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As the dust settles on Kerry defeat of Kildare, Gavin O’Connor looks at what we learnt from the victory, plus our own action photos from the game…
1. The Gooch is back
James O’Donoghue had hinted in the build-up that Cooper is a different man as soon he hits Croker. Kerry followers were urged to be patient with the returning 31-year-old and he duly delivered once more at headquarters.
Added to his tally of 2-3 was a masterclass of kicking and awareness. The pass to Donnchadh Walsh that led to Barry John Keane’s goal of his ‘waeker’ left boot was a thing of beauty.
Colm Cooper lets off a great pass to Donnchadh Walsh that led to Barry John Keane’s goal against Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Photo by Dermot Crean.
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2. Donaghy is plan B, not plan A
That’s two quarter finals in a row where Kieran Donaghy tasted no action at all in Croke Park, even though this time he had a groin problem and couldn’t play.
Last year, Donaghy spoke of the disappointment of not featuring and the long lonely drive down from Dublin where some soul-searching was done and we all know what happened.
There was an over reliance to use the long ball into ‘Star’ in both Cork matches and it made Kerry’s game look unattractive. With Colm Cooper the focal point, there is a lot more variety of movement in the attacks. Should we find ourselves in a spot of bother again, there’s a very good man to come off the bench and change things around.
Donnchadh Walsh about to get his shot on goal which rebounded back to him to slot in. Photo by Dermot Crean
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3. Is a two tier championship an option?
No team should be taking a 27 point drubbing, particularly one that has made its way to the last eight of the championship. The defeat ushered in more discussion of a revamp of the All-Ireland and calls for a two tier system.
Joe Brolly has been one of the outspoken proponents of the new system, stating that if a second tier competition had ample promotion it would be a success unlike the Tommy Murphy Cup.
I think the jury is out on that. Weaker counties will always want a crack at the big boys, so the option must always remain open.
Marc Ó Sé attempts the block on Eoin Callaghan. Photo by Dermot Crean.
4. For once we weren’t out numbered in Croke Park
Kildare supporters must have deep down known their fate, but still it was a poor showing by their travelling support considering they only live out the road.
Kerry fans actually outnumbered the opposing team in Croke Park for once. It’s often we win out on the pitch in headquarters, not often in the stands. They might not be the greatest Kerry side of all-time, but they have given us some great displays over the last year.
Aidan O’Mahony, bursts out from the back. Photo by Dermot Crean.
5. M&M
Our midfield pairing wiped the floor against their opposite opponents, Moolick and Cribbon, who were much talked about in the build up after their performance against Cork a week previous.
David Moran got man-of-the-match, but Maher was not far behind, indeed he handled the ball on more occasions, Maher’s 25 to Moran’s 24. The O’Rahilly’s man caught the eye with high-fielding while more often than not, Maher elected to bat the ball down to his partner. It’s an example of the lovely balance the two strike and they are our most important pairing.
Heaven forbid, losing one of them could put the kibosh on a first back to back since, 06/07.
David Moran, rises up with Kildare’s Paul Cribbon. Photo by Dermot Crean.
6. Sending a message
As they began to file in for their match, the boys in blue on the Hill glared down perhaps thinking their regular demolition job of Leinster opposition isn’t that special after all.
Dublin beat Kildare by 19 points but Kerry’s 27 point margin showed the Dubs they aren’t the only team with heavy artillery.
Paul Geaney celebrates Donnchadh Walsh’s opening goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
7. Options aplenty
One of the stand-out aspects of the game on Sunday was the impression substitutes made coming off the bench, Darran O’Sullivan and Barry John Keane scoring a combined total of 3-4 between them in under 35 minutes of football.
With Kerry running riot, Tommy Walsh announced his return to Croke Park with two sky-scraping catches. The jury is out however if he has the legs for the full 70 around the middle, but as a man to bring on and get under high ball he could be ideal, whether it be in midfield, the full-forward or even the full-back line.
Darran O’Sullivan, nets the seventh goal on 70 minutes. Photo by Dermot Crean.
8. Ulster opposition awaits
Kerry will face the winners of Monaghan and Tyrone next in the championship, two sides that have proved hard nuts to crack in the not so distant passed.
A new era of Kerry and Tyrone players have come on the scene since the rivalry in the last decade, but a few old warriors still remain. In that era Kerry also found it difficult to beat Monaghan in two very tight contests in 06/07.
A lot has changed since those days, as Monaghan will be now favourites against Tyrone. Kerry may have avoided the perceived harder side of the draw with Donegal, Mayo and Dublin, but a tough test can be guaranteed as always against a Northern side.
MORE PHOTOS BELOW…
Catch me if you can…There was only one way to stop Colm Cooper on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Barry John Keane tries to get away from Ciaran Fitzpatrick. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul Galvin, made a return to Croke Park. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Two Strand Road men, Tommy Walsh and David Moran paired up at the end of the match. Photo by Dermot Crean.
It didn’t take Tommy Walsh long to get into the action. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul Murphy, was as tigerish as ever in the back-line. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Barry John Keane and Darran O’Sullivan celebrate Darran’s second goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Stephen O’Brien slots the ball into the net. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Anthony Maher, wins a kick out over Paul Cribbon. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Shane Enright, stays tight to Kildare’s Alan Smith. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Isn’t it time that Anthony Maher is recognised for the footballer that he is, firstly at home by the local media sources and the national press sheep always follow. but as Kerry supporters Anthony Maher deserves every bit of praise this year. Lets start shouting it out.