Kerry’s 37 All-Ireland crowns ensures that the Kingdom are rightly feared and respected by footballing purists wherever the game is played. Their status as the kingpins of the game is due to generation after generation of fast, strong and stylish footballers. This legacy has created an aura around Kerry sides in the past, particularly for final opponents. Despite this reputation, Kerry hold no fears for the current Galway squad.

One of the counties most scarred by the sight of the Green and Gold jerseys are Galway’s near neighbors to the north, Mayo. They lost out to the Munster aristocrats in the finals of 1997, 2004 & 2006. The 1997 final in particular makes for a good study in sports psychology. A far-from vintage Kerry side overcame a Mayo team who had lost to Meath after a replay the previous year. Maurice Fitzgerald kicked 0-9 and was by far the most impressive player for either side. Their winning total of 13 points was one of the lowest winning totals in the last forty years. Pre-game favourites Mayo meanwhile repeatedly failed to find the target. Shooting wide after wide as the pressure and expectation of winning an All-Ireland title got the better of them. 

The crop of 2022

This year the Kerry men have finally beaten a Dublin side who have had the edge over them in big games in recent history. After Sean O’Shea’s dramatic semi-final injury-time free, the bookies have installed Jack O’Connor’s side as 1/3 favorites to lift their 38th All-Ireland title. (Technically it will be their 31st Sam as their first seven titles pre-date Sam’s first appearance. The first Sam Maguire trophy was presented to Kildare in 1928 after their win over Cavan. This trophy was then replaced by an identical Sam in 1989. I just thought I’d clear that up for the pedants out there!). 

Kerry Confidence

Despite an almost decade-long dominance from the Dubs, Kerry sides still consider themselves superior to every other county in the land. This confidence comes from their success not just at Senior All-Ireland level, but also from countless victories at all levels of the game. Current superstar, David Clifford’s eye-catching 4-04 in the 2017 minor final win over Derry earmarked the Fossa youngster for greatness. Five minor titles in a row from 2014-18 and a runners-up spot in 2020 has continued on the green and gold production line.  

In recent years, however, that air of invincibility has lost some of its lustre at Senior level. Kerry’s most recent All-Ireland title came in the 2014 win over Donegal. Eight years is practically a famine by the standards of their illustrious past. Defeats to Dublin in the finals of 2015 and 2019 have created doubts in their previously unparalleled levels of self-belief. Particularly the 6-point defeat in the replayed 2019 final. 

In the first half of the drawn match, the dismissal of Jonny Cooper handed a sizeable advantage to Peter Keane’s side. They had come from five points in arrears to edge ahead in the closing stages. A converted free from Dean Rock four minutes into stoppage time gave Jim Gavin’s Dublin a second bite at securing their historic five in a row. It was a game that the Kerry fans felt they left behind them. 0-8 from 17 first-half scoring chances, which included a Paul Geaney penalty saved by Stephen Cluxton, was a poor return by their standards. 

Kerry hold no fears for the current Galway squad

Sunday’s final opponents Galway have none of the big game experience on All-Ireland final day that their opponents have. This is the Tribesmen’s first final since their 2001 victory over Meath. Current manager Padraig Joyce kicked ten points in a comprehensive 0-17 v 0-8 win. Despite the lack of exposure to the pressures that a final appearance can bring, this crop of Galway players are unlikely to be overawed.

Galway football is riding the crest of a wave at the moment. Last Friday week their minors lifted the Tommy Markham cup defeating Mayo in the All-Ireland final in Hyde pk, Roscommon. Earlier this year a NUI Galway side defeated University of Limerick 0-12 to 1-6 in the Sigerson Cup final in Carlow. The aforementioned David Clifford ended up on the losing side despite scoring 1-2. An IT Tralee side with a large Kerry contingent had been beaten in the semi-final in Rathkeale 0-18 v 0-15 a week previously. 

Galway’s Matthew Tierney was part of that victorious side and he also enjoyed success at u20 level in 2020. That Galway side defeated Kerry in the semi-final in the Gaelic grounds in Limerick before beating Dublin in the final. When reminded of his track record against some of the opponents he’ll face on Sunday he said “That’s not down to me, it’s down to the teammates as well. We have a load of leaders out there, ….It’s very enjoyable at the moment, so hopefully we’ll keep the success going”.

Tierney’s mother Marie hails from Castleisland in Kerry. When questioned about the loyalties of his mum Matthew said “I won’t talk to her now for the week”. Coincidentally Marie went to school with David Clifford’s mother Eileen. “I have the phone taken off her, don’t worry!” Matthew joked as he shot down any possibilities of a Kerry mole within the camp.

