The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry must attack Dublin’s middle eight
KERRY find themselves with a bit of work to do if they are to retain their status in Division 1 of the Allianz league. A defeat on home turf to an ever-improving Galway side makes it back-to-back defeats for the Kingdom, and with a tough trip to Croke Park looming this weekend it doesn’t get any easier.
With the way results are going then one more win from their remaining three games might be enough for them to guarantee safety, although it may all come down to a nervy trip to Tyrone on the final day out.
On Sunday the crucial score of the game came in the 40th minute as Éamonn Brannigan raced through our defence to fire past Brian Kelly. He showed good drive and an excellent turn of pace but from a Kerry perspective it was all too easy for him.
Picking the ball up just outside the Kerry 45-metre line he outpaced Brian Ó Beaglaoich, slipped by a Ronan Shanahan challenge and even after spilling possession managed to fly-kick his shot to the net soccer style.
It was a killer blow for Kerry who, after playing against a stiff breeze in the first half, had kept in touch with Galway and looked to push on after the restart. The goal pushed Galway six clear and with the way they were set up it was always going to be a long way back for Kerry.
If these games are to prove a good learning curve for our younger players then the concession of that goal is a prime example of what senior inter-county football is all about. Brannigan showed pace and power in his running that just punched a hole in the middle of our back line.
When Kerry reach the Super 8s our defenders are going to be up against the cream of the crop in terms of opposition forwards. Half-forwards like Brannigan, Diarmuid Connolly or Diarmuid O’Connor can’t be allowed to build up a head of steam and breeze through the centre of our rearguard without at least being challenged. It was just a bit too easy for Brannigan on Sunday.
In fairness to Kerry they dug
in and kept trying to bridge the gap. As mentioned, Galway’s tactics suited playing against the wind especially when they had a lead to protect. They defended in numbers and broke with incredible speed from all over the field.
They are certainly turning heads and look like genuine contenders for honours this year. There is a notion out there that they have turned a bit cynical but to be honest I don’t think they are any more cynical then the rest of the teams out there.
They have, without doubt, introduced a more physical aspect to their play, but the most noticeable change is that they have moved away from high scoring shoot-outs to a more defend and break style.
Yet Kerry just wouldn’t go away and this will please the management no doubt. Peter Crowley and Paul Murphy showed excellent leadership from the back to steady the ship somewhat and kept us in touch. David Clifford showed that with every game at this level he is beginning to flourish and his scores from play and from placed balls set up an exciting finish.
Clifford and Stephen O’Brien had shots saved deep into added-time that could have seen Kerry snatch a draw, but overall it probably would have been undeserving. It was a mixed performance from start to finish from the home side which in a way reflects their league record so far: won two, lost two.
MANY won’t give us a chance of turning two wins into three as we head to Croke Park on Saturday evening to do battle with Dublin, but maybe it’s just the game the players want.
They will have been disappointed with their performance on Sunday and what better way to bounce back then to test yourself against the very best around at the minute.
Dublin, fresh from beating Mayo in Castlebar, seem to be strolling to another league final but have yet to be really tested. The only time they have seemed under pressure this season was for a period after half-time against Donegal and maybe Kerry can take something from that.
Donegal came out after the break and engaged Dublin high up the pitch. They put them under severe pressure in their own half and got huge rewards from it. Rather then allowing Dublin possession and trying to negate them by dropping numbers they attacked Dublin and got themselves right back into the game.
I’d like to see Kerry adopt that style on Saturday evening. Of course, Dublin are extremely dangerous on the counter-attack and you do run the risk of leaving open spaces behind you, but what Donegal did very well was they dominated around the middle eight. They forced Stephen Cluxton into hitting long kick outs and by doing so gave themselves a chance of coming up with the ball.
Kerry’s forwards are, for me, still the most dangerous potent attack in the country and if we can feed them as much as possible in the scoring zone then we could come up trumps.
There is a term used in soccer tactics known as getting the ball into the POMO (positions of maximum opportunity).
For Kerry those positions and opportunities will come by going at Dublin.
Many won’t give us a chance of turning two wins into three as we head to Croke Park on Saturday evening