Gavin O’Connor was in Castlebar yesterday for Kerry’s great win over Mayo and there was a lot to talk about…
1. Kerry goals came at crucial times
On the balance of play, a five point victory flattered the Kingdom. That old cliche ‘goals win games’ can certainly be used to sum up victory in Castlebar.
Johnny Buckley’s terrifically worked and well-taken goal came right before half time with Kerry trailing by 0-7 to 1-3. Mayo were worth that cushion but it was snatched away heading in at the break.
On resumption, Kerry hit four of the first five points. When Donnachdh Walsh, palmed the ball to the net inside 12 minutes of the half it put Kerry four points in front and they never looked back.
It’s in! Donnchadh Walsh celebrates his goal and Kerry’s second of the afternoon against Mayo in McHale Park, Castlebar. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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2. Wasteful Mayo were their own worst enemy
I said in our preview on Saturday, that Mayo were too good to go down, but on evidence of yesterday’s shooting performance, they are not up to Division 1 standard and that’s why they are stuggling.
Without their talisman Cillian O’Connor in the side they severely lack cutting edge. Mayo kicked 12 wides yesterday, some of them atrociously limp efforts.
Questions must be asked to at how Stephen Rochford and his team failed to make use of the extra man.
Fionn Fitzgerald lays off a handpass while Mayo’s Colm Boyle covers. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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3. Darran O’Sullivan firing back
The Glenbeigh man had the after burners on and buzzed with life throughout.
His set up for Johnny Buckley’s goal was a sublime piece of movement. Under pressure, O’Sullivan dug the ball off the ground and showing electric pace pirouetted inside his marker and lay off the pass for Buckley to finish.
He also tagged on three points from play, proving he’s there on merit and stands a great chance of starting the first championship game against Tipperary in June.
He’s another guy who has gone basically full time after leaving his job last year. Looks like it’s doing the trick…
Sharp as a button Darren O’Sullivan scored 0-3 from play. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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4. Aidan O’Mahony’s new lease of life
It can be dangerous making predictions for players this early in the year, but this could be a big year for O’Mahony.
He has firmly nestled in to that sweeping position in the side. At 35, the Rathmore man has been around the block a few times so is a terrific reader of the game.
Where before he may have ran head first into a crowd of bodies, now he’s far more economical in his movements and is perfectly suited to his role.
However, given his enthusiastic and passionate treatment of opposing attackers, it will be some kind of miracle if he stays out of trouble for the entire year.
5. Crowley adding a new string to his bow
Peter Crowley added to his goal last week with two points from play, while having his hands full dealing with Aidan O’Shea.
Using the same lines as he did for his goal, Crowley, burst forward running off the shoulder coming from deep to nail two first half points.
With the tight defences of the modern game, that sort of scoring penetration coming from the half back line could prove invaluable and it’s something the side has lacked since Tomas Ó Sé hung up his boots.
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6. Cooper coming up to speed
The Gooch, didn’t have his best of starts to a game, but gradually his influence began to show as it went on.
He was intercepted and blocked down a few occasions in the first half, the Mayo rearguard proving one step ahead of Cooper as he attempted to thread a few balls and open up play.
Wearing 14, but operating around the 45, he eventually found the space he needed in the second half. He gave a wonderful 30 yard outside of the boot pass to Barry John Keane to set up his score.
Since the injury, he has lost pace and that bit of crackle in his play. Time will tell if he can evolve to become a terrorising figure of defences on the big stage once more. Yesterday, the Gooch showed signs he could.
Colm Cooper opts for Bryan Sheehan to have a punt at the posts. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
7. Do Kerry have a discipline problem?
Now firmly on the radar after the shambles against Donegal, Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side once again failed to finish the game with the full complement of players.
Kieran Donaghy got his marching orders for a second yellow in the second half while Peter Crowley was also was dismissed for a black card offence on Aidan O’Shea.
The narrative going round on social media is that this Kerry team is a dirty one. While that is over the top, the displinary record does them no favours.
8. Looks like Kerry are safe but semi-final spot might prove difficult
With Dublin sitting pretty on a maximum of ten points, it looks like Kerry, Roscommon and Donegal will fight it out for the last semi-final place.
With only two games left Kerry are level on six points with Donegal and two points behind Roscommon who play Mayo and Dublin in their final games.
Kerry go to Monaghan and will welcome Cork on the final day. Realistically Kerry will have to win them both to stand a chance, because if they finish on level points with Roscommon the Rossies sit nicely poised with a +10 points difference.
Stephen O’Brien in hot pursuit of Mayo’s, Brendan Harrison. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kieran Donaghy, looks to layoff a pass to Colm Cooper. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Darran O’Sullivan, chases down a ball with Mayo’s Ger Cafferkey and Colm Boyle in tow. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
