faked an injury. Lynch grabbed him by the throat. That can hurt.

Oh we'll hear now from various people from various counties that if their mighty team had not been beaten by an average outfit in the earlier rounds of the championship they would have put up a better performance. Yeah right! if you are not good enough to be there, you are not good enough! Well done Kerry, real Hunger and Skill.

Quote from: hardstation on September 16, 2007, 05:23:27 PM
He fouled Lynch and not only stood over him but walked over him for no other but to get a reaction. He is a dirtbag.

Didn't say otherwise. Nevertheless, if someone grabs you by the throat, it can hurt.

Quote from: From the Bunker on September 16, 2007, 05:24:13 PM
Oh we'll hear now from various people from various counties that if their mighty team had not been beaten by an average outfit in the earlier rounds of the championship they would have put up a better performance. Yeah right! if you are not good enough to be there, you are not good enough! Well done Kerry, real Hunger and Skill.

Indeed. No one else was good enough to beat Cork. Kerry are far and away the best team in the country.

Quote from: hardstation on September 16, 2007, 05:26:52 PM
Derek Cavanagh didn't lie down like a calf when Dara O Se grabbed him by the throat.

What does that prove? Is everyone grabbed by the throat in the exact same manner?

Forgive me for digressing but why is it always the same oul shite at halftime, electro traditional music at hurling final and irish dancers for today.

Quote from: hardstation on September 16, 2007, 05:36:02 PM

Quote from: Balboa on September 16, 2007, 05:31:48 PM
Forgive me for digressing but why is it always the same oul shite at halftime, electro traditional music at hurling final and irish dancers for today.

Do you actually care what the half time entertainment is when you are at the All Ireland final?

Well i was at the hurling final and when i saw that shite being wheeled out i went out to get a slush puppie to try and quell a blinding hangover, rock n roll i know.....  ;)

Ah well, at least Monaghan came closest to beating the AI champions in 2007.  ;D

So how does this change the all-stars? Surely Nicholas Murphy isn't in the running any more? Same with James Masters. The Gooch has secured his spot no doubt. Anyone else got any opinions?

Personally, I think Masters is highly overrated. Tommy Freeman deserves one in the full-forwards, as does Gooch..

Quote from: hardstation on September 16, 2007, 05:29:41 PM
::)
It couldn't have been that sore.

I obviously have no idea either way (and neither do you). I do know that getting grabbed by the throat isn't pleasant, especially if you're grabbed around the trachea, and that the intensity of pain from knocks and bruises you get in the course of a game dissipates quickly from the adrenalin.

Shocking stuff altogether, brutal final yet again. Embarrassing at times
Well there'll be three brothers on the All-Star team anyhow, has that ever happened?? Severely doubt it. Gooch has to get one, maybe alongside Donncha O'Connor and Tommy Freeman though Paddy Bradley and Stephen Bray will be in the mix.
Full-back is well up for debate, McCloy or Fay i'd say.
Hard to know if Cork will get many after that, suppose they'll have to get the mandatory 2/3, still think Murphy will get one alongside O'Se

Quote from: Balboa on September 16, 2007, 05:31:48 PM
.... traditional music at hurling final and irish dancers for today.

One of the aims of the GAA is the promotion of Irish Culture in all its forms.
Traditional Irish music and Irish dancing are 2 forms of Irish indiginous culture.
If you dont like it go follow Soccer or Rugby.
As for the game - what a disaster.. and why the need for the Cork defence to keep giving Kerry gifts.
Hopefully a load of the Kerrys will now retire or lose their appetite and give the rest of us a chance.

Excellent display by Kerry, and they'd still loads in the tank.  Well done the Kingdom, hard to see anyone to rival them next year either - Sheehan to slot in for Daragh if he decides to retire, though on today's performance he might feel he has another year in him.

Would Sheehan make it in the middls of the field?

Poor enough game, but that it not Kerry`s fault.  Three terrible goals for Cork to give away.  ON a plus point it is good to see a match when the fans are disciplined and do not boo the freetakers.

So far I'm the only poster to vote who was at the final so here's a few bullet points:

• I am now convinced that both Cork and Mayo's raison d'etre is to get to Croke Park and promptly bend over invitingly and hand a large tub of vaseline to the Kerry players
• Alot has been made of the footpass going out of gaelic football, on the basis of today's display by Cork I would also like to announce the demise of the handpass. Countless were the occasions they got tied in knots trying to distribute simple A to B to C handpasses, and so obsessed were they with handpassing that late in the game when Kerry's foot was off the pedal they were still handpassing with oceans of room in front of them to run into
• I only made mental notes but I think I'm correct in saying that the first 1-4 gifted to Kerry upon the resumption of the second half all came as a direct result of errant handpassing or getting nobbled in possession when attempting a handpass
• Until Kerry relaxed with the job done, Cork never looked like opening them ip for any scores from play whatsoever
• The first half with something like 17 frees in 13 minutes was - Coldrick's eagerness not withstanding - a fine impression of good old fashioned puke football from these southern sides. Kerry's massed ranks in defence once the lead was built up, and incidents such as Galvin's, T O'Se dragging back a Cork man trying to take a quick free and a few outbreaks of pulling and dragging all looked decidely puk-ish to me. What's the bets that neither Pat Spillane or the adoring media will say nothing about it in the rush to anoint Kerry?  ???
• Kerry would be every bit as dominant a county in football as Kilkenny are in hurling if only the football championship was even more lop-sided in their favour than the hurling one is in Kilkenny's
• Worryingly for the rest of the country there looks to be lots left in the Kerry tank but it's easy to look that way against such an appalling team as Cork. Take D O'Se from that team, and he looks like he's slowing up just a tad if you ask me, and pit Kerry against a full strength Tyrone, and we'd know more. Still, that's for another day.
• For a guy identified as a supposed weak link I think Padraig Reidy can take a bow after his last few games
• As a neutral you never really enjoy seeing Kerry win yet another All-Ireland because let's face it they've more than enough already but hats off where it's deserved, far and away the best team around this year and very deserving of the Sam

Congrats to the best team in the country. Donaghy was the final piece in the jigsaw after 2005. 12-13 players at their peak. Those opening 15 minutes of a second half are Kerry's forte now.

Kerry champions.

Poor final. The best team in the country are champs - no doubt about it.

Kerry did well but cork were crap. they give a lot of scores away easy and there was no need. i still think that Armagh were unlucky and woud have done a better job aginst Kerry than Cork did

Quote from: hardstation on September 16, 2007, 05:36:02 PM

Quote from: Balboa on September 16, 2007, 05:31:48 PM
Forgive me for digressing but why is it always the same oul shite at halftime, electro traditional music at hurling final and irish dancers for today.

Do you actually care what the half time entertainment is when you are at the All Ireland final?

had tickets for the this and last years all ireland finals but gave them up cause i saw the writing on the wall. all-ireland finals arent the same any more.

I was at the real All Ireland Final between Dublin and Kerry,  does that count ?

Woeful contest.  Three in a row anyone ?

how many hidings do kerry have to give cork and mayo in croke park?

mayo and cork are pathetic and need a damn hard good look at themselves - i actually had a chuckle earlier in the year when mayo thought they could go to celtic park and beat derry - you need courage for that!

Quote
mayo and cork are pathetic and need a damn hard good look at themselves - i actually had a chuckle earlier in the year when mayo thought they could go to celtic park and beat derry - you need courage for that!

Ah ffs, will you leave us out of it. We got our slagging last September - can you leave us out of it for now.

Quotei still think that Armagh were unlucky and woud have done a better job aginst Kerry than Cork did

FFS, how do you manage to bring Armagh into it. Sure the majority of counties would probably have done better than Cork today.

I was at the match, here's my assessment:

.  Cork goalkeeper was badly at fault for all three goals, a different keeper could have meant a completely different game.

.  James Masters should never have started.  They even put a forward into the HB line to accomodate him playing.

.  Cork players were not strong enough in possession.  Numerous times when the ball was spilled when tackled.

.  O'Mahoney was great.

.  The Kerry HF were strangely anonymous despite cruising the game.

.  Gooch was pure class.

.  Cork fans should show more support, the place bagan to empty with 20 mins to go.

What disapponted me most was that the whole occasion seemed like a procession with a sense of inevitability overlooming.  Cork never looked like putting up a challenge.  Which leads to my next question:

Q.  Is the gap widening between Kerry and the rest of us?  To me it seems that apart from Kerry, the standard of this years Championship has been a lot poorer than in recent years.  If Cork are the 2nd best team in Ireland then it says a lot about the present standard.  A lot of the Ulster sides went out early which may have had something to do with this, but even Tyrone and Armagh have the looks of teams in decline.

As for the minors, hard luck Derry.  But Galway never stopped.

Did anyone see the clear point scored by the Galway number 5 that was given as a wide?  Shocking.

I enjoyed the eye candy at half time ;D

So, at least it's not only Mayo Kerry give hidings to in Croke Park. PS clarshack, I was one of a few Mayo posters that said that Mayo wouldn't beat Derry in Celtic Park.

Anyway, crap game of football today. Kerry are a great team and it's that level of skill, fitness etc. that all the other 31 counties have to live up to if any of the rest of us have a chance of winning against Kerry next Autumn. Well done to Kerry though, they took their chances that were given to them by Cork dithering.

Quote from: southdown on September 16, 2007, 07:59:56 PM

Did anyone see the clear point scored by the Galway number 5 that was given as a wide?  Shocking.

is anyone else fed up with muppet umpires?

There was two umpiring snags today in that minor game. From where I was sitting Derry 15 Lee Moore was denied a clear point before half time, he kicked over from the right of the Canal goals, close in at a very tight angle, and the umpire on the far side where the ball dropped and seemed to be clearly inside his post, pointed to the white flag umpire on the other side straight away. White flag guy just waved it wide though and nobody said anything.

The Galway point being waved wide was a farce as well.

Well one thing we can say with certainty now is that there is no big 3 or big 4 in the country. There is a big 1 and that is Kerry with everyone else trotting behind them in a big bunch. Going for 3 in a row next year now so I wonder will that influence Dara O'Se to stay on for another year?

Also hammerings in All-Ireland finals are becoming fairly common these days it seems. Mainly being administered by Kerry.

2001 - Galway hammer Meath
2004 - Kerry thrash Mayo
2006 - Kerry destroy Mayo
2007 - Kerry trounce Cork

If it hadn't been for Tyrone in 03 and 05 it might have been five in a row today!

This Kerry side is probably the first "great" side since Kerry of the early 80's.  They're streets ahead of everyone else at the minute.  Everybody else has their work cut out to make any inroads.

