Gavin O’Connor talks to Kerry ladies football team manager, Alan O’Neill, about the All-Ireland semi-final against the Rebels on Saturday…
LAST Sunday the Kerry senior team managed to get a monkey off their back in beating Tyrone at Croke Park.
This weekend it’s the turn of the ladies to try and turn over Cork who have dominated the ladies scene over the last decade or so.
Last month, Kerry dispatched Cork in the Munster Final by nine points, but the Rebels have comeback to defeat Kerry on previous occasions and have only been beaten four times in Championship football in 11 years.
Crucially, three of those those losses came at the hands of their closest neighbours and rivals, so there is a sense that Kerry’s day is coming.
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The Kerry team celebrate following their Munster Final success in July. Photo Kerry Ladies Football Facebook.
The Tralee link is strong with the panel boasting six players from town teams. Na Gaeil’s Maria Quirke is a regular in the side, while Austin Stacks, Laura Rogers, has bounced back from a cruciate injury that put her out for a year, to push once again for a starting place in the side.
Na Gaeil sisters Eilis and Brid O’Connor have been important squad members for the side all summer.
Kerry manager, Alan O’Neill, is happy to report an injury free panel and that things are building nicely for Saturday’s encounter.
“We’ve all our work done really, we had our last training session last night, so we’re happy where we are,” said Alan O’Neill.
“Laura Rogers has made a huge impact in the games she has brought in. She came on in the Munster Final and in the Mayo game, so it’s great to have her back from injury,” he said.
“Eilis and Brid O’Connor have been fantastic, they are pushing very close to getting on the team. They’re two players who are definitely ones for the future. Maria Quirke is a vital member of the squad at this stage with her experience. We’re really happy with all of them from Tralee.”
“Every team has struggled to beat this Cork side, they’re always hard to beat, but I don’t think there is any fear factor anymore it’s just about us getting our own performance right on the day.”
“There was huge support at the Munster Final and there was a big crowd in Gaelic Grounds for the Mayo game, so definitely support is growing. With the success of the U16 and U14 teams who won the All-Ireland final, there’s huge support for Ladies football in Kerry and it’s growing all the time.”
• Kerry v Cork takes place at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, on Saturday at 6pm. It’s live on TG4.
IN the aftermath of Kerry’s 27 point demolition job of Kildare on Sunday, even Darragh Ó Sé is finding it hard to throw cold water on the expectations that have arisen from the win.
Writing in his Irish Times column today, he agonises over how the hell Kerry people are going to play the ‘cute-hoor’ card after such an emphatic win.
“Ah lads. Seven goals!? Are ye joking?” Darragh writes.
“We know ye’re going well but there’s going well and there’s going well. Three would have been plenty. Four would have made the point with a bit to spare. But seven? Seven!”
“How in the name of God do ye expect Kerry people to cute-hoor our way out of this one?
“This is a serious challenge. In the long history of cute-hoorism, we’ve never faced a battle like this one.”
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He also has a few words for the now infamous Cork statement that was released on Monday night which may not go down so well on Leeside.
“At least we got a dig-out from our good friends and neighbours in Cork on Monday night. I don’t know who put out that statement from the Cork County Board but whoever they were must have a bit of Kerry blood in them somewhere. Just when all the focus was coming down on Kerry, Cork pipe up and start cribbing about having to play in the rain.”
“Talk about a godsend! It had to be a double agent at work. We thought we were goosed, we thought we’d have to spend the whole week ducking for cover. But out of nowhere, Cork decide that now is the time to go and take a stand.
“And can I be the first to say, they were just right too. The rain. The referee. The quick turnaround. World hunger. Child poverty. It all conspired to nail poor Cork to the cross.”
This has taken some doing, but with brother Tomas also criticising the rebels before the drawn Munster Final, it might be fair to say the Ó Sé / Corkonian relations are now even more strained.
THOUGH Eamonn Fitzmaurice might not have wanted a replay, it was a great bonus to them. Kerry got two very tough games and learned an awful lot about the squad.
The few changes made the difference; Aidan O’Mahony, laid down a few physical markers, he definitely led by example. I think Kerry went out and said we’re not going to be pushed around today, we know they’re well able to play football, but they’re well able for the physical side of things.
It was a dirty, wet, horrible evening. It was the type of night where mistakes could have been made so players had to be alert and they were. You could say that all of the defence played well, both individually and a unit.
