Kerry supply line providing plenty ammunition

OKAY, so we know about the Kerry full forward line. The two corner boys, Mike Frank’s deadly feet and the other one who looks young enough to be breaking child safety laws when he’s sent out for over an hour in the company of Enda McNulty.

But, what of the suppliers? Where would Gooch and Russell be without a fine-tuned supply line. Dara Ó Cinnéide’s ceaseless toil helps. What of the half forwards?

After all, this sector was the perceived weakness. The Achilles heel. Not anymore. This summer has been one long illustration in the unparalleled Kingdom ability to replenish footballing stock where they need to most. Nowhere is this more evident than on the 40.

After that black Sunday against Meath, changes were needed. Kerry retreated into a hole, experimenting and tinkering in positions that had become out-moded. Somewhere along the line, they discovered the two fastest pairs of legs in the south. Listen to John O’Keeffe explain.

“The half forward line came together quite by accident really, because of injuries, for the Wicklow game. From the point of view of building confidence, they have excelled since then and we have been able to keep the same threesome there.”

Noel Kennelly and Aodhan MacGearlait were the two unfortunates to get injured. But the line consisting of Sean O’Sullivan, Eoin Brosnan and Liam Hassett has been one of the unnoticed revelations in Kerry’s revolutionary football along the back roads.

Brosnan burst into our consciousness when he burst the seams of the Thurles net against Kildare. It was one of mid summer’s most breathtaking goals, a splendid combination of pace and precision and announced to Gaeldom that Kerry had unearthed a centre forward of real promise.

He is one of the game’s true speed merchants, but he’s not the quickest in the Kerry team, not even in the half forward line. That title belongs to another part of the trio, like Brosnan, playing his first final this weekend.

“From training these lads, they are quick,” O’Keeffe says. “Sean O’Sullivan is the quickest player I have ever trained. He is the fastest in the panel, Eoin and Tom Sullivan are close behind him.”

This has been a redemption year of sorts for Hassett. Injured for most of last year, Hassett arrived back on the scene to see Brosnan make Hassett’s regular position his own. Páidí and O’Keeffe decided to try the Killorglin forward on the wing.

“I’m just glad to be on the team, there was a time last year, I was thinking I mightn’t be back. It took me a while to get used to playing on the wing. When you are in the centre, you can follow the ball, can either go left or right chasing the ball, looking for passes.”

If Hassett had self doubts when first moved to the flank, there were no such doubts on the sideline. O’Keeffe recollects the final two years ago when Hassett was pulled out to the flank because of Dec Meehan’s liveliness. Hassett kept a tight leash on Galway’s energiser bunny.

Hassett is the old head to settle the nerves of the two youngsters should things go awry. Brosnan’s first All-Ireland final comes with one of the sternest examinations in the modern game.

Kieran McGeeney. Much of Armagh’s forceful play comes from their half back line and their inspirational skipper. O’Keeffe says he is the main player he is concerned about on Sunday. And Hassett knows all about him.

Rewind to 2000, Armagh and Kerry All-Ireland semi-final. Two days after Hassett sees his sister get married, he is standing in Croke Park on the shoulder of McGeeney. “I remember being taken off in that game. Kieran is one of the toughest players in the game.

Armagh is not just about Kieran. They have a lot of good players, they have been knocking on the door for the past four years.

And just like two years ago, Hassett is detailed to face the toughest half back line in the game. People no longer pour scorn on Kerry’s half forward line, but Liam, who says his form has improved dramatically since returning to work in Listowel from Dublin last year, still feels there are doubters.

“Some people are saying we are still not outstanding, that there can still be improvements in the half forward line.

We have got our criticism in the past, but we are in an All Ireland final and you don’t reach an All Ireland final with too many weaknesses on the team.”

And what of the Orchard half backs? “Their half back line is one of their strongest lines, they are all physically very strong and they are good ball players, so it will be interesting.”

That, it most certainly, will be.