Kerry's future not bright

Well after the hammering we got from Cork last night it is obvious that under age football in the Kingdom is at an all time low.
Add the minors poor efforts over recent years and the question to be asked is what is wrong? Plenty young lads playing the game but the standard is now obviously poor. I am afraid we could be in the wilderness for a number of years as occurred 1987-1996.

Worrying times indeed RKF. I guess the one thing that is in your favour that wasn't there in the 87-96 period is the back door. When Cork were dominating in the late 80s/early 90s they had a good side, and Kerry could never get out of Munster. At least now, however strong Cork are, there is the chance for Kerry to build their side in the qualifiers, perhaps improving as a result of such a run. As it was before, your young players in the 90s were getting 1-2 games a year, and so could never really improve to challenge the rebels.

But yes, the point is a fair one, Cork will be one of the dominant forces in football for the next 5 years. Kerry have lot of catching up to do.

I sense some Kerry cute hoorism going on here. Kerry senior success has never really been contingent on underage success. Their last U21 All Ireland was 2008 and before that it was 1998 - still didn't prevent senior success in the period. Kerry have 'only' won ten U21 titles since 1964 (inaugural winners) - hasn't affected senior much eh? Similarly Kerry have 'only' 11 minor titles in total since 1929 - and none since 1994. In 'recent' years they won in 63, 75, 80 and 88 - don't think it had much impact on the seniors exploits in this period!! There is something about these Kerry lads where they seem to mature a little later in life (spuds, cabbage, bacon maybe!) - and senior success is far greater than any underage success. In contrast some teams have had great underage success in recent times (Laois, Westmeath and even Cork) without it translating to Senior. In short RKF - we ain't falling for this!

ps Without googling - can anyone tell who won the first All Ireland Minor Football title in 1929?

Real Kerry Fan wrote:Well after the hammering we got from Cork last night it is obvious that under age football in the Kingdom is at an all time low.
Add the minors poor efforts over recent years and the question to be asked is what is wrong? Plenty young lads playing the game but the standard is now obviously poor. I am afraid we could be in the wilderness for a number of years as occurred 1987-1996.

I don't accept that Kerry will be in the shake up this year-along with Dublin....

As for the future underage never guarantees success....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:I sense some Kerry cute hoorism going on here. Kerry senior success has never really been contingent on underage success. Their last U21 All Ireland was 2008 and before that it was 1998 - still didn't prevent senior success in the period. Kerry have 'only' won ten U21 titles since 1964 (inaugural winners) - hasn't affected senior much eh? Similarly Kerry have 'only' 11 minor titles in total since 1929 - and none since 1994. In 'recent' years they won in 63, 75, 80 and 88 - don't think it had much impact on the seniors exploits in this period!! There is something about these Kerry lads where they seem to mature a little later in life (spuds, cabbage, bacon maybe!) - and senior success is far greater than any underage success. In contrast some teams have had great underage success in recent times (Laois, Westmeath and even Cork) without it translating to Senior. In short RKF - we ain't falling for this!

ps Without googling - can anyone tell who won the first All Ireland Minor Football title in 1929?

Wexford

mullins wrote:Wexford

Nope!

I see Jack O'Connor has banned the players from talking to The Kerryman newspaper because in an article they questioned the team going to Portugal on a 'training camp' given the current economic climate!

RKF i see Kerry minors are catching the Dublin plague..Hopefully it stays down south for a while..

mullins wrote:RKF i see Kerry minors are catching the Dublin plague..Hopefully it stays down south for a while..

Thanks Mullins. Under age a worry for the Kingdom. No title since 1994!

I'd imagine the senior side is a worry too RKF? Still plenty of firepower in attack, but it's a long time since I saw a Kerry side look as weak from 1-9 as the one selected yesterday.

Yes TC the panel is not strong. Hoping one last kick out of Tomas,Tom.Eoin B,Marc this year. Maybe it is too much of an ask. Goalkeeper is another problem as Kealy is prone to a lot of errors.Midfield with Maher and Sheehan will not be good enough I fear but hopefully Scanlon can return to form.Lots of ifs and buts which is not a great confidence booster at this time of the year. Other fear is that when these great lads pack it in,and for some it could be this year I cannot see readymade replacements.Could be a while in the wilderness.

It would be hard to see Tip win in Killarney..But that Kerry team looks very weak Sheenan is no midfielder.Can't see him starting there

Why hasn't Daniel Bohan been giving a chance at FB..Long time on the panel with no sign of progress to the starting XV....

Yeah, I'd agree with all of that RKF, from Kealy right through to Maher/Sheehan.

Personally, despite the scoring power that Gooch etc will give you, I think that defence is very, very vulnerable, particularly playing behind what figures to be a struggling midfield. Maher is willing but very limited, while Sheehan has all the footballing skills, but little of the drive, power, pace and stamina.

Marc O'Se is a brilliant footballer, but he would have been tried at full-back long ago if O'Connor really thought he was the answer there. With most of the top sides (except Cork) playingwith 2 full-forwards, Killian Young will spend a lot of time out the field, where he should be more comfortable, but that will put immense pressure on Tom O'Sullivan, and he really looked finished last year.

At half-back, Brosnan and O'Mahony both looked surplus to requirements 12 months ago, yet both are now back starting. I'd guess that that reflects more on the lack of quality pushing for places, rather than a glorious return to form. Tomas is still as good as you'll get at right half back, but he is 32(ish), and must surely be starting to slow a bit.

All in all, I think that Kerry will struggle this year, unless a couple of good young defenders and a midfielder are unearthed from somewhere. The attack will score heavily if they get enough ball, and the names on the teamsheet will command respect from any side but, as Tyrone people are starting to realise also, there comes a stage when even the great players need to be replaced.

Mullins. Bohane is one of the most unlucky players.Injury prone. Was just back in great form last summer when he broke his hand. Back in panel and hopefully will return to the team soon.TC, Enright played very well in the league and I thought he would have got a start on Sunday.