Kerry’s kick-out homework pays off against Dublin
Dublin’s 92% retention rate against Cork last month from the kick-out highlighted the imperativeness, on two fronts, of Kerry establishing a foothold around the middle yesterday; disrupt the Dublin game-plan and safeguard a susceptible defensive unit. On both fronts they succeeded.
Mind you, the home rearguard finished the game in most confident fashion – holding firm in the face of a barrage of Dublin raids. They had assistance in the form of Kieran Donaghy, the Kerry captain, positioned on his own goal line, fielding Shane Carthy’s free on 70 minutes.
The foundations for victory had long since been laid, Kerry’s first against Dublin on home soil since 2005, with opposing goalkeeper Sean Currie, and to a lesser extent his back six, forced to endure a difficult afternoon.
Manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice opted against employing a sweeper and Kerry’s forward unit, the hugely impressive midfield axis of Anthony Maher and David Moran as well, quickly set about closing down the space and available blue shirts from the Dublin kick-out.
On 25 minutes they were effective in foiling their opponents’ kick-out strategy. The end result: a Stephen O’Brien white flag – reducing Dublin’s lead to two, 0-6 to 0-4. A blueprint for success repeated all afternoon long.
Currie’s ensuing kick was again picked up by a green and gold shirt, but Paul Geaney was caught between two minds in front of goal and the chance went abegging.
Dean Rock and Bryan Sheehan (free) traded points in the subsequent action, Dublin’s early momentum noticeably grinding to a halt. Michael Geaney fielded yet another Dublin re-start on 32 minutes. A sweeping passage of play ensued. Currie, to his credit, advanced smartly from his line to deny Paul Geaney’s drive. The All-Ireland champions continued to press and the interval gap stood at the minimum when Sheehan, set-up by Buckley, landed his third of the opening half.
Kieran Donaghy would later surmise Kerry gambled in trying to disrupt the Dublin kick-outs. It was a gamble that reaped rich dividend at the change of ends.
Sheehan (’45 and free), Stephen O’Brien and Moran split the posts in quick succession to move the Kingdom three clear. The Dublin defence lay in debris. Moran and Maher were winning possession uncontested, while Johnny Buckley now enjoyed the upper hand in his battle with Jonny Cooper.
The Dublin half-back, along with Jack McCaffrey, Tomás Brady and Shane Carthy, exerted greatest influence during Dublin’s early spell of supremacy, driving forward at every turn. Now prioritised by their defensive duties, Dublin managed but a solitary point in the 20 minutes after half-time. Sub Bernard Brogan provided. It proved but momentary respite. Indeed, on the rare occasion Maher and Moran were passed, Jack Sherwood stood as a near-impenetrable wall. Paul Geaney, two Barry John Keane efforts off the right boot and Sheehan’s fifth placed ball kick moved Kerry 0-14 to 0-8 in front, Dublin still at sea as to how to correct their kick-out woes.
It wasn’t all sweetness, light and flowing football. Referee Eddie Kinsella saw fit to use one red, seven yellow and four black cards. Michael Fitzsimons was sent to the line for a frontal charge on Fionn Fitzgerald deep in injury time. Fitzsimons had thundered into a brawl which broke out in front of the Kerry goal, charging into Fitzgerald at ferocious pace. Donaghy was another involved, the subject of attention from both the Dublin players and supporters all afternoon.
Kerry were operating with 14-men by this juncture. Jack Sherwood was black-carded on 69 minutes, the Kingdom’s full complement of subs already exhausted. Bernard Brogan’s bundled goal on 61 minutes — arriving in the wake of white flags from Eoghan O’Gara and Brogan himself — had eaten into Kerry’s advantage. In the end, the All-Ireland champions would not be caught.
A far cry from their position on the first weekend in March this time last year, and, indeed, 2013. Changed landscape too for Dublin.
Scorers for Kerry: B Sheehan (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘45); S O’Brien, BJ Keane, J Buckley (0-2 each); P Geaney, D Moran, M Geaney (0-1).
Scorers for Dublin: B Brogan (1-2, 0-1 free); J McCaffrey (0-2); D Rock (0-1 free), C Kilkenny, S Carthy, T Brady, K McManamon, E O’Gara (0-1 each).
KERRY: B Kiely; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, F Fitzgerald; J Lyne, J Sherwood, P Murphy; A Maher, D Moran; M Geaney, B Sheehan, J Buckley; S O’Brien, K Donaghy, P Geaney.
Subs for Kerry: K Young for P Murphy (34, bc), BJ Keane for M Geaney (ht); T Walsh for P Geaney (59); S Enright for Kilkenny (61); A Fitzgerald for Sheehan (64); Philip O’Connor for O’Brien (68).
DUBLIN: S Currie; M Fitzsimons, R O’Carroll, D Daly; J Cooper, P McMahon, J McCaffrey; D Bastick, S Carthy; T Brady, D Rock, C Kilkenny; K McManamon, E O’Gara, C Costello.
Subs for Dublin: C O’Sullivan for Bastick (14, bc); B Brogan for Costello (ht); P Andrews for Rock (45); N Devereux for McMahon (54, bc); B Fenton for Brady (57); E Lowndes for Cooper (63).
Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).
More the crucial period than crucial moment. Trailing by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break, Kerry’s blistering start to the second period – outscoring Dublin by 0-8 to 0-1 – laid the foundations for victory.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s first win over Dublin since taking charge, Kerry’s first league win over Dublin on home soil since 2005 and their first at Fitzgerald Stadium since 2004.
Kieran Donaghy, positioned on his own goal line, rising highest to collect Shane Carthy’s free on 70 minutes. The Stacks footballer was determined to make a winning start as Kerry captain.
Jack Sherwood was extremely solid at centre-back, but Kerry’s two most impressive performers were the midfield duo operating in front of him. Take your pick between Anthony Maher and David Moran.
Four black cards flashed against Jack Sherwood, Paul Murphy, Denis Bastick and Philly McMahon. All four were cut and dry.
The movement of the Kerry forwards in closing down the spare Dublin shirt threw the kick-out strategy of Dublin goalkeeper Sean Currie into chaos. The introduction of Barry John Keane at half-time deflected attention away from Donaghy in the Kerry full-forward line.
Difficult afternoon for Eddie Kinsella. Proceedings slipped from his control in the closing stages. Jim Gavin wasn’t at all pleased with Michael Fitzsimons’ straight red card for his frontal charge on Fionn Fitzgerald. No question it merited red.
Dublin welcome Tyrone to Croke Park on Saturday night; Kerry head to Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.
