September 2004

Local and National Match Reports

All Ireland Fotball final Preview Kerry v Mayo by Weeshie Fogart

Sunday March 21st of this year I stood on the side line in the Austin Stack Park Tralee interviewing Mayo manager John Maughan, he had just seen his Mayo team hammered in the league by Kerry, 1-13 to 0-8 and he was clearly shattered. One thing he remarked in this Radio Kerry interview which remained in the back of my mind was, and I quote him, “Kerry are a better footballing side than we are, a class team, however we will go away and learn from this, we have a lot of young footballers, we’ve got lots of areas in need of improvement, this is like going to school, you learn the lessons and then you apply them, it‘s a long road and difficult to pick it up from here.”.

His planning for the championship had plainly begun that day, he kept his players in the dressing room for over thirty minutes following their poor display and now once again he has shown that results in the league are completely irrelevant, Kerry must beware, John Maughan knows what it will take to win this match, and Mayo will die in their attempt to win their fourth title, 1936-50-51 were their previous victories. Kerry learned in 1992 when Maughan prepared Clare to beat Kerry that,“ you would want to be up early in the morning to be ahead of this army man“.

I had occasion to visit Mayo recently and one thing that struck me in a few pubs that I visited was the photograph of the Sam Maguire cup, so what’s so strange you may ask about this, well it showed the great Mayo corner back Sean Flanagan hoisting the trophy over his head, the year was 1951 and who could have envisaged that Mayo would not win another All Ireland since then, ( Kerry have won 16 since 1951), Sean had also captained his county to victory the previous year. Such a great footballing county and all their great followers who have seen so many false dawns in Croke Park since that day 53 years ago. There is a fierce buzz building up in the West and there is a strong feeling that this bunch of players are different from all the previous failures, they believe that this side has the bottle to win big games, they came through the two encounters against Fermanagh when it appeared that they would wilt and die, that extra game in the semi final is worth twenty training sessions to them.

I have always been a great admirer of Mayo football, I was on the Kerry panel of 1969 that had to battle so hard to beat then in that years semi final, 0-14 to 1-10, however I always felt that they were footballers who liked to do a bit of showboating, sell the dummies, prance around, throw a few shapes and prepare for big games as if the next fellow was going to win the match for you. Not this year it would appear, and one thing I have noticed is, that their press day was held two weeks ago, it was out of the way, irrelevant you might add, but to me it sent out a little message, indication that they are not going to let the slightest thing distract them from their efforts to snatch the opportunity for foot balling immortality.

So can Mayo beat Kerry, it is a debatable question despite the fact that nine out of ten Kerry people I meet have Kerry first past the post, however I remember getting the same reaction from the fanatical Kerry fans during the last three years as we failed to Meath, Armagh, and Tyrone, so what’s so different about this year. Well for one thing the new men in charge have freshened up the whole scene, while Padi and his men did a great job, winning those two titles, Jack o Connor has brought a new dimension to the preparations, the players have delivered everything that has been asked of them and I have constantly stated two factors in this column all the year about this squad. And the word squad is the first issue we should look at, there will be a lot of talk and discussion over the next week in relation as to who is on the starting 15 and on the other hand who should be on the first fifteen.

This is always cause for wonderful pub and work debate and has forever been so as far back as I can remember, when the crowds would gather in their hundreds out side the now demolished Park Place Hotel ,High St. Killarney waiting for the Monday night statement from that exemplary county secretary the late Tadge Crowley. Tadge would emerge often after midnight to proclaim to press and public alike that “the following is the Kerry Team for next Sundays All Ireland”. Now however I believe the starting 15 is not going to win or lose a match for you every thing has altered completely in Gaelic football, it’s the changes the selectors make during the course of the game that is crucial and to do this you must have men on the shore line highly capable and most importantly of all greatly experience waiting to come on and match the best, and Kerry have them.

