ONE OF DUBLIN’S great strengths is the versatility of their players.
James McCarthy, for instance, regularly moves between half-back and midfield, while he’s been used as an emergency full-back on the likes of Michael Murphy and Tommy Walsh in recent years.
Jonny Cooper can play anywhere in the defence, Brian Howard operates across the half-forward line or midfield, Paul Mannion spent a few years at wing-forward before returning to his natural role in the corner and Con O’Callaghan broke onto the team as a creator at centre-forward but has been used at their primary scorer at full-forward this year.
Perhaps none of Jim Gavin’s troops can perform such a wide range of duties as Ciaran Kilkenny. The Castleknock man burst onto the scene as a high-scoring inside forward with the Dublin U21s in 2012.
He scored 2-30 during their run to All-Ireland glory, before establishing himself on the senior team in a formidable half-forward line alongside Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn. Kilkenny’s three All-Stars have all come on the half-forward line, but he did play closer to goal last season when he scored 2-24 in the championship.
When McCarthy went down with a knee injury in 2016, Kilkenny filled in as a ball-carrying wing-back. He racked up an impressive 52 possessions in their quarter-final win over Donegal that year.
“I love playing wherever for the team,” Kilkenny said in 2017. “I played centre-back a lot for my club when I was younger. And actually when I was younger than that, I played a lot at full-back as well.
“So I love playing in defence. I get a great thrill out of it. Half-forward, half-back and midfield, they’re all nearly the same role. You’re in the thick of things. You get to get on breaking ball, you can get tackles in, you get on the play and support the attack.”
When Dublin became more possession-based from 2015 onwards, Kilkenny assumed the role of the team’s de-facto point guard. He was the man tasked with running the offence, switching the point of the attack and feeding Dublin’s shooters.
Kilkenny incredibly logged 62 possessions in the semi-final defeat of Tyrone two years ago, underlining his importance to his team.
“In a basketball team the point guard’s role in general is to get the ball to the scorers,” former Irish basketball captain Tim McCarthy told The42 before the final that season.
“To me Kilkenny is the point guard, because what he does is he surveys the whole situation. What he does is find players. If you look at the point guard’s role, it’s to get the ball to the scorers. Ciaran Kilkenny in Dublin gets the ball to the scorers.”
Earlier that year, Kilkenny observed that a key part of his role was ensuring his side hold onto the ball.
“An important aspect when you’re playing against blanket defences is retaining possession,” he stated.
He had a stunning pass completion rate of 99.4% in the 2018 championship, completing 144 of 145 handpasses and all 24 of his kick-passes last season.
Kilkenny was similarly efficient during Saturday night’s replay, completing 33 of his 34 passes by hand or foot. He registered 40 touches of the ball, with eight of those coming in the final 10 minutes as Dublin ran down the clock and dominated possession.
The 26-year-old was tracked by Brian O Beaglaoich for most of the game this time around and played the entire first-half at left-half forward.
The vast majority of his plays during the opening period came down the left channel, but when Kilkenny reverted to 11 after the restart he got himself on the ball in every sector of the field.
Kilkenny started both halves at centre-forward. For the throw-ups he generally makes a direct run towards the midfielders, leaving a huge gap down the middle.
Dublin’s inside trio of O’Callaghan, Dean Rock and Mannion kept wide as Kerry were criminally exposed down the spine of their rearguard.
Nothing came of it in the first-half, but Eoin Murchan exploited the ocean of space created by Kilkenny’s run at the start of the second period to bag the game’s only goal.
Superb start from the second half throw-in! Eoin Murchan with a @DubGAAOfficial goal pic.twitter.com/5ZlV9vLKVI
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 14, 2019
After going scoreless in the drawn game, Kilkenny looked determined to make his mark from the off on Saturday night. He had his first score on the board within 90 seconds and his second arrived in the sixth minute after neat link-up play with O’Callaghan.
He provided the pass for scores from Davy Byrne and O’Callaghan during the first period and then tagged on his third point of the night in the 21st minute after an incisive run. By that stage his initial marker Gavin Crowley had been switched with O Beaglaoich.
(Click here if you can’t view the clip above)
Kilkenny’s fourth point arrived after a glorious Diarmuid Connolly slicer that dropped invitingly into his paw.
Sublime pass by Diarmuid Connolly here to set up a Ciarán Kilkenny point! pic.twitter.com/gg7Tabwqls
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 14, 2019
Kilkenny frequently foraged back in the second-half and pulled off a brilliant block on Jack Sherwood in the 52nd minute to deny Kerry a score.
(Click here if you can’t view the clip above)
After turning it over, Dublin broke upfield and patiently probed for an opening with Mannion curling over a nice effort after a good screen from Niall Scully. Scully’s subtle check on the defender was another sign of the basketball influence on this Dublin side.
Gavin’s side frequently use a number of techniques from the hardcourt to engineer space. One example of this is the backdoor cut, which Kieran Donaghy explained in detail earlier this summer.
It’s a move that counteracts defenders who mark up high and attempt to cut out the forward looping around the ball carrier to have a shot at the posts.
Kilkenny likes the trick and he pulled it off twice in the first-half and he was unlucky not to have been awarded a free for a foul by Paul Murphy in the first instance.
(Click here if you can’t view the clip above)
The three-time All-Star frequently changed the focus of the attack when Dublin needed a quick switch and injected pace into the moves by embarking on 12 solo runs at the Kerry defence.
A deserved man-of-the-match award followed for Kilkenny and he may yet be nominated for Footballer of the Year for the third time in his career.
“It means absolutely everything,” a delighted Kilkenny told Sky Sports afterwards.
“What we put into the last couple of weeks, in terms of preparation, recovery, getting around each other. Our families having to put up with us at home. It just means so much to us. Everyone is so emotional out there on the field.
“Fair play to Kerry, they’re such a great team. Getting over the line just means so much to us. I’ve never felt anything like that before in my life. Everyone running around to each other after the game, it’s an incredible feeling.
“That’s what football is for, that’s what the GAA is all about, and we’re absolutely delighted.
“I’m so lucky – my dad packs my bag before the games and polishes my boots. They do everything for me. My mam just has to put up with me being cranky around the house.
“My family, my close network of friends, they’ve been so supportive throughout the year and we’re just delighted we’ve done it.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.