Bryan Sheehan worried goalshy Kerry lack ruthless streak
Joe O'Connor of Kerry has a shot saved by Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Kerry. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Former captain Bryan Sheehan reckons Kerry's lack of goals is a concern and has challenged them to cut loose against Meath this weekend.
The Kingdom retained the Munster title without scoring a goal against Cork or Clare while their 0-24 haul against Monaghan was sufficient in their All-Ireland series opener.
In all, Kerry have scored just two goals in their last eight games having started the league in fine goalscoring form with two against Derry and three against Monaghan.
Sunday's trip to Navan to face struggling Meath in their second round robin game should present several opportunities to get off the mark.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA minor championships, Sheehan said it's time for Kerry to be 'ruthless'.
"Meath were in Division 2, Kerry were in Division 1 so there should be a difference in the class between the teams," said the five-time All-Ireland senior medallist. "I think Kerry now need to start preparing themselves for knockout Championship football, I think they need to start getting ruthless.
"They need to start looking at every game as real Championship. They need to start building the blocks. I don't think they can coast along and say, 'We'll get through this because we've qualified'. I think they need now to start putting down a marker.
"I keep going back to Dublin, Dublin are always so ruthless, no matter who they are playing. They will always score one or two or three goals, just ruthless.
"And I think Kerry need to start getting in that mode now because if they start coasting or just try to get over the line against Meath, then all of a sudden you come to the knockout stages and you meet a good side who have come through one or two hard battles, you could be in trouble.
"So I think Kerry need to prepare for Championship mode now, and I think they need to start above in Meath.
"Over the next two games Kerry need to kick into Championship mode and say now is where Kerry's Championship starts."
Former All-Star Sheehan, their free-taking expert for over a decade, netted six times in his Kingdom career. He said the lack of goals now is a worry.
"With the calibre of forwards we have, the likes of Paudie, David, Seanie, Paul Geaney, you would be expecting them to be at least working the goalkeeper three or four times a game," said Sheehan. "When I say working the goalkeeper, I mean you are having a shot at goal and I'd be expecting you'd be coming away with two goals minimum.
"But, for me, Kerry aren't even working the goalkeeper at the moment. Rory Beggan to be fair made one or two saves for Monaghan but I just think in the overall scheme of things, Kerry aren't creating that many goal chances.
"Look, teams aren't going to be stupid either and leave the gates open at the back, not when you have the calibre of David Clifford and Seanie and Paudie. So it's not going to be as simple as saying, 'We're going to go for goals'. But I think when they do get goal chances, they have to be more clinical in taking them."
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