I would have said that Dowling will almost certainly come in for at least 20 minutes, but it would be for one of the half-forwards.
Reidy came on for Kyle against Clare, and Hegarty against Tipp. That would be the role Iād see as perfect for Dowling. The lads will have the half-backs ran ragged; Dowling comes in, heās such a smart player, pick up the space; pick out a pass or a score.
The subs for Flanagan in those games were OāReilly and Mulcahy- players with real pace. Pat Ryan Simon and Barry Nash were also brought in insideā¦ Iād expect that that is the type of player they would continue to go with; quick, direct.
If they do go with this, I think it would be 100% the right call.
Regarding the full back position it is my understanding management wanted consistency and continuity across the line, and with Richie and Mike Casey both absent during the League they went with Hickey. They have a unit there that have played 8 or 10 competitive games together and won all bar one.
Personally Iād have Finn with English and Casey duking it out for the middle with the loser filling in alongside. If McCarthy was faster heād be there.
Hickey, for me, only enters the fullback line in the corner but we have safer options there now so Iād cut him. Wingback? Probably not.
I see lots and lots of posts and yet thereās only one 15 named, and thatās from last year agin Kilkinny. Disappointing. If someone doesnāt post up a team with GearĆ³id Hegarty at centre-back soon I will begin to lose faith in this thread.
Because there are more mobile, reliable options there at the moment.
Seamus has suffered from a couple of things over the years, mostly his versatility, but also the fact he has never really nailed down his own spot. When another option for corner back came along he was moved to wing back. When options arose there he was moved back again. He was tried in midfield, centre back and half forward. Again, as alternative options emerged he was moved along.
I think itās been more a case of him filling in where he was needed, more than him being moved on. Injury interruptions and missing the league a few times held him back from mailing down a single position too. I think heās a great player and has loads left in him. When was he midfield? Donāt think you can describe either of our two wing backs as more mobile than Hickey. Hickey was a better wing back than Morrissey last year. Hopefully Byrnes performs to the level he is capable of for championship, we badly need him to dominate as he is capable of. At best, you cannot say with any certainty that either wing back is an improvement on hickey last year.
Without doubt Morrissey and Brynes are a massive improvement on hickey at half back in the kiely system. I personally think hickey, English and finn is our best full back line.
Alot of discussion on here about Shane Dowling starting in the forwards. From watching all league games and some training sessions I believe that here are 5 guaranteed starters in the forwards , Kyle Tom Morrissey, Hego , Gillane , Flanagan, AN Other. Two guys not discussed here , who I think are in with a great shout are Barry Nash and David Dempsey. Either one of these I think will fill the other slot.
I know players are retiring younger & younger, but none of these lads are particularly old.
Thereās Condon, Hickey & McCarthy left from the 2005 minor side; which would mean they were born in 1987. I could definitely see Condon retiring, as he hasnāt really got a look-in (although I wouldnāt have much fear of him doing a job). I know Hickey has a young child, so maybe but Iād say heād go again.
Browne, Quaid & Hennessy are 29 this year; still all have something to offer; even if we do win it.
2019 will be a complete write-off with the sheer enormity of the hangover. By the time we collectively regain consciousness, Kerry will be back in the Munster Championship.