The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Dubs make it four from four
NATURE, as we all know only too well, abhors a vacuum.
And so in August, into the information vacuum created by behind closed door training, rushed in a delicious rumour. One that was outlandish enough to catch your eye and one with just enough plausibility to make one stop and think.
The rumour-mill went into overdrive with word that Bryan Sheehan was being considered for the goalkeeper’s position for the All Ireland semi-final with Dublin. Given Sheehan’s proficiency from the placed ball and his history as a former Kerry minor goalkeeper it was just about – if you squinted hard enough – plausible.
It served as an entertaining diversion in the weeks ahead of Kerry’s semi-final clash with Dublin in Croke Park. Tension was definitely high in the Kingdom as people pondered the prospect of a fourth straight championship defeat to the Sky Blues.
Even though Kerry were widely considered underdogs such is the nature of football in the county that they still travelled with a degree of expectation. For twenty five minutes of the game that expectation seemed misplaced.
Dublin were vastly the better side and, yet, Kerry led at half-time by five points – 2-8 to 0-9 – following a handful of goals by Darran O’Sullivan and Paul Geaney as a result of brilliant power-plays.
Kerry needed to start the second half well but Dublin soon reclaimed the initiative. Even so with ten minutes to go Kerry led in the game after a strong recovery up to the sixtieth minute.
In the end Dublin’s superior firepower and strength in depth told – Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s decision to withdraw Paul Geaney from the play also caused a certain amount of consternation in the public autopsy afterwards – and Dublin ran out two point winners, 0-22 to 2-14.
A couple of refereeing decisions also caused disquiet in Kerry, but in the end there had to be a recognition that the better team won.
The Kerry minors, meanwhile, continued their relentless pursuit of a third successive All Ireland title with a stunning performance and victory over Kildare in the semi-final. A second half whirlwind of scores and power-packed football saw them run out 2-26 to 0-10 winners.