Quote from: Naomh Éanna on September 16, 2007, 08:29:29 PM

Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on September 16, 2007, 08:27:40 PM
Well one thing we can say with certainty now is that there is no big 3 or big 4 in the country. There is a big 1 and that is Kerry with everyone else trotting behind them in a big bunch. Going for 3 in a row next year now so I wonder will that influence Dara O'Se to stay on for another year?

Also hammerings in All-Ireland finals are becoming fairly common these days it seems. Mainly being administered by Kerry.

2001 - Galway hammer Meath
2004 - Kerry thrash Mayo
2006 - Kerry destroy Mayo
2007 - Kerry trounce Cork

You left out

2005 - Tyrone stuff Kerry

Kerry being a point behind with less than five minutes left and losing by three in the end is an almighty hammering all right!

They were lucky against Monaghan....... very lucky.

Quote from: ziggysego on September 16, 2007, 08:38:34 PM
They were lucky against Monaghan....... very lucky.

Maybe, maybe not. They took control of the match at midfield in the last ten minutes that day after clawing back a good gap. You make your own luck.

Lucky ??
Getting the last 3 scores ???  
I think you'll find it takes more than luck.

Quote from: ziggysego on September 16, 2007, 08:38:34 PM
They were lucky against Monaghan....... very lucky.

Yeah, they were lucky against Cork in the Munster final as well and you seen what happened when they met today!

The biggest difference between Kerry and most other teams is their sheer intensity in 50/50 situations. Any ball that is anywhere close to being there for the taking, a Kerry player is straight in on it with 100% committment. Why other teams seem to lack this I don't know.

Obviously having Gooch, D O'Se etc, also helps, but despite having 35 AIs in the bag, they seem so much hungrier than other teams.

Quote from: Rossfan on September 16, 2007, 08:41:34 PM
Lucky ??
Getting the last 3 scores ???  
I think you'll find it takes more than luck.

It was very fortuitous that Coldrick decided not to bother implementing many of the rules (unlike today, when he was just unbelievably shite), that allowed Kerry to retain possession and win the game.
As for how good they are, hard to say, they certainly have some players who will go down in the annals of the game as greats - The 3 O'Se's, The Gooch (what a player), Donaghy (fast getting there), O'Sullivan (is this the same guy who played last year?).  But at the same time, Kerry people I know were talking about how poor they were prior to the Longford game last August.
But bar the Tyrone and Armagh finals, which they lost, they have not been involved in a good final, it's obviously not their fault, but I would like to think that there are a lot of sides out there who would give them better games than Mayo and Cork have managed.  It is really time this ridicukous provincial system was abolished, that can't help, it seems that Kerry are able to peak around late August after a nice slow build up, it's probably why Cork have been able to get close to them in Munster these past few years. 

So what can be done to stop Kerry? People say that the Munster Championship is a shootout between Kery and Cork every year, but what about Connacht as well. It generally is between Mayo and Galway and the two of us haven't made the same impact on the AI Championship at all. It's going to be hard for Kerry to do three in a row, but can anyone stop them?

It's early days yet to be asking if anyone can stop Kerry. Sure, the well the best team in the country by miles this year, but next year is a new year. A lot of teams will regroup and will be back next year. Not too many will have a realistic chance of meeting the challenge from Kerry, but there will be teams that can and maybe will.

I think Kerry can be stopped next year. Id say there will be maybe five teams challenging next year.

Poor attendance from Cork today I though, Kerry completely out numbered them

Quote from: marty88 on September 16, 2007, 09:38:36 PM
I think Kerry can be stopped next year. Id say there will be maybe five teams challenging next year.

Poor attendance from Cork today I though, Kerry completely out numbered them

Cork people are not stupid most of them would have remembered getting hammered outside of Munster over the last couple of years. The media tried to hype the game all week saying Cork would give them a game. Look Mayo people were the same in 2006, most just turned up in (extreme) hope. Unlike Cork, Mayo do not have a hurling team to fall back on!

"Never worry about the score j70. they were stuffed and they know it"

As far as Kerry are concerned 2005 is a distant memory and water under the bridge. They have two all Irelands since that and are easily the best team in Ireland. It is really unbelievable how they sustain that hunger. I was sure that Cork would beat them today but after fifteen or twenty minutes I couldn't see anything to back that theory up. Everyone is always saying it's a disadvantage to win your province but Kerry got past all the obstacles in their way once again.

The real all-ireland was between Kerry and Monaghan. Dublin were poor and kerry should have beaten them by a lot more.

As impressed as I was by Kerry in a footballing sense today I have to say I was disgusted by their tactics in relation to officials in the first half.  The number of times 2 or 3 and sometimes more players at least surrounded an official was unreal.  To me it seemed like they were trying to intimidate the officials and whats worse it seemed to work.

Also can some one tell me when we changed the rules for striking to become a yellow card offence.

The minor game I though was excellent but a few things struck me about it.  Firstly Derry got a 21 free in the second half then the midfield turned round and appeared to scream at the man who fouled him.  Ref booked him for it and hopped the ball, first time i had seen that.  Also thinking about I reckon had the shot from the Galway number 5 not been incorrectly ruled wide then Derry would have won.  Galway wouldnt have been looking for goals and Derry might have been more attacking.  I suppose well never know but that Derry minor team have had no luck with disputed wides the year.

Gooch up there with the best I've seen playing - Keavney, Sheehey, Egan, Matt Connor, Bernard Flynn.

A class act and a hero to young fellas everywhere.

Compare him to the soccer and rugby metrosexuals and you will understand why thy the GAA is the our premier sporting organisation.

Cork were muck - they know that - they will be back stronger next year.

However Kerry will simply up-the-ante and are shoo-ins for a 3-in-the-row

QuoteThey were lucky against Monaghan....... very lucky.

So were Tyrone.

QuoteAs impressed as I was by Kerry in a footballing sense today I have to say I was disgusted by their tactics in relation to officials in the first half.  The number of times 2 or 3 and sometimes more players at least surrounded an official was unreal.

That coming from a Tyrone man is rich in the extreme. The red glare may be clouding your view but some of the rest of us haven't forgotten the diving, the imaginary cards being waved at opponents, the yapping at refs and the baiting of opponents.

Kerry did nothing different today to any team in a similar position in the last six - eight years.  It's not necessarily pretty, or [pleasant, or what you'd teach the kids but it is part of the way the game is played at that level, and not just at AIF, and funny it is only ever a problem if it is somebody else doing it

Quote from: David McKeown on September 16, 2007, 11:04:46 PM
As impressed as I was by Kerry in a footballing sense today I have to say I was disgusted by their tactics in relation to officials in the first half.  The number of times 2 or 3 and sometimes more players at least surrounded an official was unreal.  To me it seemed like they were trying to intimidate the officials and whats worse it seemed to work.

Also can some one tell me when we changed the rules for striking to become a yellow card offence.

The minor game I though was excellent but a few things struck me about it.  Firstly Derry got a 21 free in the second half then the midfield turned round and appeared to scream at the man who fouled him.  Ref booked him for it and hopped the ball, first time i had seen that.  Also thinking about I reckon had the shot from the Galway number 5 not been incorrectly ruled wide then Derry would have won.  Galway wouldnt have been looking for goals and Derry might have been more attacking.  I suppose well never know but that Derry minor team have had no luck with disputed wides the year.

Thats an odd way of looking at it. Derry lost because Galway had a legitimate point waved wide? ???

Quote from: southdown on September 16, 2007, 07:59:56 PMIf Cork are the 2nd best team in Ireland

They're not.
Dublin are the 2nd best side in the country and there's a bit of daylight between them and the rest.

Fair play to Kerry, another AI, and this won without even getting out of second gear all year.

They are a country mile ahead of everybody. Even against Dublin when they wanted they were able to tear them to shreads. They cruised through the year up until then.

Delighted that Cork got their cummupence. The dire style of football they played all year is not beneficial to their talents. Still they are like the rest of us fighting for that chance of getting a September thrashing from the Kingdom.

Quote from: Naomh Éanna on September 16, 2007, 08:44:06 PMNever worry about the score j70. they were stuffed and they know it  :-*

A 3 point loss is not a hammering whatever way you slice it.
Meath beating us 2-14 to 0-5 in 2001, now that was a hammering...

Dublin are no.2? Well if you want to be no 2 then go right ahead be just that.Mayo can be no 15 if you want, it matters not a curse if you are not no 1.
The fact that kerry won so easily suggests they can do it all over next year even without daragh o se.
Who or what will stop them? Remember all empires fall, i reckon they will go for 3 in a row and only a lot of luck on the day and some serious tackling to win possession can stop them.
Can mayo,tyrone,dublin,cork,galway or whoever you fancy be strong enough to beat them.Mayo have little chance,dublin less,the rest i am not even going to start about.Its a matter of hitting as hard as they do and hoping to catch them on the hop, fat chance.
Still if your team is not ready when the opportunity does arise you cannot win and though highly unlikely it is possible kerry will not win another for 10 years.

Quote from: paddypastit on September 17, 2007, 12:34:44 AM

QuoteThey were lucky against Monaghan....... very lucky.

So were Tyrone.

QuoteAs impressed as I was by Kerry in a footballing sense today I have to say I was disgusted by their tactics in relation to officials in the first half.  The number of times 2 or 3 and sometimes more players at least surrounded an official was unreal.

That coming from a Tyrone man is rich in the extreme. The red glare may be clouding your view but some of the rest of us haven't forgotten the diving, the imaginary cards being waved at opponents, the yapping at refs and the baiting of opponents.

Kerry did nothing different today to any team in a similar position in the last six - eight years.  It's not necessarily pretty, or [pleasant, or what you'd teach the kids but it is part of the way the game is played at that level, and not just at AIF, and funny it is only ever a problem if it is somebody else doing it

First thing I am mostly definitely not a Tyrone man, I am 20 yards the correct right side of the border.  As far as any other team doing it, I didn't see Cork doing it yesterday and I havent seen any other team doing it is blatantly this year and its not the first time I have seen Kerry at it.  In my mind something has to be done about it, especially if every other county in a similar position is at it even if its just highlight it in the media.

Quote from: Jinxy on September 17, 2007, 12:36:58 AM

Quote from: David McKeown on September 16, 2007, 11:04:46 PM
As impressed as I was by Kerry in a footballing sense today I have to say I was disgusted by their tactics in relation to officials in the first half.  The number of times 2 or 3 and sometimes more players at least surrounded an official was unreal.  To me it seemed like they were trying to intimidate the officials and whats worse it seemed to work.

Also can some one tell me when we changed the rules for striking to become a yellow card offence.

The minor game I though was excellent but a few things struck me about it.  Firstly Derry got a 21 free in the second half then the midfield turned round and appeared to scream at the man who fouled him.  Ref booked him for it and hopped the ball, first time i had seen that.  Also thinking about I reckon had the shot from the Galway number 5 not been incorrectly ruled wide then Derry would have won.  Galway wouldnt have been looking for goals and Derry might have been more attacking.  I suppose well never know but that Derry minor team have had no luck with disputed wides the year.

