.Brian Hurley hosting the panel of sporting legends, Alan Kennedy, Mick Galwey, John Leahy and Aidan O’Mahony at Benner’s Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
FORMER Kerry GAA star Aidan O’Mahony says Kerry needs the fans to turn up in theyr droves in Killarney on Saturday and he still believes we can win Sam if Kerry progresses today.
The former All-Star was speaking at an event in Benner’s Hotel to honour the late Robert O’Dowd of John Mitchels. He was joined by former soccer, hurling and rugby stars Alan Kennedy, John Leahy and Mick Galway in a highly entertaining chat with host Brian Hurley.
Aidan also said Eamonn Fitzmaurice has a very tough job and supporters don’t see the half of what he does for players.
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“There is pressure because it’s Kerry and you’re judged on winning All-Irelands. If you don’t win an All-Ireland they’re calling for your head. I trained under Jack O’Connor, Pat O’Shea and Eamonn. He was a fantastic man manager, he’s the go-to guy. What he does for players coming through is fantastic,” said Aidan.
He said the Kerry supporters matters and they drive on the players.
“There’s a mix of younger and more experienced players on this team and the fans need to come out and get behind them. I remember playing games up the north and you’d see the busloads of supporters who travelled about five hours to get there and I’d think that’s why I put on the jersey,” said Aidan, who also said abuse of those players from fans in the stands and terraces is not acceptable.
He also believes it could be Kerry’s year.
“There’s a big kick in this team yet and if they can progress tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them climbing the Hogan Stand steps in September.”
Kerry v Kildare throws in at 6pm. Get there if you can to cheer them on.
IF you’re going to the Kerry v Kildare game on Saturday, August 4, then it’s worth knowing that all tickets are unreserved.
In other words, if you want to sit in the stands, you’ll have to get there early. So if it’s a wet day expect the stand to be full a long time before the 6pm throw-in.
A very big crowd is expected at the game, as Kerry still have a chance of progressing to the semi-finals and a date with Dublin on Saturday, August 11 at Croke Park at 5pm.
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Tickets are €25 Adults, €5 Juveniles, €25 Wheelchair & Attendant. Student/Senior citizen tickets available on the day. There will be no concession stile.
Tickets are now on sale in Centra and SuperValu stores, online at tickets.ie, Kerry GAA Store in Killarney and County Board Office in Tralee.
As tickets are unreserved, there is no difference from a quality point of view between tickets purchased online /usual outlets to those purchased from the County Board Office.
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..
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.
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 CreanBarry John Keane tries to get away from Ciaran Fitzpatrick. Photo by Dermot CreanPaul 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 CreanPaul 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.
In recent years, the support for Kerry in quarter and semi-finals has been very impressive and despite the lack of glamour about the fixture, there was still a great showing of green and gold from the Kingdom.
Here’s some more fan photos…
Kay Murphy, Ardfert and Ann Murphy, Cahersiveen, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ciara Casey, Magdalen Gentlemen and Katelyn Casey, Kilmoyley, outside Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Marie Deenihan, Alderwood Road, Sinead Geraghty, Kildare, Alan Deenihan and John Deenihan, Alderwood Road, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Evan and Adam Flavin, Listowel, outside Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanCiara, Justin and John Cotter, Duagh, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tara Ní Mhóráin, Dundalk and Micheál Ó Leidhin, Ballinskelligs, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanLuke Lynch and Clodagh Leahy, Listowel, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanMike ‘Gykes’ Murphy and Diarmuid Reidy, Tralee, in The Gresham Hotel in Dublin before the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanGerry, Matthew and Joan Horgan in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanMiriam Melia, Tralee, and Naomi Carty, Cavan, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanDenise Murphy, Colm Joy and Deborah O’Connor, Killorglin, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanAnne Marie Sheehan and May Kerrisk, Castlemaine, in Dublin for the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanDylan Keightly, Carlow and Ger Carmody, Churchill, in Dublin for the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanRóisín McCarthy, Ballymac and Michael Walsh, Cork, in Dublin for the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
YOU really had to feel sorry for Kildare by the end yesterday.
Sitting in the crowd, when Colm Cooper advanced on goal with a few minutes to go, a few Kerry fans behind me implored him to punch it over and he duly did that.
It was a plea for mercy for the Lilywhites from the Kerry faithful. Those sentiments were repeated on social media where the Twitterati shared their views on the game…
.Kerry star Barry John Keane with his aunt Bernice Hoffman and his mother Kayrena, outside the Croke Park Hotel just after the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
FROM a spectator’s point of view, it fell somewhere between the Christians v The Lions circa 90AD and a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game, but Kerry fans didn’t mind.
They turned up in their thousands again at our spiritual home and roared their approval as the Kerry forwards ran riot in the second half against Kildare.
