Walsh unleashed as Kingdom get back in gear
Ultimately, the victory hinged on goalkeeper Kieran Cremin’s 66th-minute penalty save and, against the background of last-gasp defeats at the hands of Donegal and Mayo, it was all the more pleasing for players and management for that reason.
Manager Pat O’Shea readily conceded they “were staring relegation in the face” if they had gone under again.
“The result was hugely important. It gives us breathing space,” he said. “It makes our game with Kildare all the more interesting.”
Laois manager Liam Kearns was looking hard for positives and finding one in the impending return of Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly — admitting that their lack of experience at the back was telling. “We have not been out of our depth in any game, but we are coming out on the wrong side of results — and that is the reality for us,” he said.
Played on a wet and cold night, but on a pitch which stood up very well to the conditions, Kerry triumphed because of greater consistency, even from a depleted attack. And, if there was one single reason — other than Cremin’s penalty save, from Michael Tierney — it was the superb free taking of Bryan Sheehan, which helped him to an impressive 10-point haul. In acknowledging his major input, O’Shea alluded to the fact that the Caherciveen man had been very disappointed over his miss in the last game in Castlebar which lost them the chance of drawing.
And, it was clear from a comment made by Tomas Ó Sé afterwards — “We were not happy with our display against Mayo at all, we did not get much ball in the middle third of the field” — this was added motivation travelling up to Portlaoise, where Kerry last played in 1992. When asked about his big brother’s input, he joked: “He could lose a few pounds!”
Laois made the early running and while Kerry were twice level, they didn’t go in front for the first time until the 20th minute — when Donncha Walsh put the ball over the bar when he could have tried for goal. Earlier, Tommy Walsh had two goal chances, first when he was unlucky not to control a ball hit quickly into him by Darren O’Sullivan and next when he was too tightly marked when Darragh Ó Se found him with a pass and had to be satisfied with a point.
During this period, Laois looked more promising in attack, with Barry Brennan doing some very good work on the left wing. Tierney was a threat in the right corner and full-forward Brendan Quigley had the beating of Marc Ó Sé. However, they lacked the cohesion to maximise possession. Then, the situation changed very much in Kerry’s favour when Tomas Ó Sé took over at right-half back, Darragh got on top and an attack (in which both Darren O’Sullivan and Sheehan excelled in their ball-winning skills) benefited from a better supply.
Thanking the Under-21 management for releasing Tommy Walsh, Pat O’Shea delighted in having the “iconic” Darragh Ó Sé back. “Genuinely, we are fortunate to be still seeing this guy in action,” he said, further praising him for sacrificing a trip to Rome for a wedding. “From someone of his stature and what he has achieved, this was a huge thing.”
In defence, Tomas Ó Sé’s example was followed by the other half-backs, with Aidan O’Mahony very forceful all through and Tommy Griffin looking very much at home on the left flank. Padraig Reidy, too, was prominent and his interception of a Quigley pass in the 23rd minute prevented a possible goal. On balance, Kerry were in control and they turned over at half time with a three-point lead, 0-8 to 0-5 (Laois missing Brennan after he was forced off injured, even though Colm Parkinson was more than a useful replacement).
Kerry steadily increased their grip in the second period, with stronger play at midfield and fairly constant pressure yielding some good scores and lots of opportunities for frees. While Padraig Clancy hit a good spell for Laois at midfield, the All-Ireland champions gained more from the increasingly involved Seamus Scanlon and Ó Sé.
Like everybody else, Kearns was impressed by Tommy Walsh’s performance. “He looks a prospect, another big guy at the edge of the square. He was giving us a lot of problems in the first half,” he commented.
Pat O’Shea, meanwhile, cautioned against getting carried away. “It was only his first full game. Possibly most people who have seen him develop would not have been shocked. It’s a great boost from our point of view because he gives us another option.”
n Marty Duffy was very strict and possibly too severe in the conditions. But, while he made some surprise decisions, his general handling of the game was good.
Scorers for Kerry: B. Sheehan 0-10 (0-7 frees, 0-1 sideline); T. Walsh 0-2; D. O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 free); A. Maher and D. Walsh 0-1 each.
Laois: M. Tierney 0-5 (0-2 frees); B. Sheehan and C. Parkinson 0-2 each; C. Kelly, P. Lawlor and P. McMahon 0-1 each.
LAOIS: M. Nolan; C. Healy, D. Rooney (capt.), C. Ryan; P. O’Leary, J. O’Loughlin, P. McMahon; P. Clancy, K. Meaney; B. Sheehan, P. Lawlor, B. Brennan; M. Tierney, B. Quigley, C. Kelly.
Subs: C. Parkinson for Brennan (inj., 28); D. Murphy for Kelly (49); R. Munnelly for Meaney (61).
KERRY: K. Cremin; P. Reidy, M. Ó Sé, T. O’Sullivan; T. Ó Sé (capt.), A. O’Mahony, T. Griffin; D. Ó Sé, S. Scanlon; A. Maher, D. Walsh, E. Brosnan; D. O’Sullivan, T. Walsh, B. Sheehan.
Subs: D. Bohane for Maher (48); R. O Flatharta for Reidy (71).
Referee: M. Duffy (Sligo).
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