Kerry have learned to adapt

In a social context, a Kerryman has always been a chameleon. Because of Eamonn Fitzmaurice, they have become the very same as footballers. The said Kerryman would regard such a comment about himself as a compliment but when it’s attributed to his team, it takes on a different connotation completely.

Almost seven months on from their shape-shifting success over Donegal, there’s a body of supporters who refuse to believe they’ve abandoned their tried and trusted ways. Luxuriating in that against-most-odds glory, they have conveniently neglected how it was achieved.

If Sean Walsh was Kerry chairman now and claimed, like he did in 2004, that last year Kerry’s triumph marked “a return to a free-flowing game as opposed to suffocating, blanket defensive football”, he would be laughed at. But he wouldn’t dare.