Heartbroken Kerry boss Quillinan sore over late 'no-brainer' free

The Kerry minor manager believed his side should have had a late levelling opportunity.

Kerry manager Wayne Quillinan. PIc: Tom Maher, Inpho

A “no-brainer” of a free was Kerry boss Wayne Quillinan’s verdict on the series of late challenges Ben Kelliher was subjected to that brought about no equalising placed-ball attempt.

The four allotted minutes of injury-time had come and gone when Kelliher was fed in the left corner. Elliott Kerr was first to tackle him, the Tyrone corner-back approaching from behind and wrapping both hands around the Kerry corner-forward.

Kelliher broke free, Kerr and centre-back James Daly both then tackling him, with Daly’s left hand firmly pressed on Kelliher’s back as he attempted to dispossess him with the right hand.

Kelliher wound up on the deck, no whistle sounded, and Tyrone were crowned champions.

“The penalty for Tyrone, I didn’t quite see it rightly but, if I say what I feel, I will probably get reprimanded. I thought the free at the end was a no-brainer,” said a devastated Quillinan.

“I mean, that wasn’t a hard decision at all but, unfortunately, the ref didn’t blow the whistle, and we suffer the consequences now from it. Not just both teams, I would say all the supporters would have loved extra-time, and that’s the beauty of minor football.” 

Quillinan’s post-match thoughts - the aforementioned end-game aside - took in the bigger picture. He poured praise on his young troops and poured praise on all those that packed in behind them on the run-in to the county’s first minor final appearance in four years.

“They've shown every characteristic you want from a young team; never-say-die attitude, never quitting, never letting up no matter what situation they’re in.

“The last week in Kerry has been unbelievable, with the seniors starting it off, and just the support we got, the amount of messages, so much goodwill. We just got to realise in Kerry that we are stronger together. Everyone rowing in together and rowing in at Croke Park next Saturday for the seniors. Those minors showed everything that Kerry is about.

“I am absolutely heartbroken. But on the flipside, I am so proud of them. Those guys left it all out there. How can you complain about that? You just can't.” 

The bigger picture was taken in too by victorious Tyrone manager Gerard Donnelly. This victory stood not in isolation. It stood instead amid a deluge of underage success.

Over the past four seasons, Tyrone have won a minor All-Ireland, three U20 All-Irelands, and back-to-back Hogan Cups through Omagh CBS. A remarkable return in such a short period.

“Clubs, schools, development squads; it's all flying. Long may it continue,” said Donnelly. “Absolutely, no doubt about it [we’re going to see a lot of these lads progress to senior], these games are something else. They're special. The only sad thing for us is that the season is over.

“That Kerry team is unbelievable. Wayne Quillinan is an unbelievable man, an unbelievable manager, and a great friend. I feel for him because I was there four years ago, beaten by a point in an All-Ireland final. And it's not that easy getting back, but I know Wayne and I know the way Kerry operate - he'll be back and he'll win his All-Ireland.” 

The achievement of Donnelly and crew was heightened by the absence of Joel Kerr. The multi-code talent took up a professional contract with Premier League club West Ham earlier this week. Kerr’s value to the Tyrone set-up is reflected in his Ulster final man of the match performance, his vital green flag in the semis win over Roscommon, and the 2-13 total he contributed before having to bow out six days before the decider.

“We knew that from July 1 he was a West Ham player. Me and his father had constant chats. Joel is a West Ham player, he's away now starting his career. I just chatted to him there. He's the happiest man going,” Donnelly concluded.