I watched them training last week and it was great to see Seamus Moynihan so fit and eager, running like a hare, so if he is not started I put it to you, has Kerry ever in it’s illustrious history had a better sub. I don’t think so, and what about his Glenflesk club mate Johnny Crowley holder of two All Ireland senior medals, if, and I say if he is not started surly he will answer the call in some dramatic fashion, Tommy Griffin another All Ireland medal holder waiting for his big chance would be a regular only for an injury some time ago, he is now jumping out of his skin, Cromane’s Sean O Sullivan could split a tiring defence in the twinkle of an eye, will Liam Hassett start, it makes no difference in my opinion, he will match anything Mayo put up to him.

Experienced subs. that is rare luxury indeed, and then we have Pat Flanagan the trainer, all year he has produced the players on the day in top condition, fresh and eager, full of running, slim and hard as bell metal, now he faces his greatest test, 17 games later played, won 13, drew 1, lost 3, to Longford and Tyrone in the league and a challenge to Galway, won the league, and the Munster championship on the way, he will I believe have the boys at their peak. This allied to the fact that the three men in charge Jack, Johnny and Ger have a acquired a vast wealth of experience over the years and so far every move they have made has paid off means that Kerry are not found wanting on the line.

And what about the Mayo men, in full back David Heaney they have a splendid and superb full back and he was inspirational in their win over Fermanagh, James Nallen is also a great player, playing in his fourth final, he will not be found wanting, these two are the heartbeat of this Mayo team. David Brady will probably return to mid field, on his day he is a fine fielder while his partner Fergal Kelly is raw, however he is big and physical and will cause trouble for anyone.

So, of course it’s scores that count and the two Mortimer brothers have been the danger men and scorers in chief for Mayo, however it’s here that I believe the game will be won and lost, because in our o Se brothers Mark and especially the brilliant Thomas, Mike McCarthy and Tom O Sullivan in particular we have men who are quit capable of blotting out the best Mayo have. Now there is a lot of talk about the brilliant blond haired pony tailed Kieran McDonald on the forty, he can spray passes around like snuff at a wake, but my contention is that if, and this is a big if, he dominates this area, it’s immaterial if the men inside are held by the close marking Kerry defenders, while at the other end the Kerry forwards have proved that they do not rely on any one individual, the scoring charts prove this.

So to conclude who will win, Kerry have done everything asked of them so far, even without the incomparable Seamus Moynihan, still, there is a lingering doubt more especially now that Daragh o Shea is out, he is a massive loss. Two questions, how will we perform at mid field and, what Mayo team will turn up on the day, are they capable of raising their game a few more degrees, they will have to improve to win their first All Ireland since 1951, or will we see the Mayo of the recent past, freezing under the glare of the massive build up and the near unbearable tensions of the day, or will they dazzle as they did against Galway and Tyrone, not even John Maughan can answer this.

It’s a fascinating scenario, we will await with bated breath, nevertheless I expect to see Darragh o Cinneide except the Sam Maguire from Kilcummin’s Sean Kelly, a man from one small parish in East Kerry handing silver ware to a man from another small parish in West Kerry, it’s a tantalising thought, a image never seen before. Best of luck to Sean Geaney and his young minors, always difficult to predict how minors will perform on the day, this side is well capable of winning if the play to their potential.

A Historic Look Back Kerry’s First All Ireland Senior Football Victory=1903 by Weeshie Fogarty

Maurice McCarthy, he was indeed a legendary name in the annuals of Kerry football and played a huge part in helping them win the 1903 All Ireland title, played in 1905 and indeed my research shows that he helped Kerry to win five All Irelands, 1903-04-09-13-14, a truly remarkable record. And of course that 03 win was the first title Kerry ever won and next Sunday September 26th ’04 in Croke park they will be attempting to win their 33rd title. Maurice played in 1903 against Kildare, he played in defence, the first game was won by Kerry 1-4 to 1-3, Kildare objected after the match to the Kerry goal, saying that when their goalkeeper caught ball he was not behind the goal line as charged, they won the appeal, receipts for that game were £123-13-4, a crowd of 15,000 attended, a new record, no stands, no embankment, and just a rope kept the people off the pitch and the final was played in Tipperary Town and when the Kerry train reached the town the game was in progress

