Fair play to Fitzmaurice, everyone even the Kerrymen expected him to name the same team but have a raft of changes then. Mind you I think he has got a couple wrong
I’m delighted Sheehan is being accommodated, he is a liability on the turn and considering Cork are well heeled at half back I think this could be a weakness. I think it’s a weakness in the Kerry psych (albeit a rate one) that they are quite willing to accommodate certain players just for frees.
Aidan O’ Mahoney and Murphy were no brainers although AOM will be rusty, they bring abrasive ness that was missing the last day.
Donaghy and Sheehan are haunted. Definitely a bit of panic when they drop Keane who was in good form. Geaney had to play, but Donaghy should count himself lucky.
It would seem bananas for cork not to start Kelly, mind you the strategy of bring him in has worked well several times. He was majestic the last day.
If I were Cork I would attack with power that Kerry half back line, it lacks height Put Gould on Lyne for kickouts and hit a few there.
If Cork stay in it for first 20 I think they’ll do it.
Donaghy lucky to keep his place? Are you well in the head? He caused outright panic in that Cork defence anytime the high ball was lumped in on him. He is a guaranteed starter for Kerry as defences can’t cope with him. Kerrigan’s black card came as a result of them being unable to deal with the ball into Donaghy and he was forced to haul O’Brien down when in on goal. The penalty incident again came about when the long ball was used into Donaghy and they didn’t deal with it well enough and the penalty was give however harsh some may deem it. Not to mention the fact he also scored a goal. Donaghy is the most unmarkable player in the game, even when he’s not playing well he carries such a threat.
He has to start, for me he would be the first name on the team sheet. Fitzmaurice knows this and he keeps his place on merit.
Wasn’t Donaghy’s finest game but Kerrigan’s black card and Geaney’s goal chance came from high balls into him. He does cause havoc in fairness even if he isn’t catching it cleanly
You cannot look at it in from the viewpoint of long high ball being hit in. Kerrigan in his first ever game as sweeper paid for poor positioning. Cadogan done his part on every single ball.
In the amount of ball hit in there Cork comfortably dealt with most of it. Kerry would be looking for far more from him outside of just being a target. The defensive set ups these days means they need to be far more precise.
He caused panic, the long ball into him ceded goal chances as well as scoring one himself and if that is Cork dealing with him effectively then I’d hate to see them not. The black card had less to do with Kerrigan’s poor positioning but more the panic induced in the Cork defence with two players trying to compete with Donaghy in the air and both losing.
Maybe, time will tell. But he has renegade on his own selection policy. Sometimes breaking your own rules is absolutely necessary but if it doesn’t work he’ll be dealing I think with about 8/9 very pissed off players. A couple of the Kerry subs are fuming by all accounts as their training form or match form in BJK’s case doesn’t seem to hold the same value as others.
Of course it is folly to 2nd guess a Kerry manager yet alone one with proven astuteness. However he has definitely gone into danger territory. Massive rewards (tactical and motivational genius) if it works and a squad absolutely brimful of lads thinking they should be playing and having total belief in the manager. Sometimes a strong squad can blow up on you.
Lose and it’s curtains 2015 I think.
AOM - what is his role? Follow Collins or Kelly? He hasn’t played much football in a good whole.
Sheehan - has to contribute from play. Defensively especially. Shields could cause him serious bother.
Donaghy - needs new tricks. Cork have historically dealt with him very well.
Maher - big game for him to halt AOC
Donnacha Walsh - his man got 1-1 the last day and created another 1-2. His work rate/awareness has to be questioned the last day.
In the modern game you cannot carry (within a game I’m being specific to now, not their entire careers) Donaghy, Walsh, Sheehan, SOB not contributing significantly or at all in some cases to the defensive effort. Do that again and I doubt they’d get away with it twice.
There are more question marks about Kerry than cork form and position wise coming into this game.
Kerry one would assume will up the ante in terms of desire and work rate. Anything less and I think cork win.
3 Derry players have left the panel - McAntamney, Terence O’Brien and Emmett Bradley.
Bradley has missed most of the league with injury and hasn’t been involved but the other two lads have seen decent time off the bench so far. Typical Derry, they do have Mark Craig and Gareth McKinless back from injury and suspension though which should be a boost.
I wouldn’t put it past Kerry to deliberately lose to Cork, coast through unimpressively against Kildare and then unleash hell on Dublin. Fitzmaurice may prefer to face them in a quarter-final.