We need to talk about Kevin. Actually, no we don’t. Apart from the smug satisfaction of knowing how awkward Mr McStay is likely to feel when he actually studies the recording of the game this Monday, there were some terrific takeaways for the Kerry supporters – not that there were too many of them – that filed through the turnstiles at Croke Park for the national league final on Sunday.
Here are a few:
Paudie Clifford has cemented his standing as the most complete footballer in the country – bar none. One really needed to be in Croke Park yesterday, as opposed to watching on television, to witness his incredible contribution, on and off the ball.
In possession he is creative and opportunistic, without the ball he is workmanlike and tenacious and when a scoring opportunity arises, either in play or from a placed ball, he is confident and accurate.
Jack O’Connor will have to think long and hard as to who is his best option at centre forward when Seanie O’Shea is fit and ready to resume action but if there is a better all-round player and champion playmaker in the country right now than Paudie Clifford now please stand up. Thought so.
Joe O’Connor is growing in stature and confidence in every game. His energy levels are enormous and his clean fielding ability under pressure is quite astonishing.
He plucked two balls from the sky on Sunday that Mick O’Connell would have been proud of and his workrate, position sense, the scoring threat he carries and his overall impact on the game is really impressive.
The experiment against Galway during which the Austin Stacks man lined out at wing forward worked a treat but, realistically, he is needed at midfield for it is from there he can control the game.
Like a good wine, Paul Geaney is maturing wonderfully and what he brings to the game at this late stage in his long career should not be undervalued.
He is crafty, he sees the big picture and he is always capable of popping up in the right place at just the right time to deliver the killer blows.
Geaney, now 34, still has so much to offer and his overall contribution – all over the field – is invaluable. In an interview earlier in the season, Geaney said his wife persuaded him to continue for another season. For that, Kerry owes Siún Ó Sé an enormous debt of gratitude.
One look at the Kerry bench yesterday would have inspired confidence. For the first time in a long time the county could now stand accused of having an embarrassment of riches.
There are now, thankfully, some serious players ready and willing to step in when the call goes out.
Take the case for the defence for example. When the influential Tom O’Sullivan suffered an injury earlier in the league campaign there was no panic alarm activated. In Dylan Casey there was a ready-made replacement and the Austin Stacks man really stepped up to the mark.
Then there’s Tadhg Morley – as reliable and as solid as they come – waiting and hoping to get his place back. And it doesn’t end there.
Damien Burke has been outstanding every time he pulled the green and gold jersey over his head in the league this season and there are players of the calibre of Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Armin Heinrich and Evan Looney all waiting in the wings if an opportunity arises.
When Diarmuid O’Connor returns he will more than likely resume his near perfect partnership with Joe O’Connor at midfield but, in an area where Kerry have experienced some personnel sourcing difficulties in recent seasons, there are now some interesting options. Beaufort’s Seán O’Brien is one. Barry Dan O’Sullivan is another. And then there’s Mark O’Shea – the most consistent midfielder in the domestic game for the past two seasons – and young Cathal Ó Beaglaoich who are both straining at the bit to get a piece of the action.
And could Seanie O’Shea do a job there? You bet he could.
In attack, Tony Brosnan would surely be one of the first names pencilled in to start in any other county in the country and he will always deliver when called on in whatever capacity. Other solid offensive options for Jack and Cian O’Neill include the very impressive Ruari Murphy, Conor Geaney, Killian Spillane and, of course, Seanie O’Shea and Dara Moynihan when both resume full fitness.
A table quiz teaser in years to come will surely be who were the winners of the inaugural Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh Cup? We now have out answer prepared. As for Sam? It would take a foolish man to back against Kerry.
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