.
Gavin O’Connor looks at the big talking points from the Munster Final between Kerry and Cork yesterday…
1. Fitz got it wrong
When the team was announced on Thursday night, there was a few selections that raised eyebrows. Not starting Kerry’s two best midfielders stands out now as the one that nearly cost Kerry.
Fitzmaurice’s approach of picking on the basis of training failed Kerry on this occasion. The side was without two men who always perform on the big days, Anthony Maher and Paul Geaney.
The decision to partner Bryan Sheehan with David Moran handed the initiative to Cork. Sheehan is a fine player who got great scores yesterday, but he is not a natural midfielder like Maher and Moran.
In the second half with Moran gone and Sheehan waning, Kerry could not get a handle on the ball. It was effectively two versus one against Maher, making a hero of Alan O’Connor who well deserved his man of the match.
David Moran looks for options. Photo by Dermot Crean.
2. That was never a penalty
Armagh referee, Padraig Hughes, came in for a hell of a lot of criticism after the game and it’s a shame becuase he got almost every decision spot on except the most important one.
Kerry were floundering when James O’Donoghue, fell on his back and chanced his arm to win a penalty. We can be thankful Padraig Hughes bought it, because it didn’t look like Kerry were coming back without it.
James O’Donoghue calls the penalty before it’s awarded. Photo by Dermot Crean.
3. The Gooch was off the pace
The idea to play Cooper in the 11 playmaker role came up against its biggest resistance yesterday. There is no doubt he is the greatest player of his generation and scored a fine point yesterday, but does he have the defensive nous to operate as a half forward is expected to in the modern game?
After Cooper was introduced in the 43rd minute, twice Cork were allowed to reset from kick outs, with Cooper’s man Brian O’Driscoll, completely open and unmarked on the wing. With Kerry barely able to deal with the onslaught of Rebel attacks, that lack of concentration made Cooper look like a fish out of water, in a game of such intensity.
He is still coming up to speed after a year out however and he is still the Gooch.
Colm Cooper, kicked a second half point, but his defensive duties were lacking. Photo by Dermot Crean.
4. Go short for the 45!
Ok, this might be a minor part of the game with so much incident to pull up, but with Kerry trailing by a point in the 68th minute why in God’s name did James O’Donoghue decide to make his debut as a 45 taker and why didn’t he go short instead of having a shot?
Bryan Sheehan with Alan O’Connor. The St Mary’s man was taken off in the second half leaving Kerry without a recognised 45 taker. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
5. Brass balls
A 20 year unbeaten record was on the line, when Fionn Fitzgerald let fly in injury time. I just don’t know where he got the courage from to shoot just outside the 45.
In years to come, that kick will be the thing yesterday’s game will be remembered for.
Kerry line up for the national anthem. Photo by Dermot Crean.
6. Advantage Kerry
Cork will be kicking themselves. This was their best chance in years to beat Kerry in Killarney, they really were the better side and should have seen the game out.
They may feel hard done by because of the penalty, but they must look at themselves also. Cork were fitter, faster and more committed. It remains to be seen can they raise those levels again.
James O’Donoghue, on the ball in the Munster Final on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
7. Cork now dark horses for the All-Ireland?
Everyone has been saying that only Kerry, Dublin, Donegal and Mayo are the only sides with a chance of All-Ireland glory this year. Cork showed yesterday that they too deserve to be in the shake-up.
They bullied Kerry yesterday, showing pride in that red jersey and that on their day – and yesterday was one of them – that Cork are as good as anyone.
The Cork team stand for the national anthem, with the beautiful back drop of Killarney in view. Photo by Dermot Crean.
8. Barry John took his chance
When Kerry had their purple patch at the end of the first half, Barry John Keane, put up three points on the board. It was the only period in the match where Kerry had a foothold on midfield. With more possession, there was ample ball going into both inside forwards and they did the damage.
Barry John was taken off in the second half for Paul Geaney, but through no fault of his own because he simply was not getting the supply. Both him and Geaney should start in two weeks time, probably at the expense of Kieran Donaghy.
Barry John Keane fires over one of his second half points. Photo by Dermot Crean.
9. Kerry lost concentration
Normally Kerry are switched on for the opposition’s kick outs. In that regard they’ve probably been the most consistent side in the last couple of years.
For whatever reason, too often Kerry allowed Ken O’Halloran, to take short kick-outs and find a man, launching an attack putting us under a whole lot of pressure.
Jack Sherwood gets on the ball after his introduction in the second half. Photo by Dermot Crean.
10. Black card decisions were game changers
Two incidents where the black card was correctly issued, changed the course of the match.
First, in the opening half with Cork in the ascendancy, the pacy Paul Kerrigan, who was causing havoc, was shown the line for pulling down James O’Donoghue. After that Kerry hit 1-4 and looked like they would see out the game with the minimum of fuss.
In the second half, when David Moran got his marching orders, it swung the other way and Cork dominated Kerry for the remainder of the game.
Colm O’Driscoll’s black card in the dying moments showed up a flaw in the rule. At the end of the match there really is no sanction for pulling down a player.
Kerry were never the same after David Moran’s black card. Photo by Dermot Crean.
11. Great Kerry support
It’s a long time since a Kerry crowd outnumbered a Cork one in Fitzgerald Stadium and it was a great to see. Though Kerry will be disappointed with the performance they will be relieved they get to do it again. That speaks for the fans also who will be filling the pockets of Killarney traders once more.
They’ve it all sewn up over there!
35,000, punters made it into Killarney on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
great photos and analysis, Dermot and Gavin!