Relevance of past battles

When questioned on whether previous underage success bore any relevance to facing some of the same faces at Croke Park on Sunday Matthew said “I suppose you get a bit of confidence every time you win. But, it’s a different competition and a different Kerry side”. John Concannon a selector with this year’s team then interjected, “The belief that these young lads have from winning the Sigerson, from winning the under 20 All-Ireland, even the lads in 2017 that beat Kerry with a lot of the current team on it. These lads growing up now have a belief that they are winners”. Concannon went on to add “They fear no one, which is great and that’s one thing I’ve learned from them since we came in”. 

John Concannon was first involved alongside current manager Padraig Joyce and fellow selector John Divilly at under 20 level in 2019. Five of the current side played for them at that grade. Concannon is impressed by the attitude he sees within the current squad. “Every county is the same to them, they go out with the belief they can win”. He added, “We’re going to believe we can win on Sunday and they are going to go in with that attitude”.   

Galway’s captain on Sunday is Moycullen’s Sean Kelly. Alongside Tierney, he was also part of this year’s victorious Sigerson Cup team. He also spoke of the belief instilled in this group of players. “Padraig spoke to us and we believe we should be fighting for All-Irelands. Thankfully, this year now we’ve kicked on an extra step and we are in one”.  He was involved in the 2017 u21 semi-final win over Kerry (the final year at that age grade before it changed to u20 in 2018). “We got over the line that day, a lot of those young lads have come through” (to the senior squad). On the prospect of facing Kerry Kelly said “It’s not something we’re scared of, you can’t be scared of someone else. We’re looking forward to it. We know it’s going to be a tough battle”.

Shock on the cards?

Galway will go into Sunday’s final as outsiders.  As mentioned earlier Kerry are strong favourites with the bookies offering the westerners at 10/3. It’s a similar price to what was being offered for Andy Farrell’s Irish side ahead of the third test in Wellington last weekend. I see similar value based on this growing and maturing Galway side. 

They have shown that they can win games in different ways and have grown as the championship has progressed. Obviously, the instant classic quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Armagh grabbed the most column inches. It also put the team in the national spotlight. The win over Mayo in Castlebar gave the squad the belief that they could compete with the best. The Connacht final win over Roscommon gave them the silverware to back that up. The Derry semi-final saw them grind out a convincing victory after a very poor start. 

The swagger is back in Galway football and red-hot favourites Kerry will hold no fears for Padraig Joyce’s side. Kerry may be the All-Blacks of Gaelic football. But just as the All-Blacks invincible aura was shattered in Chicago, Kerry hold no fears for the current Galway squad. The Tribesmen believe that the time has come to bridge a gap of 21 years. Padraig Joyce’s men are primed to lift the Sam Maguire this Sunday. 

The post No fear of the Kingdom for ferocious Tribes appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Austin Stacks have progressed to the semifinals after they easily overcame South Kerry last weekend. They will now face St Brendans in the upcoming penultimate round of the SFC Championship.

The other semifinal will see another legendary Kerry club, Dr. Crokes face off against Kerins O’Rahilly’s. Stacks are considered the favorites to claim the title of this year’s competition.

The intermediate football final will see Na Gaeil play Beaufort. The 2020 runners-up Beaufort challenge Na Gaeil, the side they beat in last year’s semi-finals as well as the side they beat in the Junior Premier final in 2018.

The Junior football championship will also come to a close this weekend. Castlegregory GAA club will play against Firies GAA in Austin Stacks this Sunday.

Kerry SFC semi-final draws

Austin Stacks v St Brendans

Kerins O’Rahilly’s v Dr. Crokes

Kerry SFC Outright Betting

Austin Stacks 13/8

Dr. Crokes 15/8

Kerins O’Rahilly’s 7/2

St Brendans 5/2

Kerry IFC Final draw

Na Gaeil v Beaufort

Kerry IFC Outright Betting

Na Gaeil 5/6

Beaufort 5/6

Kerry JFC Final Draw

Firies v Castlegregory – 14:30, Sunday 14th November – Austin Stacks GAA

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Kerry and intercounty club GAA news, click here.

The post Club GAA – Kerry Senior Football and Intermediate football semi-final draws appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Walsh informed Kerry chiefs of his decision today after the climax of the 2021 season, which saw the county fall to Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final after winning the Munster Senior Football Championship – his final appearance for the team.