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The two Rathmore men who came in made an impact. Aidan O’Mahony has proven himself over a long space of time and Paul Murphy, even though has only be in the side a short time, has shown he’s more than capable at this level.
Paul Murphy is such a good footballer. He’s very smart on the ball and he’s brave. For a guy who’s not big in stature he uses every bit of what he has, he has no regard for his own safety and just throws himself into everything, but that’s what you need.
It was great to see that Kerry still have the hunger, because with a lot of teams who win All-Irelands, that hunger to throw yourself on top of the 50/50 ball can be taken off you.
David Moran and Anthony Maher dominated midfield from start to finish. David was outstanding and so was Maher, you wouldn’t argue with either of them getting man-of-the-match.
David Moran and Anthony Maher were immense on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
They’re a good partnership and they complement each other well. They’re well used to each other and they seem gel seamlessly. It seems to be a natural thing, they just know what each other are doing and Cork had no answer for them really. Alan O’Connor, dominated the first game, but he looked a pale shadow of himself on Saturday night.
One thing I think we overdid was the long ball into the full-forward line, but it’s something they’ll learn from. We can play nice handy ball into James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney too, with passes with a lower trajectory and open up teams that way. It’s about getting a bit more balance with the balls going in.
Colm Cooper spots Donnchadh Walsh making a run towards goal. Moments later Kerry were three points to the good. Photo by Dermot Crean
There is place for both styles, but the trick is not to overuse either of them. With Donaghy we can mix it up. You can throw in the odd high ball, but they just seemed to be using it too much. The ball was being lamped in constantly. Even Kieran, will tell you he doesn’t want every ball coming in from 70 yards either.
They just have to be a bit smarter with it, get in a bit closer, and pop in a little floater. Getting it from 70 yards on a wet night, you might as well be throwing grenades at a fella.
Kieran Donaghy looks for a way through on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan Kealy’s save, just minutes after Paul Kerrigan hit the net, might have been the most important moment of the match. Even though Kerry had dominated the game up to that point if a second Cork goal went in they could have been going in behind at half-time which would have scary situation. If Kerry conceded a second goal it would have a travesty considering how dominant they had been.
The victory over Cork means Kerry avoid the perceived trickier route to an All-Ireland final, with Donegal, Dublin and Mayo on the other side, but I’d be still wary about it.
If Kerry overcome what will be most likely either Westmeath of Fermanagh, they will possibly face Monaghan in the semi-final, who have beaten Donegal twice in three years and we know how hard it is to get past Donegal.
James O’Donoghue celebrates a vital score towards the end. Kerry showed great hunger on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his selectors might have one eye on the likes of Dublin, Monaghan, Donegal and Mayo, but they won’t be telling the players that.
The current management is very professional and thorough, they will have every eventuality covered, but they have to keep the players focused for the quarter final.
We’ve seen what has happened in recent years. Kerry have got what have been perceived to be handy quarter-finals and they’ve not destroyed any team in them. They’ve always seemed to play average enough in quarter-finals.
In 2009, Kerry scrope through a qualifier against Sligo at home. Same thing happened when they went to Westmeath in 2012. I don’t think anyone needs reminding of what happened when Kerry played Down in a quarter-final in 2010.
These are dangerous fixtures, it’s the one big time teams can be caught by lesser outfits.
THE Munster Final replay, was arguably the biggest match of the GAA football season so far and it didn’t disappoint lighting up twitter with comments from players, pundits and fans. Here is a selection of some of them best.
There was almost unanimous disagreement about who should have won man of the match
RTE need to have a chat with themselves on this James O’Donoghue love-in. Man of the match Martin Carney? Stop please. David Moran maybe… — Tony Leen (@tonyleen) July 18, 2015
What a performance by David Moran.Like Mayo last year. Anthony Maher not far behind. Real grit from Kerry.
There was a bit of hop ball over Kieran Donaghy’s fumbled acceptance speech as gaeilge.
@tomas5ky@osemarc2 I should have listened to ye boys a bit more over the years. I won’t lie, major panic as the microphone came my way 😂 — Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) July 19, 2015
Gavin O’Connor looks at this evening’s match between Kerry and Cork and says Kerry’s regular midfield pairing will be the key to victory…
David Moran looks for options during the drawn game. Photo by Dermot Crean.
