ALTHOUGH the Kerry defence has come under sustained criticism and is singled out as the side’s weak spot, team captain Paul Murphy has insisted that he is very happy with the progress that has been made and with the way the backline is set up.
He said the strong defensive performance against Tyrone in the National League semi-final was particularly pleasing for man-of-the-match Jason Foley and for the other backs, although Paul missed the game as it clashed with his brother’s wedding.
He acknowledged that the Kerry backs have come under criticism but he said he is very happy with the defenders that are starting and coming off the bench and he singled out Foley, Gavin White and exciting new addition Mike Breen for their impressive performances against Tyrone.
The Rathmore clubman said the Kerry midfielders and forward also play their part in helping out the defence, when necessary, and it’s a real team effort.
The county captain said the strength and condition programme implemented over the past number of years is now making an impact and is it very noticeable that players have become physically stronger as a result.
“With each passing years guys are getting stronger and fitter and you are seeing the difference, particularly with guys who are in their second or third year on the panel. The experience of that sort of training is very good,” Murphy stressed.
He said credit is also due to the development squads that have improved over the last decade or two with more of an emphasis on fitness and core strength at an earlier age.
“The younger lads that are breaking through now have that background whereas someone breaking through 10 years ago might not have,” he said.
Looking to the start of the championship, with Clare providing the opposition in Killarney next Saturday, Murphy said Kerry are not looking beyond that fixture and he is expecting a really tough battle with the Banner
“They are very solid and they were only four or five points away from becoming a Division 1 team in the league,” he said.
Asked during the course of a virtual press briefing on Friday for his views on the modern tendency of goalkeepers, such as Kerry netminder Kieran Fitzgibbon, to carry the ball out past the defence and embark on solo runs up the field, Murphy said that is just the way the game has gone.
“Kieran and Shane (Ryan) are both very comfortable on the ball. I’d have no issue with them coming out for a gallop,” he said.
