Kerry’s power play leaves Mayo reeling on the ropes

Kerry 1-20 Mayo 2-09

The fact Kerry were able to overcome adversity and put together their best display of the year demanded the type of challenge from Mayo which, despite the considerable boost of a 5th minute goal, proved beyond their capability.

This was not merely a matter of Kerry exorcising the bad memories of the past three seasons, but a landmark victory in its own right.

It was achieved with a new manager in Jack O’Connor, who deserves enormous credit for inspiring a League and championship double, but without the injured Darragh Ó Sé and, to all intents and purposes, Seamus Moynihan, who came on at a stage when the game had been decided. Doubters alluded to the absence of Maurice Fitzgerald, mastermind of the 1997 triumph over the Westerners.

But, in the way that William Kirby emerged as the stronger of several contenders for the man-of-the-match (ahead of Colm Cooper, John Crowley and Declan O’Sullivan) and that close to half the team became All-Ireland medal-winners for the first time, it was a day when a new group of players established their own reputation.

Obviously determined to stop Mayo from settling early, Kerry had two points on the board inside three minutes. However, in another three minutes they had fallen behind by the same margin, first after Kieran McDonald kicked over a marvellous score from the right wing and Alan Dillon goaled. The effect was to put Kerry under pressure to respond and to subject Mayo to even greater pressure to build on their lead.

Surprisingly in view of the way they had performed en route, Mayo just weren’t up to the challenge.

Kerry gained ground in critical areas, most notably around midfield, steadily increased their grip and ultimately achieved a control, which they never looked like losing.

Watching Mayo struggle, seeing McDonald unable to give them the inspiration they so badly needed, one could almost sense the confidence drain from them. However, looking at Kerry and the highly efficient manner in which they set about winning a 33rd title, one could only marvel at their skill and inventiveness. And a character which O’Connor helped mould from the beginning of the year.

Tomas Ó Sé was one of the first to lay down a marker, on the left flank of the defence where he was awesome.

And, it didn’t take long for the full-back trio to find their form and, in time, put up the shutters on Mayo’s inside line. Eamonn Fitzmaurice came under a lot of pressure in the centre, as had been anticipated and, to give him his due credit, McDonald sparkled on a few occasions. But, through gritty and determined play and by sticking with McDonald wherever he went, the Finuge man was to perform a valuable role.

Further out, Kirby’s excellent fielding and general high work rate proved vital in enabling Kerry to settle so early in the game. His marker, Fergal Kelly, was clearly not up to the challenge and even David Brady failed to break his grip after coming on.

Eoin Brosnan was not as conspicuous, but more than held his own with the highly rated Ronan McGarrity and in time bettered him.

The inevitable outcome of such powerful play from Kerry was a plentiful supply of ball for the forwards.

And, in Colm Cooper and John Crowley especially, they had the players to capitalise on it. Understandably, this gave them a huge psychological advantage. Where, for instance, Conor Mortimer hardly worried Tom O’Sullivan in the opposite end, Cooper was a constant threat in the right corner.

And, he showed exceptional skill in the air and in clinical finishing.

An outstanding performance from Crowley (reminiscent of his League final form, when he scored two goals) more than vindicated his selection ahead of Mike Frank Russell (who also came on, later). Specifically, his ability to win ball, his strength and experience proved crucial. And, allied to team captain Dara O Cinneide’s strong and clever play (and superb free-taking) it amounted to a potent and constant threat which seriously undermined the Mayo challenge.

Mayo had scored all but two points of their first-half total by the 11th minute. And, being limited to a McDonald free in the 19th and another from a Dillon free in the 20th illustrated their dearth of scoring power.

Not for the first time, Cooper showed his class with a brilliantly-taken goal in the 25th minute which confirmed Kerry’s superiority in a telling way. Crowley promised another one eight minutes but ‘keeper Peter Burke brought off an excellent save.

At the break it was 1-12 to 1-4.

Kerry were fortunate not to concede another early goal when Conor Mortimer blew a shot over the bar in the 40th minute after substitute Conor Moran made the opening.

Mayo made changes, but progress was minimal. After 15 minutes play Kerry were three points further in front and never looked in danger of losing control.

Interestingly though, around the three-quarters stage Mayo kicked three points with just one in reply.

It proved just a temporary blip.

Moynihan was brought on for Liam Hassett, who had acquitted himself well, and, after the frustration of being sidelined for almost three months, he quickly settled into the pace of the game.

So too (very effectively) did Paul Galvin, all the way through until he made way for Paddy Kelly. And, one of the biggest cheers of the date greeted Crowley’s exit from the pitch after putting in a mighty effort.

Goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy denied Mayo a goal in the 63rd minute with a great save and then he proved his class with another block from Kenneth Mortimer - before substitute Michael Conroy finished the rebound to the net. By then, a lot of disgusted Mayo fans had left the stadium and nobody could blame them.

Scorers: Kerry: C. Cooper 1-5 (0-1 free); D. Ò Cinneide 0-8 (0-5 frees, 0-1 ’45); W. Kirby (0-3); M. Ò Sé, D. O’Sullivan, P. Galvin and M.F. Russell (0-1 each). Mayo: A. Dillon 1-2 (0-1 free); M. Conroy (1-1); K. McDonald (0-3 frees); B. Maloney, A. Moran and C. Mortimer (0-1 each).

KERRY: D. Murphy; A. O’Mahony, M. McCarthy, T. O’Sullivan; M. O Se; E. Fitzmaurice, T. Ó Se; E. Brosnan, W. Kirby; L. Hassett, D. O’Sullivan, P. Galvin; C. Cooper, D. Ó Cinneide, J. Crowley. Subs: S. Moynihan for Hassett (55th minute); M.F. Russell for Crowley (57th); R. O’Connor for O’Cinneide (63rd); P. Kelly for Galvin (67th); B. Guiney for T. Ó Sé (71st).

MAYO: P. Burke; D. Geraghty, D. Heaney, G. Ruane; P. Gardiner, J. Nallen, P. Kelly; R. McGarrity, F. Kelly; J. Gill, K. McDonald, B. Maloney; C. Mortimer, T. Mortimer, A. Dillon. Subs: D. Brady for F. Kelly (24th minute); C. Moran for Geraghty and M. Conroy for Gill (second half); A. Moran for C. Mortimer (48th) and P. Navin for Heaney (65th).

Referee: P. McEnaney (Monaghan). *Pat McEnaney did an impressive job of refereeing, although I felt a handful of marginal calls went Kerry’s way.

*Attendance: 79,749 (last year, 79,391).