Kerry will dominate next 10 years, warns Maughan
Maughan was manager of the Mayo side that suffered an eight-point defeat to Kerry in 2004, a result which kick-started the Kingdom’s current run of success.
The Kingdom have now contested the last four All-Ireland finals — winning three of them — and have taken part in 11 out of the last 12 semi-finals.
They have also won two out of the last four National League titles.
The first team to retain the All-Ireland since Cork in 1990, they are already being tipped to become the first three-in-a-row side since they themselves managed the feat in 1986.
It is a staggering riposte from a county that saw it’s pre-eminence challenged so vigorously by Armagh and Tyrone in recent years, but Maughan believes more of the same would be unhealthy for the game.
“My view on it is that we have to get rid of the back-door,” claimed Maughan yesterday. “What’s going to happen if we have more days like (Sunday)?
“And that’s not forgetting what happened to Mayo either. Kerry are undoubtedly a very good team but we are giving them twice the opportunity through the back-door, which they came through last year.”
Maughan has been a critic of the second chance system for some time now and Sunday’s events in Croke Park have only reaffirmed his belief that the current structure is loaded more in favour of the heavyweights than the lesser lights.
“What’s going to happen is that you will lose that great atmosphere that comes with Gaelic games because
Kerry could well win six out of the next 10 All-Irelands under the current system.
“Numbers are already beginning to dwindle from the provincial campaigns. That’s because of the back-door system. We’ve got to dispense with that and go back to the original format and let’s hope you catch the big guns on the day.’’
Cork captain Derek Kavanagh pointed to Kerry’s uncanny ability to peak in September as one of the reasons behind their consistency and Maughan feels their dominance could result in the GAA losing some of its audience.
He has already tipped them to claim the hat-trick in 12 months time and believes the back-door is allowing them to tread lightly through the province before peaking for the month of September.
Another unwanted legacy of the qualifiers has been the squeeze placed on the club calendar but it has played an important part in raising standards among some of the smaller counties who have availed of the second bite at the cherry.
Prior to its introduction, players and managers alike railed at a state of affairs which saw most teams train for nine months for just the one championship match but Maughan believes the current system has run its course.
“In some cases the smaller counties have managed to bridge the gap. The Sligos and Fermanaghs have had great runs. That can be done in their own provincial championships. They don’t have to wait until the back-door for that to happen.
“We’ve seen examples of Galway, Tyrone and Kerry coming though the back door system and I’ve had a bellyful of it now. It has served its purpose and it’s time to revert back.”
Despite his own reservations over the structures, Maughan has no wish to detract from Kerry’s achievement in claiming a second consecutive championship. This, he feels, is one of the game’s best teams of all times.
“They are ahead of the pack, no question about that. They are outstanding footballers. In the Gooch I believe they have the most gifted player to have ever stood on a pitch. His movement and pace, he’s got everything. He’s the most complete footballer I have ever seen and I am not in any way undermining the great players like Mikey Sheehy, Peter Canavan or even going back as far as (Galway’s) Frank Stockwell.
“This guy is special but, in fairness to Kerry, they have special players all over the place. They are an exceptionally talented bunch of footballers and arguably as good a team as the 70s. They are right up there.’’
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