SPEAKING in the aftermath of the drawn match, Eamonn Fitzmaurice said “it doesn’t take a genius to know we didn’t have a great day on the line”.
That sort of humility is reassuring to supporters, but that kind of day is not something a Kerry manager would would want to be making a habit of.
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The Kerry boss has made the call most have would have wanted, the regular midfield pairing Moran and Maher, will start once again.
Before the team was announced on Thursday night, with four changes in personnel, one of the main talking points has been whether to stick with Donaghy, or play three inside forwards as they did when Kerry trounced Cork by 15 points last year in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The argument for Donaghy would be that six scores came off of him. He also knocked down a ball for Paul Geaney, who then only narrowly missed a goal chance that would certainly have sealed Cork’s faith.
Anthony Maher fists over a point in the drawn Munster Final. His partnership with David Moran is key to Kerry’s chances against Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean
Despite this, Donaghy’s marker, Eoin Cadogan, a man who relishes a Kerry/Cork battle, looked comfortable on Donaghy, and could carry on with moving up the park as well knowing the house was being minded by James Loughrey, who stayed put the entire match.
There can be a predictability in Kerry’s play when Donaghy is the focal point. He does create and cause damage, but perhaps an inside line trio of Barry John Keane, Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue, would give the Cork rearguard that bit more to think about.
If Maher and Moran do their bit in midfield, ample good quality ball could be going into three forwards who can win their own ball, beat their men and get scores, with no need for a middle man.
Three talented forwards pulling their men every which way would cause havoc for a Cork full back line that loves to roam.
The man who provided the forwards with so much ball last year, Declan O’Sullivan, has now departed, but with Donnchadh Walsh and Bryan Sheehan, Kerry possess two of the most skilful and clever users of possession in the game.
Brendan Kealy will be instructed to hit that ball long, and test the mettle of that Cork middle third that dominated Kerry to such extent in the drawn match that James O’Donoghue, did not have one touch of the ball in the entire second half.
With Cork on top, the ball was going nowhere near the side’s ace.
The defence will welcome back two of their best performing defenders of last year, Paul Murphy and Aidan O’Mahony.
You’d imagine O’Mahony is there to inject a bit more aggression in the Kerry defence.
Fionn Fitzgerald, may have been the saviour last time out, but too often he was brushed aside. You can be sure that O’Mahony, a man from the borderlands, will lay down a marker early.
Where he does that job, will mostly likely be in the number 6, not at full back where he is selected.
Last year, O’Mahony held the line on his own 45, adopting a ‘none shall pass’ stance that served Kerry well. One bit of worry is if he is passed, the legs may be found wanting sprinting towards his own goal.
Kerry will have had a hell of a lot to improve on and get right over the past two weeks, whereas Cork’s unchanged side would indicate they are content with their lot.
They ambushed Kerry who were clearly off the pace.
There’s a worry, that when looking at this game you could slip into a complacent attitude of there’s no way Kerry will be as bad and Cork be as good.
I do think however, that Kerry will see more of the ball around midfield with the right pairing again, which will translate to more ball and ultimately more scores for our forwards.
Kerry made it out alive last time because of two things; ‘that penalty’ and the economy of our forwards, specifically O’Donoghue.
In the last four games against Cork he has converted 15 from 16 of point attempts. If he gets the ball enough – which I think he will – Kerry will be heading for Croke Park on the August bank holiday weekend, avoiding the nightmare qualifier route with The Dubs waiting at the end of it.
Cork are apoplectic after Kerry are awarded a penalty in the drawn game. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE heat has been turned up on Kerry v Cork Munster SFC replay tomorrow evening by a former Cork footballer, who has accused Kerry players, particularly Kieran Donaghy, of ‘Plámás’ to influence officials.
Writing in the Irish Examiner, Conor McCarthy describes Kerry players as ‘genetically cute’ and goes on to list examples where Kerry have got the rub of the green from officials against Cork in Killarney.
The former Rebel says “before the throw-in, Kieran Donaghy when at full-forward, can often be seen going to each umpire in a very deliberate and deferential manner to shake their hands. Umpires are fans first and foremost. It would take a strong mind not to be influenced by such charisma.”
McCarthy also likens Fitzgearld Stadium to Old Trafford and the Kerry players as Roy Keane’s hoard in the heyday when Ferguson’s hold on the powers that be when they came to Manchester Unted.
