Penalty miss leaves Kerry in a spot

With Bryan Sheehan not about and neither James O’Donoghue or Kieran O’Leary starting, it seemed a reasonable decision to award the Kerry penalty kicking duties to someone with a strong soccer background like Darran O’Sullivan.

But hitting — and missing — it with his weaker right foot? “Missing the penalty was a big moment in the game,” mused Kerry coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice afterwards. “If we’d have got that we’d have gone seven points up and kicked for home.”

He was as mystified as anyone that O’Sullivan, who was fouled for the penalty decision, didn’t strike it with his left foot, but the Glenbeigh-Glencar man later tweeted: “I’ve always preferred my right (foot) off the ground. (An) old soccer habit.

“Disappointed with the miss, poor effort. Won’t be left try it again!”

Kerry have a tradition — or perhaps it’s perception — of missing big game penalties, right back to Mikey Sheehy in the failed five-in-a-row bid in 1982. But Fitzmaurice confirmed that once he returns — though he must win his place back, which is no given — Bryan Sheehan will resume as designated penalty taker.

“For the McGrath Cup, James O’Donoghue was the penalty taker, then Kieran (O’Leary) volunteered (and missed) last weekend in Donegal. Darran has taken penalties before...but not with his right foot! It would have given us a solid cushion,” said Fitzmaurice.

Fraught though the night was, it was not without its positives for Kerry. “We’re happy to be up and running, though we weren’t too happy with the second-half,” Fitzmaurice said. “We needed to win a game somehow, some way. We lost our shape after half-time and invited Down on.”

With Jack Sherwood and Paul Geaney coming back, Jonathan Lyne and Johnny Buckley already flagging their wares and defenders Fionn Fitzgerald and Mark Griffin impressing, there are good options up to midfield. The attack though still looks leaderless, notwithstanding the continuing absence of Colm Cooper.

Said Fitzmaurice: “If you manage to get three of four extra players outside the Championship 20, you’re doing okay. There are a number pushing through and others who will get better with the hard ground. We need them to push on though because we can’t keep relying on the experienced fellas to do it for us.

“Declan O’Sullivan a big leader in the dressing room, it was great to have him back around the place. The fact he got 60 plus minutes into his legs is a bonus.”