Thats an odd way of looking at it. Derry lost because Galway had a legitimate point waved wide? ???

Yeah its not maybe a conventional view but I just got the feeling as we entered the last ten minutes that Derry were trying to prevent goals because they were 2/3 points up.  Conversely I felt Galway were going for goals, had the legitimate point been given I think it might have been different.  Just a thought though as we will never know.

QuoteDublin are the 2nd best side in the country and there's a bit of daylight between them and the rest.

I thought that before yesterday, and I wouldn't be changing my mind today.

Congrats to Kerry they can only beat whats put in front of them. A pure muck final if ever i saw one. Now if that had have been 2 ulster teams.................... ::)

Well done to Kerry - Kerry just seem to lift their game against Cork in Dublin.

Cork have been truly rotten in Dublin as past few years.

Probably one of the softest All-Irelands ever won. Time for the provincial championships to go. Have Kerry even played 70 mins of football this year after the powder puff challenge put to them by over rated Dublin and Cork.

A woeful spectacle, but congratulations to the Kingdom, pure class, pity Cork didn't show up at all.

The GAA have to be concerned with the two disasters of final showpieces we've had this year, not too many more of years like this one and we'll be nothing more than helpless witnesses the slow demise of both series as serious competitions.  This is neither Kilkenny's nor Kerry's fault, indeed they are to be admired for the excellence they bring to both codes, but there has to be serious consideration given to the very obvious flaws, and a whole reappraisal of a provincially based All-Ireland system in the modern era should be addressed with no little urgency.

Good to see a Longfordman get his hands finally on Sam Maguire in Croke Park yesterday  :P

Shame that we can provide officials galore (I suspect the umpires in the minor match were Longford men so apologies for one's clownish actions as regards the Galway 'point') but not the players.

Kerry will make it three in a row next year. their strength in depth is unreal. to have players like Sean O'Sullivan and Darren O'Sullivan not to metion MFR on the bench is fantastic.

Have we seen the last of MFR?

As an All-Ireland final, was it any worse than last year?

How come none of the commentators noticed that Donaghy's 2nd goal was clearly a square ball? 

Why would the refs start calling square balls now when they only did it once this year in the championship.

No word of a puke final last night ? Cork were rotten - like school boys - Donaghy couldn't believe it when there was no goalkeeper in - was his goal one of the most bizarre ever ??

Quote from: orangeman on September 17, 2007, 01:22:42 PM
No word of a puke final last night ? Cork were rotten - like school boys - Donaghy couldn't believe it when there was no goalkeeper in - was his goal one of the most bizarre ever ??

Well done to Kerry by the way.

Both of Donaghy's goals had no goalkeeper in. He couldn't believe his luck - especially in an All-Ireland final. For a big man he has great hands, balance and an assured touch.

Quote from: 5iveTimes on September 17, 2007, 01:18:32 PM

Quote from: Pietas on September 17, 2007, 12:34:21 PM
As an All-Ireland final, was it any worse than last year?

Definitely not, last years game was over after 10 minutes. Cork were still in the game yesterday at half time. Once Donaghy scored after 20 seconds the result was never in doubt though.
As someone said earlier Kerry can only beat what is put in front of them and the begrudgers will always accuse them of winning "soft All Irelands". The fact that Kerry are so good is lost on the begrudgers.

Have to agree.  The winning margin was lower and the result was in the mix for longer.

However, it's amazing the number of people who are describing it as 'the worst final in living memory.'

As someone with a strong Mayo bias, I have no difficulty with this!  Infact, was hoping Kerry would tag on a few more scores so they would beat Cork by a greater margin than they beat Mayo last year.

Your last point is also spot on.

Was there not only 4 points in it at half time last year?

Crap game, savage result, always great to beat Cork but to stuff them like that yesterday caps a great year for us, you have to be from Kerry to understand, great night in the City West, Sam says hello to all.

Am away for a big fry up and then for a feed of pints and then am going to help the Gardai look for Alan Quirke he has not been seen since the pre match parade !!  :P

Cheers for all the well wishers, more later...Am geting bored of the number 35 already

BREAKING NEWS:  Alan Quirke nominated for an All Star...at corner back!!

Have to say congrats to Kerry, clearly the best team in the country at the moment.  "Soft" All Ireland?  Aboslutely not.  You can only beat the opposition and only Monaghan had any clue about how to play Kerry.  One quality Kerry have is the ability to learn from a defeat...rare enough event but no other county does it as well.

As a spectacle...piss poor of course, first half was woeful, not helped by an eccentric refereeing display, all over 30 seconds into the second half.  Quiz question of the future...Who scored two goals in an All Ireland final but never beat the goalkeeper once?? ;)

Quote from: Over the Bar on September 17, 2007, 12:48:33 PM
How come none of the commentators noticed that Donaghy's 2nd goal was clearly a square ball? 

Occured to me after the game that this was probably a square ball, had a look later on TSG and it wasn't. Ball was in the air a long time, ball dropped near the edge of the square and Donaghy timed his run well.

Disappointing final I thought, well apart from the performance of the Gooch, what a wizard. When he's on form like that he's unplayable, joy to watch. Galvin made an ejiot of himself again going to ground, he's a big man, if he can give it, he can take it.

KM, keep a lookout for O'Leary there as well. Largely anomyous yesterday, wonder was he told to watch his discipline, whatever the reason he certainly didn't have that edge, could have played himself out of an All-Star. Corks tactics were brutal, they insisted on carrying the ball into the tackle and spilled some possession here. The one option that was working was the high ball into Cussen and they only used this when they ran into dead ends. They need to find a few forwards and a Plan B.

p.s. what were the animals barking at Joanne Cantwell in de Citywest???

has the gooch now reached legendary status?

Worst final I ever saw even worse than last year but not Kerrys fault.

Any chance of open play ruined by a ref who refused to let play run and the worst display in an all AI since Murray in the Kerry/Roscommon final of 1980.  Why did he get the game and why has McEnaney only gotten 2/3 championship games this year?

Quote from: longball on September 17, 2007, 02:00:16 PM
has the gooch now reached legendary status?

one of the most overated players around imo. One good game this year, all thanks to some dodgy goalkeeping

Quote from: marty88 on September 17, 2007, 02:32:11 PM

Quote from: longball on September 17, 2007, 02:00:16 PM
has the gooch now reached legendary status?

one of the most overated players around imo. One good game this year, all thanks to some dodgy goalkeeping

So Marty the Gooch is overrated ?

yes. Poor against the dubs, poor against monaghan.

Did nothing last year.

or the year before

Year before that he had a very good year.

Im not sure if its defenders know how to play against him now of if its, as i suspect, he just hasnt been the same since his day died.

Marty

He also brought his club to the Club final in which he played what I thought was the best game I have ever seen from anyone.

In relation to the umpires in the minor game, it mentioned in the program yesterday that three were from Longford and one from Dundalk I believe, if anyone would check the program they could confirm this.

Gooch is a class player - but Maurice Fitz was head and shoulders above him in terms of ability.

Quote from: marty88 on September 17, 2007, 02:40:43 PM
yes. Poor against the dubs, poor against monaghan.

Did nothing last year.

or the year before

Year before that he had a very good year.

Im not sure if its defenders know how to play against him now of if its, as i suspect, he just hasnt been the same since his day died.

Were you watching the Dublin Game ? He kicked some great scores off both feet . As was pointed out he brought his club to the club final . I could go on but then you are probalby only trying to wind people up ?

Gooch is imo up there with Maurice Fitz & Peter Canavan as the best forwards of the last 20 years

Correct me if im wrong, but he lost the club final. he also isnt the only kerry senior player on dr crokes team.

Im sorry, I think i started this the wrong way. i was having this debate with a mate last night. He said he reckoned cooper was one of the best ever. I couldn't believe anyone could think this. he tried to argue that he was better than the likes of canavan, Bradley, coulter etc, which imo hes not.

I don't think he deserves an all star this year.

So i suppose it depends on how highly you rate him. I wouldn't rate him in the top three forwards around at the moment.

BEFORE YESTERDAY - Who was in the running for player of the year ??

I believe gaelic Football as a spectator sport reached an all time low yesterday in terms of quality of the action, excitement, SKILL AND COMMON SENSE LEVELS, and number of fouls by in particular Kerry and Cork.  i will not be going back to another ai finall which my own county is not in after watching rubbish for the last 2 years.  Tyrone and armagh in 03 was 10 times the match of yesterday.  there was an obvious lack of honesty about Cork as a team and Kerry as a footballing county.  Right up until the 71st minute they were still dragging Coark players to thge ground off the ball.  Fair play to them on winning Sam,  but look at their route - a useless cork team twice, Feranking monaghan and a hyped up Dublin team.  What a pish poor season of football for the neutral.  Crowds will definitely be down next year.  The next man who tells me KERRY ARE A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM WILL GET HIT!!!    

Quote from: marty88 on September 17, 2007, 02:56:14 PM
Correct me if im wrong, but he lost the club final. he also isnt the only kerry senior player on dr crokes team.

Im sorry, I think i started this the wrong way. i was having this debate with a mate last night. He said he reckoned cooper was one of the best ever. I couldn't believe anyone could think this. he tried to argue that he was better than the likes of canavan, Bradley, coulter etc, which imo hes not.

I don't think he deserves an all star this year.

So i suppose it depends on how highly you rate him. I wouldn't rate him in the top three forwards around at the moment.

So who are the top 3 ?.As for the club final if yes they lost after a dodgy call with regards McConvilles equaliser .

top three individuals I would have. Bradley, O'neil and McDonnell

No John I am not, I am a kerry fan and was at the match yesterday with a Kerry top on me, Id be half kerry if ye know what i mean.  I thought Kerry were a disgrace yesterday with their pulling and hauling. The bottmom line is the football was horrific.  The greatest rivalry in modern day Galeic Football is Tyrone and Kerry and they have only met in 2 epic game in 2003 and 2005 over the past 5 years.   Another great rivalry is Tyrone and Armagh and they have only met 4 times includin replay in the lastt 5 years. Kerry Armagh have met twice.  Dublin and Kerry once.  And yet the kingdom met Cork twice - How did Cork get to an aifinal.  The big teams arent getting to the latter stages of the champuionship - the structure needs changed.  Fair play to Kerry they were disgracefulkly treated before th Monaghan game. As a Kerry fan I am saying to Croke park.  Sort it out ye bundle of idiots.   

