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Gavin O’Connor looks at Kerry’s National League campaign thus far and says there is a lot to be positive about…
1. Extra game(s) could be vital
If Kerry did not advance to the Allianz National League semi-final they would have been looking at a ten week lay-off with no competitive action, before the opening match of the Munster championship against Tippeary on June 12.
Should Kerry overcome Roscommon in Croke Park next week to reach their first National League final since 2009, that lay-off would be reduced to seven, which is far more useful for players and management.
You just have to remember how much they have struggled in the league over the last few years, so winning five games on the trot in a very competitive division can only be a good thing surely.
Fionn Fitzgerald celebrates his second half point. Photo by Dermot Crean
2. They’re going well and still have key men to come back
Kerry overcame Cork and relegated the Rebels with a number of important players watching from afar.
James O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney, Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan will all be vying for starting places as soon as they’re back to fitness.
We may even see O’Dononghue and Paul Geaney in the next few weeks. Both players, along with Maher, have not seen any league action this year so will be itching to return to the fold and win back their places.
Michael Geaney gets hit by Michael Shields shortly after making his return from injury. Photo by Dermot Crean.
3. The Gooch looks like he’s returning to form
Performances against Down, Mayo and Monaghan highlighted that Colm Cooper could be a force again.
After coming back from a horror ACL injury last year, the Gooch was eased back into action by Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his management team.
Signs of the old Gooch were there for Kerry’s first win of the campaign and since then he has scored 18 points in five games.
Colm Copper knocks over one of his three pointed frees yesterday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
4. Staying in touch with Dublin
Kerry have already done enough this year to show the All-Ireland champions that they won’t be going away any time soon.
Despite what many believe, Kerry will be there or thereabouts this year again. They are a better team than they showed in last year’s final when they attempted to go back-to-back, a point sorely missed in many quarters. This Dublin side are going for back-to-back All-Ireland wins, while they’ve not even been to back to back finals since 1994/1995.
As we all know, going back to back is ridiculously difficult. Only the (relatively) underrated Kerry team of 2004 to 2009 who played in six finals in a row have done it in almost 30 years. Are Dublin that good?
Padraig O’Connor comes forward with the ball. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
5. New dimensions from established talent
Looking at the positives from the league, Peter Crowley and Paul Murphy added to Kerry’s attack with their purposeful running.
Murphy didn’t look like he was suited at No.11, but he has grown into that role as the campaign went on. The two lads have added another dimension to the attack with their breaks from deep.
As I mentioned already The Gooch is better than he was last year, same goes with Donaghy and O’Mahony as well, who I think could be in the form of his life in that sweeper role at the age of 35.
Paul Murphy runs at the heart of the Cork defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Tommy Walsh made an appearance late in the match. Photo by Dermot Crean
A ball goes passed Kieran Donaghy. Photo by Dermot Crean
Barry John Keane made an impression off the bench. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Brendan O’Sullivan impressed again after coming on. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Paul Murphy shoots at goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Colm O’Neill scores the penalty for Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Ruairi Deane hits Kieran Donaghy late. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Johnny Buckley on the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Donnchadh Walsh goes after the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Colm Cooper challenges Colm O’Driscoll. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Moran comes forward with the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Stephen O’Brien looks to make a pass. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Tommy Walsh in attack. Photo by Dermot Crean.
