Lessons learnt as Kerry alter the game plan
Having suffered at the hands of Tyrone on three occasions this decade in big games due to a predictable game plan, the Kingdom now have variation to their play and have exhibited that a number of times this season including yesterday’s semi-final.
Meath, on the other hand, have stuck slavishly to kicking direct and long high ball into attack. While this method of play suits them and got them to Croke Park, there was no alternative plan when their primary option was ineffective. The only change they made to their system of play over the course of the game was to alternate the man on the edge of the square – Joe Sheridan and Cian Ward shared this dubious honour.
It was obvious from an early stage that Kerry had planned for this eventuality and time and again their three full backs broke the ball from their direct opponents into the path of their half back colleagues who gathered up possession. But the supply of ball was diabolical with the passes often wayward and over cooked.
2. WITH greasy conditions yesterday, the team that secured the majority of breaking ball in the middle third was always going to be in the driving seat.
The two teams secured nine breaks apiece in the first half and in terms of possession there was little separating them on the short whistle.
However, the picture altered in the second half as Kerry clearly established their superiority in this area by winning 12 breaks to Meath’s two. This had a significant bearing on the result.
The man who most influenced this dominance was Tomás O Sé, as he secured a staggering eight breaks and was ably assisted by Mike McCarthy, Paul Galvin and Seamus Scanlon. Meath’s best performers in this area were Peadar Byrne, one in each half, and Caoimhin King with two in the first half.
In fairness, it also has to be acknowledged that both Darragh O Sé and Seamus Scanlon broke the ball intelligently to give their colleagues the advantage in the fight for possession. However Meath’s inability to counteract this tactic cost them dearly.
3. IF a team can afford to omit players of the calibre of Tommy Walsh and Aidan O’Mahony from their starting 15, then they have serious strength in their panel. Kerry are one such squad.
When Walsh was introduced for Donnacha Walsh after 28 minutes one knew almost instinctively he would have a major impact on proceedings.
His introduction allowed Kerry to change their offensive approach and adopt a more direct plan of attack. Poor Anthony Moyles, having just about got to grips with Declan O Sullivan after a terrible start, now had to attempt to deal with diagonal high balls into the danger zone.
Unfortunately for him in a three minute spell just after half time Walsh was on the warpath scoring 1-1 from play which put Kerry on the road to victory.
This change in approach by Kerry paid handsome dividends and illustrated the big difference between the teams yesterday. While Kerry varied their tactics Meath didn’t – or couldn’t – and the game was finished long before the final whistle even if the Royals’ persistence with the high ball approach yielded a consolation goal in injury time.
