Under Discussion: Round Five of the Allianz Football League
Chatting are: Eamonn Fitzmaurice, John Fogarty, Tony Leen, Daragh O Conchuir, Fintan O'Toole and Ray Silke
TONY LEEN: Once again a Kildare game is making the headlines today. Great pictures of McGeeney and Banty in today's papers, but the serious point here is that Meath lost again, despite McEnaney's protestations that they are going in the right direction. Royal supporters won't agree if they slip to an ignominious season in Division 3.
JOHN FOGARTY: Meath could still avoid Division 3 football, it has to be said. They face Derry next but John Brennan's side, after a storming start, are so inconsistent right now. Aside from the lack of mobility, I believe Banty inherited an almost ready-made attack. It was about putting together a decent defensive system. I'd imagine he wants to knit that with the traditional style that Meath have exhibited but the focus is on building from the back. One thing he had to realise, though, is that you don't mess with a county's football DNA. Ford and Kernan found that out to their cost.
TONY LEEN: Daragh, you were working in Newbridger, were there signs Meath were getting it right?
DARAGH O CONCHÚIR: They were a bit one-dimensional I thought, with the long ball into Joe Sheridan and Shane O'Rourke the only plan. Obviously the return of Graham Reilly and Stephen Bray will give them more options in that regard. Shane McAnarney being used as a man-marker on Johnny Doyle was interesting and he did a fairly good job but when the game was in the melting pot, Kildare were able to work scores easily enough, while Meath were relying on frees.
JOHN FOGARTY: As an aside, the Banty-Geezer photos are fantastic. Who said nothing happens outside the top-flight!
RAY SILKE: Don't agree with you John, that the McEnaney & McGeeney photos are fantastic. Both look pretty silly and to be engaged in such Alpha male posturing in March must bring a smile the likes of Mickey Harte and Jack O'Connor.
JOHN FOGARTY: Ah come on, Ray - doesn't it show how much they care? Jack O'Connor was gesticulating on the sideline in Armagh yesterday.
RAY SILKE: Big difference between gesticulating and sticking your noses (& bellies) into each other.
TONY LEEN: McGeeney's ambitions stretch well beyond April though. Are Kildare looking to have more pieces of the jigsaw in place this year?
JOHN FOGARTY: They're still finishing games so strongly. They're lacking nothing in fitness and their attitude seems tip-top. But there's pressure there. Three seasons and still nothing to show for it. Ironically with those great photographs in mind, if McGeeney's not careful he could turn out to be the Banty of Kildare - a fine manager with empty pockets.
TONY LEEN: Couple of points from Pearse Stadium yesterday where Cork made it five out five. Conor Counihan might be worried about Colm O'Neill's knee injury, but anyone notice that subs Sean Kiely, James Fitzpatrick and Conor O'Driscoll came on and got four points between them. I'm nitpicking here, but has Conor Counihan too many options?
JOHN FOGARTY: Don't think so. Counihan's situation is the cliched welcome headache. He tried plenty of players in last year's league and that provided dividends. There is no question about the depth in quality of their personnel but I'd like to see Cork alternating their style. The deliberate build-ups could be their undoing if teams take the approach Dublin took in the last league game and stand off them, screen and avoid fouling.
RAY SILKE: Cork were very lacklustre in the first half and Joe Bergin did very well at midfield while James Fitzpatrick made a big impression on his introduction. Conor has plenty of options when you consider the players they are still without. Most managers would prefer too many options against too few. The guy who impressed me most Sunday was Paddy Kelly. He was immense in the second half and won oceans of ball. He is fine player. Goulding kicked a few beauties too. I take your point John, they can be a bit one dimensional. However with Paudie Kissane, Noel O'Leary and even Eoin Cadogan driving up from the back, they should be able to vary it if needed. One other point from Pearse Stadium yesterday is that Cork took at least 10/12 short kick-outs and got away with it.
JOHN FOGARTY: Believe you me, Ray, Jack's language was colourful enough. I take your point about the postering but from a promotional aspect does it do the GAA any harm? Not at all. But have Cork to shake it up a bit, Ray? Or will the conveyor belt of talent be enough to keep them going this year?
RAY SILKE: Hard to look past Cork and Dublin at this stage. Dublin have Galway in Rd 7 - so I don' t see them being caught. What is wrong with Paul Kerrigan or where is he?
FINTAN O’TOOLE: Kerrigan was given a break after Nemo's All-Ireland club exertions, but the delay in his return is related to the leg injury that he was carrying entering the St Brigid's game. In addition Counihan has wanted to try out the members of UCC's Sigerson side that he hadn't got a chance to have a look at until now. Given there's a two-week break now until the Mayo game, I would expect more of Cork's big names to make their 2011 bow in Castlebar. Counihan has stated that he's hopeful Canty, Miskella, Quirke and Lynch will all be in a position to feature in Cork's last two league games, having shaken off injury problems. The management have also been looking at David Niblock in recent trial games, he has been superb for Nemo Rangers over the past twelve months.
TONY LEEN: One word I'll throw in on the Dubs. For a team of suspect temperament, it doesn't do anyone good to be conceding 3-13. I know it wasn't their strongest defence but they need to shake off that suspicion that any team will always have a chance against them
JOHN FOGARTY: Dubs remind me of Andy Lee at the moment - well-drilled and supremely-talented but entice them into a brawl and you can take them. Pat Gilroy has stressed the Croke Park factor time and time again and he's right. Teams' attacks are being made to look good on the bigger surface and their defences' weaker than they really are. I'd like to see Bryan Cullen start the next day. He's calmed the waters in the last three games. Just like Alan Brogan, he deserves to start (but for Bernard's US trip, Alan would have been on the bench again).
