PHOTOS: Five Talking Points From Kerry v Donegal

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Gavin O’Connor analyses the main talking points from Kerry’s victory over Donegal yesterday, with some great action shots from the game (below)…

1. An awesome display by Johnny Buckley 

It can sometimes take a player a few years to grow and really stamp their authority on a game, yesterday was one of those days for Johnny Buckley.

When Buckley bagged his only point of the game, the dummy that bought himself space was reminiscent of another Dr Crokes ginger-haired assassin.

Fancy skills, were just the cherry on top in a game where Buckley showed fantastic levels of intensity for this time of year, snatching possession out of a Donegal’s hands on more than a few occasions and bossing his area of the pitch.

Truth be told, Buckley could do a job anywhere between both 45s. It’s very hard to see Paul Galvin creep into the side if Buckley remains our best ball winner in the forward line.

Johnny Buckley gave a man of the match display against Donegal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Johnny Buckley gave a man of the match display against Donegal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

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2. The midfield partnership of Moran and Maher 

Once again David Moran and Anthony Maher controlled centre-field. The importance of this pairing showed up last week when just as Kerry began to get on top of Cork after a nightmare start Maher sustained a head injury and didn’t make it out for the second half. In that moment Kerry’s day was done.

Their opposite numbers on Sunday, Christy Toye and Neil Gallagher are no mugs, but were well beaten by the Strand Road man and his comrade from Duagh.

Moran and Maher are a great example of two traditional style midfielders able to mix in the modern game. High-fielding was in danger of going out of style, thankfully these two men are at the forefront of the revival.

David Moran towers over the rest of the players in centre-field against Donegal in the National League.

David Moran towers over the rest of the players in centre-field against Donegal in the National League.

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3, Defence held firm  

The changes in Kerry’s back line worked a treat after an awful afternoon in Cork where they struggled with the pace of the Rebel attack.

Against Donegal, only once did the sea part in Kerry’s rearguard when Ryan McHugh scored Donegal’s first goal of the game.

After a shaky day out against Cork, Mark Griffin, put in a very encouraging display on Micheal Murphy. Though Killian Young was moved onto Murphy in the second half the danger-man got  no score from play.

Killian Young make's a break for it with Donegal's, Karl Lacey close by. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Killian Young makes a break for it with Donegal’s Karl Lacey close by. Photo by Dermot Crean.

4, What’s a black card and what isn’t?

Maybe it’s the Monday blues, but I’ve got a little bit of a gripe here.

After the introduction of the black card last year, inside every match programme there was a graphic clearly showing what are the five black card offences.

Here’s a suggestion; it would be great if the GAA could go one step further and place a 20 foot high billboard behind the goals at each ground to hammer the rules home to those supporters who still haven’t got the message.

The black card offences are; deliberate collide, deliberate trip, deliberate pull down, abusing officials verbally and abusing players verbally.

A player being caught around the neck is not a black card offence. A lot of patrons would save themselves a lot of energy and maybe the air wouldn’t turn so blue quite as often if they realised that.

Kieran Donaghy, surrounded by a sea of yellow. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kieran Donaghy surrounded by a sea of yellow. Photo by Dermot Crean.

5. Kerry now in good position to book semi-final spot

As it stands now, Kerry are one of the four teams in line for the semi-finals. In fourth spot behind – but level on points with – Monaghan and Mayo though behind both counties because an inferior score difference.

The next outing is Monaghan at home in two weeks time. A win there would really cement Kerry’s claim for a couple of extra games in spring, before the final trip of the campaign away to relegation-threatened Tyrone.

Winning the league is not the be all and end all, but having two more competitive games before the huge layoff until the first championship game would help the cause no end.

Especially as Kerry have a number of Key players to come back – the likes of, Colm Cooper, Donnchadh Walsh and James O’Donoghue who still have not got a run out. There’s also the curious case of Paul Galvin…

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Barry John Keane about to get on the end of a Paul Geaney fist pass across the square for Kerry’s first goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane bags Kerry's first goal against Donegal getting on the end of a Paul Geaney fist pass across the square. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane tips the ball in the net for Kerry’s first goal against Donegal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane heads off in celebration after scoring his goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane heads off in celebration after scoring his goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kerry are awarded a penalty after Paul O'Donoghue was fouled by Eamonn McGee. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kerry are awarded a penalty after Paul O’Donoghue was fouled by Eamonn McGee. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Micheal Murphy makes the score look a lot more respectable after scoring late penalty. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Micheal Murphy makes the score look a lot more respectable after scoring a late penalty. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Paul Geaney fires a ball across goal with, Donegal's, Mark McHugh in hot pursuit. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Paul Geaney fires a ball across goal with, Donegal’s, Mark McHugh in hot pursuit. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kerry manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice will be happy his side bounced back after defeat against Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kerry manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice will be happy his side bounced back after defeat against Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Before, Bryan Sheehan, was taken off becuase of a back injury he was in fine form from the dead ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Before Bryan Sheehan was taken off because of a back injury he was in fine form from the dead ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Paul Geaney gets a shot on goal while Donegal's, Ryan McHugh attempts the block. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Paul Geaney gets a shot on goal while Donegal’s,Ryan McHugh attempts the block. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Corner back, Paul Murphy clears the ball away. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Corner back Paul Murphy scores his point yesterday. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Eamonn McGee and Neil Gallagher put Tommy Walsh under pressure. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Eamonn McGee and Neil Gallagher put Tommy Walsh under pressure. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kieran Donaghy attempts to run at the Donegal defense. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Kieran Donaghy attempts to run at the Donegal defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane, fires a shot at goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Barry John Keane, fires a shot at goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Stephen O'Brien in full flight under the close watch of Neil Gallagher. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Stephen O’Brien in full flight under the close watch of Neil Gallagher. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Castlegregory's, Alan Fitzgerald, came off the bench in the second half and once again impressed scoring a point. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Castlegregory’s, Alan Fitzgerald, came off the bench in the second half and once again impressed scoring a point. Photo by Dermot Crean.

 

 

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