About this time also an election took place for the Kerry County Council, member of the “ascendancy gang” then a strong force in the county was opposed by the late Mr. James Bailey a Ballymacelligott man resident in Tralee. The man of the people headed the poll. It was “democracy” with a vengeance, and from this followers of the Kerry team adopted the world renowned slogan “Up Kerry” and this was soon to be heard at every cross road, town and village in the county. For the first game also the train brake down between Ballybrack and Killarney, the team was taken by a railway brake to Tippeary by the Quane Brothers and legends were born. Hundreds of followers left the stranded train and proceeded to walk into the town, the referee Michael Crow from Dublin collapsed fron exhaustion following the final whistle but recovered quickly.

Te third meeting between Kerry and Kildare roused huge interest thought the country, following disagreement the final was fixed for Cork and the rained came down in buckets on the day, the train’s were packed. Standing room only, and there was a strong feeling that Kerry could not play in the rain, “ Up Kerry “ badges were worn by thousands and the gate was £270. Kerry were brilliant and won 8 points to 2, the great Kerry Kildare struggle was at an end and the GAA was to go from strength to strength thanks to these two great sides and the massive interest they aroused, and yet another legendary catch phrase “ who says Kerry can’t play in the rain” was born.

Those great Kerrymen who brought the first title to The Kingdom were, Jim Gorman the captain, Paddy Dillion from Killarney in goal, magnificent backs, Con Healy, Maurice McCarthy, Tralee, Austin Stack, Roddy Kirwin and Denny Breen, Dan McCarthy and John Buckley, “Long” o Sullivan, Billy Lynch, Denny Curran, Tim all strong fast men who feared nothing, Tim Gorman and his twin brother Jim were football machines, most delightful players to watch, the fleet footed John Thomas Fitzgerald, Danny Kissane strong and sturdy, stocky Charlie Duggan of the cannot footed shot, and pivot of the attack was a tall laky lad of seventeen, perfect feet and hands, most deadly marksman of all time- Dick”Dickeen” Fitzgerald of Killarney Crokes. For the first match The Listowel Brass Band and C. J. Kickham Band Tipperary played a selection of national airs during the evening. One paper wrote “A special word of praise to Mr. Austin Stack Hon. Sec Tralee GAA for his untiring effort in Kerry’s three memorable games, he was to all intends and purposes the organiser of the whole Kerry team and it was due to him that Kerry were victorious”, high Praise indeed for the Kerry great, the football pitch in Tralee is named after this Kerryman.

Kerry had yet to meet London Irish in the final proper, the game was played in Dublin and Kerry won easily, 11 points to 3, then Kerry team which won that first All Ireland was the same which win at Cork, London Irish were captained the noted Cork Gael Sam Maguire from whom the All Ireland Championship got it’s title. On that Sunday night a banquet was held in honour of the victorious Kerry team in Dublin, DR. Coffey present UCD, ( a Tralee man) was chairman of the function.

The central Council granted a special set of gold medals to Kildare on the proposition of Mr. T F o Sullivan (author of The Story of the GAA) and the council also allowed £25 to each county in aces of normal expenses.

“ Dreaming of days gone by, in my heart I hear

Loving voices of old companions stealing out of the past once more

And the sound of the dear old music, soft and sweet as in days of yore.”

Kerry Ladies Senior Football County Semi Finals

St. Pats. and holders Southern gales will contest this years Kerry ladies senior football county final following their respective wins in the semi finals played in Killorglin’s JP O' Sullivan Park, on Saturday Sept. 18th.

ST Pats led by the outstanding Mairead Finnegan had a comfortable 4-8 to 1-9 victory over favourites Corca Duibhne. While their winning margin was comfortable at the end the winners had trailed at the short whistle 1-5 to 0-4, all the losers points coming from their best player the superb Geraldine o Shea, while their goal came in the second minute, a high centre from Catherine Moriarty deceived backs and goalkeeper to finish in the net.