TONY LEEN: What about Kerry in Armagh. Jack O'Connor reckoned they made hard work of it. But Donaghy looked good
RAY SILKE: Superb goal from wee Darren O' Sullivan. Goal of day?
JOHN FOGARTY: Donaghy was sublime and Kerry would have won the game earlier than they did if they utilised his dominance better. Credit to Darran O'Sullivan for the quality of ball he put into Donaghy. O'Sullivan is an All Star on his form at the minute. Revelling on the 40 which brings to mind what will be the Kerry attacking line-up for the championship: Galvin, Darran O'Sullivan, Donnchadh Walsh; Cooper, Donaghy, Declan O'Sullivan. Moran taking the left-sided frees or can Bryan Sheehan be accommodated?
TONY LEEN: What Kerry undoubtedly have is massive attacking options, and Darran augments that. Problems are further back the field, particularly midfield and full back line. Was Scanlon yanked early yesterday or was he injured? Classic management ploy that - ensuring everyone's focused from the get-go. Is Moran the answer? And who'll join Marc and Tom in the full back line when things get serious?
JOHN FOGARTY: Got the dreaded crooked finger, it appeared, Tony. Shane Enright impressed me yesterday, not just with his general play but wasn't afraid to shout at other more senior players. Wasn't taking any crap from the Armagh players either. In fairness, we aren't really looking at a Kerry team in transition, are we? That attack I named is hardly revolutionary and the defence won't be either.
FINTAN O’TOOLE: Shane Enright looked solid yesterday at corner-back, further down the line Peter Crowley will be an option once U21 commitments cease.
JOHN FOGARTY: Heard one of the boys on Radio Kerry mention during the game the aggression Dave Moran has brought to his game. Much-needed.
FINTAN O’TOOLE: Moran landed two big frees towards the finish as well, the second one from the sideline was an outstanding kick.
JOHN FOGARTY: Some change from the guy who lined out for UL against NUI Maynooth, hey Fintan?
TONY LEEN: Kerry like the look of Peter Crowley, but he's a road to travel yet. Tommy Griffin has to come back into the mix yet and that might give them options, but in terms of attack, you are right about a very settled look. Only thing though - a teamsheet is always going to look predictable when Gooch, Galvin, Declan and Donaghy are available. Darran's a lock too and the last spot is between Sheehan and Donncha at the moment. But don't forget BJ Keane and Kieran O'Leary.
EAMONN FITZMAURICE: Fair comment. It would be very hard to leave out Donnacha Walsh. He brings a lot to the table and gives the attack balance. The competition for places will be cut-throat come championship time. Much will depend on injuries and form. Either way there will be some very disappointed players. Trying to keep everyone happy or even reasonably happy is a job in itself for management.
JOHN FOGARTY: Another thing: Kerry looked a bit tentative in the tackle at times in Armagh. After what happened with Marc Ó Sé, it was as if they were having to be on their best behaviour because of the TV cameras. Unlikely to be a complex come championship time, though, you'd imagine.
TONY LEEN: From a Kerry point of view though it would be nice if there was a bolter or two pressing their case. Anyway, broadening it out finally, who's happy with their League so far, and who's not, apart from Meath and Galway? In all the divisions?
FINTAN O’TOOLE: In Division 3, I imagine John Evans and Maurice Horan were happy men yesterday evening. That was big wins for Tipperary and Limerick, and keeps alive their hopes of avoiding the dreaded drop to Division 4.
JOHN FOGARTY: Donegal are standing out in Division 2. Martin McHugh told me to back them for promotion before Christmas. After letting it slip against Sligo first day out, you'd think otherwise but they have come on leaps and bounds. McGuinness gives them discipline and a system. Could be a little bit static in attack but they've got to continue building around Michael Murphy. Didn't Limerick do something similar last year, Fintan? A desperately slow start only to come good towards the end of the campaign?
FINTAN O’TOOLE: That's true but under a new management Limerick badly needed those victories over the last two weekends. Winning in Drogheda yesterday will boost morale.
TONY LEEN: McGuinness is going to be a good one. I think Roscommon is also going to be a good news story going forward. Big Under 21 final against Galway coming up. The seniors now have Senan Kilbride back too after his club exploits with St Brigid's. Also in Division One, it might look predictable, but a final between Dublin and Cork is one to whet the appetite for the summer
JOHN FOGARTY: It would - a real glamour tie and some departure from that Kerry-Derry final in Parnell Park a few years back,. It would also constitute a success for the spring series in Croke Park.
EAMONN FITZMAURICE: Dublin have to be very happy. They are winning games but have plenty to work on in particular in defence. Conor Counihan will be also very pleased that his team are maintaining momentum and the winning habit from last year. Jack and the lads will be happy also as they are blooding a few (Enright, McGuire) and getting consistency from a few more. (Maher, Moran, O'Leary). In Division 2 Donegal will be very happy with their form in particular their impressive score taking against Derry. Banty must be feeling the heat though at this stage.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/s5cibsROHqo/post.aspx
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