Kerry won their 39th All Ireland title yesterday by defeating Donegal 1-26 (29) to 0-19. The margin of victory does not flatter Kerry who put in a masterful display of attacking football combined with disciplined defending led by Jason Foley and Gavin White ably assisted by their colleges at the back and Shane Ryan in goal.
Given the way the year panned out for both sides, questions were asked as to how the game would pan out, from a Donegal point of view they never really raised a gallop in the game and that will haunt them.
We have seen all year they played on the break with a running game based on coming from deep and using a pendulum shape to attack the 40m arc and that saw them benefit through the year to secure the Ulster Championship.
Yesterday though Kerry had a plan for that attacking shape and executed it to perfection, they completely stifled the Donegal kick out strategy by winning clean ball in the air as well as picking up nearly all the breaking ball.
The ability to take their score was also top drawer and picking there moment to push up and go after a kick out was also on point on the big day. Donegal did the usual under Jim Mc Guinness, breaking away from the pre parade etc, a well-worn and well used tactic in both of his terms in charge of Donegal.
These particular tricks had no effect on Kerry and after the parade the camera focused in on David Clifford and you could see he was up for the fight, defiantly a man looking to prove a point as in certain quarters his quality has been questioned in comparison to certain player from Tyrone.
While that player has 3 Celtic crosses, David now has 2 and time is on his side to try and add to that haul in the future. There is no questioning the quality of both men but given the fact that Kerry beat 3 Ulster counties enroute to yesterday’s win, let’s hope that certain pundits might just acknowledge how good David Clifford has been in recent years.
Other players like Paudie Clifford, Dylan Geaney, Sean O Shea et el all played vital roles in the win. They showed up when needed and executed the Jack O Connor led game plan to a tie. We always hear that teams are striving for the perfect game and performance but yesterday’s certainly was as close as you can get to a tactical masterclass.
Paidi O Se said the Kerry public are hungry for success, they really are but the past few weeks has also shown when the players called on them to get behind them, the Kerry support did that very thing and were paid back in emphatic fashion with yesterday’s win.
The amount of soul searching after the loss to Meath defiantly stood to them and players also stepped up to the plate when injury meant others were ruled out for varying periods through the year over the course of the National League, Munster Championship and All Ireland series.
Men like Sean O Brien, Mark O Shea, Mike Breen took the opportunities given to them and played key roles in the wins in Munster as well as yesterday. It again shows why you have a squad and why you also trust the players you select to go out and do a job when required.
David Clifford, even though he scored 0-09, he also played a very unselfish role within the game plan, that saw him keep his man occupied and by that he allowed others the space closer to goal to take their own chances while also coming up with his own scores including a critical 2 point score on the half time hooter, that saw Kerry hold possession for well over a minute and half and go in 7 points up.
Gavin White was like a duracell bunny and was consistently driving up field in support of the attack or then funnelling back to provide cover and mop up any loose ball. Kerry’s work around breaking ball was trojan work and was of a intensity that was frenzied over the full 70 minutes.
Donegal will now have to return to the drawing board after the loss and will just have to dust themselves down, easier said than done of course but similar to Cork last weekend that is just the way it is.
Brendan Cawley of Kildare officiated his 1st All Ireland final and let the game flow, he and his team of officials have to be commended for the way they game was allowed to flow. It was a very open game with both sides attacking with pace and kicking some fine scores with great accuracy and efficiency.
The football year was dominated by the football review committee who brought in a few changes to the game but those changes while they took a while to bed in early on in the year by the time All Ireland series started after the provincial championships, all teams knew how to use the rules to their advantage.
The two point rule was a success as were the three up and as well as keeping 3 back… Kerry utilised the advantages of the two point score by taking full advantage as the clock ticked down to hit 35 minutes and that saw David Clifford kick the two points after Kerry held possession very similar to basketball team using up the shot clock before taking the shot on.
Kerry enjoyed the celebrations last night and will head to Crumlin Children’s hospital this morning before the journey home begins where they will have receptions in both Tralee and then Killarney. The Kerry supporters will have the chance to salute their heroes this evening….
Well done to Jack O Connor and his management team. Jack won his 5th All Ireland as Kerry boss in his third spell in charge after his first one in September 2004. This win means a lot to supporters as well as the players, there really is only one Kingdom and that is the Kingdom of Kerry….