The footballer turned writer, even goes as far to mention tomorrow night’s referee, Maurice Deegan, in the article saying “he is not prone to easy persuasion and will not buckle to home town pressure, but sometimes it can be an unconscious manipulation.”
The article has got a lot of tweeting going, including former Kerry stalwarts Tomas Ó Sé and Sean O’Sullivan. As you can imagine opinion is divided on the matter and almost most entirely down enemy lines.
So now Kerry try to ‘plamas’ referees? I’ve heard it all now @ConorMcCarthy. Granted pen decision was wrong but the rest is poor from you.
Former Kerry star, Barry O’Shea, says Kerry will be better prepared for the Munster Final replay on Saturday, but need to be more aggressive and tougher this time out…
Everybody I spoke to during the week about this replay was picking a different team.
If you spoke to ten people, all ten had a different idea and a different team.
For the replay, Aidan O’Mahony and Paul Murphy come into the back line, with Peter Crowley and Fionn Fitzgerald making way. Anthony Maher returns to partner David Moran in midfield. In the forwards, Stephen O’Brien and Barry John Keane lose out for Paul Geaney to come in.
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A lot of people are saying it’s a stronger team, but it’s hard to know. I think people are putting too much emphasis on the personnel. The most important thing is that Kerry, as a unit, are more aggressive, tougher and generally that little bit sharper.
Aidan O’Mahony is coming into this game with no inter-county minutes this year, but if there is a game that the Rathmore man won’t let down Kerry in it’s against Cork.
There is a certain element of trust in him from Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his selectors. There has been a lot of talk over the past months about picking players on form, but I think Aidan O’Mahony, no matter what his form is, you just got to trust him, especially in a battle with Cork.
Having Aidan O’Mahony – along with Anthony Maher back in the team – brings a bit of physicality and it’s something Kerry badly need. They were bullied in the drawn match and they can’t afford to let themselves be pushed around again.
Once Kerry are up to the pace of it physically, they have the footballers, but in modern game you have to battle first and play your football after.
Cork have gone for the exact same team as last time and both sides know a lot about each other already so maybe that aspect can be over emphasised.
Kerry know what Cork are capable of and vice versa so it’s all on the day. I don’t think because Cork picked the same team it’s a disadvantage.
They picked the same team because they played extremely well and were unlucky not to win and there was no guy in there who warranted being dropped.
Barry John Keane is unlucky not to keep his place. Photo by Dermot Crean.
For Kerry, Barry John Keane is a guy who is unlucky to have lost his place. He scored three points, two from play and looked dangerous. In the second half of the drawn match, the Kerry team had nine attacks.
James O’Donoghue got zero possessions in the whole half, so that will just tell how much the corner-forwards were starved of possession, so it’s harsh on Barry John.
A team has to blend. There is more to a side than individuals, but I’m sure Barry John will have a big part to play before that game is over.
Preparing for the replay would have started from the final whistle in the drawn match. One of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s strengths is he’s very professional.
Straight after the match, the players went to the Hotel Europe in Killarney and did a pool session. They would have been making sure that guys were eating properly and got plenty of rest after the game.
They way they’ll look at it is, it’s another championship game whether it’s a replay or not. Even though it’s a young enough team they are very experienced. I think if the group are mentally strong the fact that it’s a replay won’t have any bearing on them.
I think Cork played extremely well the last day but I’m just wondering how can Cork play any better? I expect more of the same from them; they’ll be extremely aggressive and dangerous in attack, but I just think Kerry have a huge scope to improve.
If Kerry show more aggression and improve their tackling, that will go a huge way towards victory. Midfield is the key – if Kerry can get on enough possession, they have the forwards to win it.
Even though Cork’s defensive system did so well the last day, it was helped because they won midfield.
Anthony Maher and David Moran have proven that they can work well together over the last 18 months. You can have every confidence in that midfield partnership as they carried us to an All-Ireland last year.
I think it will take a massive effort by Cork win, because Kerry will be armed this time.
THOUGH the gates of Fitzgerald Stadium are shut to outsiders and interlopers, there are whispers emanating from the Kerry camp that Eamonn Fitzmaurice, may ring the changes for Saturday’s Munster SFC final replay against Cork.