The 33-year-old won two All-Ireland Senior Football Championships with the Kingdom in the first decade of the 21st century – he began his senior football career on their panel in 2007.

The full-forward played a starring role in the 2009 decider against Cork in which he scored four points to help his side to victory and earn his second Celtic Cross.

Tommy did so under Jack O’Connor but will not return to play for the former Kildare senior football manager.

The Kerins O’Rahilly’s man lined out for his county again in the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship but left the panel before the 2016 instalment, returning in 2019 to play under Peter Keane as the county reached the final for the first time since 2015.

In his time away from the panel after 2009, Walsh played in the Australian Football League with St. Kilda and the Sydney Swans.

He lined out for the Ireland international rules team in the 2010 International Rules series against Australia, which his native country hosted.

Kerry GAA Chairman Tim Murphy released a statement confirming Walsh’s departure: “Earlier [Monday] Tommy Walsh confirmed his decision to retire from the Kerry Senior Football Panel.

“Tommy began his inter-county career as a Minor and quickly progressed through to U-21 and Senior Ranks.

“In the 2009 All-Ireland Series Tommy produced some memorable performances culminating in the All-Ireland Final win over Cork when he contributed a quarter of Kerry’s Scores on the day.

“In October 2009 Tommy moved to Australia where he played Professional AFL until the end of 2014 and re-joined the Kerry Set up for the 2015/216 seasons.

“Over the past two years in particular Tommy’s leadership on and off the field has helped to encourage, motivate, and successfully integrate many of our younger players onto the panel.

“On behalf of all Kerry supporters, I wish to sincerely thank and acknowledge Tommy for all he has done and wish him the very best in the future.”

Kerry GAA senior football manager Jack O’Connor said: “It was with sadness that I learned today of Tommy Walsh’s decision to retire from the Kerry Senior football panel.

The post Kerry forward Tommy Walsh retires from inter-county football appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

O’Neill joins Padraic Joyce’s Galway backroom after leaving the Cork senior football setup following the end of the 2021 season.

The upcoming season will be Joyce’s third in charge and the team will aim to go one further than the final of the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

They will also hope to return to Division One of the National Football League at the first time of asking.

The Kildare native left the Cork setup after their Munster Senior Football Championship final collapse led to the departure of manager Ronan McCarthy.

He had previously been in charge of his home county’s senior footballers from 2015 until 2019.

It was a period that saw the Lilywhites reach the Leinster Senior Football Championship final in 2017 and knock All-Ireland finalists Mayo out of the Championship the next year in the ‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ game.

O’Neill made a name for himself as a trainer on Liam Sheedy’s backroom in the manager’s first stint with the Tipperary hurlers.

He was involved with the Kerry senior footballers as part of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s backroom and has also worked with the Limerick and Mayo footballers.

The post Galway appoint Cian O’Neill to senior football backroom appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Keane was not kept on after the Munster champions lost to All-Ireland winners Tyrone in the semi-final.

The 50-year old from Cahirsiveen had won two Munster Senior Football Championships and two National League titles with the side.

The former St Mary’s player brought the side to an All-Ireland final in his first season, in which they lost to Dublin in the replay.

However, a shock loss to Cork in the Munster semi-final last year and failure to return to the biggest match in the sport has led to his downfall.

Jack O’Connor was announced to be Peter Keane’s replacement, returning for his third term in charge of the Kingdom.

In his statement, Peter Keane said: “It has been a real honour for me to have been involved with the Kerry set-up over the last decade – from Development Squad level, to managing both the minor and senior football teams.

“It was great to work with so many of our talented young footballers. To watch their progression – showing potential from young players in developing squads was a privilege. To be able to guide them to make the step up to minor level and then onto senior level has been hugely rewarding.

“Unfortunately, losing the semi-final by one point in extra time to the eventual All-Ireland winners, led to a decision to end the work we had started and the momentum we had built.

“I know the players very much wanted us to continue with our project. They were the reason I wanted to stay. We were a united Kerry team with a great sense of purpose and ambition.

“All the players communicated to the County Board sub-committee their strong preference for the present management to be retained. It’s most disappointing that their wishes do not appear to have been considered in the decision-making process.”

He added: “The players are a credit to their families, partners, clubs, and communities. I wish them every success in the future as they start out again.

“It has been a very tough time for everyone over the last while. During my term, we had two very unusual GAA seasons. It was fantastic to start seeing fans back at games again. I will now re-join the Kerry supporters in the stands and the terraces, and I want to thank all the wonderful Kerry supporters who have given us such fantastic backing over the years.

