Kickout king: Shane Ryan's need for speed is great

Ryan knows how to cool the opposition – as any right-minded goalkeeper does, he can take his sweet time when the opposition are in the ascendancy. But his swiftness of thought is clearly an asset. 

Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The chances of a score attempt equals kick-out time over kick-out won. An oversimplified formula, perhaps, but read on...

In the first half of their All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone, Kerry won just three of their 11 kick-outs. All three were kicked by Shane Ryan 10 seconds or less after the ball went dead. Two were medium-range kicks, the other short.