Quote from: oneillcup2007 on September 17, 2007, 03:11:27 PM
No John I am not, I am a kerry fan and was at the match yesterday with a Kerry top on me, Id be half kerry if ye know what i mean.  I thought Kerry were a disgrace yesterday with their pulling and hauling. The bottmom line is the football was horrific.  The greatest rivalry in modern day Galeic Football is Tyrone and Kerry and they have only met in 2 epic game in 2003 and 2005 over the past 5 years.   Another great rivalry is Tyrone and Armagh and they have only met 4 times includin replay in the lastt 5 years. Kerry Armagh have met twice.  Dublin and Kerry once.  And yet the kingdom met Cork twice - How did Cork get to an aifinal.  The big teams arent getting to the latter stages of the champuionship - the structure needs changed.  Fair play to Kerry they were disgracefulkly treated before th Monaghan game. As a Kerry fan I am saying to Croke park.  Sort it out ye bundle of idiots.   

Apologies just hung over and cranky.what do you expect teams to do .Football is a physical contact sport maybe the sin bin should have been kept  I expect any player from no matter what county to do what it takes to win an All Ireland . The pressure on players and managers is imense . I know the sytem is not perfect but it has been in place more or less for 118 years .

Thnk Cooper is a talent Marty88 but u r entitled to ur opinion. he is what all good forwards should be- hungry for the ball- im seen him not play well but he still is always showing for it- on the ball he is as talented as anyone ive ever seen- he bulked up well and showed his strength with his first point from play yday and for his goal!

Gooch was a mixed bag yesterday, I wouldn't be buying the eulogies just yet either. He bought a ticket and won the raffle for his goal when Quirke got his first rush of blood of the day, after that he spilled at least two wides from scorable positions and skied a chance for another goal when he had the hard work done. He also coughed up possession very easily when he tried to thread a pass through the centre of the Cork defence, to an invisible team mate.

Second half he played selflessly and was the root of alot of trouble but Cork were a beaten docket by then, especially when he scored that decorative point near the end nice though it was. His best performance came in a similar vein against Dubs in the second half I think, ran them ragged all over the place.

None of this is to suggest that he played poorly - he had a decent game - but too many people are having orgasms over him and it's a bit excessive.

And fully agree with 5iveTimes. It's tempting to begrudge in the midst of our envy but if these All-Irelands are so soft and handy won then even Cavan and a few like them would have a few in the last 30 years and they don't. If anyone had a soft passage to the final yesterday it was Cork - after the usual rag-tag outfits in Munster they lost to Kerry, thereafter it was Louth, Sligo and Meath. Extremely soft.

Will Cooper be player of the year ?

Before y'days final, would he even have been in the running ?

Lads this chat of a "soft" All Ireland is a bit wide of the mark.  Kerry are a seriously good side and just keep steamrolling all before them.  Maybe they win finals easily because of ability, commitment, mental approach and preparation. You can only beat whatever is before you and they continually do so.  Well done and good luck to them.

kerry just got a fantastic welcome home to tralee, the place was packed. great to see..  delighted with kerry yesterday if i'd known cork were going to give us a 3 goal start i'd have been a lot happier all week! cant believe we actually won midfield as well. thats a few times cork havent turned up in croke park now i'd love to know what morgan makes of it all...

For a Kerryman living in langer land yesterday was something sweet. Alot of negative vibes from other posters and indeed many langers today. Are Kerry cynical - Ask Billy Morgan - I prefer to think clinical. After 2002, 2003 and 2005 we had to endure taunts that Kerry were soft, couldn't hack a tough mans game. If imitation is the greatest form of flattery then take a compliment Armagh and Tyrone but we haven't done it to the exclusion of playing football either. Look at some of the long range scores taken yesterday.

The fact that Cork were crap yesterday is not our fault, in the same way that Mayo left their balls in front of Hill 16 at semi final stage last year. Kerry done what they had to and beat what they had to, end of storey, period.

There's talk about Gooch v Canavan or Fitzgerald. Well that was then and this is now. Gooch is pound for pound the best at the game right here and now. He is as much and orchestrator as finisher and at the age of only 24 has loads to offer yet.

One final rant. Shame on the so called fans who were leaving in their droves 2 minutes into the second half, some hardly bothered to resume their seats after the half time pee break. Its bad enough to be in trouble on the field without the confidence boosting site of red backsides disappearing down the exit tunnels

"There's talk about Gooch v Canavan or Fitzgerald. Well that was then and this is now. Gooch is pound for pound the best at the game right here and now. He is as much and orchestrator as finisher and at the age of only 24 has loads to offer yet."

Paddy Bradley and Coulter are good enough forwards but Gooch is most definitely a good playmaker as well as a good forward. I would hate to lose Paddy Bradley from the Derry team but most of the time the ball has to be played perfectly for him. Gooch is lighter than most forwards but he can forage for his own ball. He's come along way from the kid who was pushed around by Armagh and Tyrone.

Tyrone take great pride in making the Gooch the great player that he is ;)

Quote from: ziggysego on September 17, 2007, 09:58:21 PM
Tyrone take great pride in making the Gooch the great player that he is ;)

I'm sure ye do :-*

more of this 'soft' all ireland shit. if tyrone/armagh/dublin were beaten by 10 points yesterday they'd be some other excuse. yet again on all ireland sunday kerry would have beaten any team in the country...

Quote from: magickingdom on September 17, 2007, 11:13:54 PM
more of this 'soft' all ireland shit. if tyrone/armagh/dublin were beaten by 10 points yesterday they'd be some other excuse. yet again on all ireland sunday kerry would have beaten any team in the country...

Have to agree with you Magic. Kerry are far superior that any other County in Ireland and are a shoe in for three in a row if not four in a row.

Quote from: never kickt a ball on September 17, 2007, 11:17:27 PM

Quote from: magickingdom on September 17, 2007, 11:13:54 PM
more of this 'soft' all ireland shit. if tyrone/armagh/dublin were beaten by 10 points yesterday they'd be some other excuse. yet again on all ireland sunday kerry would have beaten any team in the country...

Have to agree with you Magic. Kerry are far superior that any other County in Ireland and are a shoe in for three in a row if not four in a row.

we might have the four in a row in the bag already if the ref hadnt blown up a minute early in 2005 against tyrone..  ;)

Quote from: magickingdom on September 17, 2007, 11:13:54 PM
more of this 'soft' all ireland shit. if tyrone/armagh/dublin were beaten by 10 points yesterday they'd be some other excuse. yet again on all ireland sunday kerry would have beaten any team in the country...

Hopefully not too many other teams would have gifted ye 3 goals, once it became a one point game, who knows??

Sometimes a couple of pictures says more than a thousands words.

(http://www.hoganstand.com/Common/ImageGallery/declanosullivansammaguire.jpg)
2006

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqc32w2le2I (http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqc32w2le2I)

(http://www.hoganstand.com/Common/ImageGallery/decosullivan.jpg)
2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_yaUbaBELw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_yaUbaBELw)

Dick Fitzgerald - 1913 & 1914

Joe Barrett - 1929 & 1932

Declan O'Sullivan - 2006 & 2007

Legendary double winning Kerry Captains.

And if South Kerry win the County Championship again in a few weeks time maybe I might be adding another picture of Declan and Sam in 2008, now isn't that something to shorten the winter thinking about  :)

Marty - you couldn't even put O'Neill in the same paragraph as Cooper.  He will create nothing and lead nothing.  Fine man to finish others work but not a game breaker, a role Cooper is developing fast.

Coulter is mercurial but ultimately remains unproven as a winner of games that matter; the individual talent that never seems to bring the benefit of his skills to his team.

Bradley is a cut above his two aforementioned Ulster colleagues, if not quite as nimble or selfless as Cooper - more consistently effective and able to consistently create his own opportunities.

McDonnell - at his best more self sufficent than O'Neill, more reliable than Coulter if not quite as mercurial as Bradley.

Canavan, on another planet from all the above.  Cooper ain't there yet, or near it.

I honestly can't see that Kerry team being beat in the next three years. There is nobody out there that can touch them.

Quote from: Iarmhí Abú on September 17, 2007, 07:01:57 PM
Lads this chat of a "soft" All Ireland is a bit wide of the mark.

You'll find the "soft" talk comes from those who's side wasn't good enough to get in a position to challenge Kerry. The fact is there's no such thing as a soft all-ireland and those that claim there is, don't win many.

QuoteHopefully not too many other teams would have gifted ye 3 goals, once it became a one point game, who knows??

who knows ?? ...maybe if Kieran Donaghy appeared a year earlier (not to mention Young and Reidy) we could be talking about a 4-in-a-row now.

Quote from: never kickt a ball on September 18, 2007, 12:24:52 AM
I honestly can't see that Kerry team being beat in the next three years. There is nobody out there that can touch them.

Have always said there is no sport in the world like Gaelic Football for hyperbole. After last years Munster Final Kerry were widely written off, beaten in the AI Final the previous year then lost their provincial crown, a team in decline. They stick a few high balls on top of Kieran Donaghy and it comes together and they win Sam, suddenly they are greats again ;D Similarly Tyrone were written off early summer 2005 but by September we had the media talking of them as one of the great teams. Like I said, no sport in the world where teams are built up, knocked down and built up again.

This season on their way to Sam Kerry beat Cork by 2 points, Monaghan by 1 point and Dublin by 2 points. Then Cork roll over on the big day and suddenly "nobody can touch Kerry". Excellent team and deserving champions but the idea they are miles ahead of the rest is flawed.

QuoteSimilarly Tyrone were written off early summer 2005 but by September we had the media talking of them as one of the great teams.

Strange, I dont recall you talking down Tyrone at the time....you, along with most Tyrone posters, were quite vociferous in your opinions on where Tyrone stood with respect to Kerry and  other teams in  the country.

Quote from: Mike Sheehy on September 18, 2007, 01:25:57 AM
who knows ?? ...maybe if Kieran Donaghy appeared a year earlier (not to mention Young and Reidy) we could be talking about a 4-in-a-row now.

And if my auntie had balls, etc. etc. Anyways, worthy champions, a great team, and something for Tír Eoghain to halt (again) next summer  ;)

Sligo woul have beeaten that Cork team on Sunday ( no disrespect to Kerry or Sligo or Cork ) - but Cork were brutal -

Quote from: orangeman on September 18, 2007, 09:57:41 AM
Sligo woul have beeaten that Cork team on Sunday ( no disrespect to Kerry or Sligo or Cork ) - but Cork were brutal -

Er...no they wouldnt.

Quote from: Mike Sheehy on September 18, 2007, 05:25:16 AM

QuoteSimilarly Tyrone were written off early summer 2005 but by September we had the media talking of them as one of the great teams.

Strange, I dont recall you talking down Tyrone at the time....you, along with most Tyrone posters, were quite vociferous in your opinions on where Tyrone stood with respect to Kerry and  other teams in  the country.