We were in Dublin and took photos of the green and gold army on the first of their trips to Croke Park this year.
Scroll down for photos (MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW LATER)…
.Sonia O’Dwyer, Ryan Garner, Aisling Ní Néill and Donnacha Seán Lucey, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Shane Enright, Alessa Gross and Ciarán Ó Scanláin, Listowel, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Doreen O’Shea, Shauna Jarvis, Gerard Sweeney, Máire Sweeney and Caoimhe Sweeney, Glenbeigh, outside Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Benita Finnerty and Alice O’Connor, Listowel, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanSiobhan Kelliher, Glenflesk, Catherine O’Connell and Noreen Wallace, Listowel, in The Gresham Hotel in Dublin before the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.The O’Sullivan family from Kenmare, Kathleen, Abby, Tara, Sean and Flor, in The Gresham Hotel in Dublin before the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Paudie McQuinn, Mikey Collins and Eoin Colgan in Dublin for the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanRobert O’Connor, Listowel, Patrick Noonan, Rathmore and Jonathan Burke, Listowel, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanRenee Cooke and Marta Kureczko, Ballybunion, in The Gresham Hotel in Dublin before the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanPaul and Alan Cassidy, Tadhg Sugrue and Julie Cassidy, Kenmare, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanWill Hennessy, Jonathan Moran, James Purcell and Jake O’Connor, Ballybunion, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanDavid Clarke, Darragh Begley and Peter Clarke, Castleisland, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanCormac Mac Síthigh and Brenda Nic Gearailt, Ballyferriter, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanElaine and Amanda O’Connor, Ballydonoghue, in Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gavin O’Connor reports from Croke Park on Kerry’s rout of Kildare…
Kerry 7-16
Kildare 0-10
Barry John Keane celebrates his goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was total domination as Kerry destroyed Kildare by 27 points this afternoon.
Seven second half goals helped equal the all-time winning margin in championship football. Ruthlessness, driven by competition for places was the catalyst for a powerful Kerry display that was, arguably, as complete as ever seen in Croke Park.
There is concern however with James O’Donoghue suffering a shoulder injury.
Donnchadh Walsh’s goal in the 38th minute ushered in a 15 minute blitz of goals with Kerry hitting the net an incredible five times and the Lilywhites wilted with every attack.
Colm Cooper punches the ball into the net. Photo by Dermot Crean
The big switch at the start of the game paid off, when Colm Cooper came in for Kieran Donaghy and hit 2-3. Darren O’Sullivan also made a big impression off the bench with his tally of 2-1.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice is left with a good headache for the semi-final as a number of players, put their hat in the ring for places. The bench was emptied seeing the return of Paul Galvin in Croke Park when he came on in the final quarter of the match along with Tommy Walsh who also made a big impression.
Donnchadh Walsh hits goal No.1. Photo by Dermot Crean
Stephen O’Brien justified his inclusion ahead of Johnny Buckley, scoring 1-4 from play, Barry John Keane took the lead from Darren O’Sullivan’s explosive re-emergence scoring 1-3 from play.
The launchpad for victory was secured in midfield where David Moran and Anthony Maher destroyed the much-hyped Kildare pairing of Moolick and Cribbin.
Paul Murphy and Jonathan Lyne put their bodies on the line. Photo by Dermot Crean
When Darren O’Sullivan knocked in the seventh, there was a feeling in the ground the ball should have been knocked over the bar thus was the slaughter.
KERRY: B Kealy; P Murphy, S Enright, M Ó Sé; A O’Mahony, K Young, J Lyne; A Maher, D Moran; S O’Brien (1-4), B Sheehan, D Walsh (1-0); C Cooper (2-3, one fee), P Geaney (0-2), J O’Donoghue (0-3, one fee).
Subs:BJ Keane (1-3) for O’Donoghue (31 mins), Darran O’Sullivan (2-1) for P Geaney (42 mins), P Crowley for Ó Sé (50 mins), PGalvin for Walsh (54 mins), J Buckley for Sheehan (54 mins), T Walsh for Maher (60 mins).
KILDARE: M Donnellan; O Lyons (0-1), C Fitzpatrick, M O’Grady; K Murnaghan, E Doyle (0-1), E Bolton; T Moolick, P Cribbin; C McNally, E O’Flaherty (0-1), P O’Neill (0-2); E Callaghan (capt), A Smith (0-2), N Kelly (0-2).
Subs: P Kelly for Callaghan (43 mins), F Conway for Murnaghan (51 mins), P Fogarty for N Kelly (54 mins), M Sherry for McNally (57 mins), F Dowling (0-1) for Moolick (62 mins), G White for Bolton (67 mins).
