Gavin O’Connor (who correctly predicted a four point victory in his preview on Saturday) looks at the main talking points from Sunday’s game between Kerry and Tyrone, plus action shots from the game by Dermot Crean…
1. Half Forward Line Heroics
Before the match, the half forward line would not have been the area where you felt the game would be won.
But Stephen O’Brien, Johnny Buckley and Donnchadh Walsh all put in man-of-the-match performances, chipping in with five points between them. In fact, RTE and Sky Sports were split on the decision. Sky awarding theirs to the Walsh and RTE to Buckley.
Stephen O’Brien kicked two excellent points and went boldly were few players have gone this year, using his pace to break inside, Tyrone’s 20 yard line.
The Gooch would have been proud of Buckley’s double dummy that led to his first score, his clubman’s turnovers and tackling were also at an extremely high level – a fine art.
Donnchadh gave another imperious performance in Croke Park and is arguably the most underrated player in the country. Kerry supporters should pull together an honorary All-Star for the Cromane man.
Donnchadh Walsh scores his point in the second half. Photo by Dermot Crean.
2. Maurice Deegan’s performance
I thought both sets of supporters were incredibly harsh on Maurice Deegan, but put that down to whatever tinted spectacles they were wearing.
In the cold light of day the Laois man looked to have a good game considering conditions, which made it doubly difficult for him.
On the black card shouts, Marc’s was a black, so was Enright’s. That’s the only big decision that went against Tyrone, with their black it was clearly a yellow – because Ronan McNamee did not pull down the Gooch – but was just as cynical as Enright’s, as the Gooch was through on goal.
Ronan McNabb, should have walked for his tackle on Gooch and there was a trip before that which should have been a black, but in the conditions it’s hard to get everything right.
Overall I thought Deegan was fear. For Tyrone’s penalty shouts, the first one was touch and go, but looked messy so I can understand why he gave it . For the second, it was not.
With a little time to look at it, The Sunday Game last night showed McNulty clearly dragged O’Mahony down to orchestrate a penalty for himself. A correct yellow card was issued.
Colm Cooper is tripped by Barry Tierney and about to sustain an ugly off the ball tackle from Ronan McNabb. Photo by Dermot Crean.
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3. They’re not always be pretty, but they are tough
Tyrone drew level twice in the second half. On the first occasion, Kerry replied outscoring Tyrone six points to one. When it was put up to them, Kerry showed backbone to wrestle the game back in their favour, killing momentum the best way possible; with scores.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Tyrone had just pegged back a four point lead in two minutes with the aid of Peter Harte’s penalty. Within 30 seconds, Kerry were down the field again, Anthony Maher was picked out by Donnachdh Walsh with an inch perfect pass for the Duagh man who showed true North Kerry grit to claim the lead once more.
In that moment, Kerry showed they would not be beaten that day.
David Moran gets on the ball with Peter Harte close-by. Photo by Dermot Crean.
4. Complacency
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Kerry were five points up and in the driving seat. Sometimes you feel, they can get a bit too sure of themselves, slowing play down and throwing the ball about with abandon.
Signs of this complacency crept in as Kerry coughed up possession leading to what should have been Enright’s black card, two scorable frees that Tyrone kicked badly wide and ultimately the penalty.
So many times this complacency has been the architect of Kerry’s downfall. Thankfully, unlike the Tyrone of old they didn’t have the ruthlessness to punish Kerry.
Tyrone’s, Conor McAliskey, fires in a shot at goal with Shane Enright and Paul Murphy watching on. Photo by Dermot Crean.
5. The bench delivers once more
One of the aces up Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s sleeve is the the players he can spring from the bench.
If something isn’t working, it can be fixed. The prime example yesterday being Paul Geaney coming in for Donaghy at half time, who was finding it difficult to work with the low ball that was going into him.
Paul Geaney made an instant impact, scoring five minutes into the half to put Kerry three points in front. The Dingle man showed he was adept also at getting onto the high ball when he got his second score.
Darren O’Sullivan and Barry John Keane both made an impact. O’Sullivan running with the ball and boxing clever as the game drew to a close, while Barry John brought the house down when he nailed the insurance point with time almost up.
Paul Geaney scored three points coming off the bench. Photo by Dermot Crean.
6. Kerry’s soft centre
Tyrone are built for counter attacking, so the Kerry would have been forewarned and Fitzmaurice would have agonized over how to plug the gaps that developed, but there was no stopping the fact when teams run at Kerry it’s a huge worry.
It is difficult to deal with teams running the shoulder with pace it doesn’t matter who you are, but with Kerry it’s an obvious Achilles Heel. Fitzmaurice must remedy a way to stop his side being so susceptible at being caught on the counter.
In the drawn Munster Final they were cut open time and again, Tyrone did it yesterday and should have made more of their goal chances.
You can be sure Mayo or Dublin will not be as lenient.
Killian Young and Tyrone’s, Conor Meyler, wrestle for possession. Photo by Dermot Crean.
7. Kealy made a super save, but showed a lack of composure with kick outs
With 42 minutes on the clock, Brendan Kealy showed great reactions to get down low and stop Mark Bradley’s goal chance. Just like in the Munster Final replay, when he acrobatically tipped Stephen Cronin’s shot away from danger.
It must be said it is very difficult for keepers now with the extra importance on kick outs in the modern game, but a cool head was required from Kealy, after Peter Harte’s penalty.
Instead the Kilcummin man’s kick-out was chipped as far as the 45 which led to the Kerry defence being surrounded and coughing up a free which Ronan McCurry, thankfully, floated wide.
With the momentum shift, that was the last thing the side needed.
Kieran Donaghy leads the parade with Brendan Kealy, following. Photo by Dermot Crean.
8. We’re on for a double Minor and Senior
Can you believe it? Only 18 months ago Kerry were being ruled out of winning an All-Ireland for the next five years and Dublin were on an unstoppable march to greatness.
If Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Jack O’Connor pull this one off, it will be one of the great achievements in the county’s history.
Eleven All-Ireland finals in 15 years is an incredible achievement also.
Scroll down for photos…
Singing in the rain. Kerry fans rejoice on the Hill at the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean.
The Kerry team stands for the national anthem. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Johnny Buckley, gave his best display in a Kerry shirt. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Marc O’Se, puts in a high tackle at the beginning of the match. Photo by Dermot Crean.
James O’Donoghue aims a shot towards goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kieran Donaghy leads the parade for Kerry. Photo by Dermot Crean.
