Na Gaeil fashion win

John O’Dowd was in Ennis to see Na Gaeil book their All-Ireland Final place on the back of their unsung but absolutely crucial defence

MAIN MAN

Tomas Fahy, Pat Kelly and Oisin Mullin were always influential for Kilmaine, while Ryan O’Neill, Diarmuid O’Connor, Ian McCarthy and Dan Goggin all had their moments for Na Gaeil. From start to finish, however, corner-back Damien Bourke was the pick of the bunch, simply refusing to be beaten in a defensive display that was exemplary.

KEY MOMENT

Enjoying an intriguing battle with Oisin Mullin throughout, Kerry star Diarmuid O’Connor took the game by the scruff of the neck for Na Gaeil in the first half of extratime, setting the move in motion for Dan Goggin’s point and then brilliantly firing over himself with what turned out to be the winning score of a fascinating encounter.

TALKING POINT

It was a good job that Na Gaeil managed to get through in the end because, if they had been beaten, they would have struggled to get over the refereeing decision that awarded Kilmaine their equalising free in the very last action of normal time. To make such a contentious call at that stage of the contest simply beggared belief.

AS Na Gaeil have embarked on this odyssey that has led them to Croke Park on January 25, much of the recent focus on Donal Rooney’s charges has centred on their inter-county midfield partnership and their hard-working and competently high-scoring attack.

And, in fairness, that is no surprise. When an outfit in the All-Ireland junior club football championship can select two Kerry seniors in Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor in the middle of the park, such a scenario is always likely to command the majority of the media attention.

However, last Saturday at Cusack Park in Ennis, Na Gaeil had to go about things a different way. Barry was unable to start because of an ankle ligament problem that he picked up in a challenge match three weeks ago, while O’Connor was never allowed to enjoy full dominance of the aerial battle in the heart of the action due to the constant presence of Mayo senior panellist, Oisin Mullin, in his general area.

In their three matches in the Munster Championship, Na Gaeil racked up scores of 2-11 against Kilshannig of Cork, 3-20 against Michael Cusacks of Clare and 3-13 against Tipperary’s Mullinahone in the provincial decider.

The likes of Dara Devine, Diarmuid Herlihy, Dan Goggin and Jamie Lowham were given plenty of opportunities to fill their boots and they filled their boots with considerable aplomb.

Like the midfield war-zone, it was also a much different story for the Tralee side’s attack against Kilmaine. With 13 men in their own half at one stage of the first half, and with veteran Pat Kelly and full-back David Hughes operating as double sweepers on several occasions, it was never going to be easy for Na Gaeil to tot up a significant amount of scores.

It certainly wasn’t for the want of trying, and the work-rate never wavered, with Ian McCarthy, Goggin and substitute Mike Griffin all having their moments, but a tally of only four points from play from the starting six forwards is a testament to how difficult it was for Na Gaeil to penetrate.

Yet, despite all the obstacles that were put in their path in their positions of strength, they just about still emerged victorious. For that, as Rooney admitted after, they have to be grateful for the brilliance of their own defence.

It’s often the case that, in successful teams, the backs are the ones that often escape the limelight. Quietly going about their business in their own half of the field, they neither expect the plaudits nor seek them to be dished out in their honour.

In the entire provincial cam