Your memory isnt very good then, I didnt feel we were genuine contenders early summer 2005 with so many of the key men from 2003 unavailble and said as much on this board.

Not that it matters anyway, the point is people in GAA circles and the media in particular seem to lack perspective. A team is either great or useless, there seems to be no middle ground.

From an Irish Times interview with Derek Kavanagh yesterday; fair comment or sour grapes?

************************************************************

Kavanagh made an interesting observation that can be construed as criticism of Kerry time-wasting after Kieran Donaghy put them six points clear. It can also be taken as a compliment.

"You have to hand it to them. They are the best team in Ireland. Simple as that, and they are the most experienced team in Ireland having played now in four all-Ireland finals in a row. When they get up a lead on you they know what to do.

"They had fellas going down taking injuries every time we got up to goal. That's just experience and that's just what they kept doing. It's impossible to play against."

We sought further clarification. "Ah, they just do it. They are masters of it and they were doing it left, right and centre but, look, that's sport and that's what they are good at."

I dont talk outside the Tyrone football thread because Ill piss people off.  I have some views which will probably be unpopular,  I have no say normally but ill say this now and I dont care who is offended.  Cork didnt hand Kerry a handy all Ireland  --  Tyrone did.  If Tyrone managers and teams are going to point to injuries each year and use it as an excuse then they have only themselves to blame.  Tyrone proved they are every bit as good as kerry in 2003 and reinvented themselves in 05 with a number of key personnell changes.  in 06 and 07 from early season we were either waiting on guys coming back or bemoaning their loss.  O Neill dooher and Mc Guigan should have been out of the panel until they were fit again and then make the tough call when they prove their fitness and form as well on whether its a man in and man out for them.   We forgot about the many good young players in Tyrone, guys who were devastating in the the Mc kenna cups, guys who have youth ai medals in their back pockets but who havent been shown managerial faith since.  Kerry are unbelievably going for a 3 in a row that should have been Tyrones wont.  We didnt appear back at the dinner table and obviously had our fill in 03 and 05.  Tyrone players have lost their appetitie for it.  Did you hear the Kerry players talking about pride in the jersey and their luck at being nborn in Kerry and how they are going for 3 in a row next year.  What a credit to their county. As far as Tyrone players are concenred I would say, question yourselves this year but for the good of Tyrone football move aside if you dont feel its ther for you next Spring.    Theres meaner and keener in Tyrone to take your place.  As a Tyrone man with some Kerry blood in him (the reverse of Donaghy and without the talent)  Congratulations to kerry and we are sorry for standing you up, but we hope to catch up with you on the next big date. Thansk for not being too sentimental about missing us. 

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 18, 2007, 02:24:15 PM
From an Irish Times interview with Derek Kavanagh yesterday; fair comment or sour grapes?

************************************************************

Kavanagh made an interesting observation that can be construed as criticism of Kerry time-wasting after Kieran Donaghy put them six points clear. It can also be taken as a compliment.

"You have to hand it to them. They are the best team in Ireland. Simple as that, and they are the most experienced team in Ireland having played now in four all-Ireland finals in a row. When they get up a lead on you they know what to do.

"They had fellas going down taking injuries every time we got up to goal. That's just experience and that's just what they kept doing. It's impossible to play against."

We sought further clarification. "Ah, they just do it. They are masters of it and they were doing it left, right and centre but, look, that's sport and that's what they are good at."

i saw that. i'm sure derek was devastated been cork captian and all that but kerry could have beaten them by 15 points if they had too. now why would they bother their arse playing injured?

Quotenow why would they bother their arse playing injured?

But they did, including the great Dara!

Quote from: Sandy Hill on September 18, 2007, 06:44:15 PM

Quotenow why would they bother their arse playing injured?

But they did, including the great Dara!

you should count to 35 before you speak  ;)

From www.irishexaminer.com

18 September 2007

What Kilkenny, Kerry and the All Blacks have in common

By Diarmuid O'Flynn
THEY'RE a different bunch, these All-Blacks, a different bunch also their supporters, different to us anyway.

Two weeks of dealing with the players, two weeks of following them from Marseille to Lyon and now back to Aix-en-Provence, two weeks of almost daily interviews, two weeks of bumping into their black-clad army of travelling fans, of engaging them in nightly conversation – all that should combine to give you something of an insight into the New Zealand psyche, to give you some idea of what makes them the top-rated rugby nation in the world, regardless of ultimate result in this World Cup. After those two weeks, however, I'm still not sure.

I do know who they remind me of though. Kilkenny and Kerry have often been called the All-Blacks of hurling and football – well they are. We don't get to interview every one of the Kilkenny hurlers, the Kerry footballers, but from those who do talk, the impression almost inevitably and invariably given is, what's the fuss all about? This is just business; we train, we play, and more often than not we win. That's what we're expected to do, that's what we expect ourselves to do. You want drama, you want romance, you want colour? Go to Limerick, or Offaly, or Galway, or Clare; go to Cork, Mayo, Donegal, Dublin.

They don't do hype, they don't do effusive; "Yeah, he's not bad, mate," whether in reference to a team-mate or an opponent, amounts to almost the ultimate in praise. In their answers to enquiries about whether or not they are following the fortunes (misfortunes, as the case may be) of the big teams in the other pool games, they could be a Kilkenny hurler talking about the much vaunted Munster championship. "Haven't had the chance," says out-half Dan Carter; "Only following the games in our own pool," says back-row Chris Masoe.

The world may be indeed be a vast and interesting place but when it comes to sport, these guys have a very narrow focus. It's no coincidence that in Kilkenny, hurling is king, that in Kerry — and even with the best efforts of so many dedicated small-ball men (and women) — football reigns supreme, while in New Zealand, nothing touches rugby.

Kilkenny, Kerry, New Zealand, you are bred to win, and when you do, while you do, you can't be seen to brag about it. Put your head above the parapet and you're an instant target.

In other counties a player may dine out forever on his single All-Ireland medal; in Kilkenny and Kerry, even the fifth Celtic Cross collected in these past few weeks by several players entitles them to no bragging rights within their own county. Respect, yes, but that respect will very quickly turn to derision if these guys are thought at all to be getting above themselves.

And yet, they're not a modest lot. There is an 'Aw shucks' element to those from all three teams, Kilkenny, Kerry and All-Blacks, but they do expect to beat you; no matter who you are, no matter your form or theirs coming into the game, they do expect to beat you.

Is it the right attitude?

Well, it's the right attitude for them, because they can afford it. It's often said that the people with the most money are the least ostentatious about it – so it is in sport, which is why the All-Blacks are apparently so unfussed about it all. And yet, and yet; the counterbalance to all that is that when they lose, it cuts to the bone.

I've met All-Blacks fans here of every possible persuasion, from the couple on the all-in first-class seven-week tour package that cost each of them 25,000, to the bunch of blokes who bought a camper-van in Belfast for £800 and hit the road for the South of France (unfortunately for them, the van died in the Alps on a day-trip out of Lyon, and they are now scattered, taking refuge (singly) in the vans of fellow Kiwis).

Without exception, they have said that the only thing that will really make their trip worthwhile is if New Zealand win.

They must win, they have to win, that's the imperative behind this whole All-Black business. Anything less, even reaching the final, even playing magnificently but being beaten by the breaks, will be counted as failure. In stark contrast, the few Irish fans I've met would settle for a quarter-final place right now.

I don't know, lads; sometimes we think that the supporters of the likes of Kilkenny, of Kerry, of New Zealand rugby, have all the fun.

But in the few seasons I've spent following Munster in Europe, I think I've had more fun than any of these lads will have had even if New Zealand end up as the 2007 World Cup winners. Munster have won one European Cup (I will never say 'only' one, because in time, given the serious inequities in player numbers and in finance available to the various teams in the competition, this will be seen as one of the great sporting achievements), and when this is all over, we'll be off again.

Will we win? I don't know, but just like the followers of Limerick hurlers this year, of the likes of Sligo in football, even the Portuguese rugby fans, we'll enjoy the journey. Sometimes, you know, the view is better on the way up the mountain; the top is often a cold and bitter place.

diarmuid.oflynn@examiner.ie 

Quote from: magickingdom on September 18, 2007, 06:14:21 PM
i saw that. i'm sure derek was devastated been cork captian and all that but kerry could have beaten them by 15 points if they had too. now why would they bother their arse playing injured?

Kerry could have disappeared into the ether mk (as Donaghy thought they had for the 2nd goal), and I still don't think Cork would/could have won. 

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 18, 2007, 02:24:15 PM
From an Irish Times interview with Derek Kavanagh yesterday; fair comment or sour grapes?

************************************************************

Kavanagh made an interesting observation that can be construed as criticism of Kerry time-wasting after Kieran Donaghy put them six points clear. It can also be taken as a compliment.

"You have to hand it to them. They are the best team in Ireland. Simple as that, and they are the most experienced team in Ireland having played now in four all-Ireland finals in a row. When they get up a lead on you they know what to do.

"They had fellas going down taking injuries every time we got up to goal. That's just experience and that's just what they kept doing. It's impossible to play against."

We sought further clarification. "Ah, they just do it. They are masters of it and they were doing it left, right and centre but, look, that's sport and that's what they are good at."

Kavanagh had a very poor match on Sunday and should just concentrate on that . Off course teams slow down the play when they are ahead .

Are current Kingdom crop true kings of the castle? 
Off The Fence 
with Paul McConville 

Have your say on the sporting issues of the day 24-hour comment line: 028 9033 7457

email: offthefence@irishnews.com


IT seems winning the Sam Maguire isn't as hard as it used to be.

When Armagh and Tyrone brought the cup back to Ulster in 2002, 2003 and 2005 it took a mammoth effort of almost superhuman proportions.
Now, all Kerry have to do is turn up to Croke Park in August, play three matches and, hey presto, Sam finds its way back to the Kingdom.

Kerry cantered to a third title in four years on Sunday, although in the eyes of some Off the Fence contributors this week, they are not yet ready to enter the pantheon of the county's legendary teams of the past.

Our first contributor, J Mullen of Warrenpoint, doesn't even believe the "great" Kerry teams of the 70s and 80s were much cop either.

• "Here we go again. All this eulogising about Kerry ignores the fact that their last three All-Ireland victories were twice against Mayo, and against Cork on Sunday last, all poor teams who were beaten before they went onto the field.

"It's easy to look like a team of winners when you're playing a team of losers. These teams all went into the match with Paddy Heaney's mentality, that Kerry are some sort of supermen that ordinary mortals can not overcome. No wonder they were hammered.

"Last Sunday was like the All Blacks against the Congo with no Australia and South Africa in contention. It was also one of the poorest All-Irelands in memory.

