James O’Donoghue accepts added responsibilities for Kerry

James O’Donoghue is learning to adjust. Truth be told, he’s been left with little option.

Adaptability has long been identified as Kerry’s outstanding attribute in their march to All-Ireland success last year. O’Donoghue stands as a microcosm of that adaptability.

Where once his function involved dancing inside the 20-metre line, presenting himself for the final pass and splitting the posts, his responsibilities have now stretched far beyond impacting solely on the scoreboard.

The withdrawn role handed down by Eamonn Fitzmaurice for last year’s decider against Donegal was a tactical masterclass in negating the opposition’s favoured system.

Mind you, the shoe was on the other foot for the drawn Munster final; Cork’s set-up, in which Fintan Goold and Paul Kerrigan swept in front of the full-back line, negating the threat of the Legion forward.

Come the replay, O’Donoghue’s job was simply to make an impression, be it on the scoreboard or elsewhere.

He finished the 70 minutes with three assists, the most of any Kerry player, and 23 plays, second only to David Moran in this department. Whatever about the merits of his man of the match award, there’s no disputing the figures.

“It’s a complete cliche but defences are going to set up to nullify the full- forward lines. But you can’t nullify every area. They might snuff out the full-forward line, but the half-forward line might chip in with a few scores and the midfielders and the half-backs.

“It’s team defending, it’s not just the six backs. It has to be the same going forward,” reasons O’Donoghue.

“Teams are going to set-up to stop 13, 14, 15 from scoring. And there’s a good chance at times they will. Other fellas have to step up and take on responsibility for scores.

“Even my job the last day was just to keep making runs, keep getting on the ball, leave some space, pass it out and let someone have a shot. That’s just as enjoyable for me as scoring because once you’re involved in the game and you’re trying your best for the team, that’s good enough for me.”

Difficult to adapt to this changed mindset? “You learn [to adapt] fairly lively when you’re being blocked down three times in 10 minutes. It’s just a tiny thing but the weather the last day in the Munster final was absolutely horrendous. If you’re not involved in the game and you’re not touching the ball, you’re getting cold, you’re getting a bit cranky with everything else that’s going on. Things might not be going your way and suddenly you’re absolutely useless.

“It’s a lot in the head as well. You just have to keep going, keep touching the ball, even if you’re doing nothing, make a few tackles, that’s what gets you involved in championship games.”

With scoring responsibilities now encompassing those further out the field, O’Donoghue says Kerry are blessed to house a plethora of adept long-range kickers.

“At the moment, long-range kicking is going through a little phase. Inside around the D, eventually someone has to have a go outside. But there’s so many talented fellas around the country that can throw the outside of the boot at it and it’s straight over the black spot. Eventually there’ll be a system to stop that happening.”

On Bryan Sheehan’s worth in this regard, he added: “He is unreal. He is shooting from 50 yards. I don’t think there is anyone in the country who would even attempt some of the ones he sails over. He loves kicking frees. That is why he is so good at it.

“It is another string to our bow that maybe teams won’t want to foul us to close to their goal because Bryan is unbelievably accurate. It is another thing we have and we are very lucky to have him.”

Kildare provide the opposition in Sunday’s quarter-final and the 2014 Footballer of the Year insists the Kerry will benefit from the toughest Munster campaign since Fitzmaurice took the reins three years ago.

“We’ve played a couple of games and it’s great for the group when you come through tough battles. Coming through a battle in horrendous conditions after nearly being knocked out the week before is good for the heads and everything. “Fitness wise, I struggled a bit in the first game against Cork because that was my first full 70 minutes in a long time. But a week later I felt that having that under my belt was a huge thing because I managed to stick out the 70 minutes. I felt much fresher and more physically ready come the replay so I was happy to get two games under my belt.”