Maried Finnegan was then introduced and the whole game changed following the interval, Patrice Dennehy pointed twice to cut the gap and in the 10th min Sarah Jane Joy cracked in a great goal, Joanne Spillane, and Maried Finnegan added a goal each and showing far greater fitness St Pats Ran out easy winners as the rain poured down and other stars for them included, Grainne o Malley, Katie Gleeson, and Eimear Knightly, and, we would like to wish a speedy recovery to the excellent Debra Murphy who suffered serious shoulder injury.

The second semi final was a far better affair as holders Southern Gales were forced to fight to the very end to overcome Northern Rangers, 1-10 to 1-7. The winners lined out without their star player Kacy Driscoll who is on international soccer with the Irish team, however with Sarah o Connor playing a leading role they jumped into a 5 points to one lead within 17 min. as Sarah kicked four and the excellent Aoife o Neill added another and the holders led at half time by just one point.

Katie kennelly replied for the Rangers with three great points on the re start, Shari Deleney and Deirdre Corridan exchanged scores, it was now level pegging, then came the first goal , Sharh saw her penalty brilliantly saved by Mary Roche in the Rangers goal but following up she blasted the re bound to the net it was now 1-9 to 0-7. The losers refused to die and Noreen Feeley, Edel o Connell, Helen Mckenna Jackie Murnane, and Breda Slattery outstanding they hit back, Katie Kennelly goaled from a penalty and the lead was once again cut to two points. However the holders responded in great style and with Caroline Kelly, Rosaleen o Connell, Deirdre Corridan, Aine Morris, Aoife o Neill and Sarah outstanding they held out for a deserved win,

Well done to the ladies board for their organisation which included a welcomed match programme including the four teams.

Tipperary win Centenary Camogie Final

Tipperary 2-11 Cork 0-9

Tipperary secured their fifth TG4 All-Ireland SCC title in six years on Sunday when they cruised to a clear eight-point victory over Cork in this year's final at Croke Park.

Having won their first title in 1999, the record set by the Premier girls is one of the most remarkable in camogie history, with Cork the only other side to claim the crown since then.

Once again, Claire Grogan was a key player in Tipperary's success this year, finishing the game with a total of nine points to her name, while goals from Deirdre Hughes and Joanne Ryan ensured that Raymie Ryan's side were always in the driving seat.

In front of a record crowd of 24,569, Cork began the game brightly with a point from Eimer Dillon putting them into the early lead. But it didn't take long for Tipperary to reel them back, with 18-year-old Grogan finding her range.

Grogan added two more points to see the sides level 0-3 to 0-3, before Deirdre Hughes converted her goal chance. The experienced full forward remained composed as the sliothar flew into the packed goal area and she showed her class to finish clinically to the back of the net.

Grogan added two more points to establish a clear five-point lead for the defending champions, 1-5 to 0-3. It was enough to seal Tipperary's momentum and Cork struggled to take their scoring chances.

At half time, Tipp still held that five-point advantage, 1-6 to 0-4, but Cork produced an early rally in the second half to cut the deficit to three points. But once Grogan put over Tipp's first point of the second half, the leaders took control again.

A second goal, this time from the hurl of centre forward and team captain Joanne Ryan, sealed the contest. Jenny O'Leary and Dillon had pointed for Cork before then, and Gemma O'Connor put another over the bar soon after the goal, but it was clear that the game was over.

Grogan finished the day with another three points, while Eimer McDonnell also got in on the scoring, as Tipp cruised to the final whistle and a fifth title in six years.

Meanwhile, there was some good news for Cork camogie, with the county's junior team recording victory over Down in the final, also played at Croke Park. The Rebels were trailing at half time, but rallied in the second half to run out 4-5 to 2-4 winners. Down failed to record a single score in the second half.