Kerry players born, not made
And so it was in my opinion during that fascinating pulsating second half in Croke Park last Sunday. Late into the game Kerry were clinging on to a one point lead.
The bright blue waves of Dublin attacks were crashing off the Kerry back line in a seemingly continuous surge. The hill was on fire sensing victory over the Kingdom for the first time in thirty years. Then came an amazing incident. Stephen Cluxton is recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the game, (after Diarmuid Murphy in my opinion). A high ball came into the Dublin keeper, under no pressure he collected, took three solos, then a hop, then three more solos which brought him out to near the forty five meter line.
All alone instead of finding a man he drove the ball straight out to Kieran Donaghy. We then saw eight Kerry passes as the forwards showed superb coolness under tremendous pressure. The final pass went to Sean O?Sullivan, the Cromane man raced through and punched over a crucial point which lifted the siege and in the final analysis ensured victory. Declan's point of course copper fastened it.
Referee John Bannon has come in for a lot of stick from Kerry supporters. He was never the flavour of the month in Kerry anyway. Some of his decisions were baffling and several frees awarded to Dublin were undeserved. On the other hand it was a very difficult game to handle and dare I say it one vital free awarded to Dublin late in the game helped Kerry to victory.
Let me explain. In my fifteen years as a referee I always attempted to allow an attacking player continue to play despite being fouled especially when a goal chance was looming. There is no advantage rule in Gaelic football unlike rugby. The late great Tipperary referee John Moloney once advised me to refrain from blowing the whistle for two or three second where possible and let the play continue. This is a very delicate balancing act and at times such decisions can come back to haunt you.
In the fifty third minute the Dubs were clawing themselves back into contention. Their dashing centre field man Shane Ryan was bearing down on the Kerry goal Kieran Donaghy sensing the danger threw his arms around Ryan, then let him go, Ryan was through for a clear shot on goal. Of course we can only guess what might have resulted then. It all happened in a split second, but Bannon had blown the whistle and called back the play. A point resulted from the ensuing free. Star got a yellow card for what I term the best foul of the year.
The first half was full of tension and a number of unsightly incidents as players squared up to each other, however it was more tough and rugged that anything dirty. Two weeks ago I wrote in this column about some appalling incitement and intimidation carried on by Dublin against Laois in the Leinster championship. We saw them at it again last Sunday, disgusting stuff as they stuck their sneering faces close to the Kerry men, pointed at players as they lay on the ground and generally behaved in a manner that takes from a side that has brought wonderful colour, excitement and massive crowds to the championship. The authorities will have to take a hard look at this type of incitement because if they don?t get referees to stamp it out quickly it will become more prevalent.
This was a superb win for Kerry. To contest four All Ireland finals in-a-row in present day football is an amazing achievement. The great Kerry team of the seventies/eighties contested five in-a-row, (Seamus Darby and all of that). However, and no one can deny that this was the greatest side of all time, Mick O?Dwyer?s men did not have to contest quarter finals and now even when using the so called back door the present championship involves even more games. So for this bunch of players to still be at the top literally dedicating their lives to the cause should never be over looked.
Well done to Pat O?Shea and his whole back room team. Pat took on the job when many might have declined. He would be judged on results, nothing else, he is one game away from following in the footsteps of his Dr Crokes club man Dr Eamonn O?Sullivan. The biggest test of all now awaits. The Killarney townie is well up to the challenge.
It was such a richly deserved victory fashioned in the great Kerry traditions. And let there be no doubt that tradition plays a huge part in Kerry teams when they race on to the green sward of Croke Park. Add to this, experience, so vital in the white hot heat of battle and the third ingredient, great substitutes.
I have mentioned here all year the rich vein of talent ready to answer the call to arms when Kerry backs are to the wall. And once again last Sunday the substations worked splendidly. The two O?Sullivans, Darran and Sean and Tommy Griffin would be on any team in Ireland, add in Mossie Lyons and of course Mike Frank Russell so unlucky not to have stared the last day and you have the perfect answer to a winning formula.
More magic moments for Kerry fans to store in their great array of memories. Declan O?Sullivan?s expertly taken goal so well set up by Colm Cooper and the ever improving Killian Young from little proud Renard. The great defending of the Kerry backs. Diarmuid Murphy had his quietest after noon since he first donned the yellow jersey. Well done especially to Scartaglin?s own Padraig Reidy, like the tall Currow lad Seamus Scanlon this run to the final and the expert coaching of Pat O?Shea is stamping them as potential stars of the future. The long high ball into Kieran Donaghy once again proved fruitless, but he was winning every single ball that was played into the open spaces. His move out field to direct operations was a master move and while he was the only forward not to get on the scoring list he had a superb game. Paul Galvin, Eoin Brosnan and Brian Sheehan all chipped in with two priceless points each.
What can be said of Colm Cooper that has not already been said before? Given the freedom to roam outfield as he so often dose for his club he literally directed operations as would a conductor in a world class orchestra. If I were a Dublin fan I would say. ?Give us Colm Cooper and we will play ye all over again.?
It could be argued that it was a calculated risk to bring Darragh on again following that hip injury. However, the medics on the line would have sized up the situation well before giving the all clear. Now Kerry fans will sweat, pray, and hope that one of Kerrys greatest ever players will be fit and ready to face Cork and their mighty midfielder Nicholas Murphy in the mother of all finals. However, we must see further improvement if we expect to beat Billy Morgan?s side in the final. So the final word for the moment. Kerry footballers are born, not made. My Man of the Match was Declan O?Sullivan.
A final word on the master stroke Billy Morgan pulled in Corks great win over Meath. All the talk was about six foot seven full forward Michael Cussen. It was evident in the previous games that they were confused and betwixt and between in relation to what type of football they should play. It was half long and half short and Cork are at their best with the running passing game. Billy put Cussen out around centre field, left him there and set about playing their more natural game.
It worked like a dream.