“I would also like to pay tribute to all those who have been involved in the backroom teams at minor and senior level over the past six years – especially James Foley, Maurice Fitzgerald, and Tommy Griffin. There are too many others to mention but they all know how much I appreciated their input and friendship.

“I’d especially like to thank my wife Siobhan and my three boys for giving me their unwavering and unbelievable support.

“Ciarraí Abú”.

The post Peter Keane says Kerry players wanted him to stay appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

This championship is a small competition with only five teams in one group with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

The final will take place in mid-October with the winners claiming the Randles Brothers County Championship title.

Last year’s winners Rathmore are looking strong again this year while Finuge St Senans are the new kids on the block after they won the intermediate championship last year.

Southern Gaels would be considered one of the favorites for this competition after they won the Donal Curtin Cup last month. They beat Rathmore 4-11 to 1-13 in the final with both sides breezing through the championship.

Another team to watch out for will be Na Gaeil after they made a big impression in their first match of the season against Beaufort.

Kerry Ladies Win Munster Senior Football Finalhttps://t.co/LpByRrttLu pic.twitter.com/PeVM9cNN6D

— Radio Kerry Sport (@radiokerrysport) July 8, 2017

Group 1: Beaufort, Finuge St Senans, Na Gaeil, Rathmore, Southern Gaels

Round 1

Beaufort (0-04) v Na Gaeil (4-18)

Southern Gaels (0-09) v Rathmore (0-08)

Upcoming Fixtures

Finuge St Senans v Beaufort – Sunday, 19th September

Rathmore v Na Gaeil – Sunday, 19th September

Beaufort v Rathmore – Sunday, 26th September

Finuge St Senans v Southern Gaels – Sunday, 26th September

Southern Gaels v Beaufort – Sunday, 3rd October

Na Gaeil v Finuge St Senans – Sunday, 3rd October

Na Gaeil v Southern Gaels – Sunday, 10th October

Rathmore v Finuge St Senans -Sunday, 10th October

Randles Brothers Senior County Champions 2020 #LGFAClub @rathmoregaa @radiokerrysport @terracetalkrk @kerrysportshub @nissankerry pic.twitter.com/SVOtT7KyQd

— KerryLGFA (@kerryladiesfoot) September 13, 2020

The post Kerry Ladies’ Football Club Championship – Preview, Fixtures & Results appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The announcement was made after the conclusion of the All-Ireland Championship, where the Munster champions were beaten by eventual champions Tyrone in extra-time of their semi-final.

There has been speculation that Kerry senior football manager Peter Keane will not be in charge of the side next season as they look to bring an end to an All-Ireland drought.

The statement by Kerry’s county board reads: “The process of appointing the next Kerry Senior Football Manager has commenced.

“The Kerry GAA Management Committee has appointed the following sub-committee who will revert with a recommendation at the earliest opportunity.

“Tim Murphy (Chairperson) Eamon Whelan (Vice Chairperson) Peter Twiss (Secretary) John O’ Leary (Munster Council Delegate) Donal Daly (Kerry Games Manager).

“No further comment will be made until this process has concluded.”

The most successful team competing for the Sam Maguire have not brought it back to the county since 2014.

Keane brought his side to an All-Ireland final in 2019 where opponents Dublin forced a replay after a poor first-half and broke Kerry’s long-standing record of four-in-a-row with a win in the replay.

His side have not reached the final fixture of the inter-county Gaelic football calendar since, having fallen short in the last two years.

The Kerry footballers have won two Munster titles under the former Kerry underage star after his appointment following his minor team’s success from 2016-2018.

The former St. Mary’s player won three Munster and All-Ireland minor titles in a row as manager of the county’s underage side.

The post Kerry GAA Searching For ‘Next Senior Football Manager’ appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A meeting between the Cork GAA Executive and Ronan McCarthy on Monday night saw the former decide not to extend McCarthy’s term into the final year of their two-year agreement.

It is understood that McCarthy was interested in staying on next year and also wanted an extension until 2024.

McCarthy was in the role since 2017 and was at the helm in the Rebel County for four seasons.

McCarthy had served as a selector and coach for a total of three years previous to taking the top job in the county.

The Douglas native won Division Three of the Allianz National Football League in 2019 with the side.

Cork went unbeaten on their way back to Division Two but McCarthy failed to take them back to Division One.

Four successive Munster final defeats culminated with a 4-22 to 1-9 thrashing at the hands of rivals Kerry in what was McCarthy’s last game in charge.