"I remember the semi-final in 2002 when Kerry walked all over Mayo and the commentators were claiming that the invincible Kingdom would run all over Armagh. But then they came up against different opposition, the real thing, and wilted. They also cracked twice to another real team, Tyrone.

"People like Paddy get easily carried away by these lopsided games against born losers and now the big question is being asked if this modern Kerry team are as great as the 'great' Kerry team of the 70s. But that team were also playing nobodies, an old Dublin team and novices from Offaly, plus the remnants of whatever newcomers made it out of Ulster and Connaught.

"With the demise of Armagh and Tyrone, and with a bye into the quarter-final stages every year, Kerry might well continue to look great in an age of decline by defeating poor outfits into the foreseeable future. It's about time the GAA ended this farce of clinging onto the four-province model, and introduced an open draw and let the real contest begin on a level playing field."

What does it take to be great then? It seems your gripe is more with the format of the competition that allows Kerry a relatively easy passage to the All-Ireland quarter-final.

However, it's a tired argument now that devalues a Kerry All-Ireland triumph that has been achieved without beating either Tyrone or Armagh. The reality is that Armagh, Tyrone and Dublin did not reach this or last year's All-Ireland final. Instead of belittling Kerry's achievements, can we not ask the question: Are the rest further behind than we think?

Like any sport, when one individual or team dominates, it's up to the rest to raise their game to compete with them.

• One Tyrone contributor seems to think that the Kingdom are destined to be a constant force in Gaelic football:

"Being a Tyrone man, I would argue that the only team that could compete with them would be a full-strength Tyrone team. And even then I only say compete, as I believe this Kerry team is such a polished and confident outfit that they are almost unbeatable at the moment. Kerry have injuries and retirements too, but have a bench of players that would walk onto any county team in the country, and there is the difference between them and Tyrone, or indeed any other county.

"In 10 years' time, Kerry will still be a force to be reckoned with, but some other county other than the Tyrones and the Armaghs will be up there with them."

Keep the begrudgery coming lads, we thrive on it.

that article is crap. cork are the second best football team in the country and on their day could beat kerry. their goalie decided to go walkabout and give away 3 goals and n murphy had a bad day at the office. simple as that - often happans, thats football for you...

You know, I'm beginning to wonder what some of you lads would prefer to see, England winning the world cup or Kerry winning another AI. 

Quote from: Mike Sheehy on September 20, 2007, 08:13:36 PM
You know, I'm beginning to wonder what some of you lads would prefer to see, England winning the world cup or Kerry winning another AI. 

Jesus Mike they're not that bad about us............are they?

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 20, 2007, 08:39:02 PM
Jesus Mike they're not that bad about us............are they?

No Frank, we're definitely not  ;)

You think that's bad. What about Daddy or Chips?

QuoteI remember the semi-final in 2002 when Kerry walked all over Mayo

It was Cork we bate in the 2002 Semi but dont let the facts get in the way of your rant , thats the credilbility of that piece in the toilet.

QuoteWith the demise of Armagh and Tyrone

Have they really gone, jaysus thats great news  :'(

Quoteand with a bye into the quarter-final stages every year,

Last year we had to play Longford and in 2002 we had Wicklow, Fermanagh and Kildare so technically that is not a bye EVERY YEAR. Again the facts take a hammering.

QuoteKerry might well continue to look great in an age of decline by defeating poor outfits into the foreseeable future

Quoteagainst born losers

So beating Cork (Twice) , The Leinster Champions and the Ulster Runners up, are all these poor outfits or born losers, they will be trilled in Dublin and Monaghan to be classsed as such.

Did Liam Hayes write this article???

QuoteJesus Mike they're not that bad about us............are they?

I think its plausible, yes...... on top of the general anti-Kerry feeling,  I think the Tyrone/Armagh lads have developed a certain affinity with the English soccer team coz they cant get past the quarter final stage either.....boom , boom

There's nothing that pisses me off more than a GAA "journalist" that cannot get simple, simple facts right. The fact that it was only the 2002 semi final (yes, that recent) that he mananged to get wrong makes it worse.

This McConville shyster is typical of the new generation of GAA "jopurnalists" that couldn't tell their a-hole from their nostril.

Unoriginal, uninspiring clap-trap ::) ::) ::)

QuoteIT seems winning the Sam Maguire isn't as hard as it used to be.

What a joke?  Youse Nordie boys need to be more challenging of your local journalism - ffs, I'm surprised he hasn't stooped so far as to insist on an all-star for McCloy.   ::)

Apologies for stooping to the vernacular drici.  ;)

From today's Gaelic Life, and the Kingdom folk were complaining of being unloved (though I think I'm going to be sick  ;))!

*****************************************************
Jarlath Burns
*****************************************************
Last Sunday's final wasn't up to much as a spectacle but no-one can deny that Kerry are a magnificent team

Kingdom set for long reign

OK hands up! How many of you enjoyed the All Ireland final? No, I don't mean the football, but the fact that it was as pukey a final as you'll ever find, filled with errors, stoppages, fouls, congestion, frees and a fair bit of ugliness too. If you sat watching the fare with an air of smug 'I told you so' satisfaction on your face, well then you can join the 'Puke Football is Everywhere and Yousones can do it as well as Usuns' Club. (This is just a working title).

Just imagine for a moment if either Armagh or Tyrone had been playing on Sunday. Uproar. It would have been 'a sad day for 'our' game', as if we up north had somehow stolen a jewel from its rightful owners. Now, I don't doubt that Ulster teams can serve up fairly attritional stuff at times, but not even the ropiest of encounters could come close to the mess which sprawled out over Croke Park field on Sunday. At least when northern teams play, both  teams turn up and show a bit of gumption, and there is a basic understanding that if you want to keep out goals, there should be a member of your team (traditionally the goalkeeper) actually on the goalline. As they say in our partof the country, Cork were cat; and looked totally stranded during the key points in the match, but it would be unfair to blame them alone for this result. The fact is they weren't given even a chink of light to open up, to get possession or to get into any sort of rhythm.

So how did Kerry beatCork so easily? Well, firstly, they looked at the strong points in the Cork team and none come as strong as Nicolas Murphy. High fielding, long striding, influential and inspirational; he is the engine room in the rebel machine and defines how Cork play. He had to be stopped one way or the other. Kerry employed a fairly tried and trusted strategy as follows. Firstly, their own kickouts went to the opposite side and well away from Murphy, starving him of vital opportunities to get an early clean catch in. Then for the Cork kickouts, everyone bar the kitchen sink came down on top of him; half backs, half forwards, corner forwards; they all went up and came down in a big heap, but the ball was in the next parish by this time. Negative? Yes. Cynical? Sort of. Effective? efinitely.

When you're Nicolas Murphy and so much of your game revolves around catching the kickout; once this dimension is ripped out of your inventory, the rest of your repertoire looks quite bleak, since nothing gives you energy and inspiration like a high catch in the middle of the field. Secondly, Kerry worked hard. Incredibly hard. Give me ten teams with all the game plans and fancy players in the world and I'd swap them all for an outfit with a strong work ethic and an ability to do what they're told. Half forwards tracked back, lost causes were chased and every spilled ball was lapped up with relish.Kerry won this game in their half-back line. The whole team operated out of that area and everything started from there. When they emerged from half back, there were options north south east and west and they could even afford a pass or a one two before they slipped it into Gooch or Donaghy.

And thirdly. Kerry as a team are simply magnificent. When you look at them in full flow on All-Ireland day and how they can dismantle teams, it just brings into sharper focus the sheer tenacity, sticking power and invention of Tyrone and Armagh, the only two teams to beat them this decade in Croke Park. Despite what we might say about Kerry and how we have been hurt recently by their superior attitude, the fact remains that we all love them really. It's a beautiful county; full of stunning scenery, amazing sunsets, jaunting cars, Kate Kearney's cottage, traditional stuff, a gaeltacht and a football tradition that defies logic.

We all love Gaelic football (well anyone who matters), but in Kerry, it's more than that. They deserve our praise. Colm Cooper is just a sensational player. He is unbelievable. Never has a bad game. His goal, which was the platform for the victory, showed courage, skill, accuracy, but most of all courage. To head on the blind side into the rising Alan Quirke and Graham Canty, get a punch in and score a goal, is one thing, but when you're giving them about a foot apiece and four stone, it shows the measure of this man. He is impossible to mark and can play off the equally outstanding Kieran Donaghy with ease. Next year might be different, but I suspect it will be much the same. Kilkenny and Kerry going for three in a row. We have a year to stop them. I fear it might take a generation.

**********************************************************
The Sledger
**********************************************************

Sides as dominant as Kerry usually inspire massive levels of resentment but the Kingdom seem immune to this syndrome

Baffling Lack of Begrudgery

A largely uneventful summer of football came to an end with a whimper last week, as the All-Ireland championship coughed, rather than roared, to a conclusion. Kerry won yet another Sam Maguire, an event about as surprising as Jim Davidson being booted off Hell's Kitchen for being offensive, and the nation yawned.

It's no fault of the Kingdom that they happen to be better than anybody else at producing quality footballers on a consistent basis, but that doesn't make the endless procession of victory parades in Tralee and Killarney any easier to watch for the rest of the country. Yet we all have a grudging admiration for the men in green and gold; their hunger and desire for success never seems to be sated, no matter how many Celtic Crosses they win. It's a phenomenon, because it seems that other counties struggle to maintain any sort of incentive to win football's biggestprize once they have won a singleSam, never mind two.

Kerry are, of course, blessed with an abundant amount of natural footballers, but it seems their drive is not to compare themselves with other contemporary teams, but instead they measure their worth against that of great Kingdom sides of thepast.

It could be viewed as arrogant that the only people they consider worthy rivals are their forebearers, but in truth it's hard to argue with them. Tyrone and Armagh were temporarily the equals, and sometimes the betters, of Kerry since the turn of the century, but even the most ardent Red Hand or Orchard fan would find it hard to make a case that they will be perennial rivals to the Munster giants. Both Ulster teams have faded in the past couple of seasons, through injury, age, or lack of personal motivation, while the relentless Kerry machine has steamrolled on, adding to their already record total of All-Irelands. Yet it's another curiosity that, despite their all-conquering dominationof football, they're not universally hated.

Manchester United became routinely despised when they were lording it over everyone in the 90s, and Chelsea became the new bête noir for soccer fans when their millions bought success in recent years. But Kerry have never really provoked the same kind of concentrated begrudgery and dislike, unlessyou're from Cork.

