Kerry V Dublin

[cornafean]

Those stats dont indicate much of a rivalry. I wonder has Tom Humphries plans to re-release his book that was cunningly - not - published in anticipation of an old-firm 06 decider. Could do with another laugh like that one.

Humphries' "Dublin v Kerry" available for £2 yesterday in Banana Books in Junction One. They have dozens and dozens of them. Don't all queue at once.  

[heffo]

A few months ago, this column caused some civil unrest in the deep south when it dared to suggest that we, as a nation, are hopelessly deluded about Kerry football.

The column was written on the eve of the Championship and it was largely in response to the overwhelming majority of pundits, journalists and ex-players who had selected Kerry as the team most likely to win this year's

All-Ireland title.

Against the Breeze argued that these people were just plain wrong. It said these people were still living under the spell of the magical green and gold jersey. It said they were allowing tradition and nostalgia to cloud their

judgement.

A few months later and the cognoscenti who were telling us why Kerry were going to win this year's All-Ireland title have dramatically changed their tune. At that time, we were told that Jack was back to conquer Tyrone. His team had just cruised to the National League title and, with his squad bolstered by Tadhg Kennelly and young David Moran, he was perfectly-positioned for September glory.

Now, the same people are telling us that Kerry are in total disarray. It turns out Jack was wrong to go back. His book was a mistake. It rubbed the O Se brothers up the wrong way.

Apparently, Jack has now lost the changing room. We are also being told that the players have too many miles on the legs. They are weary and worn.

Ironically, much of the analysis outlining what is wrong with Kerry is as fundamentally flawed as the articles written to explain why they would win this year's Championship.

For the benefit of those now suffering from selective amnesia, it's necessary to point out that Jack O'Connor was welcomed back with open arms. The players and the public applauded his appointment.

Furthermore, there was no mention of tired legs or mental fatigue when Kerry collected the League title in cruise control.

The real problem facing this Kerry squad centres on its dependence on individuals.

Last year, 'Team Tyrone' beat 15 Kerry players.

The trouble with individuals is that they put themselves first, which is the long way of saying

'indiscipline'.

And indiscipline explains the red card that ruled Paul Galvin out of action for much of last summer.

It explains the three yellow cards that Kerry picked up when they lost their composure before half-time in the All-Ireland final.

And if we delve deeper, there is further evidence to demonstrate why Tyrone's collective emerged triumphant.

Last year's final essentially turned at the start of the second half. Darragh O Se, who was imperious in the first period, found himself standing beside a fresh-legged and determined Kevin Hughes for the second throw-in.

Darragh had just completed 35 minutes of hard graft. Kevin was pawing at the ground. Tyrone's goal came when Hughes came bounding through the centre of the pitch and took a pass from Stephen O'Neill. Darragh hadn't the legs to keep up with his younger, fitter rival.

Watch a replay of last year's All-Ireland final and witness the number of times Darragh is chasing back, valiantly trying to catch a player that is leaving him for dead.

Jack O'Connor will have watched last year's final on countless occasions. Darragh's performance was not lost on him. At the start of the year, he set out to establish a new midfield partnership.

Anthony Maher, Michael Quirke and David Moran were all given ample game time in the League, but they were exposed against Cork in the Championship.

�This meant O'Connor had to go back to Darragh. Of course, there is no doubt that Darragh O Se can make a huge contribution, but last year's All-Ireland final provides clear evidence that his ageing limbs can be exposed over the course of 70 minutes.

The obvious solution is to keep Darragh in cold storage, then introduce him at half-time for the crucial phase of the game.

But, by all accounts, Darragh doesn't like these new-fangled notions. He wants the number eight on his back and he wants to start.

Now, consider the contrast with Tyrone, where everyone submits obediently to the gameplan. The collective comes first.

Both Kevin Hughes and Brian McGuigan wanted to start last year's final.�But Mickey Harte

believed they could make a more telling impact as substitutes.

A fit Hughes could run the legs off a tiring Darragh O Se. McGuigan could provide composure and intelligence during a frenetic finish.

Like the rest of the Tyrone squad, Hughes and McGuigan learned a long time ago to accept the

wisdom of the man who manages them.

A different dynamic exists in Kerry. The players hold more sway because they've won All-Ireland titles under three different managers.

Kerry's success over the last decade has stemmed from brilliant individuals with big, powerful, resilient egos. But the cause of that strength is now their greatest weakness.

Jack O'Connor is now trying to wrest that control from the players.

His decision to drop Tomas O Se and Colm Cooper�for drinking before a round four Qualifier would appear unavoidable to anyone with the faintest knowledge of management.

Yet, the reaction in Kerry to O'Connor's decision neatly demonstrates their current subservience to the talented individual rather than the team.

The real crisis for Kerry would be if two players could escape punishment for such a breach of discipline.

The fact that Jack O'Connor could make that call, and Kerry's radically improved conduct on the pitch provides evidence that he has more authority over his changing room than he is currently being given credit for.

But, O'Connor is fighting an uphill�battle.