On top of this, the side only reached the business end of the All-Ireland championship once under the former inter-county player when they came last in their Super 8s group in 2019.

County Chairperson Marc Sheehan said “Ronan has been an outstanding servant to Cork GAA over many years, and I would like to thank him both personally and on behalf of Cork for all that he has done.

“We wish Ronan, his selectors and backroom team all the best in their future endeavours and thank all involved for an immeasurable contribution over a number of years.”

All in Cork GAA wish to thank Ronan sincerely for his decades of service to GAA at all levels in the county, as player, coach and manager.

A process will now be put in place for the appointment of a new manager.

The post Cork GAA Announce McCarthy Departure appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ó Sé will be part of the coaching staff for the side’s first year in Division Two of the Allianz Football League after six seasons in the third tier.

Head coach Maughan will stay on with the side for the upcoming season, having already spent three years in charge of the Faithful County.

Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan confirmed the news to RTE Sport this morning.

“It’s a huge boost and we are delighted,” Duignan said. “We have been speaking to Tomas in the last few weeks. John Maughan already has a very strong management team in place and Tomás coming on board will add to it.

“Tomás is involved with the Glanmire team in Cork and he will be fully committed to them for this season. We look forward to him coming on board with us after that.

“He is one of the greats and as a player he was always one I was most impressed with. I always had great regard for him and we are good friends. He will be a big addition.”

Ó Sé was part of a golden generation of Kerry players in the 2000’s that won five All-Ireland’s in the decade.

The wing-back, who played for An Ghaeltacht during his inter-county career, collected five All Stars in Kerry’s green and gold and was crowned Footballer of the Year in 2009 before hanging up his boots in 2013.

He is lauded by many as one of the best wing-backs of all time and one of the best players to ever play the sport.

With the 43-year-old in its ranks, Offaly will make its first foray into the top 16 of league football in 16 years after achieving promotion following their Division Three semi-final win over Fermanagh.

Ó Sé will have the chance to introduce members of the All-Ireland winning Offaly U20 side to the senior level of Gaelic football during his tenure.

The post Tomás Ó Sé Joins Offaly Backroom As Maughan Retains Top Job appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The side will contest their first All-Ireland in three years and will hope to win their first Sam Maguire since 2018.

Conor McKenna scored a brace and super-sub Conor McShane put up 1-3 to help their side book a date with Mayo on Sunday, September 11.

The win rounds up a month in which Tyrone suffered a Covid outbreak and the GAA were forced to postpone the fixture twice, as well as the All-Ireland final – a game initially scheduled to be played on Sunday, August 29.

Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher’s side got off to a slow start but took the driver’s seat after Kerry’s opening scores and maintained their lead for the rest of the half.

Kerry star David Clifford lost the ball and Peter Harte capitalised, with the ball eventually finding McKenna who put it past Shane Ryan for the first goal of the game.

Goalkeeper Niall Morgan scored from far out to add the side’s tenth point just before the half-time whistle and give Tyrone a marginal lead.

Kerry were frustrated time and time again by Tyrone’s defensive system and energy – boss Peter Keane got his side to adopt this system for the rest of the game.

The change initially paid off with both sides struggling to break each other down but Kerry’s powerful attack, which had scored 87 points in the championship this season leading up to the game, gave the Munster champions the advantage in the third quarter.

Tyrone kept within a goal of Keane’s side and were rewarded for their hard work with a late second goal putting them a point ahead of the 37-time All-Ireland winners with two minutes of regular time to go.

McShane punched the ball in after fellow substitute Darragh Canavan had his shot saved.

Sean O’Shea levels it before Darren McCurry and David Clifford trade blows for their side, with nothing to separate them after 70 minutes.

Clifford was replaced before the start of extra-time after an eight-point performance kept the side in the game.

However, without him, Tyrone began to pull away after another scoring spree, this time on the other side of the end of regular time, got the side a third goal.

McKenna got his second of the day to give the Ulster champions a five-point lead and the Munster champions a mountain to climb.

Logan and Dooher’s side scored 1-2 on either side of the full-time whistle (of regular time) to regain control.

Tyrone never let go of the lead but Kerry did their best to earn it back with four points bringing them just short of forcing penalties.

Tyrone persevered and will face Connacht champions and 2020 All-Ireland finalists Mayo in the biggest fixture of the footballing calendar on Sunday, September 11.

The post Tyrone Book Place In All-Ireland Final With ET Victory Over Kerry appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.