Kerry v Monaghan

TomMc

mdwexford wrote:

no hope,
8/11 Kerry, 6/4 Dublin.
Kerry will always be favs regardless of past results or who they are playing.
Dublin look to have a cracking chance against them this time though....

CMON DA DUBS!!!!!!!

In the bookies eyes yes, they are shrewder; but give it time and see if money is laid down on Dublin in the coming week or so, things change.

In the general publics & pundits eyes, Dublin are now given the tag of slight favs.

Anyway, in a way I hope Dublin win (providing Meath beat Cork) as I would be more confident we could beat the Dubs on AIF Day, than having to face a Kerry team which may just peak again mid sept (if they get there).

Nalced_irl

Well, its simple, Kerry arent the team they were. Your lying to yourself if you think they are. They are still very strong but nowhere near last years team. Not going by the Monaghan game on that, going by the championship so far. Kerry were lucky to get by also and as were the Dubs and i think both are closely matched. Donaghy looked more effective again than he has this year but still not a patch of what he was in 06. The backs were very unsure of themselves and were lucky to get away with a few big Monaghan scoring chances. Yes class is permenant, but contrary to popular belief, not all Kerrymen are born with natural class and talent. Yesterday proved that. There wasnt a huge amount of class there. I predict a very close SF and i think either team can shade it.

Nalced_irl

TomMc wrote:

In the bookies eyes yes, they are shrewder; but give it time and see if money is laid down on Dublin in the coming week or so, things change.

In the general publics & pundits eyes, Dublin are now given the tag of slight favs.

Anyway, in a way I hope Dublin win (providing Meath beat Cork) as I would be more confident we could beat the Dubs on AIF Day, than having to face a Kerry team which may just peak again mid sept (if they get there).

The money will go on Dublin anyway i think. Remember, most small gamblers arent too clever and will fall into what they read in the Sun and the Star and go with the Dubs. Plus most people bet with the heart and not the head so population-wise, more people will bet on Dublin. I would say evens on both teams as i think its a very hard one to call so Dublins odds i think are the better right now to go with.

TomMc

Your viewing Kerry as kind of a spent team, a little too early. Remember yesterday's match was just a poor team performance - as footballers, they still have the individual ability, talent & class. They are not over the hill or past their prime yet.

This present Dublin team makes up for certain shortcomings with passion, intensity and team spirit but their weaknesses are a more permanent fixture. Kerry on the other hand do not have limitations as such, they have technically better players (more natural & gifted) and all that is required is for most of them to show better form & more consistency on the one day. They have a lot of work to do over the next fortnight to ensure that happens. It ain't broke it just needs tweaking. The workout v Monaghan will have sorted out the inertia. Now they just need to formulate a more specific game plan to tackle the Dubs, so everyone knows exactly what is required of them. Knowing Kerry (and how they approach Dublin games) they will prepare with far greater attention to detail this time.

Aquitaine

I was at the game yesterday - im not from either Kerry or Monaghan so this is not a biased comment but *some* of the Monaghan supporters really let the side down. Even when they were ahead by a few points they booed every kerry player who got a touch to the ball. I know this can happen at any match but i have never been at a match when the sportsmanship was so bad - thought eh Monaghan team played very well but the supporters let them down. A pity!

Niall06

Have to agree about the Monaghan supporters. Had a few sitting beside and behind myself and my father and they spent the match smoking cigs & drinking bottles of Bud.
One feel alsleep during the game, too much drink and another gave out when the ref didn't give his team a "corner"

I was glad when they didn't stay for the second match, a lot more enjoyable for neutral Dubs like us.

Flukey

I didn't see bad behaviour, but a lot did leave after their match. They missed a cracking Hurling match.

quad_red

Aquitaine wrote:

I was at the game yesterday - im not from either Kerry or Monaghan so this is not a biased comment but *some* of the Monaghan supporters really let the side down. Even when they were ahead by a few points they booed every kerry player who got a touch to the ball. I know this can happen at any match but i have never been at a match when the sportsmanship was so bad - thought eh Monaghan team played very well but the supporters let them down. A pity!

Have to say I experienced similar. Everyone likes a bit of physicality but the constant demands to 'break his f**kin face/legs' was a bit irritating. And booing Kerry players who were down was just retarded.

Still, there's always a few knob heads.

Nalced_irl

Not at all TomMc, i dont see them as a spent force whatsoever, but i dont see them as 15 plyers with an abundance of class either. They have some classy players yes, but they have weaknesses also. Im basically saying that Kerry have by no means booked their place in the final yet and im sure they will know that. Worst thing they could do is underestimate the Dubs, as mistakes like that (quite often the Dubs underestimating others) have led to slip-ups that have ended AI campaigns many times in the past.

Nalced_irl

Niall06 wrote:

another gave out when the ref didn't give his team a "corner"

Thanks, you just made my morning!