Gavin O’Connor looks at some things to ponder on for Kerry fans after watching their side take a second heavy beating to Cork in as many years in the National league…
1. No harm in getting a kick up the backside
By mid week Kerry football was on a bit of a high – the Dubs had been dispatched and Paul Galvin was back in on the scene, there was a pep in the step of more than a few Kerry followers.
September couldn’t come quick enough as talk began to filter round of the seemingly endless amount of talent at our disposal.
It’s a good thing that this sort of talk can be cooled. All-Irelands are not won in March, nor are they lost either. Another positive is Eamonn Fitzmaurice would have learned more about Kerry’s weaknesses than in any game in the league so far.
Tommy Walsh, looks to make a pass with Cork’s Eoin Cadogan in hot pursuit. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
2. Kerry struggle with a pacey attack
It’s something that may have been forgotten or perhaps something we thought had been sorted, but Cork glaringly exposed that weakness once again.
Kerry were torn apart time and time again when Cork drove at the heart of our defence with overlapping attackers passing off the shoulder.
Kerry couldn’t handle the pace of the game in general, the prime example being last week’s man of the match, Jack Sherwood’s stray pass out of defence which ultimately lead to Cork’s first goal and him getting called ashore shortly after it.
On the 17th minute, Cork’s Brian Hurley took on Fionn Fitzgerald 40 yards from goal and glided past him to set up Cork’s third goal. Far too easy for the Rebels.
Tralee lads, Tommy Walsh, Kieran Donaghy and David Moran came up against a sea of red. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
3. Barry John is Kerry’s best forward at the moment
The only Kerry forward who can hold his head after the game is Barry John Keane. There is a sense of it’s now or never for Barry John if he’s going to nail down a starting spot for the championship, something that thus far has eluded him.
The Strand Road man is Kerry’s second highest scorer in the league, with 12 points, just one behind the tally of designated free taker, Bryan Sheehan.
With Kerry flagging in the second-half, Barry John drove at the the Cork defence and he was the only one asking questions. Finishing up with five of Kerry’s total of nine points.
Barry John Keane cuts inside his marker, Tom Clancy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
4. Full back line worries
As expected, the Kerry full-forward line got its first real test of the year. This was very apparent after just six minutes after Kerry shipped their second goal of the afternoon.
The pace of the attack was one thing, but the back three also seemed incapable of dealing with any high ball that came their way either, it really was panic stations.
The full back line trio, of Pa Kilkenny, Mark Griffin, Fionn Fitzgerald have started all of the league games of 2015.
You’d imagine Eamonn Fitzmaurice, would have hoped there would be a better understanding between them at this stage. They would have learned a lot about themselves against Cork.
Pa Kilkenny tries to burst his way through the Cork defence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
5. Tommy Welsh is getting there
Another player who would have learned a bit more about himself is Tommy Walsh, one of the few positives from the game was the way he linked up with Kieran Donaghy for the second goal in a move worthy of the ‘twin towers’ tag.
Tommy also soared high minutes later and caught a great ball over his head as well just outside the square. Though it was obvious he was still getting to the pace of the game, the tough test will stand to him.
Tommy Walsh rises high against Cork. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Johnny Buckley looks for a teammate while Mikey Geaney makes a run. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Schmozzle. Not a rare occurrence in a Kerry v Cork match. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Barry John Keane and Kieran Donaghy both receive yellow cards for their part. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
David Moran and Eoin Cadogan contest a kick out. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
After the ball hit the crossbar from a Barry John Keane free, Stephen O’Brien came very close to knocking the rebound into the net. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Peter Crowley finds a gap in the Cork defence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kieran Donaghy, waiting for the perfect ball to come. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Stephen O’Brien takes lines up for a Cork kick out. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Johnny Buckley got on a lot of ball in the second half. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Fionn Fitzgerald looks for a teammate, while John O’Rourke follows him. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kieran Donaghy about to gain possession. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kieran Donaghy, closes down Cork’s, Stephen O’Donoghue. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Barry John Keane darts at the Cork defence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