The Kerry boss has made it known that his side under performed on the park in the drawn match. With a full strength panel to choose from, Gavin O’Connor say there could be some notable inclusions and exclusions when the team is announced over the coming days…
1. Paul Murphy for Fionn Fitzgerald
Though Fionn Fitzgerald grabbed the headlines with his amazing last gasp point, the Crokes man was muscled out of it too often by Cork’s Donncha O’Connor.
For the first goal, Fitzgerald allowed O’Connor, to drift off him and setup Colm O’Neill who palmed it to the net. Fitzgerald was caught for the second as well when the Ballydesmond man ghosted passed the defender and nonchalantly lifted the ball over Brendan Kealy’s head.
Paul Murphy, who has got the all clear from his shoulder injury, looks a more tenacious and physical defender.
Paul Murphy could be back at corner back this Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
2. Anthony Maher to team up again with David Moran
Midfield was the area where Kerry really struggled last time out. Only for our forwards’ economy, feeding off every attack Kerry could muster, there is no way a draw would have been possible.
If Kerry can at least break even in midfield and get enough quality ball into the forward line, that should be enough to carry the day. To do so, Kerry will need their best midfield pairing of Maher and Moran who were not on the pitch together at any time in the drawn match, which tells its own story.
Moran going off because of a black card at the start of the half was a game changer, Maher came on, but couldn’t get to grips with Cork’s, Alan O’Connor, who was already in full flow.
Bryan Sheehan, is a superb footballer but is not really the man for midfield in this game. Because of his passing and free taking though, he should be accommodated on the ’45’.
Kerry lost the grip of midfield the last day out against Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean.
3. Stephen O’Brien to make way for Bryan Sheehan
The person to lose out in the half-forward line would most likely be Stephen O’Brien, who struggled defensively and made way for Colm Cooper, 13 minutes into the second half.
A man who soon followed him to the dugout, Johnny Buckley, found the going tough also, but did tackle well on Michael Shields, to set up Kerry’s first goal and got himself on the scoreboard as well.
Bryan Sheehan with Cork’s, Alan O’Connor, who was a thorn in Kerry’s side last Sunday week. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
4. Is there a spot for the Gooch?
One of the biggest cheers of the day came when Colm Cooper, knocked over his only point of the game shortly after his introduction into the match with 22 minutes left on the clock.
In truth, besides that score he didn’t do anything else of real note and looked a bit off the pace, which is understandable given he’s now 31 and returning from a horror ACL injury that put him out of action over a year.
It’s hard to know whether he’s up to speed to take up the defensive duties that come with playing on the half forward line. Having him and Sheehan in the same line would have plenty of flair, but Kerry could leave themselves open with Cork’s O’Driscoll’s bombing forward. Donnchadh Walsh, has a great engine, but doing the running for two men might be a bit of an ask, even for him.
Colm Cooper, kicked a second half point, but was not up to speed with the match. Photo by Dermot Crean.
5. Paul Geaney for Kieran Donaghy
This one would surely get a lot of people talking around Rock Street!
Although Donaghy, did not have a bad day last time out, bagging a goal and creating a number of scores, a change in approach in the full-forward might be something worth looking at.
Matching up against Donaghy was Eoin Cadogan, a big physical defender who gave as much as he got from Donaghy. Having a player like that on Donaghy who is also physical could be playing into Cork’s hands a bit.
The Cork full-back-line love to attack which leave gaps, gaps which a trio of, James O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney and BJ Keane could exploit more effectively. We saw the damage that Barry John and O’Donoghue did when Kerry were on top at midfield at the end of the first half and getting regular good ball into their hands.
With his goal in the All-Ireland final last year, Geaney showed he’s also a handful aerially. When he was sprung off the bench the last day he scored a point with his first kick at the posts and was inches away from a goal with his second.
Donaghy is not known for shooting the lights out, but is a great creator of scores. With good ball going into, James O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney and BJ Keane they can make their own.
With plenty to worry about they could give that Cork full-back-line a torrid evening and restrict their movements up the park which caused Kerry a lot of hassle in the drawn game.
Paul Geaney, made an instant impact in the drawn game despite precious little ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.On a fine day in Killarney, there is no better place to be for a game of football.
Gavin O’Connor says we all love Munster Final day against the Rebels in Killarney. Here’s why…
1. The Almost Guaranteed Sunshine
As sure as the Gooch breaking rebel hearts, the sun will be out on Munster Final day. Anything other than the glorious weather is a strange anomaly, like El Niño, or Cork winning in Killarney.
