Kerry GAA discussion thread #2

Graham O'Sullivan really impressed me on Sunday. Best game I've seen him play in a Kerry jersey. Watched it back on TV and he wasn't as prominent but my gut feeling on the day was that he was brilliant. I think he could match up well with Paddy Small or Cormac Costello.

I'm not too worried about the forwards either to be honest. We have been scoring pretty freely all year. Even 1-18 on Sunday is decent despite not firing on all cylinders.

I think our backs (and in general the same lads have played since the first round of the league bar GOS who came in for DOD) have been unbelievable this year. Morley and Foley are playing their best football ever. Tom O'Sullivan has been a bit quiet up until Sunday where he was phenomenal. Gavin White and Brian O'Beaglaoich have an intense role where they are expected to defend well but also bomb forward and contribute to the attack.

There is great trust and belief now in the group as a defensive unit that I haven't seen in a Kerry side since we had Seamus Moynihan, the O'Sé's and the like back there.

Normally play with 3 midfielders 8,9 and wing forward, which has been Barry, O'Connor and Spillane prior to Sunday.

Barry is a definite if fit to mark Fenton.

O'Connor will also start and I think Moran will take the 3rd spot.

That's an interesting take on it, Moran did roll back the years the last day and I was amazed to see him last the 70. He did give himself a great chance to start.

I'd still nearly prefer him on the bench tho. Dublin even in there pomp only ever shook us off after their superior bench impacted the game. Now we have the advantage there. Id send out Barry and COC with Spillane at half forward to work like a dog for 50 minutes. Moran coming in to control the game for the last 20 odd minutes. Our backs should be in a place to restrict there 6 forwards to a relatively low enough score. And I'm sure they'll have some plan in place should Con O'Callahan tog out.

Any word on the ref for the game?

Moran was outstanding against Mayo but Diarmuid is still our number 1 midfielder. Moran was outstanding because Diarmuid played a role that allowed him to be and the game was slow in dirty conditions. If Dublin play Fenton and James McCarthy at midfield in Croke park in what’s given down to be a fine day they will run Moran into the ground. Personally I would still hold Moran as an impact sub and start Diarmuid, Jack and Adrian with Moynihan also dropped to the bench. However Jack will most likely start David, Diarmuid and Jack. Adrian Spillane isn’t an impact sub that will turn a game.

The decision on who marks O Callaghan is an even bigger one I think. For me it’s Foley as O Callaghan is a physical beast and Foley probably the best for this type of player. We would lose Tom O Sullivan in attack if he had to tag him.

Jason O Connnor has usually been on the ball with his reports. But, always a pinch of salt needed until official confirmation.

Expects Clifford, Spillane and Con to play while Barry and McCarthy are doubts.

Possibly a dummy team?

Jack Barry and probably Adrian Spillane might start for David Moran and Dara Moynihan.

What's good is that Jack and Adrian are in the 26

Is he injured or has he just been edged out of the panel for this match? There are 5 midfielders on the 26, how many more would we have - especially when he hasn't played a competitive match in months?

Agree though if it is injury, it's a desperate pity.

That's what I was thinking, Stefan and Joe are fighting for one place and Joe - having played more this year and made positive contributions last match - is the obvious choice of the two.

Will be interested to see what level Barry and A. Spillane are at - obviously, they're fit enough to be included but wonder what part they will play.

Yeah, Jack O'Shea is a defender too so goalie, three defenders, three midfielders, and four forwards.

Con O'Callaghan and James McCarthy "absent" from Dublin's starting XV, but as past masters of putting out "dummy" line-ups, I'll only believe it when 3.30 comes around!

One of our gang can't make it up so have spare ticket for today's game.

Ticket is for Upper Hogan row B.

Will sell for less than face value.

PM me if interested, cheers.

They can say what they want about us but today we answered allot of hard questions. Precisely the type of game we've always been accused of not having the bottle for.

True. And there is a lot of room for improvement still.

Jesus lads that was a rollercoaster of emotions. I'll have to watch the game back but it felt a bit similar to the Dublin Mayo game a few years ago when the Dubs went at Mayo after half time and just blew them away. We were under pressure for a lot of the 2nd half but stood up to it well and got the reward.