Whereas Mike Frank Russell and Eoin Brosnan recently quit his squad, the absolute unity and

dedication that Jack needs can be found in the changing room of his next opponents. Dublin's Ciaran Whelan, Bryan Cullen and Shane Ryan have all been prepared to sit on the bench.

Nevertheless, Kerry's grip on the public imagination is still incredibly strong. For all their failings and fall-outs, it's amazing how few can identify the symptoms of a dying team.

There is a nationwide inability to dismiss Kerry. Despite the evidence presented in recent games, there are many who still insist that 'you write Kerry off at your peril'.

What cautious drivel! Against Longford, Sligo and Antrim, we witnessed a once fine team in the death throes. Proud, strong and noble, it's fitting that Kerry are gasping for every last lungful of air.

It's a relief they weren't beaten in the Qualifiers. These players deserved a better send-off than to be laid to rest in a remote outpost in the midlands.

Better for them to return to the capital, and Croke Park, the ground they consider home, and the place where this�Kerry team will receive their last rites.

http://www.irishnews.com/irishnews/597/5764/2009/7/28/623611_388890678322Dubscanp.html

[fearglasmor]

It's great when you get someone so adamant in thier own beliefs  !!!

and even greater when that person has the capacity to admit that they got it completely wrong.


Maybe....   roll on the bank holiday weekend.

[Rossfan]

That Heaney needs to get out and about a biteen more from his remote backwater.

[blanketattack]

Marc Ó Sé is likely to be suspended.
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=115609
The video is pretty conclusive so the suspension is pretty certain.

[Archie Mitchell]

What video? I didn't see anything in the RTE coverage and the Irish News reported it as being a nothing incident.

[redhandluke]

Strange it was not mentioned in the Sunday Game. 
Brian Canavan on Radio Ulster commentary saw the episode and said at the time was a strike to O'Neill head - he did say if the ref/umpire saw the incident he would have to go.

[spectator]

Now, consider the contrast with Tyrone, where everyone submits obediently to the gameplan.

Heaney could almost be a one man Tyroniban  

Never really read him before, but he looks like he's good for a laugh, albeit I suspect unintentionally  

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Heaney's from Derry...loving Tyrone would not be his natural default position.  Regarding O'Se, the Sunday Game chose to ignore it?? (too busy with the Galvin love-in) but speaking to someone who was at the game it was a clear strike off the ball and should have been red...think he got a yellow for it??

[INDIANA]

Hoganstand? - about as reliable a source as the Daily Sport. If the Sunday Game missed it you can be sure the CAC will miss it.

[Hound]

I see Paddy Power has the odds at almost level - Dublin evens, Kerry 11/10.

My fear is that even if the Dubs have a good day and win more possession, that Kerry will get the goals required to win the game.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

If the Sunday Game missed it you can be sure the CAC will miss it.

If there are solid grounds for a ban, and the CCCC have already viewed the incident, then they've no choice but to carry it through. To do otherwise will leave them wide open to charges of trial by television in the not too distant future.

[tyrone86]

Hoganstand? - about as reliable a source as the Daily Sport. If the Sunday Game missed it you can be sure the CAC will miss it.

In fairness, if it's on the Hoganstand website it's more than likely to have been published in a more reputable publication first - every story tends to be copied from somewhere else.

[nrico2006]

My point LDA is that if in GAA there was a transfer system The Kerry boys would be up at the top of most people' list.
Tyrone have some superb footballers guys like O'Neill, Cavanagh, Mulligan, Gormley etc but they have had to work alot harder at their game to get to were they are.
Kerry seem to produce a "Superstar" every few years these days Gooch, Donaghy, Walsh etc.
I admire Tyrone I think they have gotten the utmost out of their players wereas other teams havent.

If there was a transfer system I would say there would be more Tyrone players in demand than Kerry.  Saying that the aforementioned named players have had to work harder at their game to get where they are is a stupid statement - how would you or any of us know what work an individual has needed to do to get where they are?  A good/great player does not come out of the womb ready for the pitch, every player has to work hard to get to where they want.  Kieran Donaghy has probably had to do alot more work than any other player to get where he is now.   

[INDIANA]

My point LDA is that if in GAA there was a transfer system The Kerry boys would be up at the top of most people' list.
Tyrone have some superb footballers guys like O'Neill, Cavanagh, Mulligan, Gormley etc but they have had to work alot harder at their game to get to were they are.
Kerry seem to produce a "Superstar" every few years these days Gooch, Donaghy, Walsh etc.
I admire Tyrone I think they have gotten the utmost out of their players wereas other teams havent.

If there was a transfer system I would say there would be more Tyrone players in demand than Kerry.  Saying that the aforementioned named players have had to work harder at their game to get where they are is a stupid statement - how would you or any of us know what work an individual has needed to do to get where they are?  A good/great player does not come out of the womb ready for the pitch, every player has to work hard to get to where they want.  Kieran Donaghy has probably had to do alot more work than any other player to get where he is now.   

I don't necessarily agree with that. Tyrone biggest strength is the collective not the individual. Individually its very close in terms so match ups with neither having a distinct advantage in my view.