Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Forget the coronavirus, it’s a serious case of white line fever at HQ
ONE of the highest scoring draws in Football League history was some way to kickstart the 2020 season.
A pulsating, breathtaking, robust contest that had some phenomenal scores, lots of massive hits, mistakes and many talking points.
But the main one is Kerry’s inability to close out another big game against Dublin in Croke Park.
Having grabbed a three-point lead, they should have been in total control after 65 minutes.
Unless it’s sorted out properly – and confronted with absolute honesty – it will be detrimental to the future success of this squad.
Yes, you have to marvel at the never-say-die attitude of Dublin and their incredible commitment with little or no training.
But l must highlight again – as I’ve done many times before – that Kerry for the most part were the architects of their own downfall.
What unfolded defies belief:
61 minutes: Dublin are down to 14 men and Graham O’sullivan body checks John Small and is sent off for a silly black card.
65 mins 30 secs: Kerry are three ahead again but, after some awful efforts at tackling by their forwards, Dean Rock has a tough free 35 yards out on the wing. The Kerry defence allow Paul Mannion to saunter across goal for a short pass which ends with a James Mccarthy point. An unbelievable lapse.
66 mins 12 seconds: Stephen O’brien needlessly kicks the ball away for a turnover in the
middle for a Ciaran Kilkenny score.
68 mins 30 secs: Evan Comerford kicks the ball out to Niall Scully, who is inexplicably standing totally on his own in midfield. The move ends in an Aaron Byrne score.
69 mins 5 secs: Shane Ryan kicks the ball straight to a totally unmarked James Mccarthy. Ciaran Kilkenny gets another score.
70 mins 15 secs: Shane Ryan refuses to kick short to Gavin Crowley, who is furiously demanding the ball. Instead he recklessly goes long. Crowley turns around to Ryan and rightfully gives him an earful. Brian Fenton wins the kick-out and Niall Scully scores a vital point.
75 mins 10 secs: Shane Enright concedes a needless free by jumping into Ciaran Kilkenny when a team-mate had him covered, resulting in another point conceded.
So many unforced, completely avoidable errors, in keeping with what has happened so often in the past.
It’s time Kerry called an internal emergency meeting to sort out their game management in the last 10-15 minutes of these big games. Or is it already too late?
If they don’t properly address the situation, despite all their sheer class, they will become known as just another Mayo.
Having grabbed a three-point lead they should have been in total control after 65 minutes. It defies belief..