Apart from the obvious fact that it was one of the greatest games of all time, here are three things we learned from yesterday’s epic All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park.
This Dublin team have character to go with their talent
In the build-up to yesterday’s game, pundits tipping a Kerry victory referenced the game between the sides in 2009 and how a Kingdom team going in as underdogs blitzed the Dubs early and often, leading Pat Gilroy to famously say that his troops looked like ‘startled earwigs’ in the wake of a Kerry onslaught.
While the outcome was obviously a lot different yesterday, a team with less bottle than Jim Gavin’s men could easily have wilted early doors. Kerry, obviously wounded by being written off in the build-up, produced a masterclass of attacking football in the opening 35 minutes and had scored three goals by half-time, two more than Dublin had conceded in the entire championship before yesterday.
The response by the Dubs, however, was a testament to the character that is evident throughout their ranks. Although it came by virtue of a mishit Diarmuid Connolly shot, they responded to Donnacha Walsh’s goal immediately through a Paul Mannion major and, much like Mayo last week, went in at the break trailing by a margin that should have been greater on the evidence of the first half.
Again in the second half, Kerry led by a point with only one minute of normal time remaining when Diarmuid Connolly, who was immense, told Stephen Cluxton to stay where he was and kicked a free off his (so-called) weaker foot to level the game before Kevin McManamon broke Kerry hearts once more.
Lots has deservedly been said and written about yesterday’s game and about Dublin’s performance but what will please Jim Gavin the most is that his team’s character was given as stern a test as you could ask for and they passed it with flying colours.
Colm Cooper reaffirmed his status as the greatest player of the modern era
It won’t be of much consolation to him this morning, but Colm Cooper should take some solace in the fact that he, not for the first time it should be said, gave a performance for the ages in Croke Park yesterday.
Concerns were raised going into the game about Ger Brennan’s ability as a man-marker at centre back and unfortunately for Brennan, they materialised as Gooch took up the baton and played the conductor’s role beautifully, playing eye-of-the-needle passes in the build-up to two of Kerry’s three goals as well as helping himself to four points, two from play.
The Gooch was an absolute joy to watch yesterday
An interesting statistic arising out of yesterday’s game is that Cooper stood over three frees from in and around the 45 metre line, just about within his range, but rather than going for goal, he took them all short and they resulted in a tally of 1-2 for Kerry in the first half. It wasn’t the most impressive aspect of his game yesterday but it just goes to illustrate that his mind works a second faster than everyone else.
With Cian O’Sullivan for company, Gooch was quieter in the second period but he still wielded a significant influence and might have been in for a goal of his own were it not for a pretty cynical trip by his Dublin namesake Johnny.
The man of the match award usually goes to the victorious side and Connolly was a worthy winner yesterday but if Kerry had won Cooper would have won by a distance and deservedly so, having once again reaffirmed his status as the greatest player of the modern era.
Footballer of the Year? Don’t rule it out just yet.
Dublin’s strength in depth is ominous
Before we wax lyrical about the contributions of Dublin’s substitutes yesterday, think of the fellas that didn’t even make it onto the pitch. Man of the match in the 2011 Final, Kevin Nolan (who has been suffering with illness), has barely got a look in all year.
2011 All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen and (injury affected) 2011 Footballer of the Year Alan Brogan didn’t make an appearance yesterday, nor did Michael Fitzsimons, players that would not just make, but would be key figures in every other team in the country.
The great thing for Jim Gavin, however, is that he didn’t have to call on them because of options elsewhere. Dean Rock came on, scored with his first touch, scored another point and proved a handful for the Kerry defence. Eoghan O’Gara got a goal. Kevin McManamon got another match-winning major against Kerry in a big game at Croke Park. Denis Bastick steadied the ship around the middle of the field.
One of the most worrying things for James Horan in the build-up to the final is that Dublin can cope if some of their big players have an off-day. Ger Brennan was taken off at half-time yesterday and Ciaran Kilkenny shortly after. Kerry managed to nullify the threat of Jack McCaffrey while Paul Flynn, who worked tremendously hard, wasn’t as prominent as he has been in a brilliant campaign to date.
This Dublin team have brilliant players and leaders everywhere and that was illustrated in spades yesterday. Mayo will hope that Dublin have already delivered their biggest game of the year but we wouldn’t count on it.
