Between the posts
 Former
Kerry star LIAM HASSETT writes for The Irish Post
While they were less spectacular on the scoreboard Kerry manager Jack O’Connor
will be happy with the performance against Cork which in many ways was
their most complete display in this year’s Championship.
Kieran Donaghy was again excellent, winning possession and taking scores
himself, and while comparisons with the great Eoin ‘Bomber’
Liston are a little premature, Donaghy is the reason Kerry are in the
All-Ireland final.
What will please Kerry supporters most is the display of the other parts
of the team. Mike Frank Russell got six points to show he is back on top
form, the defence was excellent completely neutralising the threat posed
by Cork’s main attacker, James Masters,
Daragh O’Se turned in his best performance for a while and just
about broke even against the excellent Nicholas Murphy from Cork.
Kerry are 2/9 to win the All-Ireland and while they probably deserve to
be favourites they are far from a sure thing. They will need to improve
and make sure that they haven’t peaked too early which I think is
what happened last year.
Mayo are already being written off by most people as they go into the
semi-final clash with Dublin. I think it will be a lot tighter than most
pundits believe.
Mayo are one of the few teams in the country who will be able to match
the physical nature of Dublin’s game.
The big worry for Mickey Moran’s side is that they persist with
the same failings they have had for years not taking enough of their chances
and shooting far too many wides to be real contenders for the All-Ireland
title.
Their defence is excellent and in McGarrity and Pat Harte they have
as good a midfield as there is in the Championship but rather than firing
the ball in quickly to Conor Mortimer who will usually get the better
of his marker and score Mickey Moran’s lads tend to over elaborate.
The worst culprit is Kieran McDonald he slows their play up too much.
I thought he should have been substituted on Sunday, he got one great
point and did nothing else in the match. They must tell him to stick to
one position a bit more probably full-forward where he can score a bit
more than he is at the moment.
More generally Mayo tend to dominate possession and have little end
product to show for it. That will get you so far, but to win All-Irelands
you have to convert your chances.
McDonald will have to change his style of play if Mayo are to achieve
their full potential. Dublin have been the most consistent team in this
year’s Championship and Ciaran Whelan is in the form of his life.
Previously he would make a few good solo runs in a match and do little
else but he plays between the two ‘45 yard lines now, doing exactly
what a midfielder should, and he will be a big threat to Mayo’s
prospects on Sunday.
Defensively Dublin have been very strong, Brian Cullen is developing into
one of the best centre-backs in the country and in attack Alan Brogan
and Conal Keaney will score against any opposition making Dublin an excellent
all-round team.
Despite what many people believe I think that it will be very tight on
Sunday. There might even be a draw but Dublin should just edge it and
set up what could be a classic All-Ireland final with Kerry. |