There has always been a deep admiration for their football, and a fondness for their star players that would never occur elsewhere. Think about it, you hate the best footballers in your rival counties, because usually they're the ones who routinely inspire your defeats. Peter Canavan is one of the greatest forwards of his generation, arguably of all time, yet he was not only greatly unloved outside Tyrone, but actively despised by sections of Ulster and beyond. Compare that to Maurice Fitzgerald, another of Gaelic football's finest ever players, but who would be much more fondly looked upon. Obviously it comes down to more than county, and different personalities and demeanours are also a factor, but there's no doubt that the Kingdom stars have received more favourable,
rose-tinted, soft focus reminiscing than other talented footballers of yore.

The Kerry golden years team are rightly revered, to the point where even Pat Spillane is still remembered as a great footballer, rather than just a loudmouth. Men like Jack O'Shea, Eoin Liston, Mikey Sheehy and Ogie Moran are legends, and few would argue about their status. Yet other fine footballers like Colm O'Rourke, Brian Stafford, Mick Lyons, Larry Tompkins, Shea Fahy, Dinny Allen and Conor Counihan have nowhere near that level of admiration, despite their achievements.

No Dub either, from the 70s or 80s teams, is as universally liked. Brian Mullins, Jimmy Keaveney, Tony Hanahoe, Kevin Moran, and Bernard Brogan were all worshipped in the capital, but never got the same love their great Munster rivals did. It is, no doubt, an endless source of pride (and more than a little arrogance) for Kerry people that they instil such reverence and awe in the other 31 counties.

The fact is, Kerry have an almost mythological status within the GAA. They are expected to if not win every football championship, then at least be either in the shake-up at the end, or must be beaten if any team wants to win the Sam Maguire. Any All-Ireland that is won by beating the Kingdom in either the semi-final or final is almost a double All-Ireland. Yes, cliche it may be, but then so many things about Kerry have become hackneyed because only the faces and styles of jersey changes; their persistent ability to be contenders doesn't, no matter the decade.

They are the benchmark that all other footballers aspire to reach. They are awesome. The final was a one-sided noncontest, but you couldn't help admire the sheer brilliance of Colm Cooper, the towering magnificence of Kieran Donaghy, and the ferocious competitiveness of the O Se clan. The championship was a real disappointment, but at least it had worthy champion

*******************************************************************
Joe Brolly
*******************************************************************
Inept Cork showed that only Ulster sides can hope to put manners on the Kingdom

All-Ireland Panic Attack

In the senior final, Kerry put twelve men behind the ball making it impossible for Cork to attack, their half forwards dropped deep into the defence, they swamped the break ball area, and then counter attacked at speed, moving the ball quickly to their two man forward line. They played cynically, fouling in areas of the field where frees couldn't be converted, and generally looked like ... well, Tyrone.

Cork meanwhile had no plan. In the cult comedy Withnail and I, Withnail explains to the bemused farmer that he and his friend "have come on holiday by accident". Cork seemed to have arrived in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day by accident. They hadn't a clue how to deal with the Kerry defensive system. Their own 6'7" giant on the edge of the square was left twiddling his thumbs. Their short passing game was a disaster against the swarm defence.

In the absence of any semblance of a plan they simply panicked, not helped by Billy Morgan's early changes. Billy might as well have stood on the sideline with a megaphone shouting "PANIC, PANIC!" After ten minutes, O'Connor was switched off Cooper and Canty moved off Star. Did they not think about who would pick up whom beforehand? The selection of an unfit James Masters only increased the nerves. Desperately trying to prove himself from the off, three times James hoofed it desperately up into the air from improbable angles.

After the semi final Billy had rounded on the Sunday Game team, suggesting that we gave no credit to the Cork forwards or Nicholas Murphy. Well, I don't want to sound like Father Ted when he won the Golden Cleric award (Where are you now Father Andy Shortall?), but both were non-existent. Because Kerry were playing so negatively, by halftime they led only by 1-6 to 0-6. Their two man forward line was very isolated and it was clear scores were going to be at a premium. Unfortunately for Cork and the neutral, Alan Quirke decided to take his brain out and put it in a little box far far away. I felt genuinely sorry for him. He had been outstanding all year, but this will be forgotten. Croke Park on All-Ireland final day is the most unforgiving place in the world.

Think about the public humiliation all those good Mayo players suffered in 2004 and 2006. The horror of those two days will hang around them like a bad smell forever. All three goals were giveaways, and engendered a general feeling of disbelief among the crowd. They weren't created or worked for, just handed over. Kerry didn't play well, but then again they didn't have to. The message is clear: Only Ulster can produce a worthy foe for the Kingdom. It is time to up the ante.

Look at all the hate coming our way after winning 2 in a row.
Can't imagine what it's going to be like if we manage 3  ::)

Quote from: Kerry1980 on September 21, 2007, 04:37:59 PM
Look at all the hate coming our way after winning 2 in a row.

Where?

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 02:39:10 PM
From today's Gaelic Life, and the Kingdom folk were complaining of being unloved (though I think I'm going to be sick  ;))!

*****************************************************
Jarlath Burns
*****************************************************
Last Sunday's final wasn't up to much as a spectacle but no-one can deny that Kerry are a magnificent team

Kingdom set for long reign

OK hands up! How many of you enjoyed the All Ireland final? No, I don't mean the football, but the fact that it was as pukey a final as you'll ever find, filled with errors, stoppages, fouls, congestion, frees and a fair bit of ugliness too. If you sat watching the fare with an air of smug 'I told you so' satisfaction on your face, well then you can join the 'Puke Football is Everywhere and Yousones can do it as well as Usuns' Club. (This is just a working title).

Just imagine for a moment if either Armagh or Tyrone had been playing on Sunday. Uproar. It would have been 'a sad day for 'our' game', as if we up north had somehow stolen a jewel from its rightful owners. Now, I don't doubt that Ulster teams can serve up fairly attritional stuff at times, but not even the ropiest of encounters could come close to the mess which sprawled out over Croke Park field on Sunday. At least when northern teams play, both  teams turn up and show a bit of gumption, and there is a basic understanding that if you want to keep out goals, there should be a member of your team (traditionally the goalkeeper) actually on the goalline. As they say in our partof the country, Cork were cat; and looked totally stranded during the key points in the match, but it would be unfair to blame them alone for this result. The fact is they weren't given even a chink of light to open up, to get possession or to get into any sort of rhythm.

So how did Kerry beatCork so easily? Well, firstly, they looked at the strong points in the Cork team and none come as strong as Nicolas Murphy. High fielding, long striding, influential and inspirational; he is the engine room in the rebel machine and defines how Cork play. He had to be stopped one way or the other. Kerry employed a fairly tried and trusted strategy as follows. Firstly, their own kickouts went to the opposite side and well away from Murphy, starving him of vital opportunities to get an early clean catch in. Then for the Cork kickouts, everyone bar the kitchen sink came down on top of him; half backs, half forwards, corner forwards; they all went up and came down in a big heap, but the ball was in the next parish by this time. Negative? Yes. Cynical? Sort of. Effective? efinitely.

When you're Nicolas Murphy and so much of your game revolves around catching the kickout; once this dimension is ripped out of your inventory, the rest of your repertoire looks quite bleak, since nothing gives you energy and inspiration like a high catch in the middle of the field. Secondly, Kerry worked hard. Incredibly hard. Give me ten teams with all the game plans and fancy players in the world and I'd swap them all for an outfit with a strong work ethic and an ability to do what they're told. Half forwards tracked back, lost causes were chased and every spilled ball was lapped up with relish.Kerry won this game in their half-back line. The whole team operated out of that area and everything started from there. When they emerged from half back, there were options north south east and west and they could even afford a pass or a one two before they slipped it into Gooch or Donaghy.

And thirdly. Kerry as a team are simply magnificent. When you look at them in full flow on All-Ireland day and how they can dismantle teams, it just brings into sharper focus the sheer tenacity, sticking power and invention of Tyrone and Armagh, the only two teams to beat them this decade in Croke Park. Despite what we might say about Kerry and how we have been hurt recently by their superior attitude, the fact remains that we all love them really. It's a beautiful county; full of stunning scenery, amazing sunsets, jaunting cars, Kate Kearney's cottage, traditional stuff, a gaeltacht and a football tradition that defies logic.

We all love Gaelic football (well anyone who matters), but in Kerry, it's more than that. They deserve our praise. Colm Cooper is just a sensational player. He is unbelievable. Never has a bad game. His goal, which was the platform for the victory, showed courage, skill, accuracy, but most of all courage. To head on the blind side into the rising Alan Quirke and Graham Canty, get a punch in and score a goal, is one thing, but when you're giving them about a foot apiece and four stone, it shows the measure of this man. He is impossible to mark and can play off the equally outstanding Kieran Donaghy with ease. Next year might be different, but I suspect it will be much the same. Kilkenny and Kerry going for three in a row. We have a year to stop them. I fear it might take a generation.

**********************************************************
The Sledger
**********************************************************

Sides as dominant as Kerry usually inspire massive levels of resentment but the Kingdom seem immune to this syndrome

Baffling Lack of Begrudgery

A largely uneventful summer of football came to an end with a whimper last week, as the All-Ireland championship coughed, rather than roared, to a conclusion. Kerry won yet another Sam Maguire, an event about as surprising as Jim Davidson being booted off Hell's Kitchen for being offensive, and the nation yawned.

It's no fault of the Kingdom that they happen to be better than anybody else at producing quality footballers on a consistent basis, but that doesn't make the endless procession of victory parades in Tralee and Killarney any easier to watch for the rest of the country. Yet we all have a grudging admiration for the men in green and gold; their hunger and desire for success never seems to be sated, no matter how many Celtic Crosses they win. It's a phenomenon, because it seems that other counties struggle to maintain any sort of incentive to win football's biggestprize once they have won a singleSam, never mind two.

Kerry are, of course, blessed with an abundant amount of natural footballers, but it seems their drive is not to compare themselves with other contemporary teams, but instead they measure their worth against that of great Kingdom sides of thepast.

It could be viewed as arrogant that the only people they consider worthy rivals are their forebearers, but in truth it's hard to argue with them. Tyrone and Armagh were temporarily the equals, and sometimes the betters, of Kerry since the turn of the century, but even the most ardent Red Hand or Orchard fan would find it hard to make a case that they will be perennial rivals to the Munster giants. Both Ulster teams have faded in the past couple of seasons, through injury, age, or lack of personal motivation, while the relentless Kerry machine has steamrolled on, adding to their already record total of All-Irelands. Yet it's another curiosity that, despite their all-conquering dominationof football, they're not universally hated.

Manchester United became routinely despised when they were lording it over everyone in the 90s, and Chelsea became the new bête noir for soccer fans when their millions bought success in recent years. But Kerry have never really provoked the same kind of concentrated begrudgery and dislike, unlessyou're from Cork.