Mind you, the forecast isn’t great and it’s now 20 years since Cork won at Fitzgerald Stadium.
2. The Town Turns Red For A Day
For Corkonians, a Munster Final in Killarney – as well as a trip to Thurles – is marked off as a must-attend fixture in their sporting calender. For many, the game is secondary, to the mingling they do with their betters across the county bounds.
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3. The History
Since the introduction of the back door, it’s true a lot of the magic has been taken out of Munster football’s big day, but as anticipation grows when people make their way to the ground, they will take part in a tradition which has helped shape both counties sporting identity for over 100 years.
4. Enemy Lines Can Be Breached
In order to keep the gene pool nicely diluted, another time honoured tradition happens when two people somehow overcome their tribal differences and disappear off into the Killarney night. You’d be surprised at the amount of Munster Final romances that bloomed out there.
5. Shure It’s Only Out The Road
One of the undoubted advantages is the short travel time. You can rest your head on Saturday night safe in the knowledge you will cop plenty of Zs and there will be no rush either for the fry in the morning before you head out the door.
6. The Bandwagoners
Considering some of my best friends are ‘Bandwagoners’ I have nothing against them, in fact they bring a whole lot to the table. Fitzgerald Stadium would be more than half empty without them! They also say things like “will the game sell out?” and “what time is kick-off?”.
7. One big happy family
When it comes down to it, we may have our differences, but half of us are all related anyway! We’re also the only two counties who possess the power to really quieten the Dubs.
EAMONN FITZMAURICE is taking nothing for granted ahead Kerry’s Munster Final clash against Cork on Sunday week.
The Kerry boss has stated he does not go along with the views expressed by Tomas Ó Sé, said recently in an interview that the Rebels were “rudderless from management down”.
“I would imagine the [Cork] players would be a bit miffed at it,” said Eamonn Fitzmaurice, speaking at a press conference held in Killarney last night and reported on The42 website today.
“Look, with Tomás that’s his opinion. I think that’s the attraction of him as a pundit. Outside of the dressing room because he would have kept a very low profile in general, many people wouldn’t have known that he’s sharp on the game and very insightful and he’s honest and he’ll say what he’s thinking,” he said.
“It definitely wouldn’t be my opinion and it wouldn’t be anyone’s opinion in the camp. I imagine Brian Cuthbert was rubbing his hands together in glee when Tomás said it because Cork are very motivated anyway.”
“I imagine this would have thrown petrol on the flames but, like I said, we’re not foolish to think that or underestimate Cork. If any of our lads need a reminder all they need to do is think back to last March in Páirc Uí Rinn,” he said.
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Things got heated when the sides last met in the National League in March. Not a rare occurrence in a Kerry v Cork match. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Fitzmaurice, believes that this Cork side have not got the credit they deserve.
“I was thinking about them during the year, they have to be the most maligned bunch in the country full stop, football or hurling. If you think back to even when they won their All-Ireland in 2010, I think they got very little credit for it”.
“I would see Cork as a very dangerous animal, they’re in the very same situation as we were this time last year. They’re being written off completely…They’re really in a situation when they’ve nothing to lose. We’ve lost the element of surprise and people are expecting a big performance from us.”
FOR the fifth consecutive year Kerry have been beaten by Cork in the Munster U21 championship.
In a tight game, Kerry were only a point behind going into the final ten minutes, but the Leesiders more physical side finished the match the stronger.
Four players from Tralee were involved on the night – Kerins O’Rahilly’s Cormac Cofffey and Jack Savage and Na Gaeil’s Jack Barry all started the match.
Cormac Coffey of Kerins O’Rahilly’s, keeps a close eye on his man Seán O’Donoghue. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks’ Greg Horan, who was suffering from a shoulder injury came on for Jack Savage only 15 minutes into the game after the Strand Road man was black carded.
With Savage being one of Kerry’s finest attackers and a vital cog in how the forward line ticks, this was a major blow for the Kingdom.
On a night where they stayed in touch by winning scrappy frees, his input on a misfiring forward line would have made the world of difference.
Indeed, Kerry only scored two points from play in total, barely even getting shots on goal while Cork raked up the wides keeping Kerry in it.
