Jack O'Connor must find middle ground after Kerry's up and down spring

Former Kerry forward Seán O’Sullivan parses the posers facing Kerry manager Jack O'Connor

Joe O'Connor of Kerry watches from the sidelines after being substituted during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Kerry and Armagh at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Arguably the form midfielder of the spring was Diarmuid O'Connor. But one shoulder injury later and Kerry are once again peeking nervously into a somewhat bare cupboard. The old midfield chestnut refuses to go away.

Although late in proceedings last Saturday when O’Connor made his enforced exit, the Kerry No.8 was seen holding his right shoulder and grimacing as early as the fifth minute against Armagh. Strapping visible beneath his jersey sleeve pointed to a pre-existing issue.

Reports from the Kingdom as to the severity of O’Connor’s injury vary from mouth to mouth. There is consensus that his League is over, even if that League extended to a Division 1 final appearance on Sunday week. Beyond that, though, his Munster championship involvement is shrouded in uncertainty.

Former Kerry forward Seán O’Sullivan had Sean O’Brien top of the list to partner Diarmuid O’Connor going forward into summer. Who partners O’Brien in the short-term is now the question being asked.

Joe O’Connor was immense in his new No.10 home against Armagh, but that move may now have to be put on ice. The other option is Barry Dan O’Sullivan. The Dingle clubman, however, has seen only 15 minutes of game-time since starting the opening two rounds. Evidence, said O’Sullivan, of his sharp fall down the pecking order.

This “pretty limited” midfield pick paints a worrying picture if O’Connor’s injury turns out to be significant or was injury to again knock on his door come the later stages of the championship.

“Midfield has been a worrying area since we lost Jack Barry to Australia and David Moran retired,” O’Sullivan, a four-time All-Ireland winner, began.

“Diarmuid was absolutely flying. Jack is now wondering do I put Joe (O’Connor) back in there, or do I leave him at half-forward where he excelled and instead go to his bench to bring in a ready-made replacement for Diarmuid. And that's where your question arises: who is that ready-made replacement for Diarmuid. Barry Dan O'Sullivan, for whatever reason, just doesn't seem to have the trust of management at the moment.

“If Diarmuid's injury was more serious, or he was to pick up an injury during the championship, our options are pretty limited. It does highlight that we don't have strength in that department, particularly coming in off the bench.”

Kerry, who could end Sunday in the Division 1 final or the drop zone to Division 2, are the top-flight’s most prolific scorers with 13-98. Dylan Geaney has been outstanding in his link role and is a certainty to make his first championship start next month.

In an up and down spring for Jack O’Connor’s side, last Saturday evening showcased what the attack is capable of within this new-look game.

“I worked with Dylan with the U20s, and he was always seen as an inside forward. But when you see him drift out, he's a real link man and a really competent passer. He has that sharp burst of pace to get into the spaces to receive that out-ball. Plays with the head up all the time.

“The prime example of that was the build-up to the penalty against Armagh, and it also showed what Kerry can do within these new rules if they play head-up football and move it with the foot. When we do that, I think we're the best in the country doing it. It should lead to us getting high scores. The issue for Kerry will be down the other end and if we can tighten up a bit.”

Along with their scoring, Kerry's concession of orange flags is also top of the class. They’ve conceded 16 two-pointers to date, putting them joint-top of that particular chart with Donegal and Mayo. Their overall concession has them second only to already relegated Derry.

“I don't think we are that further on from last July (Armagh defeat). We have to tighten up.” 

The one change O’Sullivan envisages to Kerry’s defensive sextet for championship, compared to last July, is Mike Breen wearing the No.6 shirt at the expense of Tadhg Morley.

“Mike could never stay injury free. He could never give himself that chance to consistently push Tadhg for the No.6 shirt. Whereas now, Tadhg is injured, Mike is injury-free and is putting in good quality displays back-to-back. He is growing into the role. I definitely think at the moment the No.6 jersey is his.

“After a mixed League, if we walk away from Salthill with a win and are still in Division 1 despite not having played our best stuff, we'll be quite happy going into championship.

“If you were to get relegated, it would put a real downer going into championship. I wouldn't have a problem with Kerry getting relegated if we had found three, four, five guys for championship. I still don't think we have found them, which has been the most disappointing thing about the League. You can live with that, if you stay up.”