There has always been a deep admiration for their football, and a fondness for their star players that would never occur elsewhere. Think about it, you hate the best footballers in your rival counties, because usually they're the ones who routinely inspire your defeats. Peter Canavan is one of the greatest forwards of his generation, arguably of all time, yet he was not only greatly unloved outside Tyrone, but actively despised by sections of Ulster and beyond. Compare that to Maurice Fitzgerald, another of Gaelic football's finest ever players, but who would be much more fondly looked upon. Obviously it comes down to more than county, and different personalities and demeanours are also a factor, but there's no doubt that the Kingdom stars have received more favourable,
rose-tinted, soft focus reminiscing than other talented footballers of yore.

The Kerry golden years team are rightly revered, to the point where even Pat Spillane is still remembered as a great footballer, rather than just a loudmouth. Men like Jack O'Shea, Eoin Liston, Mikey Sheehy and Ogie Moran are legends, and few would argue about their status. Yet other fine footballers like Colm O'Rourke, Brian Stafford, Mick Lyons, Larry Tompkins, Shea Fahy, Dinny Allen and Conor Counihan have nowhere near that level of admiration, despite their achievements.

No Dub either, from the 70s or 80s teams, is as universally liked. Brian Mullins, Jimmy Keaveney, Tony Hanahoe, Kevin Moran, and Bernard Brogan were all worshipped in the capital, but never got the same love their great Munster rivals did. It is, no doubt, an endless source of pride (and more than a little arrogance) for Kerry people that they instil such reverence and awe in the other 31 counties.

The fact is, Kerry have an almost mythological status within the GAA. They are expected to if not win every football championship, then at least be either in the shake-up at the end, or must be beaten if any team wants to win the Sam Maguire. Any All-Ireland that is won by beating the Kingdom in either the semi-final or final is almost a double All-Ireland. Yes, cliche it may be, but then so many things about Kerry have become hackneyed because only the faces and styles of jersey changes; their persistent ability to be contenders doesn't, no matter the decade.

They are the benchmark that all other footballers aspire to reach. They are awesome. The final was a one-sided noncontest, but you couldn't help admire the sheer brilliance of Colm Cooper, the towering magnificence of Kieran Donaghy, and the ferocious competitiveness of the O Se clan. The championship was a real disappointment, but at least it had worthy champion

*******************************************************************
Joe Brolly
*******************************************************************
Inept Cork showed that only Ulster sides can hope to put manners on the Kingdom

All-Ireland Panic Attack

In the senior final, Kerry put twelve men behind the ball making it impossible for Cork to attack, their half forwards dropped deep into the defence, they swamped the break ball area, and then counter attacked at speed, moving the ball quickly to their two man forward line. They played cynically, fouling in areas of the field where frees couldn't be converted, and generally looked like ... well, Tyrone.

Cork meanwhile had no plan. In the cult comedy Withnail and I, Withnail explains to the bemused farmer that he and his friend "have come on holiday by accident". Cork seemed to have arrived in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day by accident. They hadn't a clue how to deal with the Kerry defensive system. Their own 6'7" giant on the edge of the square was left twiddling his thumbs. Their short passing game was a disaster against the swarm defence.

In the absence of any semblance of a plan they simply panicked, not helped by Billy Morgan's early changes. Billy might as well have stood on the sideline with a megaphone shouting "PANIC, PANIC!" After ten minutes, O'Connor was switched off Cooper and Canty moved off Star. Did they not think about who would pick up whom beforehand? The selection of an unfit James Masters only increased the nerves. Desperately trying to prove himself from the off, three times James hoofed it desperately up into the air from improbable angles.

After the semi final Billy had rounded on the Sunday Game team, suggesting that we gave no credit to the Cork forwards or Nicholas Murphy. Well, I don't want to sound like Father Ted when he won the Golden Cleric award (Where are you now Father Andy Shortall?), but both were non-existent. Because Kerry were playing so negatively, by halftime they led only by 1-6 to 0-6. Their two man forward line was very isolated and it was clear scores were going to be at a premium. Unfortunately for Cork and the neutral, Alan Quirke decided to take his brain out and put it in a little box far far away. I felt genuinely sorry for him. He had been outstanding all year, but this will be forgotten. Croke Park on All-Ireland final day is the most unforgiving place in the world.

Think about the public humiliation all those good Mayo players suffered in 2004 and 2006. The horror of those two days will hang around them like a bad smell forever. All three goals were giveaways, and engendered a general feeling of disbelief among the crowd. They weren't created or worked for, just handed over. Kerry didn't play well, but then again they didn't have to. The message is clear: Only Ulster can produce a worthy foe for the Kingdom. It is time to up the ante.

By god but I won't need the viagra tonight after reading that. Tis great to be appreciated and the little sting to the non-Ulster counties is a nice finish.

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 07:11:19 PM
By god but I won't need the viagra tonight after reading that. Tis great to be appreciated and the little sting to the non-Ulster counties is a nice finish.

Great, don't omit to tell the missus the source of your performance  ;)

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 09:12:34 PM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 07:11:19 PM
By god but I won't need the viagra tonight after reading that. Tis great to be appreciated and the little sting to the non-Ulster counties is a nice finish.

Great, don't omit to tell the missus the source of your performance  ;)

This wife is having a cigarette. I think she wants to meet you.

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 11:10:47 PM

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 09:12:34 PM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 07:11:19 PM
By god but I won't need the viagra tonight after reading that. Tis great to be appreciated and the little sting to the non-Ulster counties is a nice finish.

Great, don't omit to tell the missus the source of your performance  ;)

This wife is having a cigarette. I think she wants to meet you.

:D Sláinte!

FC: when are you lighting the yearly ritual bonfire to burn those "other" jerseys that reside in your hot press ? I may call out for the event.

I know you have to live and work there in Langerland but after Sunday there is no excuse to have those jerseys in your house. I know they come in handy for washing the car, the dog if you had one, or the windows, and even cleaning up after you when you wobble in to home now and again, but its time to rid the house of those yokes, the childer derserve better. KM has spoken...and the Book of Yerra says it is so.

Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 21, 2007, 11:32:49 PM
FC: when are you lighting the yearly ritual bonfire to burn those "other" jerseys that reside in your hot press ? I may call out for the event.

I know you have to live and work there in Langerland but after Sunday there is no excuse to have those jerseys in your house. I know they come in handy for washing the car, the dog if you had one, or the windows, and even cleaning up after you when you wobble in to home now and again, but its time to rid the house of those yokes, the childer derserve better. KM has spoken...and the Book of Yerra says it is so.

I tried using them for jacks roll but they cut the piles off me - cheap nylon=friction burns. You should come to Macroom for a visit. Very high proportion of KY cars carrying colours through enemy territory. Completly wrecking native heads.

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 11:13:57 PM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 11:10:47 PM

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 09:12:34 PM

Quote from: Frank Casey on September 21, 2007, 07:11:19 PM
By god but I won't need the viagra tonight after reading that. Tis great to be appreciated and the little sting to the non-Ulster counties is a nice finish.

Great, don't omit to tell the missus the source of your performance  ;)

This wife is having a cigarette. I think she wants to meet you.

:D Sláinte!

I owe you a pint.

Have been unable to post for the last week and I haven't gone through all the posts but has Billy Morgan's role in this debacle been mentioned. Now Billy is a legend of the game, particularily in Cork, and his presence in the city is of utmost importance in keeping the game strong there but he is no longer a top quaility inter county manager. I'm not saying this because of last Sunday's result, I've been saying it for some time now, he has Cork playing excessively negative football, he is unwilling to regularily play the U21's of the last 4 years, and is too loyal to the Nemo guy's on the panel. Kavanagh is not an inter-county midfielder, Master's isn't a real inter-county forward(a option from the bench yes, but not the fulcrum of your forward line). Players like Goulding & Gould should be on the team and left find their feet, play them in their right positions and build their confidence. Instead neither is given a good run in the team or when started are taken off if playing poorly. And even when Goulding played well in the semi was still dropped for a less than 100% Masters.
                         It really annoys me when people justify giving an inter county job to lads based on their profile, so the same few heads are mentioned when an inter county job comes up. Being a great player is no indication of being a great coach/manager. Now I know some might come on here and point out Billy's record with Nemo as proof of his managerial quailities, which is fair enough but I'm not saying Billy is inept as a manager he's just not inter county standard. If like me you were at the game then I'd say you know just how bad Cork really were. 

One week later and all quiet. Can anyone post analysis from the Sunday newspapers?

From www.kerryman.ie. At least one Corkman showed some fight or could he not take the beating?

Kerry fan assaulted by former Cork GAA star

Wednesday September 19 2007

A KERRY football supporter is lying in a Dublin hospital with a smashed cheekbone after being punched in the face by a former Cork inter-county GAA star.

Dublin gardaí are investigating the incident that occurred outside a city centre hotel after the final whistle blew on Kerry?s victory over Cork in Croke Park.

Martin Downey, from Castleisland, was facing surgery this week after the attack which left him with a badly broken cheekbone. The Kerryman understands that he was assaulted by the former Cork star late on Sunday night after an innocuous comment regarding the match.

Gardaí were alerted to the incident and an arrest was made, according to one source. Mr Downey was to undergo reconstructive surgery at a Dublin hospital on Wednesday.

Obviously don't know the case and yadda yadda yadda, but I thought this line highly prejudicial

QuoteThe Kerryman understands that he was assaulted by the former Cork star late on Sunday night after an innocuous comment regarding the match.

First of all I would like to know what 'innocuous' comment was made, and secondly, given that it is the Kerryman reporting on an alleged assault on a Kerry man, by an ex Cork player, I would at the least say the reporting will be biased.

In the Examiner it probably says, Kerry Animal attacks Cork man's fist with face.

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 02:39:10 PM

And thirdly. Kerry as a team are simply magnificent. When you look at them in full flow on All-Ireland day and how they can dismantle teams, it just brings into sharper focus the sheer tenacity, sticking power and invention of Tyrone and Armagh, the only two teams to beat them this decade in Croke Park.

What about Meath?

Quote from: blanketattack on September 25, 2007, 11:16:55 AM

Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 21, 2007, 02:39:10 PM

And thirdly. Kerry as a team are simply magnificent. When you look at them in full flow on All-Ireland day and how they can dismantle teams, it just brings into sharper focus the sheer tenacity, sticking power and invention of Tyrone and Armagh, the only two teams to beat them this decade in Croke Park.

What about Meath?

Fair point ba, in the 2001 semi-final, though this is Jarlarth Burns' quote, and not mine  ;)

"Beat" is surely too small a word for what we did to them. If it wasn't for the fact that Galway hammered us in the final and our team disintegrated after that and Armagh and Tyrone came to the fore and our renaissance was guillotined (hopefully temporarily) by Cork this year, sure we could be celebrating seven-in-a-row now.