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Friday, July 09, 2010
Kerry a work in progress
BY SEAN COUNIHAN
I HAVE often heard people say that Jack O’Connor is a lucky manager – a good omen to have – and looking back on Sunday’s Munster football final then perhaps they might have a point.
Kerry were lucky not to concede a penalty in the closing moments of Sunday’s final in Killarney as Limerick went in search of a goal that would have levelled the game. Jack’s men could, very easily, be facing a replay in the Gaelic Grounds had the referee awarded a penalty.
Limerick must be gutted once more as their 114-year wait for a Munster senior football title goes on. They must be wondering what exactly they have to do to make the breakthrough.
It was only last year that Cork just edged past them by a single point and now it’s Kerry that tagged over three late scores to win a close decider.
Two major factors are worth noting when looking back on Sunday’s match – the wind played a major factor and Limerick came to Killarney without fear of reputation.
Limerick enjoyed a great start and they had four points on the board before Tomás Ó Sé scored Kerry’s first point of the final.
There has been a lot of talk about Tomás Ó Sé’s performance and a few incidents that were not in keeping with the Tomás that I would know.
But it must be said that Limerick’s Stephen Kelly, in the opening 20 minutes of the match, was roaming the field, getting physical tackles in to anybody who had a Kerry jersey on him.
Limerick might have been better off if they had concentrated on the ball because they might then have been a few more points in front by the break.
They gave away a few silly frees, kicked some poor wides and there was also some poor decision making when they kicked balls out wide to the corners when Kerry were clearly struggling with the high ball dropping under the crossbar.
Supporters must remember that we have a novice goalkeeper in his first season as Kerry’s number one man between the posts. And it shows at times that it’s Brendan Kealy’s first year. He has, after all, played just four championship games. Ever.
In this column not too long ago, I advocated that Diarmuid Murphy, or somebody of that calibre, be brought in to give a bit of goalkeeping coaching to Kealy. That should now be made a priority.
Sunday’s match was one of the best Munster finals for a while and it was a game that I really enjoyed, even if it was loaded with mistakes on both sides.
Stephen Lucey did a good marking job on Kieran Donaghy, and in the first half we were forced to bring Donaghy out to midfield because we were being cleaned out there.
I have said it time and time again in the past but this will not work. Donaghy is an inside line man. No more.
The arrival of Michéal Quirke really helped to steady the ship in what was a day that suited the Strand Road man. The wind holding the kick out up in the air really worked to Quirke’s advantage.
Limerick’s John Galvin may have won the man-of-thematch award for his overall display, which was brilliant but Kerry would not have won Sunday’s Munster final if it wasn’t for Michéal Quirke. I counted him winning at least 10 catches in the middle of the field when we needed it most. Kerry really are in trouble in midfield and I’m not so sure just how we can solve the problem. The wind caused plenty of problems for all the midfielders so it’s hard to judge players on that game alone. But Kerry would take a player of John Galvin’s ability. He is one of the best midfielders in the country. Also, Kerry must get the ball into the forwards as quickly as they can and we will have to insist that the defenders hold their shape and defend. Kerry also had no half forward winning any breaking ball on Sunday and this is when you need the likes of Paul Galvin. The other important points that I took from the game is that Kerry’s half back line attacks too much, while Tom O’Sullivan and Marc Ó Sé were in big trouble in their respective corners. If this pattern of half backs wanting to attack, picking up handy ball and not killing the ball continues, then they are leaving the full back line totally exposed. Against forwards of a high calibre – such as Tyrone or Cork if they get back in the swing of things – then we would be cleaned out. But midfield is the major area of concern. I suggested earlier in the year that Mike McCarthy might just be the man to help Kerry out here. With Aidan O’Mahony now back in the panel, this is a move that is worth a look, at the very least. One thing is for sure though and that’s if Kerry’s backs keep attacking like they are, then the Kerry will be exposing themselves at the scoring sector of the field. Kerry’s forwards can’t keep bailing the county out of jail in every game. If Kerry keep conceding 1-14 per game then we will be in huge trouble. Going forward I would like to see some goalkeeper coaching, a system in place between the keeper and the full back line, a midfield policy that suits the defence and the ball delivered in faster to the forwards. There is plenty of work for Kerry to do in the weeks ahead but we are on the best route.
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