April 11, 2016 at 2:18 pm

PHOTOS: Five Things We Learned From Kerry v Roscommon

Gavin O’Connor was in Croke Park to see Kerry’s comprehensive win over Roscommon yesterday and there’s a lot to be positive about…

1. Darran O’Sullivan is back at his best

The Glenbeigh/Glencar man looked electric yesterday and was well worth his man of the match award.

Scoring 1-4 from play, Roscommon found his pace too hot to handle. Injury has made it a difficult few years for the 29 year old who gave up his job in Ulster Bank to concentrate on football.

It goes to show, what players would be capable of if they didn’t have to punch in the nine to five…

Darren O'Sullivan looked pleased with himself after picking up the man of the match award. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Darran O’Sullivan looked pleased with himself after picking up the man of the match award. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

2. Excellent pressing once again

Safe passage to the National League final was ensured on the back of a dominant display in midfield from a marauding Donaghy and stand out performer around the middle, David Moran, whose absence was felt after his withdrawal with 15 minutes remaining.

That dominance was set up by the Kerry forward line’s pressing of Roscommon kick-outs. With no option to kick short, Rossie goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey was forced to go long time and time again into the waiting arms of the Kerry midfield.

The tactic was similar in last year’s All-Ireland but the Dubs hoovered up the breaks. The likes of Peter Crowley, Paul Murphy and Johnny Buckley will have to up it this year if Kerry are to win their share against the city men.

Roscommon’s Conor Devaney, is closely pursued by Paul Murphy and Marc O Se. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

3. Healthy competition for places

It’s looking like there will be a lot of places up for grabs come the opening game of the championship against Tipperary on June 12.

Darran O’Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy are looking revitalised, and will really push for starting places.

Donaghy might not be at midfield though, with probably Sheehan getting the nod to partner Moran. Returning from injury, All-Star Anthony Maher might find he has to battle for his place. Same goes in the full forward line for James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney who also saw no league action.

Perhaps only Shane Enright, Peter Crowley, David Moran, Paul Murphy, Donnchadh Walsh and Colm Cooper can count themselves as guaranteed starters leaving nine places completely up for grabs.

Paul Murphy takes off for Kerry against Roscommon in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

4. Kerry and Dublin are out on their own

A ten point win in a semi-final of a national competition for last year’s All-Ireland finalists makes it look ominous for the chasing pack.

If both counties retain their provincial crowns and come through the quarter-finals, they will meet in the semi-final this year.

Given that the top division’s third and fourth place teams were dispatched so mercilessly yesterday, it’s hard not to see the rest of the championship as a bit of a sideshow gearing up to when Kerry and Dublin meet. Another example of why change may be needed to the structure the championship.

One side waiting in the long grass though is Tyrone, who pushed Kerry all the way last year and are unbeaten in Division 2.

David Moran fields the ball. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

5. Sloppy tackling by Kerry

If we’re talking about gulf in class in overall play between Kerry and Dublin and the rest, a gulf in quality also exists between Kerry and Dublin as far as tackling goes.

Dublin have taken over the mantle held by Donegal as the best team at tackling without fouling. A hallmark of Donegal at their best was their ability to very rarely concede inside scoring positions, leaving the opposition to try and punch holes in open play.

Kerry still cough up too many frees in scoring positions and give away sloppy frees in general, it has been a problem for a while that doesn’t look like it will be rectified any time soon. (Scroll down for more action shots)