James O’Donoghue: Kerry are solid but not defensive

James O’Donoghue takes exception to the theory Kerry were defensive on their way to winning last year’s All-Ireland title.

Cork manager Brian Cuthbert has already intimated they hope to take a leaf out of their neighbours’ book by minding the house more.

“Every year there seems to be a copycat system in terms of what suffices to win an All-Ireland,” he said last month. “I’d expect a lot of teams to be very defensive, at the start of this year anyway.”

Other pundits have already cited Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side’s rearguard tactics but O’Donoghue dismisses them. “I don’t think that Kerry went defensive last year. I don’t think that’s true. Kerry were more solid, more mindful of the defence rather than defensive. We were very solid at the back, which gave us a very good platform going forward.

“A lot of teams are going to look at the tactical side of it this year. The challenge is to break it down. We’re lucky we have Eamonn who is good at breaking things down. I can’t wait for it.”

In the final against Donegal, Kerry’s half-backs rarely strayed from their positions. Ahead of Dublin’s visit to Killarney this Sunday, O’Donoghue admits Dublin’s performance against Donegal in the semi-final had shown Kerry what not to do against Jim McGuinness’ side. “Last year, we approached every game differently. We looked at the Dublin-Donegal game. If we played the same way Dublin did, Donegal would have beat us. We’re going to line up to win the game.”

Keeping the half-backs seated wasn’t defensive; it just made sense, according to O’Donoghue. “Half-back is a back. I know a lot of team’s half-backs bomb forward, and we do that as well, but there are times when you have got to be a half-back. I wouldn’t say that’s defensive. That’s just the way it is. If you leave too much space, the good forwards are going to kill you.”

Preparing for his centre-forward role against Donegal, O’Donoghue admits he didn’t score for the three weeks in training building up to the final.

Not that he minded but as a forward, he understandably prefers more latitude to express himself. “I’d be a big man for winning with a bit of style, with a bit of grace. I know the All-Ireland was poor, the final wasn’t great, but the way it is, two teams are going to go at the game differently. It just happened to be in the final.

“It was a more defensive game but that is interesting to watch for people as well. They can take different things out of the game. It’s not all about 15 fellas going forward, 15 fellas going back. I enjoyed the tactical battle in the All-Ireland final. It wasn’t the most enjoyable game to play in. Hopefully this year will be a bit more open.”

Even if it is the league, it’s difficult to gauge exactly who wants to beat who more: Kerry, after losing their last three games against Dublin, or Dublin, after seeing Kerry do what they couldn’t against Donegal last year.

In a watching brief as he rehabs his shoulder after surgery, O’Donoghue will be riveted. “You’d have to think that Kerry and Dublin are going to be two heavyweights most years. You’re always looking forward to a Kerry-Dublin fixture. Whether you’re looking forward to having a crack off them or not, you’re just looking forward to the fixture — two good teams. Open, attacking, excellent players on both teams. You love those games.

“I’m sure they’re going to be really entertaining hard-fought games. Doesn’t matter who is the reigning champions or not. I’m sure it will be the same in Killarney.”