KERRY LOST FORWARDS Sean O’Shea and Paul Geaney at half-time of yesterday’s clash with Dublin at Croke Park due to injury and manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice will have to wait before discovering if they will be available to face Kildare next Saturday night.
Kerry succumbed to an eventual 12-point loss to Dublin in a match where they trailed by three points at the break. 2016 All-Ireland minor winning captain O’Shea and All-Star winner for the past two seasons Geaney were conspicuous by their absence in the second half.
They both notched a point from play in the first half and had Kerry’s two best goal chances – Geaney finding the butt of the upright with a close-range shot and O’Shea screwing a shot wide with just the covering Jonny Cooper to beat in the Dublin rearguard.
Kerry suffered in the absence of the pair and will be mindful of the importance of having them available to meet the Lilywhites. Successive defeats to Galway and Dublin leave them locked on four points in Division 1 with Tyrone and Mayo, while Donegal are still fighting to avoid the drop on two points and Kildare are rooted to the bottom after five defeats.
“I think Sean O’Shea and Paul Geaney, certainly losing them at half-time was a factor,” remarked Fitzmaurice after yesterday’s loss in Croke Park.
“We lost a bit of impetus and direction up front but look we just have to learn from it. We just have to move on and like as I said, it was a pretty chastening experience for all of us.
“They both were injured, they were gone at half time. I don’t know what their situation is at the moment with regard to next weekend. They both got knocks so that was it.”
Kerry were robbed of forward Stephen O’Brien after he incurred a hamstring injury this week but David Moran did get on in the second half for his first contribution of the 2018 season.
The situation regarding the return of other players is unclear as they continue to bounce back from injury with Donnchadh Walsh, Darran O’Sullivan, James O’Donoghue, Anthony Maher, Killian Young and Johnny Buckley amongst those absent from the 26-man squad yesterday.
“(Stephen O’Brien) had a bit of a hamstring injury,” outlined Fitzmaurice.
“We would be hoping next weekend but we will have to wait and see.
“Donnchadh won’t be back, Darran maybe. He was playing county league today so hopefully with that game under his belt it’ll bring him a bit further down the line
“There’s been complications with some of the lads returning. We’d have liked them back a bit sooner but it hasn’t happened for different reasons so we just go with what we have.”
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.