Cork got off to a whirlwind start scoring 1-2 early on. Kerry did well to pull it back to 1-4 to 1-2 at half time to Cork. Legion’s Conor Keane scored the goal and looked the only player who may make a dent in this year’s Kerry senior team.
Although it was a bit of a baptism of fire for Cormac Coffey, with his man bagging a goal in the first couple of minutes, the 19 year old soon grew into the game and kept Kerry from harm’s way on a number of occasions.
Matthew Flaherty of Kerry puts pressure on Tomás O’Rourke of Cork. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
On 44 minutes Kerry and Cork were level 1-7 apiece. There was one late goal chance which would have put Kerry ahead going into the final minutes, but Jack Barry who breached the Cork defence elected to pass it square instead of shooting himself – a fisted point would may even have been the better option.
Kerry’s midfield of Jack Barry and Barry O’Sullivan performed well throughout and had the beating of their men in that area. Where Kerry lost it was not having enough scoring forwards and not being as physical Cork.
Darragh O’Se’s gamble on picking six of last year’s minors did not pay off. After three disappointing years as U21 manager, ‘An Fear Láidir’won’t be seeking another term in charge.
Scorers for Cork: Cathal Vaughan 0-4 (0-3f), Seán O’Donoghue 1-1 (0-1f), Peter Kelleher, Seán White, Conor Horgan 0-2 each, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: Conor Keane 1-7 (0-6f), Brian Crowley, Jack Savage (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Subs
17. Dylan Quinn (St Finbarr’s) for Crowley (21, injury)
24. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven) for O’Callaghan (38)
22. Conor Horgan (Nemo Rangers) for K Davis (48)
19. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for McSweeney (56)
8. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
9. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle)
12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
11. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
10. Brian Crowley (Templenoe)
13. Matthew Flaherty (Dingle)
14. Dara Roche (Glenflesk)
15. Conor Keane (Legion)
Subs
18. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for Savage (15, black card)
21. Kevin McCarthy (Kilcummin) for Burns (51)
17. Cathal Murphy (Rathmore) for Daly (both 51)
22. Éanna Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht) for Crowley (56)
24. Liam Carey (Beaufort) for Ó Conchúir (57, black card)
Kerry legends, Seamus Moynihan and Darragh O’Se are involved with this year’s U21. Photo by Dermot Crean.
THREE players from Tralee clubs will line out for Kerry against Cork in the Munster U21 championship semi-final this Wednesday evening at Pairc Uí Rinn.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s players, Cormac Coffey and Jack Savage will start alongside Na Gaeil man, Jack Barry.
Austin Stacks players, Greg Horan and Conor Jordan miss out and are on the bench but could have a part to play yet..
John Mitchels player, Niall Sheehy has seen action with the Kerry U21s, but unfortunately for him and his club, he is only named in the extended training panel along with Churchill’s, Cillian Fitzgerald.
Strand Road man, Cormac Coffey, who last year picked up an All-Ireland minor medal, lines out at left corner-back while his clubmate, Jack Savage, will likely again take on a play maker role at the heart of the Kerry attack.
Na Gaeil’s Jack Barry has impressed already this year with Kerry U21’s and for his college, UCD, who made it to the semi-final of the Sigerson Cup last month.
Kerry’s team features six of last year’s All-Ireland minor winning side. The team is managed by Darragh O’Se, with Seamus Moynihan also involved as a selector.
Throw in is 7:30 pm, this Wednesday at Pairc Ui Rinn.
The team, captained by Gavin Crowley from Templenoe is as follows…
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2. Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys)
3. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe)
4. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
5. Ronan Murphy (Beaufort)
6. Denis Daly (St Marys)
7. Cathal Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht)
8. Jack Barry Na Gaeil)
9. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle)
10. Brian Crowley (Templenoe)
11. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. Micheal Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. Matthew Flaherty (Dingle)
14. Dara Roche (Glenflesk)
15. Conor Keane (Killarney Legion)
Substitutes
16. Darragh O’Shea (Ballydonoghue)
17. Cathal Murphy (Rathmore)
18. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks)
19. Conor Jordan (Austin Stacks)
20. Gary O’Sullivan (Listry)
21. Kevin McCarthy (Kilcummin)
22. Eanna Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht)
23. Donal Maher (Kilcummin)
24. Liam Carey (Beaufort)