Barry O’Shea played for Kerry in 1998 when the Lilywhites got the better of us, but he reckons Sunday will have an altogether different outcome…
BACK in 1998, I was played in an All-Ireland semi-final against Kildare, my cousin Karl and his father Micko, were also involved that day, though on the other side of the divide.
It was a strange experience, I lived next door to Karl growing up in Waterville and we were meant to mark each other in Croke Park, a long way from the pitches we played in as youngsters. But there was a switch, so Eamonn Fitzmaurice, ended up on the cousin instead.
Denis O’Dwyer had a goal disallowed that day which I still think was a goal, but that’s the way it goes. It was one of the All-Irelands we felt slipped away.
Led by Micko, Kildare were one of the top teams at the time, they have dropped down the pack since, but they’re still going to require a lot of respect.
Kildare probably realise what their best team is now at this stage. They know what way they’re playing, they’ve been playing week after week so they’re going to be bouncing into Croke Park to have a crack at Kerry.
Ordinarily it might be a tricky one for us, but I think because of the fact the Munster Final went to a replay it will be a huge bonus for Kerry. For Eamonn Fitzmaurice, to have an extra game where he was able to iron out a few things. In the drawn match a lot of issues came up that were straightened out the second day.
With Stephen O’Brien coming in for Johnny Buckley being the only change in the side, Fitzmaurice must feel he’s found his best starting 15.
A lot of guys were in contention for that spot vacated by Buckley. Giving it to O’Brien may surprise people, but obviously he’s got a role to play and a job to do for the team.
Midfield as always, will dictate how this game is won. Kildare’s Tommy Moolick and Paul Cribbon will be coming into the game with confidence, but they haven’t as yet faced a pairing as good as David Moran and Anthony Maher since the day they played Dublin.
When I look at Kildare, it was only three weeks ago they got over the line against Offaly by two points and they have been relegated two years in a row. So does a team become brilliant overnight?
I never thought Kildare were as bad as they were made out to be, but maybe they’re not as good as they are being talked about this week either.
I just think that, you got to take into account the opposition they have played. That Cork team they played was not the same side that played Kerry.
Alan O’Connor going off in the first half left them playing with a second rate midfield, so Kildare were able to run riot. The Cork morale was low. You see it in football, if you go out in a game just a little bit below par, you will be punished.
The game will be a much better test than Dublin will get against Fermanagh. I’d say Fitzmaurice will be hoping Kerry get a good test and I don’t expect Kerry to go out and destroy them.
Though Kerry have only lost two out of 14 quarter finals, the quality of the performances in the vast amount of those matches hasn’t been brilliant.
Kerry seem to win their quarter-finals without being overly impressive, but that’s fine as well. There’s still a long year there yet, hopefully, to pull out the performances. A tough tight game for the majority of the game would be a huge benefit for the team.
We’ve had two tough outings against Cork, another one this weekend followed by a win, then the gap to the semi-final is three weeks which is ideal from a management and player point of view.
There’s a week to get over any knocks, then two weeks to build for a game.
It will probably be Kerry by five points, but we need to be on our toes and be very aware that Kildare are fit battled hardened and riding on wave confidence wise at the moment.
.Stephen O’Brien replaces Johnny Buckley for Sunday’s game.
THERE is just one change on the Kerry team from the Munster final replay two weeks ago, for their clash against Kildare on Sunday in Croke Park.
Stephen O’Brien, introduced in the Munster Final, is named in the half forward line in place of Johnny Buckley.
Colm Cooper remains on the bench where he’s joined again by Paul Galvin.
The team, captained by Kieran Donaghy is as follows:
1. Brendan Kealy, Kilcummin
2. Marc Ó Sé, An Ghaeltacht
3. Aidan O’Mahony, Rathmore
4. Shane Enright, Tarbert
5. Jonathan Lyne, Killarney Legion
6. Killian Young, Renard
7. Paul Murphy, Rathmore
8. Anthony Maher, Duagh
9. David Moran, Kerins O’Rahillys
10. Stephen O’Brien, Kenmare
11. Bryan Sheehan, St Marys
12. Donnchadh Walsh, Cromane
13. Paul Geaney, Dingle
14. Kieran Donaghy, (C) Austin Stacks
15. James O’Donoghue, Killarney Legion
Fir Ionaid
16. Brian Kelly Killarney Legion
17. Colm Cooper Dr Crokes
18. Johnny Buckley Dr Crokes
19. Barry John Keane Kerins O’Rahillys
20. Michael Geaney Dingle
21. Peter Crowley Laune Rangers
22. Fionn Fitzgerald Dr Crokes
23. Paul Galvin Finuge
24. Darran O’Sullivan Glenbeigh-Glencar
25. Tommy Walsh Kerins O’Rahillys
26. Jack Sherwood Firies
