Johnny Buckley and Bryan Sheehan embrace after the final whistle on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
I MET an old friend while waiting in Heuston for the train back to Tralee, who described the victory as “like an exorcism”.
That pretty much sums it up. Every generation of Kerry fan has its Tyrone.
Back in the 60s we had two of them! Down and Galway were the scourge of Kerry back then – and we have yet to exorcise the Mourne men’s Indian sign over us.
In the 70s it was Dublin for a while, in the late 80s and early 90s it was Cork.
But the three defeats in the Noughties by that great Tyrone team hurt most of all and boy could they rub it in!
The victory over the Red Hand county in Killarney back 2012 in a qualifier was sweet, but there was a feeling that there was less at stake then.
This time though we beat them in a real match, fair and square and the relief was immense.
There was a massive Kerry crowd at this game. You might not be able to tell that on TV, but believe me they were there, passionate, vocal and very, very wet. There was a cathartic roar at the final whistle that showed how much this meant to them.
It was a bit hairy for a while too, as the penalty with ten minutes to go really got the Tyrone lads going, but Kerry’s experience was telling and they superbly closed the game out.
So here we go again. Another All-Ireland final in four weeks against Mayo or Dublin (my money’s on Mayo) and a short winter in prospect with the county championship yet to come.
Twelve All-Ireland finals in 18 years. The golden age continues….
Paul Geaney celebrates at the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean
Johnny Buckely advances on goal during the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Anthony Maher scores a point in the second half. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul Geaney scores a point. Photo by Dermot Crean
Colm Cooper attempts to fist over a point in the closing stages but instead is awarded a free. Photo by Dermot Crean
Anthony Maher celebrates scoring a point in the closing stages of the game. Photo by Dermot Crean
